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ANNUAL REPORT
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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA-820-R11-001
February 2011
water.epa.gov
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Contents
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Table of Contents
Foreword
What We Do
Support Agency Goals and Administrator Priorities.
Assist Federal and State Water Programs
Highlights.
Technology-Based Solutions 4
Revised Regulations for Steam Electric Power Generating 4
Stormwater Rule Addressing Post-Construction Discharges 4
Treatment Effectiveness Report for Contaminants of Emerging Concern 5
Guidance on Managing Unused Pharmaceuticals 5
Methods Update Proposed Rule 5
Water Quality-Based Standards 6
Implementing the National Water Quality Standards Program 6
Improving Beach Water Quality, Monitoring and Public Information 8
Application of Sound Science 10
Drinking Water Support 10
Development of New Recreational Water Quality Criteria 11
Development of Numeric Nutrient Criteria 11
CWA-FIFRA Common Effects Assessment Methodology for Pesticides 12
Fish Contamination Program 12
Gulf Oil Spill Response 13
Looking Ahead 14
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P re ord
r The Office of Science and Technology (OST) applies sound science and technology to guide
national and state water programs in establishing water quality standards, technology-based
solutions, and public health goals and criteria to achieve clean and safe water.
Calendar year 2010 was a banner year for OST, continuing its efforts from 2009 with greater
collaboration among partners and stakeholders to ensure that sound science and the latest
technologies guide the work of EPA’s water programs. OST published the Guidance for
Implementing the January2001 Math ylmercury Water Quality Criterion, completing nearly
a decade of work in this area. OST also issued several important rulemakings, reports and
recommendations for numeric nutrient criteria: the proposed and final rules for numeric nutrient
criteria for Florida’s lakes and flowing waters, as well as guidance for states using a stressor-
response approach to derive nutrient criteria. In addition, OST began the process of revising the
current Water Quality Standards regulation which has been in place almost 30 years. 2010 also
marked the completion of a precedent-setting science and research initiative by OST and the
Office of Research and Development that will support development of improved recreational
water quality criteria in 2012.
In 2011, OST will continue making great strides, including a proposal of Water Quality Standards
regulatory revisions; rulemakings on numeric nutrient criteria for Florida estuaries and coastal
waters, post-construction stormwater discharges, airport deicing discharges, dental amalgam
discharges; and standards to minimize impacts from cooling water intakes. OST will also issue
guidance for managing unused pharmaceuticals at health care facilities, and will partner with
the Office of Pesticide Programs to complete peer-reviewed methodologies to assess the
effects of pesticides on aquatic life.
The great work OST has accomplished in 2010 reflects its exceptional, diverse and creative
staff. Whether addressing policy issues, water-quality research or technological innovation,
OST’s staff assures that the nation’s water programs are built on an advanced and reliable
scientific foundation. Given this highly motivated staff and its talented and experienced
management team, I am confident that we will effectively meet whatever environmental
challenges we may face in 2011.
Ep4rth t S
Director, Office of Science and Technology
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OST uses sound science, engineering and public policy to protect and restore the nation’s water
quality. OST ensures thatfederal and state water programs reflect current scientific knowledge about
water pollution causes and impacts on human health and ecosystems. Under the Clean Water and
Safe Drinking Water Acts, OST advances public health and environmental protection by producing
technology guidelines for industrial discharges and cooling water intakes; analytical test methods;
water quality standards (WUS); water quality criteria recommendations; models and tools; guidance for
advisories for beach swimming, fish consumption and drinking water; and risk assessments and special
studies identifying needed regulations.
SUPPORT AGENCY GOALS AND ADMINISTRATOR PRIORITIES
Because OST’s work supports a variety of offices and programs, our efforts align with several of the
Agency’s strategic goals: Clean and Safe Water, Healthy Communities and Ecosystems, and Compliance
and Environmental Stewardship.
