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Section II. Model Ordinance
Chapter IV. Shellstock Growing Areas
Guide Contents
Additional Guidance - Section IV. Guidance Documents
Requirements for the Authority
[Note: The Authority must meet the requirements of this section even
if the Authority does not formally adopt this chapter in regulation.]
@.01 Sanitary Survey.
-
General.
-
(1) The sanitary survey is the
written evaluation report of all environmental factors, including
actual and potential pollution sources, which have a bearing on water
quality in a shellfish growing area. The sanitary survey shall include
the data and results of:
-
(a) A shoreline survey;
-
(b) A survey of the
bacteriological quality of the water;
-
(c) An evaluation of the
effect of any meteorological,
hydrodynamic, and geographic characteristics on the growing area;
-
(d) An analysis of the data from the shoreline survey, the bacteriological
and the hydrodynamic, meteorological and geographic evaluations; and
-
(e) A determination of
the appropriate growing area
classification.
-
(2) The
sanitary survey shall be periodically updated through the triennial
reevaluation and the annual review in accordance with §C. to
assure
that data is current and that conditions are unchanged.
-
(3) The
documentation supporting each sanitary survey shall be maintained by
the Authority. For each growing area, the central file shall include
all data, results, and analyses from:
-
(a) The sanitary survey;
-
(b) The triennial
reevaluation; and
-
(c) The annual review.
-
(4) Wherever
possible, the Authority shall provide the necessary information to
Federal, State, or local agencies which have the responsibility to
minimize or eliminate pollution sources identified in the sanitary
survey.
-
(5) The Authority shall
maintain a current comprehensive, itemized list of
all growing areas, including maps showing the boundaries and
classification of each shellstock growing area.
- Sanitary Survey Required.
-
(1) A sanitary
survey shall not be required to classify growing areas as prohibited.
The findings of a sanitary survey, however, may result in a growing
area being classified as prohibited.
-
(2) A sanitary survey,
including the triennial reevaluation, when
available, of each growing area shall be required prior to:
-
(a)The harvest of
shellstock for human consumption; and
-
(b) The classification
of a growing area as approved,
conditionally approved, restricted, or conditionally restricted.
-
Sanitary Survey Performance.
-
(1) A
sanitary survey of each growing area shall be performed at least once
every twelve years and shall include the components in §A. (1).
-
(2) When a written sanitary
survey report is not completed, the
area shall be placed in the closed status.
-
(3) The growing area
classification and the supporting data from
the sanitary survey shall be reviewed at least every three years.
-
(a) This triennial
reevaluation shall include:
-
(i) A review in
accordance with §C. (5) and (6) of
the water quality samples;
-
(ii) Documentation
of any new pollution sources and an
evaluation of their effect on the growing area;
-
(iii) Reevaluation
of all pollution sources, including the sources previously
identified in the sanitary survey, as necessary to fully evaluate any
changes in the sanitary conditions of the growing area. The
reevaluation may or may not include a site visit;
-
(iv) A
comprehensive report which
analyzes the sanitary survey data and makes a determination that the
existing growing area classification is correct or needs to be revised;
and
-
(v) If the
triennial reevaluation determines that
conditions have changed based on the information and data collected
during the triennial review and that the growing area classification is
incorrect, immediate action shall be initiated to reclassify the area.
-
(b) When a written
triennial reevaluation report is not
completed, the Authority shall place the growing area in the closed
status.
-
(4) The triennial reevaluation
may include:
-
(a) Inspection
of wastewater treatment plants or collection of additional effluent
samples to determine their impact on the growing area;
-
(b) Hydrodynamic
studies;
-
(c) Additional field
work to determine the actual impact of
pollution sources; and
-
(d) Collection of
additional water samples.
-
(5) On
an annual basis, the sanitary survey shall be updated to reflect
changes in the conditions in the growing area. The annual reevaluation
shall include:
-
(a) A field observation
of the pollution sources which may
include:
-
(i)
A
drive-through survey;
-
(ii) Observations
made during sample collection; and
-
(iii) Information
from other sources.
-
(b) Review,
at a minimum, of the past year's water quality sample results by adding
the year's sample results to the data base collected in accordance with
the requirements for the bacteriological standards and sample
collection required in §.02;
-
(c) Review of available
inspection reports and effluent
samples collected from pollution sources;
-
(d) Review of available
performance standards for various
types of discharges that impact the growing area; and
-
(e) A brief report which
documents the findings of the annual
reevaluation.
-
(6) If
the annual reevaluation determines that conditions have changed based
on the information and data collected during the annual review and that
the growing area classification is incorrect, immediate action shall be
initiated to reclassify the area.
-
Shoreline Survey Requirements.
