Environmental Monitoring Commons^™

Mitigation Under Section 404 Of The Clean Water Act: Where It Comes From, What It Means, Palmer Hough, Morgan Robertson

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

The requirement to mitigate impacts to wetlands and streams is a frequently misunderstood policy with a long and complicated history. We narrate the history of mitigation since the inception of the Clean Water Act Section 404 permit program in 1972, through struggles between the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Army Corps of Engineers, through the emerging importance of wetland conservation on the American political landscape, and through the rise of market-based approaches to environmental policy. Mitigation, as it is understood today, was not initially foreseen as a component of the Section 404 permitting program, but was adapted from …

Incorporating Results Of Avian Toxicity Tests Into A Model Of Annual Reproductive Success, Richard S. Bennett*, Matthew A. Etterson

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Modeling the effects of pesticide exposure on avian populations requires knowledge of how the pesticide changes survival and fecundity rates for the population. Although avian reproduction tests are the primary source of information on reproductive effects in the pesticide risk assessment process, current tests cannot provide a direct estimate of the effects of a pesticide on fecundity rates. We present a mathematical model that integrates information on specific types of effects from reproduction tests with information on avian life history parameters, the timing of pesticide applications, and the temporal pattern of pesticide exposure levels to estimate pesticide effects on annual …

Fundulus As The Premier Teleost Model In Environmental Biology: Opportunities For New Insights Using Genomics, Karen G. Burnett, Lisa J. Bain, William S. Baldwin, Gloria V. Callard, Sarah Cohen, Richard T. Di Giulio, David H. Evans, Marta Gómez-Chiarri, Mark E. Hahn, Cindi A. Hoover, Sibel I. Karchner, Fumi Katoh, Deborah L. Maclatchy, William S. Marshall, Joel N. Meyer, Diane E. Nacci, Marjorie F. Oleksiak, Bernard B. Rees, Thomas D. Singer, John J. Stegeman, David W. Towle, Peter A. Van Veld, Wolfgang K. Vogelbein, Andrew Whitehead, Richard N. Winn, Douglas L. Crawford

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

A strong foundation of basic and applied research documents that the estuarine fish Fundulus heteroclitus and related species are unique laboratory and field models for understanding how individuals and populations interact with their environment. In this paper we summarize an extensive body of work examining the adaptive responses of Fundulus species to environmental conditions, and describe how this research has contributed importantly to our understanding of physiology, gene regulation, toxicology, and ecological and evolutionary genetics of teleosts and other vertebrates. These explorations have reached a critical juncture at which advancement is hindered by the lack of genomic resources for these …

Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant Nebraska, Bryant Burnett, Karla Asberry

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

The 19-square mile Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant is a former U.S. Army Armament, Munitions, and Chemical Command facility. On standby status since 1973, the operation leases land for agriculture, grazing, and wildlife management activities. The plant was built in 1942 to produce munitions and provide support functions during World War II. It has been in and out of production over the years. The plant consists of five main components: five major production areas where munitions were loaded, assembled, and packed; a fertilizer manufacturer; two major storage facilities; a sanitary landfill; and a burning ground where materials contaminated with explosives were …

Water Quality Trading: What Can We Learn From 10 Years Of Wetland Mitigation Banking?, Eric Raffini, Morgan Robertson

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

In 2003 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued its Water Quality Trading Policy. Water quality trading allows facilities facing high pollution-control costs to meet their regulatory requirements by purchasing environmentally equivalent or superior pollution reductions from another source, often at a lower cost. The policy, which hopes to achieve "water quality and environmental benefits greater than would otherwise be achieved under more traditional regulatory approaches," established the ground rules for trading and encourages states, interstate agencies, and tribes to develop and implement water quality trading programs for nutrients, sediments, and other pollutants. The policy generated controversy among some stakeholder groups; …

National Water Quality Inventory: Report To Congress 2004 Reporting Cycle

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Table of Contents

Section Page

List of Figures.............................................................................................................................iv List of Tables...............................................................................................................................iv List of Acronyms..........................................................................................................................v Executive Summary..........................................................................................................................1