EPA’s Strategic Goals OST’s Work
• Conducts risk assessments for drinking water and surface water contaminants
• Develops human health and aquatic life criteria for surface water
• Develops and publishes nutrient criteria, biological criteria and chemical criteria
• Develops national guidance, policies and direction for the beach water quality
monitoring and notification program
• Develops tools to help effectively implement WQS
• Reduces pollutant discharges from industrial sources
• Works with regions to review and approve state WUS
Healthy Communities
. Develops high-quality science to support consistent, common effects
and Ecosystems
characterization methods for pesticides in water and other environmental media
• Assists in the development and approval of WQS
• Develops effluent guidelines
• Improves understanding of contaminants of emerging concern
• Studies fish contamination for human health impacts
Compliance and
• Assists in monitoring the nation’s waters for research purposes
Environmental
Stewardship
. Develops and validates laboratory test procedures to detect and measure pollutants
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Clean and Safe Water
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OST’s activities also support many of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s priorities for the Agency:
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Administrators Priorities OST s Work
Taking Action on Climate Change
Assuring the Safety of Chemicals
• Participates in intra-Agency and interagency climate change research
efforts
• Participates in studying contaminants to issue advisories and guidelines
Cleaning Up Our Communities
Protecting America’s Waters
• Assists in the development and approval of WQS
• Develops effluent guidelines and numeric nutrient criteria
• Develops criteria for surface and drinking water
• Develops and publishes nutrient criteria, biological criteria, chemical
criteria and clean sediment criteria
• Supports development of new water-related rules
• Supports_development and review of WQS
Expanding the Conversation on
Environmentalism and Working for
Environmental Justice
• Maintains the National Listing of Fish Advisories, which provides
information for recreational and subsistence fishers
Building Strong State and Tribal
Partnerships
• Administers the BEACH Act state grant program
• Administers Water Quality Standards Academy
• Administers Tribal Training
• Works with states to approve WQS
ASSIST FEDERAL AND STATE WATER PROGRAMS
OST assists other federal and state water programs in protecting the environment and human health,
and provides policy and technical support to EPA regional offices and states in the development,
approval and use of WQS and criteria. OST supports the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) permit program by providing technology-based standards for industrial and municipal
dischargers. OST’s analytical methods program supports monitoring and compliance for permit writers
and other water programs. OST also provides guidance to states on developing and implementing
fish consumption advisories, assists in promoting state advice to consumers and develops federal
fish advisories with the Food and Drug Administration when necessary. In addition, OST develops
drinking water health advisories to support EPA regional offices, state governments and other public
health officials. These advisories are guidance values based on non-cancer health effects for different
durations of exposure to certain drinking water contaminants.
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• Treatment Effectiveness Report for Contaminants of Emerging Concern—EPA
published the results of an extensive literature review on wastewater treatment
technologies and their ability to remove contaminants of emerging concern.
• Methods Update Proposed Rule—EPA proposed a methods update rule to
approve new or revised test procedures for wastewater regulations. These
changes increase the regulated community’s and laboratories’ flexibility in ( ) o v)
selecting analytical methods for use in Clean Water Act programs.
• Final Mercury Criteria Implementation Guidance—EPA published Guidance
for implementing the January2001 Methylmercury Water Quality Criterion to
protect waters and human health by giving guidance for adopting a fish tissue-
based methylmercury water quality criterion into water quality standards and
implementing the criterion through other water quality programs.
• Federal Nutrient Criteria for Florida’s Lakes and Flowing Waters—EPA
promulgated landmark numeric nutrient criteria for Florida’s lakes and flowing
waters. This rulemaking is the first of a two rulemakings to establish numeric
nutrient criteria for waters throughout the state.
• BEACH Act Grants—EPA implemented a supplemental formula for the BEACH
grant allocation, which considers the total number of beach miles, beach use
and grant expenditures, to provide an incentive for more timely expenditure of
grant funds. The Agency awarded almost $10 million to eligible state, territorial
and tribal governments in 2010. EPA also published its 2011 BEACH Act grants
solicitation notice in the Federal Register.