-
(1) In the shoreline survey
for each growing area, the Authority
shall:
-
(a) Identify and
evaluate all actual and potential sources of
pollution which may affect the growing area;
-
(b) Determine the
distance from the pollution sources to the
growing area and the impact of each source on the growing area;
-
(c) Assess the
reliability and effectiveness of sewage or
other waste treatment systems;
-
(d) Determine if
poisonous or deleterious substances
adversely affect the growing area; and
-
(e) Consider
the presence of domestic, wild animal or resident and migrating bird
populations for possible adverse effects on growing areas.
-
(2) The Authority shall assure
that the shoreline survey meets
the following minimum requirements:
-
(a) The
boundaries, based on the area topography, of each shoreline survey area
are determined by an in-field investigation which identifies only the
properties with the potential to impact the shellfish waters;
-
(b) Each
shoreline survey area is identified by a unique designation which
results in identification of all data associated with each shoreline
survey by the unique designation;
-
(c) Each shoreline
survey area is investigated and pollution
sources evaluated by qualified, trained personnel; and
-
(d) Documentation for
each pollution source identified by the
Authority as affecting a growing area includes:
-
(i)
The location
of the site on a comprehensive map of
the survey area; and
-
(ii) The
determination that the pollution source has a
direct or indirect impact on shellfish waters: and
-
(e) A written summary of
the survey findings.
Additional Guidance - Section IV. Guidance Documents
@.02 Bacteriological Standards.
Note: The NSSP allows for a growing area to be classified using
either a total or fecal coliform standard. The NSSP further allows the
application of either standard to different water bodies within the
state. The NSSP also allows for two sample collection strategies for
the application of the total or fecal coliform standard: adverse
pollution condition and systematic random sampling. The 1992 Task Force
II recommended that this portion of the Ordinance be codified in two
ways: a total coliform strategy and a fecal coliform strategy so that
the state may choose sampling plans on a growing area basis. Within
each strategy, provisions would appear for use of both systematic and
adverse pollution condition sample collection. The Ordinance has been
recodified in this manner. For maximum flexibility, a state may wish to
adopt the use of both standards and both sampling strategies for each
standard. This codification represents the fecal coliform standards.
- General. Either the total
coliform or fecal coliform standard
shall be
applied to a growing area.
- Water Sample Stations. The
Authority shall assure that the number
and location of sampling stations is adequate to effectively evaluate
all pollution sources.
- Exceptions.
-
(1) Except for growing areas
classified as prohibited, in growing areas where there are pollution
sources having an impact on the water quality, a minimum of 30 samples,
collected under various environmental conditions, shall be required to
classify any growing area not previously classified under §.03.
-
(2) Except
for growing areas classified as prohibited or when the systematic
random sampling standard is applied, in growing areas where there are
no pollution sources having an impact on the water quality, a minimum
of 15 samples shall be required to classify any growing area not
previously classified under §.03.
-
Standard for the Approved
Classification of Growing Areas in the
Remote Status.
-
(1) Water Quality. The
bacteriological quality of every station
in the growing area shall meet the fecal coliform standard below.
-
(2) Fecal
Coliform Standard for the Remote Status. The fecal coliform median or
geometric mean MPN or MF (mTEC) of the water sample results shall not exceed
14 per 100 ml, and not more than 10 percent of the samples shall
exceed
an MPN
or MF (mTEC) of:
-
(a) 43 MPN per 100 ml
for a five tube decimal dilution test;
-
(b) 49 MPN per 100 ml
for a three-tube decimal dilution test;
-
(c) 28 MPN per 100 ml for a twelve-tube single dilution test; or
-
(d) 31 CFU per 100 ml
for a MF (mTEC) test.
-
(3) Required Sample Collection.
-
(a) A minimum of two
samples shall be collected annually.
-
(b) A
minimum of the most recent 15 samples collected shall be used to
calculate the median or geometric mean and percentage to determine
compliance with the standard established for the approved
classification of remote growing areas.
-
Standard for the Approved
Classification of Growing Areas
Affected By Point
Sources.
-
(1) Water
Quality. The bacteriological quality of every station in the growing
area shall meet the fecal coliform standard in §E. (2).
-
(2) Fecal
Coliform Standard for Adverse Pollution Conditions. The fecal coliform
median or geometric mean MPN or MF (mTEC) of the water sample results shall not
exceed 14 per 100 ml, and not more than 10 percent of the samples shall
exceed an MPN or MF (mTEC) of:
-
(a) 43 MPN per 100 ml
for a five tube decimal dilution test;
-
(b) 49 MPN per 100 ml
for a three-tube decimal dilution test;
-
(c) 28 MPN per 100 ml for a twelve-tube single dilution test; or
-
(d) 31 CFU per 100 ml
for a MF (mTEC) test.
-
(3) Required Sample Collection.
-
(a) A
minimum of five samples shall be collected annually under adverse
pollution conditions from each sample station in the growing area.
-
(b) A
minimum of the most recent 15 samples collected under adverse pollution
conditions from each sample station shall be used to calculate the
median or geometric mean and percentage to determine compliance with
this standard.
-
(c) Sample station
locations shall be adjacent to actual or
potential sources of pollution.
