Sponsored by the National EPATribal Science Council and hosted by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

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cience Forum

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Traverse C\Vf, Michigan

THEME: Mother Earth: Indigenous Knowledge
and Science to Promote Positive Change

Title of Priority: Biological Stressors
Summary of the Priority and Tribal Request:

Biological stressors on water bodies have a variety of effects. Nutrient inputs generate bloom conditions of
marine and freshwater phytoplankton and periphyton and can cause shifts in community composition to
potentially toxic species. Algal blooms can result in fish kills, impact wading birds and cause beach closures
For tribes who depend on the affected water bodies for fishing, bathing and drinking, these stressors have a
significant impact on their life ways. The tribal request is as follows:

•	What is EPA's current program regarding nutrients?

•	What are the sources of nutrients and how are they being controlled?

•	What research is EPA doing in the area of nutrients and harmful algal species?

Objective/Purpose of the Response:

The main objective is to provide information on EPA programs that address biological stressors and to help
tribes reduce the frequency and effect of biological stressors in their communities.

Summary of EPA Response to Tribal Request:

EPA has developed a policy and strategy to deal with the nutrient issue. The main goal of the strategy is to
move forward on developing numeric criteria and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for nutrients. Some of
the major sources of nutrients include:

•	Overuse of fertilizer (both residential and agricultural usage)

•	Rainfall flowing over cropland, animal feeding operations and pastures

•	Rainfall flowing over urban and suburban areas where stormwater management is not required (e.g., parking
lots, lawns, rooftops, roads)

•	Discharge of nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater treatment plants and overflow from septic systems

EPA is working with states, tribes and other agencies to control the input of nutrients into aquatic ecosystems,
as follows:

•	Working with states and tribes to identify waters with nutrient pollution and developing TMDLs to restore
the waters.

•	Awarding grants to states and tribes for operating nonpoint source management programs, which in turn
help reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.

•	Administering a permit program that restricts the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus released to the
environment from point sources.

•	Providing funding for the construction of municipal wastewater facilities and implementation of nonpoint
source pollution control and estuary protection projects.

For more information on EPA research efforts visit: http://cfpub.epa.gov/si/.

http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/habpage.html and http://www.cop.noaa.gov/stressors/extremeevents/default.aspx
Suggested Next Steps:

•	Comprehensive strategy to address algal blooms in tribal communities

•	Implementation plan for the strategy

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