I. Background...................................................................................................................5

About the Water Quality Assessment and TMDL Information Database (ATTAINS)..........................................................................................................................5

Assessing Water Quality................................................................................................................................7

II. Findings.......................................................................................................................13 Rivers and Streams...........................................................................................................................13 Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs.......................................................................................................................16

Bays and Estuaries.........................................................................................................................20 Other Waters..............................................................................................................................23 Coastal Resources.......................................................................................................................23

Great Lakes.....................................................................................................................24 Wetlands..........................................................................................................................24

III. Probability Surveys of Water Quality.......................................................................26

National Coastal Assessment....................................................................................26

The Wadeable Streams Assessment.......................................................................27

Survey of the Nation’s Lakes.......................................................................................29

National Rivers and Streams Assessment.............................................................30

National Wetland Condition Assessment...............................................................30

State-Scale Statistical Surveys..................................................................................31

South Carolina..............................................................................................................32 Indiana............................................................................................................................33 Florida.............................................................................................................................34 IV. Future Reporting......................................................................................................36

V. References………………………………………………………………………….37

Climate Change And Nebraska

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

The earth's climate is predicted to change because human activities are altering the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the buildup of greenhouse gases - primarily carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons. The heat-trapping property of these greenhouse gases is undisputed. Although there is uncertainty about exactly how and when the earth's climate will respond to enhanced concentrations of greenhouse gases, observations indicate that detectable changes are under way. There most likely will be increases in temperature and changes in precipitation, soil moisture, and sea level, which could have adverse effects on many ecological systems, as well as on …

Environmental Changes In A Polluted Stream During Winter, Arden R. Gaufin, Clarence M. Tarzwell

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Year round studies of environmental conditions in Lytle Creek, a stream polluted with organic wastes, were initiated late in 1949, by the Biology Section of the Public Health Service's Environmental Health Center.2 Lytle Creek is a tributary of the Little Miami River which enters the Ohio River at Cincinnati. It is about 11 miles long, and has an average width and depth of 15 feet and 1 foot respectively, during normal summer flows. Widths range from 3 to 35 feet and depths from a few inches to a maximum of 6 feet. Surface runoff comprises the major portion of the …

Epa's Map Of Radon Zones Nebraska, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's, U.S. Geological Survey

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Sections 301 and 309 of the 1988 Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA) direct EPA to identify areas of the United States that have the potential to produce elevated levels of radon. EPA, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the Association of. American State Geologists (AASG) have worked closely over the past several years to produce a series of maps and documents which address these directives. The EPA Map of Radon Zones is a compilation of that work and fulfills the requirements of sections 307 and 309 of IRAA. The Map of Radon" Zones identifies, on a county-by-county basis, areas' of …

Epa's Map Of Radon Zones, Nebraska, Sharon W. White, Lisa Ratcliff, Kirk Maconaughey, R. Thomas Peake, Dave Rowson, Steve Page, Linda C. S. Gundersen, R. Randall Schumann, James K. Otton, Doug Owen, Russell Dubiel, Kendell Dickinson, Sandra L. Szarzi

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Sections 307 and 309 of the 1988 Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA) direct EPA to identify areas of the United States that have the potential to produce elevated levels of radon. EPA, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the Association of, American State Geologists (AASG) have worked closely over the past several years to produce a series of maps and documents which address these directives. The EPA Map of Radon Zones is a compilation of that work and fulfills the requirements of sections 307 and 309 of IRAA. The Map of Radon Zones identifies, on a county-by-county basis, areas of …

Threatened And Endanger Species Of Wetiands And Waterways In Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, And Nebraska, Ann Burruss

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Wetlands and waterways, including perennial and intermittent streams, creeks, and rivers, are habitats for many rare animal and plant species. Wetlands in many areas continue to decline in acreage and suffer adverse impacts from conversion and development. Waterways are also under pressure from channelization and leveeing.