• Water Quality Standards Regulatory Revisions—OST began revising the . . ‘f ’
current Water Quality Standards regulation, which has been in place since
1983. EPA held a series of listening sessions to inform the public and state, ‘ ,‘ 1
tribal and local governments about the potential changes. EPA will consider the “—.
comments received as it develops the proposed rulemaking. ( .
• Fluoride Risk Assessment—EPA completed and peer reviewed documents
on environmental exposure of children and adults to fluoride and water’s
contribution to fluoride exposure.
• Recreational Water Quality Criteria Research—OST worked with the Office of
Research and Development to coordinate and complete critical science and ,.
research that will be used to develop new or revised recreational water quality
criteria by October 2012.
• Mississippi Delta Fish Advisory—EPA completed the report of the Survey on
the Awareness and Effectiveness of the Mississippi Delta Fish Advisory, which
focused on recreational and subsistence fishers in the Mississippi Delta.
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REVISED REGULATIONS FOR STEAM ELECTRIC
POWER GENERATING
H In 2009, EPA started a rulemaking to revise the effluent guidelines
for Steam Electric Power Generating, which were originally
issued in 1982. These standards apply to steam electric power
plants using nuclear or fossil fuels. EPA continued its efforts in
2010 by substantially expanding and improving the knowledge
and understanding of the pollutant discharges and strategies for
reducing those discharges. Facilities that generate steam electric
power were asked to respond to an EPA questionnaire. More
than 700 facilities responded, providing detailed information about operational
characteristics and financial conditions. In addition, OST collected wastewater
samples at ten plants. Chemical analysis of the samples, combined with engineering
assessments of the plant’s operations, will form the basis of regulatory options. The
Agency will propose new guidelines in mid-2012 and complete the rule in early 2014.
For more information, please visit
i p’ Wa(e1.epa.guv. cI1ecfIvvd Lb’wt;I. yu;dt’ . Li:1I uiu&x.crm.
STORMWATER RULE ADDRESSING POST-CONSTRUCTION
DISCHARGES
EPA initiated a national rulemaking to establish a program reducing stormwater
discharges from new development and redevelopment and making other
regulatory improvements to strengthen the stormwater program. EPA developed
and distributed a questionnaire in 2010 to collect data that will provide EPA with
information it needs to establish the program:
• Current building, transportation and real estate improvement projects.
• Long-term stormwater controls and best management practices being
installed at newly developed and redeveloped projects.
• State and local long-term stormwater programs and requirements and the
areas covered by these programs.
• Current capacity and expenditures by NPDES Permitting Authorities and
local authorities to implement, enforce and maintain long-term stormwater
programs and controls.
• Technical financial and environmental data needed to quantify the
incremental pollutant removals, compliance Costs, impacts and benefits for
various regulatory options that EPA might consider in this rulemaking.
Stakeholder outreach was a priority during 2010. During six listening sessions in
cities across the country and a widely-attended webcast, EPA received public
comment on various approaches to regulating stormwater discharges.
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EPA will propose a rule for public comment in Fiscal Year 2011. For more information, please visit
TREATMENT EFFECTIVENESS REPORT FOR CONTAMINANTS OF EMERGING
CONCERN
In August 2010, OST posted the results of an extensive review of the recent literature on wastewater
treatment technologies and their ability to remove contaminants of emerging concern (CEC). EPA also
made the data from this review available in a searchable form. This information was developed to
provide an accessible and comprehensive body of historical information about current CEC treatment
technologies. The report was not designed to promote any one technology, nor is it intended to set
Agency policy or priorities in terms of risk.
The literature review report and searchable file can be found at 4 ’
h f-tn ’ i i tpr gnv/c’.. ItPrh/sLIvguidance/ppcp/resultc í’frn
GUIDANCE ON MANAGING UNUSED
PHARMACEUTICALS
In September 2010, EPA announced the availability of a draft
guidance document on best management practices for unused
pharmaceuticals at health care facilities. OST’s study of unused
pharmaceutical management practices at health care facilities was
prompted by the concern that large amounts of pharmaceuticals are
being disposed of improperly, polluting rivers, streams and coastal
waters. The draft guidance document describes techniques for
reducing or avoiding pharmaceutical waste, practices for identifying
and managing types of unused pharmaceuticals, and applicable disposal regulations. EPA received
extensive comments on the draft document. Following a careful review of those comments, EPA will
issue the guidance document in final form in mid-2011.
