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States and Tribes
Biocriteria Links
Adopting Biocriteria into Water Quality Standards Programs
Introduction to the Water Quality Standards Program
EPA recommends a phased, iterative approach to the adoption of biological criteria into state and tribal water quality standards that integrally links the development of a bioassessment and criteria program with refinement of a state's or tribe's classification system for designated aquatic life uses.
Refinement of designated aquatic life uses establishes the fundamental management framework for implementation of biocriteria in state and tribal water quality programs. EPA recommends that states and tribes stratify their designated aquatic life uses based on bioregional expectations as well as state and tribal management objectives for the waterbody. Development of a tiered designated aquatic life use system can occur concurrently with biological criteria development.
The phased approach is iterative. It emphasizes the building of state and tribal capacity and experience with biological assessments and standardized protocols in conjunction with refinement of designated aquatic life uses, development of regional expectations and narrative biocriteria, all prior to adoption of numeric biocriteria into water quality standards.
- Phase 1 - Establish the
Management Framework
Plans for adopting biocriteria into water quality standards should be integrated with the process for developing a bioassessment and biocriteria program. Establish a policy that includes a long term goal to restore and maintain the biological integrity of a state's or tribe's surface waters, an interim goal of achieving attainable biological conditions and an implementation plan for refinement of a state's or tribe's designated aquatic life uses and development and application of biocriteria. - Phase 2 - Develop Stratified
Designated Aquatic Life Use Classification
Develop standardized biological assessment methods, regional reference conditions, and an ecological database to support a stratified designated aquatic life use system (bioregional expectations, management objective) and biocriteria. - Phase 3 - Adopt Narrative
Biocriteria
Adopt narrative biological criteria into water quality standards or reconcile with existing narrative definitions of aquatic life use. Refine designated aquatic life uses as appropriate. - Phase 4 - Adopt Numeric
Biocriteria
Adopt numeric or other forms of quantifiable biocriteria in water quality standards.