This study has two major components. First, a series of databases was developed that includes animals and plant species that are wetland or waterway dependent and found in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, or Nebraska. The databases allow ready access to detailed information on each species and probable locations within each state. The plant and animal …

Alternative Usages Of Wetlands Other Than Conventional Farming In Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, And Nebraska, Ellen Leventhal, Hubert H. Humphrey

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Conversion of wetlands in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska into agricultural dry lands in the past several decades has occurred as a means to obtain profit from what landowners would otherwise consider unprofitable land. This activity has resulted in substantial losses of wetlands valued for their unique ability to mitigate flood and storm damage, control erosion, discharge and recharge groundwater, improve water quality, and support a wide diversity of fish, wildlife, and vegetation.

Utilizing fish, wildlife, and vegetation from wetlands for profit is a way for wetland owners to recognize the value their wetlands add to their property. Landowners then …

State Water Quality Standards Summary: Nebraska, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

This publication was prepared by Battelle under contract to the U,S. Environmental Protection Agency (Contract 68-03-3534). Secondary information sources were used to compile data presented in this document. Each State was given an opportunity to review and provide comments on a draft of this information document. In no event shall either the United States or Battelle have any responsibility or liability for any use, misuse, or reliance upon the information contained herein, nor does either warrant or otherwise represent in any way .the accuracy, adequacy, efficacy, or applicability of the contents hereof.

The reader should consult the water quality standards …

Epa Profile Of Environmental Quality Nebraska, Kathleen Q. Camin

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri, which make up EPA Region VII, are among the leading corn and wheat producing States in the Nation_ These States also produce a significant share of the soybean, grain sorghum, fat cattle, and finished hogs that are supplied to American and foreign markets.

Although the States in Region VII can best be characterized as rural, 65 percent of their nearly 12 million people live in urban areas. In Nebraska, metropolitan areas such as Omaha 4 have environmental problems resulting from major industrial operations, municipal services, transportation, and energy production. Metropolitan areas, however, do not have …

Distribution Of Phytoplankton In Nebraska Lakes, F. A. Morris, M. K. Morris, W. D. Taylor, L. R. Williams, S. C. Hern, V. W. Lambou

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Protection of the environment requires effective regulatory actions which are based on ssound technical and scientific information. This information must include the quantitative description and linking of pollutant sources, transport mechanisms, interactions, and resulting effects on man and his environment. Because of the complexities involved, assessment of specific pollutants in the environment requires a total systems approach which transcends the media of air, water, and land. The Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory-Las Vegas contributes to the formation and enhancement of a sound monitoring data base for exposure assessment through programs designed to:

• develop and optimize systems and strategies for monitoring …

Distribution Of Phytoplankton In Nebraska Lakes, F. A. Morris, M. M. Morris, W. D. Taylor, L. R. Williams, S. C. Hern, V. W. Lambou

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

The National Eutrophication Survey was initiated in 1972 in response to an Administration commitment to investigate the nationwide threat of accelerated eutrophication to freshwater lakes and reservoirs. The Survey was designed to develop, in conjunction with State environmental agencies, information on nutrient sources, concentrations, and impact on selected freshwater lakes as a basis for formulating comprehensive and coordinated national, regional, and State management practices relating to point source discharge reduction and nonpoint source pollution abatement in lake watershed.

The Survey collected physical, chemical, and biological data from 815 lakes and reservoirs throughout the contiguous United States. To date, the Survey …

Beef Cattle Feedlot Runoff And Control In Eastern Nebraska, L. P. Schram, Lynn R. Shuyler

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

This study was initiated to determine operational characteristics of runoff control facility components for beef cattle feedlots.

A runoff control facility was designed and constructed for a 3,000 head capacity feedlot in eastern Nebraska. Components of the runoff control facility included debris basins inside the pen and outside the pen, a holding pond, and a disposal system.

