United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development National Exposure Research Laboratory Research Abstract Government Performance Results Act (GPRA) Goal 2.2 Annual Performance Measure #198 Significant Research Findings: Report on Newly Developed and Review of Existing Bioassessment Tools and Biocriteria for Rivers and Streams in New England Scientific States are required by the Clean Water Act to monitor and report on their water Problem and resources on a regular basis. However, bioassessment programs can vary widely Policy Issues from statc to state. The biological assemblages sampled, the development of indicators, and the manner of setting biocriteria vary among New England states. Some states have much more advanced programs than others, and the experiences of one state can have an influence on the activities of other states. There is currently no single document that provides sufficient detail on bioassessment tools and biocriteria used by state programs to determine comparability of programs. Both states still developing programs and those with well-established programs could benefit from a central document that allows for a detailed comparison among states. The purpose of this project was to develop a report that details the bioassessment programs and biocriteria for rivers and streams in each state in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont). Research For existing bioassessment tools and biocriteria, we contacted New England states Approach to obtain relevant materials describing in detail current bioassessment efforts. As part of this project, we worked closely with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to develop a macroinvertebrate bioassessment tool. The details of this tool and of other methods used by New Hampshire are included in the document. The features of each state's program are detailed in a separate chapter, with a summary chapter at the end. Results and The result is a report with detailed information on sampling approaches, sample Impact collection methods, laboratory processing methods, bioassessment tools, and site assessment approaches for rivers and streams in New England. This report provides a central resource to compare stream and river bioassessment programs across New England states. The report provides valuable information for EPA program offices and states on the comparability of data and methods among state programs and on the manner in which Aquatic Life Use support is evaluated in each state. This report serves as a resource for states, tribes, and municipalities both within New England and beyond to provide detailed information on methods for biological assessment, as well as on approaches to identifying reference ------- condition, evaluating biological data, and setting biocriteria. This report will help improve the quality and consistency in bioassessment and biocriteria programs. The primary product of this project is a report entitled, "A Review of Biological Assessment Tools and Biocriteria in New England States". The final report is being provided to state and regional biologists, as well as to the Office of Water and the Office of Environmental Information. The report is also being made available for download from a link on the division web page: http//www.epa.gov/eerd . NERL/EERD research staff are the technical and project leads for this research. Sobran, Inc. was contracted to assist with collection and summarization of information, including technical writing. NHDES was directly involved in development of the New Hampshire macroinvertebrate bioassessment tool. Representatives from each New England state provided information and performed technical reviews of individual chapters, and Region 1 and the Office of Environmental Information personnel provided reviews of the draft document to evaluate and ensure usefulness. Research Collaboration and Research Products Future Research Additional documents will be produced to provide guidance for improving the quality of state and tribal bioassessment and biocriteria programs. Contacts for Questions and inquiries can be directed to: Additional Karen A. Blocksom Information u.S. EPA National Exposure Research Laboratory 26 West Martin Luther King Dr. Cincinnati, OH 45268 Phone: (513) 569-7139 E-mail: blocksom.karen@epa.gov Federal funding for this research was administered under EPA contract number 68D01048. ------- |