For more information, please visit
METHODS UPDATE PROPOSED Ru1.E
In July 2010, EPA proposed a methods update rule to approve several new or revised test procedures
for wastewater regulations. EPA is proposing to add new and revised methods published by the Agency,
voluntary consensus organizations (e.g., ASTM, International and the Standard Methods Committee)
and commercial entities for use in water quality monitoring programs. These changes and additional
methods will provide increased flexibility to the regulated community and laboratories in their selection
of analytical methods for use in CWA programs.
EPA approves analytical methods for measuring regulated pollutants in wastewater. The regulated
community and laboratories use these approved methods for determining compliance with NPDES
permits or other monitoring requirements. Often, these entities have a choice in deciding which
approved method they will use to measure a pollutant because more than one approved method
is available. This rule proposes to add to this list of approved methods, including introducing new
technologies and updated versions of previously approved methods.
The Federal Register notice can be viewed at
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IMPLEMENTING THE NATIONAL. WATER QUALITY
STANDARDS PROGRAM
Water Quality Standards (WQS) are the foundation of the water quality-
based control program mandated by the CWA. Defining goals for U.S. waters
and setting the standards against which all other surface water quality
programs measure success, WUS consist of four elements:
• Designated uses for water bodies, such as recreation, aquatic life
support, public water supply and agriculture.
• Water quality criteria that establish numeric pollutant
concentrations or narrative descriptions of water conditions that
must be met to attain designated uses.
• Antidegradation policy to maintain and protect existing uses and
high-quality waters.
• Other policies that address the implementation of standards.
Through its Water Quality Standards Program, OST develops the recommended
criteria and reviews the state standards that protect and restore the nation’s water
bodies. States and territories lead the implementation and administration of WQS
programs under the CWA. OST and EPA’s regional offices provide federal oversight
for state and territorial programs, but all work together as co-regulators on a daily
basis. Tribes may apply for federal authorization to administer WQS programs
under the CWA. OST provides technical assistance to tribes in applying for federal
program authorization and in developing and implementing WQS and other water
quality programs. To date, 46 tribes have federal authority to administer a WQS
program, 37 of which have EPA-approved, CWA-effective WQS.
Regional and State Support for Water Quality Standards
In addition to developing federal WQS regulations, national policy and guidance,
OST supports regions and states on specific WQS actions. OST helps its regional
counterparts review many state standards packages submitted to the regions for
review and approval or disapproval. EPA approved more than 90 percent of the
state submissions received in FY 2010.
In addition, OST supported the states in their development of numeric nutrient
criteria. EPA funded data gathering, provided experts to analyze data and
recommended nutrient criteria values. EPA also published proposed and finalized
numeric nutrient criteria for Florida’s lakes and flowing waters.
For more information about the National Water Quality Standards Program, visit
http//water. epa. go v/scitech/swguidan ce/waterqualit
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The Agency received over 22,000 public comments in writing and at 13 public hearings held throughout
the state. After careful consideration of the comments, the final rule was signed by Administrator
Jackson on November 14, 2010 and published in the Federal Registeron December 6,2010. The final rule
is accompanied by an extensive scientific supporting document that provides the scientific foundation
r and justification for the final criteria values: Technical Support Document for U.S. EPA’s Final Rule for
Numeric Criteria for Nitrogen/Phosphorus Pollution in Florida’s Inland Surface Fresh Waters.
EPA deferred the promulgation of criteria for the south Florida inland flowing waters and the procedure
to adjust stream criteria to protect downstream estuaries to November 2011, when EPA will propose
numeric criteria for Florida’s estuaries and coastal waters.