Results indicated that design volumes for the debris basins and holding ponds were effective in controlling runoff from the lots caused by snowmelt and rainfall for climatic conditions within eastern Nebraska. Characteristics of runoff transported solids from this large lot compared favorably with …

Pollution Abatement From Cattle Feedlots In Northeastern Colorado And Nebraska, L. K. Porter, F. G. Viets Jr., T. M. Mccalla, L. F. Elliott, F. A. Norstadt, H. R. Duke, N. P. Swanson, L. N. Mielke, G. L. Hutchinson., A. R. Mosier, G. E. Schuman, Lynn R. Shuyler, C. E. Evans

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Climatic factors, feedlot runoff, and organic material in the runoff were evaluated in experimental and commercial feedlots. The effects of slope, stocking rates, terraces, basins, and holding ponds were evaluated to obtain the best controls for containing runoff. In eastern Nebraska, 70 cm annual precipitation produces 23 cm of runoff; whereas, in northeastern Colorado, 37 cm annual precipitation gives only 5.5 cm of runoff. Large applications of runoff liquid, up to 91 cmon grass-Ladino and 76 cm on corn, in Nebraska did not decrease yields; however, in northeastern Colorado, the concentrated high-salt runoff required dilution before direct application to crops. …

Chronic Toxicity Of A Copper, Cadmium And Zinc Mixture To The Fathead Minnow (Pimephales Promelas Rafinesque), John G. Eaton

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Fathead minnows were exposed to a series or concentrations of a copper, cadmium and zinc mixture during a 12.5 month chronic test in water of 200 mg 1^-1 total hardness. The metal concentrations in the mixture were selected on the basis of results obtained during previous chronic exposures to each of the metals individually in the same water. Strict summation of the chronic toxicities of the metals was not indicated when they were tested in combination. Toxic effects of the mixture attributable to copper appeared to be increased, but that attributable to cadmium was reduced. The effects thought to …

Captan Toxicity To Fathead Minnows (Pimephales Promelas), Bluegills (Lepomis Macrochirus), And Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis), Roger O. Hermanutz, Leonard H. Mueller, Kenneth D. Kempfert

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

The toxic effects of capt an on survival, growth, and reproduction of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) and on survival of bluegiIIs (Lepomis macrochirus) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were determined in a flow-through system. In a 45-week exposure of fathead minnows, survival and growth were adversely affected at 39.5 μLg/Iiter. Adverse effects on spawning were suspected but not statisticaIly demonstrated at 39.5 and 16.5 μLg/Iiter. The maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC), based on survival and growth, lies between 39.5 and 16.5 μLg/liter. The lethal threshold concentration (LTC) derived from acute exposures was 64 μLg/liter, …

Chronic Effect Of Low Ph On Fathead Minnow Survival, Growth And Reproduction, Donald I. Mount

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas Rafinesque) were continuously exposed to reduced pH levels of 4.5, 5.2, 5.9, 6.6 and 7.5 (control) during a 13-month, one-generation test. Survival was not affected, even at the lowest pH tested. Fish behavior was abnormal, and fish were deformed at pH 4.5 and 5.2. Egg production and egg hatchability were reduced at pH 5.9 and lower, and all eggs were abnormal. A pH of 6.6 was marginal for vital life functions, but safe for continuous exposure. Free carbon dioxide, liberated by the addition of sulfuric acid to reduce the pH, may have had an unknown …

Eutrophication Factors In North Central Florida Lakes, H. D. Putnam, Patrick L. Brezonik, Earl E. Shannon

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

A small Florida lake has been receiving a regimen of nutrient addition equivalent to 500 mg/m³-yr N and 43 mg/m³-yr P since 1967. Data has been accumulated through 1969. The effect on the lacustrine ecosystem of various biogenes includes production by primary producers, species diversity of plankton and certain production estimates at the secondary trophic level using natural populations of planktivorous fish. Plankton production using isotopic carbon is ca. 58 grms/m²-yr; Species diversity is slowly changing to a mixed chlorophycean and yellow-green. Biomass of benthic green filamentous types has increased slightly. Nutrient addition has …

An Argument For The Open Ocean Siting Of Coastal Thermal Electric Plants, Clarence M. Tarzwell

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

A great deal of research is yet to be done before we will definitely know all the effects of thermal electric generating plants. It is evident, however, that the chlorination of the intake water is definitely lethal to a high percentage of planktonic and other organisms; that thermal shock is detrimental to some of the more sensitive forms; that the continued exposure to high temperatures after thermal shock is lethal to many forms, especially the zooplankton; that the screening and turbulence in such plants is lethal to larval fishes and several invertebrates, and that immense amounts of waters are put …

