1 Taking Stock in 2009 Biological Criteria

2 Freshwater Biology Team, EPA R3, EAID, OMA FBT Members FBT Members Amy Bergdale, Frank Borsuk, Kelly Krock, Maggie Passmore, Greg Pond, Louis Reynolds Amy Bergdale, Frank Borsuk, Kelly Krock, Maggie Passmore, Greg Pond, Louis Reynolds Assist the states in methods development, bioassessment, biocriteria Assist the states in methods development, bioassessment, biocriteria Assist EPA R3 in use of biological data Assist EPA R3 in use of biological data WQS, monitoring, TMDLs, NPDES, superfund, etc. WQS, monitoring, TMDLs, NPDES, superfund, etc. Perform special studies Perform special studies

3 CWA Section 101 Objective Biological Integrity To Restore & Maintain the Chemical, Physical, & Biological Integrity of the Nation's Waters

4 Bioassessments are evaluations of the biological condition of a waterbody using surveys of the structure & function of a community of resident biota (e.g. the interrelated plants and animals living in a waterbody including fish, bugs, amphibians, mussels, diatoms). BIOASSESSMENTS

5 Value Of Biological Information: Ohio Comparison Of Biosurvey With Chemical Evaluation Chemical Evaluation Indicates No Impairment Of aquatic life use, but Biosurvey Shows Impairment Biosurvey Shows No Impairment of the Aquatic life use, but Chemical Evaluation Indicates Impairment Chemical Prediction and Biosurvey Agree WHY?

6 Whats old news? Bioassessments direct measure of aquatic life use attainment Bioassessments direct measure of aquatic life use attainment Wadeable stream methods Wadeable stream methods Defining stream reference conditions with biological data Defining stream reference conditions with biological data 303(d) lawsuits and widespread impact on bioassessments 303(d) lawsuits and widespread impact on bioassessments All states use macroinvertebrates. MD also uses fish. All states use macroinvertebrates. MD also uses fish.

7 Whats new news? Replacing Family with Genus level macroinvertebrates Replacing Family with Genus level macroinvertebrates More defensible, more representative of alus More defensible, more representative of alus Exs. PA, WV Exs. PA, WV Adding Fish as a second assemblage Adding Fish as a second assemblage Struggling with Periphyton – 3 rd assemblage or nutrient indicator? Struggling with Periphyton – 3 rd assemblage or nutrient indicator? Pondering mussels Pondering mussels New analyses for measurement error and uncertainty New analyses for measurement error and uncertainty

8 Whats new news? Biological Condition Gradients (BCGs) Biological Condition Gradients (BCGs) Macroinvertebrates Macroinvertebrates Fish Fish Mussels Mussels Periphyton Periphyton Tiered Aquatic Life Uses Tiered Aquatic Life Uses Better protect high quality streams Better protect high quality streams Realistic goals for streams following UAAs if 101(a) aquatic life use in removed Realistic goals for streams following UAAs if 101(a) aquatic life use in removed Ex. PADEP Ex. PADEP

9 Whats new news? National Surveys National Surveys Methods for other waterbody types (non wadeable systems, wetlands) Methods for other waterbody types (non wadeable systems, wetlands) Evaluating technical elements of bioassessment and biocriteria programs Evaluating technical elements of bioassessment and biocriteria programs Ex. VADEQ Self Assessment Ex. VADEQ Self Assessment

10 Ex: PAs Metrics for Genus Level Index 1 – Modified Becks Index 2 – EPT Taxa Richness 3 – Total Taxa Richness 4 – Shannon Diversity Index 5 – Hilsenhoff Biotic Index 6 – Percent Intolerant Individuals IBI ranges from 0-100: Estimate of measurement error (sd) = 3.36 units Courtesy of B. Chalfont, PADEP

11 What is Biological Condition Gradient (BCG)? It is a scientific framework for determining biological response to anthropogenic stress. Longstanding, accepted science Measurable and predictable Variability needs to be characterized Based on biological data Stress BioCondition

12 Undisturbed/Minimally Disturbed Stream Midges Beetles Dragonflies, Damselflies Caddisflies Mayflies Stoneflies 1 inch Courtesy of Susan Davies, ME DEP

13 Caddisflies Stoneflies Mayflies Blackflies Midges Non-insects Crane flies Beetles Nutrient Enriched Stream 1 inch Courtesy of Susan Davies, ME DEP