Estuarine, Coastal and Southern Inland Flowing Waters Rulemaking
EPA also initiated a rulemaking for Florida’s estuarine, coastal and southern inland flowing waters in
2010. EPA developed the document, titled “Methods and Approaches for Deriving Numeric Criteria for
Nitrogen/Phosphorus Pollution in Florida’s Estuaries, Coastal Waters and Southern Flowing Waters,”
and submitted itto EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) for review in November 2010. The document
describes the approach EPA is considering for developing downstream protection values that may
be applied to Florida streams to ensure the attainment and maintenance of downstream WQS. EPA
provided additional information to the SAB at a public meeting in December 2010. The recommendations
provided to EPA through the SAB review process will strengthen the scientific basis of numeric criteria
for nutrient pollution to be proposed for Florida’s estuaries, coastal waters and southern inland flowing
waters in November 2011. The final rule is scheduled to be signed in August 2012.
Listening Sessions on WQS Regulatory Revision Considerations
in 2010, OST began the process of revising the current WQS regulation, which has been in place since
1983. Potential revisions include strengthening protection for water bodies with water quality that
already exceeds or meets the interim goals of the CWA; ensuring that standards reflect a continued
commitment to these goals wherever attainable; improving transparency of regulatory decisions; and
strengthening federal oversight. The proposed rule revising the current regulation is expected to be
published in 2011.
EPA has met with state, tribal and local governments; intergovernmental associations; environmental
and industry groups; and private citizens to provide information and collect input regarding EPA’s
proposed revisions to the water quality standards regulations. Pre-proposal outreach began mid-
summer 2010 and continued through the fall, with EPA holding thirteen meetings with stakeholders.
Two listening sessions were held for the general public and attracted many state and local government
representatives. Two meetings were held specifically for tribal governments and three for state
regulators. One session was held with intergovernmental associations, three with environmental groups
and two with industry representatives.
For more information about the WQS and the listening sessions, please visit
http: water pagov,iawsreqs/Iawsguidar1ce/wqSJIStEmiflg. cfm.
IMPROVING BEACH WATER OPALITY? MONITORING AND PUBUC
INFORMATION
OST’s beach program works in partnership with the EPA regions and state and local governments to
protect water quality at U.S. beaches and the health of beach visitors. The beach program focuses on
five areas:
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• Strengthening local beach WQS and monitoring efforts to
enhance protection of public health at beaches.
• Improving tools for monitoring and providing predictive
tools and faster laboratory test methods for beach water
samples.
• Improving ways to identify causal sources and conditions.
• Investing in human health and analytical methods research.
• Informing the public of water quality monitoring and
notification information about U.S. beaches.
BEACH Act Grants
To improve water quality testing and help beach managers better inform the public about water quality
issues, Congress passed the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act in
October 2000. The Act authorizes EPA to provide grants to coastal and Great Lakes states, territories and
tribes to develop and implement beach water quality monitoring programs and inform the public about
the risk of exposure to disease-causing microorganisms in the water. EPA has awarded over $100 million
in grants since 2001.
Supplemental Grant A/location Formula Implemented
In 2010, the BEACH Act’s tenth year, the Agency awarded almost $10 million to eligible state, territorial
and tribal governments. EPA set aside $100,000 for eligible tribes to develop beach programs. EPA also
implemented a supplemental formula, which is used for two purposes:
• Allocate appropriated grant funds in excess of $10 million.
• Reallocate BEACH Act grants funds older than three years left unspent by states and territories.
The supplemental formula considers beach miles and beach use. The results of the base and
supplemental formulas are added together to arrive at a total grant for each eligible state and territory.
2011 Grants Solicitation
EPA released its 2011 BEACH Act grants solicitation notice in December 2010. This slightly earlier
release allows the Agency to award the annual grants earlier so that eligible states, territories and
tribes can use the funds to prepare for the peak beach season in summer 2011.
For more information, visit http./’/water. epa gov ”grants_funding/beachgrants.
National 2009 Summary of State Beach Closings and Advisories
Each spring, OST releases a report summarizing notification
actions—the number, location and duration of beach closings
and advisories—in the United States during the previous year’s
swimming season. In May 2010, OST released a national summary
report of state data on beach closings and advisories during the
2009 beach season. The report, which showed that monitored
beaches were open and not under advisories 95 percent of beach
season days, is supplemented by state reports that include program-
specific accomplishments, issues and other information provided
by the states and made available on EPA’s Beach Monitoring and
Notification website at http.;’/water epa.gov/type/oceb/beaches/seasonsj009jndex. ci.
