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About the Program
Biocriteria Links
Key Activities
Technical Guidance on Using Biocriteria and Bioassessments in Storm Water Management
EPA envisions that biocriteria and bioassessments will be valuable in managing urban storm water runoff and other wet weather flows. Storm water discharge pollutant monitoring data indicates that pollutant concentrations in storm water runoff can fluctuate drastically from storm to storm. With high variabilities in pollutant concentrations it can be difficult to assess storm water discharge compliance with water quality standards using traditional steady-state chemical criteria. Biocriteria and bioassessments will help to identify the cumulative impact of storm water discharges over time. Using biocriteria and bioassessments, storm water managers will have a more useful management endpoint to determine if the storm water discharges are causing aquatic life impairments and to determine if storm water controls and pollution prevention efforts are effective. Bioassessments and biocriteria are being successfully used in a number of innovative applications for storm water management. EPA will assist Regions and the States and Tribes in using biocriteria and bioassessments more routinely in storm water management efforts.
EPA will develop guidance on the use of biocriteria, bioassessments and habitat assessments for identifying and controlling the detrimental impacts of the high flows of storm water discharges and the application to excessive sediment transport and habitat damage.