14 Drainage from a Shopping Mall Parking Lot Caddisflies Snails Midges Leeches Scuds Beetles Craneflies 1 inch Courtesy of Susan Davies, ME DEP

15 Biological Condition Biological Condition Gradient-Protect HQ Waters Increasing Level of Stress Minimal changes in structure & function Evident changes in structure and minimal changes in function Moderate changes in structure & minimal changes in function Major changes in structure & moderate changes in function Severe changes in structure & function Natural structure and function of biotic community maintained X

16 Biological Condition Biological Condition Gradient – Incremental Goals Increasing Level of Stress Natural structure and function of biotic community maintained Minimal changes in structure & function Evident changes in structure and minimal changes in function Moderate changes in structure & minimal changes in function Major changes in structure & moderate changes in function Severe changes in structure & function

17 Example: PA Freestone Streams Tiered uses protect streams in excellent condition …and those in good condition. Courtesy of B. Chalfont, PADEP

18 Ex: WV Genus Level Macro Index Cooperative Effort Between WVDEP and EPA R3 DRAFT

19 WV GLIMPSS Replace family level index Replace family level index Genus level taxonomy Genus level taxonomy Improved classification by season and region Improved classification by season and region Improved metrics by season and region Improved metrics by season and region More accurate assessments More accurate assessments Better stressor identification Better stressor identification IBI ranges from 0-100: Estimate of measurement error (sd) = 5-6 units

20 Ecoregions combined into two regions, Mountains and Plateau Two Seasons: Spring and Summer Metrics designed To work best in each segion

21 GLIMPSS: Very Good Discrimination

22 GLIMPSS: More Accurate Assessments Ex: Alkaline Mining Disturbance

23 GLIMPSS: Improved Stressor ID over WVSCI Acid deposition Acid deposition Ionic strength Ionic strength Sediment Sediment Organic enrichment Organic enrichment Metals toxicity equal to WVSCI Metals toxicity equal to WVSCI

24 Methods for larger streams and rivers. Ex. DRBC and Delaware River

25 Ex: DRBC and Delaware River 2009 Biocriteria Subcommittee Courtesy of B. Limbeck, DRBC

26 Adding fish as an assemblage for wadeable and nonwadeable streams

27 And working on nonwadeable methods at the same time…

28 BCG for Fish EPA R3 starting work on fish taxa lists and database EPA R3 starting work on fish taxa lists and database June 2009 workshop planned June 2009 workshop planned Introduce experts to BCG concepts Introduce experts to BCG concepts Attribute fish taxa with BCG descriptors Attribute fish taxa with BCG descriptors Discuss classification Discuss classification Atlantic and Ohio slope drainages Atlantic and Ohio slope drainages PADEP planning BCG fish workshop in fall 2009 PADEP planning BCG fish workshop in fall 2009 VA DEQ planning fish IBI/BCG meeting in fall 2009 VA DEQ planning fish IBI/BCG meeting in fall 2009

29 Are R3 States Adopting Biocriteria in their WQS? No - Numeric Biocriteria No - Numeric Biocriteria Yes - Assessment Methodologies Yes - Assessment Methodologies MD - specific narrative biocriteria MD - specific narrative biocriteria PA - new implementation guidance for using biological data for EV/HQ PA - new implementation guidance for using biological data for EV/HQ DRBC – new biocriteria subcommittee DRBC – new biocriteria subcommittee

30 Current Challenges Easy? Its just science. Easy? Its just science. Adding assemblages Adding assemblages Adding water body types (e.g.nonwadeable, wetlands) Adding water body types (e.g.nonwadeable, wetlands) Courtesy of B. Chalfont, PADEP

31 Current Challenges Harder? Its not all science. Harder? Its not all science. Intersections of science and policy Intersections of science and policy Threats of lawsuits from regulated industries Threats of lawsuits from regulated industries Nutrient Criteria Nutrient Criteria Nutrient TMDLs Nutrient TMDLs Courtesy of WVDEP

32 Region 3 States Biocriteria Summary 2009 EPA technical assistance in DRBC, WV and VA on genus level inverts PA, VA and WV on fish indices/BCGs Use of measurement error, uncertainty Assisting states with challenges to bioassessment and biocriteria