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OST develops risk assessments and provides other human-health effects
information for drinking water contaminants in support of Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA) regulatory decisions. This work includes scientific and technical analyses
that support development of contaminant candidate lists, regulatory determinations
and six-year reviews of currently regulated drinking water contaminants.
Endocrine Disruptor Screening Process and SDWA
OST worked with the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) and
the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention to develop the second list
of chemicals to be screened under the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program.
The list contains 134 chemicals that have been identified as priorities under the
Safe Drinking Water Act because they may be found in sources of drinking water
that may expose a substantial number of people. Published in November, this list
also includes pesticide active ingredients that are being evaluated under EPA’s
registration review program to ensure they meet current scientific and regulatory
standards. The data generated from this review will provide robust and systematic
scientific information to help EPA identify if additional testing is necessary or if
other steps are required to address potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals. After
public comment and review, EPA will issue test orders to pesticide registrants
and the manufacturers of these chemicals to compel them to generate data to
determine whether their chemicals may disrupt the endocrine system’s estrogen,
androgen and thyroid pathways. EPA will begin issuing orders for this second group
of 134 chemicals beginning in 2011.
Fluoride Risk Assessment
EPA established regulations for fluoride in drinking water in 1986, including a non-
enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) and a Secondary Maximum
Contaminant Level (SMCL). The scientific basis for the health assessments that
underlie the MCLG and SMCL was evaluated by the National Research Council
(NRC) at the request of the EPA in 1993 and 2006 due to new studies on the health
effects of ingested fluoride in humans and laboratory animals. The most recent NRC
panel recommended that EPA conduct a new quantitative risk assessment for the
tooth enamel pitting of severe dental fluorosis, low level fluorotic bone damage and
the risk for increased bone fractures.
As recommended by NRC, EPA conducted a quantitative dose-response
assessment based on the available data for severe dental fluorosis. EPA also wrote
a document on environmental exposure of children and adults to fluoride and the
relative source contribution for water. Both documents will be released in early
2011.
For more information, Visit
http. vvatar: epa gova ctiori advisories tirinkiiig.f/uoruio in 1ex cfrij.
DRINKING WATER SUPPORT
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DEVELOPMENT OF NEW RECREATIONAL WATER QUAHTY CRITERIA
The BEACH Act requires EPA to publish new recreational water quality criteria that states can use to
strengthen their WQS programs and protect millions of swimmers in the United States from illnesses
associated with water contaminated with pathogens.
Stakeholder Engagement
In October 2010, OST conducted its annual Recreational Water Quality Criteria Stakeholder Meeting
via the Web. The stakeholder meeting was held to solicit input and to give stakeholders the opportunity
to bring issues to EPA on the development of new recreational water quality criteria. The webinar
also provided stakeholders with an update on EPA’s research for the development of recreational
water quality criteria and EPA’s current thinking on criteria elements. For more information about the
stakeholder meeting, please visit
Completion of Underlying Research
To develop new criteria that reflect current scientific data, OST and the Office of Research and
Development (ORD) are implementing the Critical Path Science Plan (Science Plan) developed by U.S.
and international scientific experts and published by EPA in 2007.
In accordance with the Science Plan, EPA completed more than 30 studies in 2010 that, in conjunction
with other research, will serve as the scientific basis for the revised criteria. The studies include
epidemiology studies, site characterization studies, a Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment, indicator/
methods development and validation studies and modeling. OST also is working closely with the
Water Environment Research Foundation and other stakeholders as they perform research related to
quantitative microbial risk assessment, pathogens and indicators in inland waters, and pathogens and
indicators in tropical and subtropical waters.
For more information on the status of this research and OST’s work to develop new recreational criteria,
see
littp .YWa E epagov/scitech, swguidance/waterqua/ity/standards/criteria/health/recreatiop/jpdex.