Final Report Emission Inventory For The State Of Nebraska, The Ibm Corporation Federal Systems Division, Environmental Protection Agency

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

The following report represents the results of the work performed under BOA 68-02-0043, Task Order Number 1 from The Environmental Protection Agency, Air Pollution Control Office. A note of thanks is due to Mr. E. J. Lillis and D. Dunbar of the EPA Project Office and Mr. Peter Culver, the EPA Project Engineer for their assistance and excellent cooperation during the study. A note of special thanks is due to Mr. Gene Robinson of the Nebraska Division of Air Pollution Control without whose efforts successful completion of this task would not have been possible.

Real Property Owned. By The Federal Government In The' State Of Nebraska, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

This inventory report Is a summary compilation of the major facilities of real property owned by the Federal Government in this state. The installations are listed alphabetically by the city in which they are located and the listing includes a brief description of the installation, the agency which operates the facility, the GSA inventory number, the GSA location code, the total floor area of all the buildings and a size classification code. The operating agency and Installation descriptions are those reported to the General Services Administration as of June 30, 1970. Installations with a total floor area less than 1,500 …

Bioassay Procedures For Oil And Oil Dispersant Toxicity Evaluation, Gilles Laroche, Ronald Eisler, Clarence M. Tarzwell

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Hazards to marine and estuarine fauna associated with offshore drilling of oil and with transport of large quantities of oils via tankers are numerous and understandable. At present, there is a growing body of evidence on adverse effects to these organisms of crude oil (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) and chemical oil counteracting agents or dispersants (5) (6) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17). These effects are well summarized by Smith (18) and by Carthy and Arthur (19).

Comparatively few workers have studied the influence of oil-dispersant mixtures of marine life. Studies by …

Thermal Requirements To Protect Aquatic Life, Clarence M. Tarzwell

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Water temperatures affect aquatic organisms in a number of ways, both directly and indirectly. Some of the latter effects are quite subtle. High temperatures can have direct lethal effects but sublethal levels operating over long periods can be just as harmful through delayed lethal effects and the production of nonlethal stresses which eventually result in changes in the population, reduced growth or reproduction, and the lowering of resistance to parasites, dis ease, and competitors. Temperature, in combination with certain other factors such as day length, influences re producing processes. High water temperatures may stimulate or retard migration, spawning, feeding, and …

Development Of Water Quality Criteria For Aquatic Life, Clarence M. Tarzwell

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

It is now recognized that water pollution is an important problem, that it becomes more widespread and serious as population and industry expand, and that something must be done if aquatic life resource are to be saved and their productivity maintained. In the past there has been a great deal of uncertainty in approaching this situation and a general lack of understanding of the details and ramification of the overall problem. In the efforts for the abatement of pollution, only a few clearcut objectives have been established. Knowledge is lacking as to what the objectives should be. There is still …

Industrial Wastes: Bio-Assays For Control Of Industrial Effluents, Croswell Henderson, Clarence M. Tarzwell

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Waste effluents from many industries are toxic to fish and other aquatic life. The control or treatment of these wastes for safe release into receiving waters presents a problem of consider able magnitude.

Much effort has been expended by some industries to solve this problem, primarily through chemical analysis for possible toxic components and then generally by a search of the literature to find out how toxic a particular component may be. Unfortunately, this approach has not been successful, nor can it be expected to be productive of satisfactory answers.

Stream Pollution- Aquatic Macro-Invertebrate Communities As Indicators Of Organic Pollution In Lytle Creek, Arden R. Gaufin, Clarence M. Tarzwell

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Year-round field studies of the com position and ecology of stream communities associated with the purification of organic wastes in streams were initiated on Lytle Creek in October, 1949. This creek, which is located about 45 miles northeast of Cincinnati, Ohio, is a tributary of the Little Miami River. Its drainage basin comprises 27 sq. mi., a third of which is contained within the city limits of Wilmington, Ohio, a city of some 7,412 persons