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Training
Biocriteria Links
National Biocriteria Workshop Modules
A series of modules pertaining of the various aspects of developing and implementing biological assessment and criteria programs were developed for the first National Biological Assessment and Criteria Workshop (2003).
Water Quality Standards Academy
The Water Quality Standards Academy is a 5-day, basic introductory course for those with fewer than 6 months of experience with the water quality standards and criteria programs. The Water Quality Standards Academy is a comprehensive and highly structured course that introduces participants to all aspects of the water quality standards and criteria programs, including the interpretation and application of the water quality standards regulation; policies and program guidance; the development of water quality criteria (human health, aquatic life, sediment, and biological); and all other facets of the program.
Introduction to Water Quality Training Program
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U. S. Department of Agriculture (DOA) has developed a training course aimed at DOA personnel and their environmental protection partners. This is an introductory level training course consisting of twelve modules. The course is designed for self-study delivery. One of the modules focuses on the water quality standards program. The training modules are primarily delivered by reading text and completing reinforcement activities to ensure that the participant has an opportunity to interact with presented instructional information. The course requires approximately 20 hours of concentrated study to complete.
Watershed Academy
Training courses, distance learning courses, publications, etc. related to protecting your watershed. This site also contains links to training from other federal agencies' environmental training centers, plus non-federal training sites. Information is also provided on interagency watershed and stream corridor restoration courses.
Inventory of Watershed Training Courses
This site provides one-page summaries of 180 watershed-related training courses, sponsored by federal and state agencies, as well as the private sector.
Software Programs
The EPA and Purdue University have cooperatively developed two windows-based computer software tutorials on the water quality standards program (Water Quality Standards and Criteria, and Water-Effect Ratio for Metals). The software programs are aimed at States, Indian tribes, environmental groups, industry groups, members of the academic community, Federal agencies, municipalities, and others. The tutorials provide important information about the water quality standards program -- the underpinning of state and Indian tribal water quality management programs.
Water Quality Standards and Criteria presents the components of State and Tribal water quality standards and describes discretionary policies that affect WQS, economic considerations in the WQS program, EPA's role and responsibility in the WQS process, and implementation of WQS through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. Relevant sections of the Clean Water Act are included, along with information on use attainability analysis, the submittal/approval process, implementation, and public involvement. Additionally, the user is provided with resources, contacts, a glossary of terms, and several examples of water quality standards.
Water-Effect Ratio for Metals is based on the EPA's 1994 "Interim Guidance on the Determination and Use of Water-Effect Ratios (WERs) for Metals." The WER procedure is one of three protocols which may be used to derive site-specific water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life. An overview, two methods for determining WERs, a checklist, the Guidance document, references/resources, and EPA contacts are included. This title is a companion to the Water Quality Standards and Criteria software program. This software program assumes that the user has an understanding of water quality standards and criteria, as well as scientific methods.
The above two programs can be ordered on CD.