DEvELOPMENT OF NUMERIC NUTRIENT
CRITERIA
OST’s Numeric Nutrient Criteria Program supports states, territories
and authorized tribes in developing numeric criteria for nutrient-
related variables including nitrogen, phosphorus, water clarity and
chlorophyll-a.
Guidance on Stressor-Response Approach to Criteria
Development
In 2010, EPA completed guidance for using stressor-response
relationship approaches to derive numeric nutrient criteria. The draft document was peer reviewed
by EPA’s SAB, which supports developing guidance on the use of this approach. The SAB review
brought several key issues to light, including how to describe the appropriate use of these statistical
methods and approaches in a national context. The final version of the guidance addresses the SAB’s
recommendations, yielding a clear, useful document that will help states in developing numeric nutrient
criteria with a sound scientific basis.
To view the guidance, go to http.v/water. epago v/scitech/swguidance/waterquality/standards/criteria/
aqlife/po//utant .. , iiuznent/upload/finalstressor2OlO.pdf.
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Florida Estuarine and Coastal Waters Methods Document
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OW developed a technical support document on methods and approaches for developing numeric
nutrient criteria for Florida’s estuarine and coastal waters, downstream protection values in streams to
protect those waters, and criteria for flowing inland waters in the south Florida region. EPA has asked
the SAB to conduct the external peer review of the methods document, uMethods and Approaches for
Deriving Numeric Criteria for Nitrogen/Phosphorus Pollution in Florida’s Estuaries, Coastal Waters, and
Southern Inland Flowing Waters.” The SAB will provide advice and recommendations to EPA on the
technical accuracy of the approaches and analyses being considered for derivation of numeric nutrient
criteria in Florida estuaries, coastal waters and southern inland flowing waters. The SAB held public
meetings to initiate the review on December 13 and 14, 2010. A final review from the SAB is expected in
the spring of 2011.
CWA-FLFRA COMMON EFFECTS ASSESSMENT
METHODOWGY FOR PESTICIDES
Both OW and the Office of Pesticide Programs are responsible for evaluating
aquatic ecotoxicity data to assess ecological effects of chemicals in surface
water. In characterizing pesticide effects, both programs consider acute
effects as well as chronic and sub-lethal effects on growth, survival and
reproduction in their assessments. Stakeholders have identified a need for
consistent and timely federal input that will allow EPA, states, tribes and
the public to determine if pesticides represent a concern for aquatic life.
EPA is now exploring how to build on the substantial high-quality science
developed under both programs to develop additional tools and approaches
to support a consistent, common set of effects characterization methods
using the best available information.
EPA held several public meetings in 2010 to solicit stakeholder input on its
initial considerations regarding a common effects assessment process
and the scope and content of three white papers about using tools to estimate aquatic toxicity data;
approaches for deriving community-level benchmarks; and procedures for better integrating plant
effects data into community-level assessments. A formal peer review process of these methodologies
will be held in the fall of 2011.
For more information about this project, please visit
http., www.epa.gov/oppe fed/i va tit a ffe ts ri,ethudu/ogy’r dex.
FISH CONTAMINATION PROGRAM
Great Lakes Human Health Fish Tissue Study
Under the Agency’s National Coastal Condition Assessment, OST
collaborated with the Great Lakes National Program Office and
Office of Research and Development to begin the first statistically-
based study of fish contamination in the Great Lakes. OST collected
samples at about 150 near-shore sites in the Great Lakes for
analyses relating fish contaminant data to human health. EPA
expects to report the study results in 2012 and 2013.
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Mississippi Delta Environmental Justice Fish Advisory Effectiveness Study
Under a grant from OST, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued in 2000 a
still-standing regional Delta advisory from Memphis to Vicksburg because of high levels of the pesticide
DDT in fish harvested from Delta waters. MDEQ initiated an extensive outreach campaign in 2001 to
make people aware of the advisory.
In December 2010, OST completed a report evaluating the effectiveness of the Regional Mississippi
Delta fish advisory. In cooperation with MDEQ and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, OST
conducted a survey in 2008-09 to understand the extent to which the Delta population who catches or
eats wild fish from the Delta is aware of the advisory. The study also sought to understand the changes
made in the types of fish caught and eaten by those who are aware the advisory. The study concluded
that although only 28 percent of those surveyed were aware of the advisory, 91 percent of those who
were aware followed the meal advice.
OST will present the details of the study at the 2011 National Fish Forum and intends to develop national
guidance on conducting surveys of rural populations in 2012. MDEQ will use the survey results to
improve future outreach campaigns in the Delta.
GuL.F Oft SPftL RESPONSE
OST experts played a key role in OW’s response to the Gulf Oil Spill. OST led the development of
groundbreaking science to assess the potential impacts of oil-related compounds on human health
and the environment. OST quickly reviewed the available science and literature to derive water
column and sediment benchmarks for an array of oil constituents. The benchmarks included a range of
environmental and human exposure considerations and assumptions. OST staff also worked effectively
with other federal agencies to derive and review the chronic and acute benchmarks.
Along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Food and Drug Administration,
OST also played an integral role in the development of the seafood safety reopening protocol to
document the process for when and how fish and shellfish areas would be assessed to make decisions
to reopen to commercial fishing to ensure consumer safety. The federal and state workgroup on seafood
safety, on which OST participates, will soon begin developing a long-range monitoring plan designed to
ensure the continued safety of seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.
In addition, many OST staff and managers played critical leadership roles in EPA’s Emergency
Operations Center (EOC), performing many crucial functions:
• Supporting the assessment of water and sediment samples against the chronic and acute
benchmarks. ________________________
• Coordinating the review of proposals for booms, berms and
barriers.
• Developing staffing plans and operating procedures to
ensure that the EOC was properly staffed seven days a
week and twelve hours a day.
• Fielding and responding to a variety of technical, policy and
communication requests.
• Representing OW in daily senior leadership meetings with
EPA’s Administrator.
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OST has a number of actions planned for 2011 that will increase protection of
human health and the environment through water quality improvements. Key
actions include the following:
• 2010 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan—EPA will publish a final 2010
Effluent Guidelines Program Plan summarizing the status of ongoing
rulemakings and industries for which effluent guideline regulations will
need to be revised or established. This will include proposing a new
regulation to limit mercury waste from dental offices.
• Stormwater Rule Addressing Post-Construction Discharges—EPA will
issue a proposed rule in 2011 to establish a program reducing stormwater
discharges from new development and redevelopment.
• Rulemaking to Reduce Pollutant Discharges at Airports—EPA will issue a
final rule to control pollutant discharges associated with deicing airplanes
and runways.
• Estuarine, Coastal and Southern Inland Flowing Waters Rulemaking for
Florida—EPA will propose numeric nutrient criteria for Florida’s estuarine,
coastal and southern inland flowing waters in November 2011. The
rulemaking will also include the procedure to adjust stream criteria to
protect downstream estuaries.
• Proposed WQS Regulatory Revisions—EPA expects to propose revisions to
the current Water Quality Standards regulation in summer 2011.
• CWA-FIFRA Common Effects Assessment Methodology for Pesticides—
EPA will conduct a formal peer review of these methodologies in the fall of
2011.
• Rulemaking to Minimize Impacts from Cooling Water Intakes—EPA will
propose standards to protect fish and other aquatic organisms from being
killed or injured by cooling water intake structures at power plants and
other industrial facilities.
• National Coastal Assessment—Fish fillet composite samples
collected in 2010 for the National Coastal Assessment will
be analyzed in 2011 for mercury, perfluorinated compounds,
omega-3 fatty acids, pharmaceutical compounds and
polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
• Beach Program—OST will host the 2011 Beach Conference
from March 15 to March 1] in Miami, FL. The conference will
include workshops on predictive modeling tools and rapid
analytical methods.
OST looks forward to collaborating with stakeholders and other
partners to achieve effective outcomes for these and other projects
on the horizon in 2011.
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