-
Standard for the Approved
Classification of Growing Areas
Affected by Nonpoint
Sources.
-
(1) Exception.
If the tidal stage increases the fecal coliform concentration, the
authority shall use sample results collected during that tidal stage to
classify the area.
-
(2) Pollution Sources. Growing
areas shall be:
-
(a) Impacted only by
randomly occurring, intermittent events;
and
-
(b) Not impacted by
discharges from sewage treatment
facilities or combined sewer overflows.
-
(3) Water
Quality. The bacteriological quality of every station in the growing
area shall meet the fecal coliform standard in §E.(2) or
§F.(4).
-
(4) Fecal
Coliform Standard for Systematic Random Sampling. The fecal coliform
median (or geometric mean MPN or MF (mTEC) of the water sample results shall
not exceed 14 per 100 ml and the estimated 90th percentile shall
not exceed
an MPN or MF (mTEC) of:
-
(a) 43 MPN per 100 ml
for a five tube decimal dilution test;
-
(b) 49 MPN per 100 ml
for a three-tube decimal dilution test; or
-
(c) 31 CFU per 100 ml
for a MF (mTEC) test.
-
(5) Estimated 90th Percentile.
The estimated 90th percentile
shall be calculated by:
-
(a) Calculating the
arithmetic mean and standard deviation of
the sample result logarithms (base 10);
-
(b) Multiplying the
standard deviation in (a) by 1.28;
-
(c) Adding the product
from (b) to the arithmetic mean;
-
(d) Taking the antilog
(base 10) of the results in (c) to get
the estimated 90th percentile; and
-
(e) The
MPN values that signify the upper or lower range of sensitivity of the
MPN tests in the 90th percentile calculation shall be increased or
decreased by one significant number.
-
(6) Required Sample Collection.
-
(a) Adverse
Pollution Condition Standard. The Authority shall collect samples in
the same intensity and frequency as described in §E. (3) for
application of the standard under §E.(2).
-
(b) Systematic Random
Sampling Standard. The requirement for
systematic random sample collection shall be met when:
-
(i)
Sample station
locations are adequate to produce the
data to effectively evaluate all nonpoint sources of pollution;
-
(ii) Sample
collection is scheduled sufficiently far in advance to support random
collection with respect to environmental conditions. Compliance
requires that, prior to implementation, the schedule for random
sampling shall be documented in the master file for the growing area,
and if conditions at the time of scheduled sample collection are
believed to be hazardous to the safety of the individuals assigned to
collect samples, sample collection shall be rescheduled at a later date
as soon as practical;
-
(iii) A minimum of
six random samples shall be collected
annually from each sample station in the growing area;
-
(iv) A
minimum of two random samples shall be collected annually from each
sample station in the growing area while in the inactive status. The
sample collection frequency of six random samples per station per year
specified under @.02F(6)(b)(iii) must resume at least six months before
an area is reactivated; and
-
(v) A
minimum of the 30 most recent randomly collected samples from each sample station shall be used to
calculate the median or geometic mean and 90th percentile to determine compliance with this standard.
-
(c) Transition from
Adverse Pollution Condition Standard to
Systematic Random Sampling Standard. If the Authority:
-
(i)
Does
not have 30 recent randomly collected sample results from each station,
then the previous 15 samples collected under adverse pollution
conditions may be used with the most recent random samples to meet the
minimum 30 sample requirement for a transition period not to exceed
three years; and
-
(ii) Uses the
transition period described in
(i), as additional random samples are collected; the random samples
shall replace chronologically the samples collected under adverse
pollution conditions (e.g. sample 31 replaces sample 1).
-
Standard for the Restricted
Classification of Growing Areas
Affected by Point Sources and Used as a Shellstock Source for
Shellstock Depuration.
-
(1) Water Quality. The
bacteriological
quality of every station in the growing area shall meet the fecal
coliform standard in §G. (2).
-
(2) Fecal Coliform Standard
for
Adverse Pollution Conditions. The fecal coliform median or geometric
mean MPN of the water sample results shall not exceed 88 per 100 ml and
not more than 10 percent of the samples shall exceed an MPN of: (a) 260
MPN per 100 ml for a five tube decimal dilution test; or (b) 300 MPN
per 100 ml for a three tube decimal dilution test; or (c) 173 MPN per 100 ml
for a twelve tube single dilution test.
-
(3) Required Sample
Collection. Samples shall be collected in
accordance with §E. (3).
- Standard for the Restricted
Classification of Growing Areas
Affected by Nonpoint Sources and Used as a Shellstock Source for
Shellstock Depuration.
-
(1) Exception. If the tidal
stage increases
the fecal coliform concentration, the Authority shall use samples
collected under that tidal stage to classify the area.
-
(2) Pollution Sources. Growing
areas shall meet the requirements
in §F. (2).
-
(3) Water
Quality. The bacteriological quality of every sample station in the
growing area shall meet the fecal coliform standard in §G. (2) or
§H.
(4).
-
(4) Fecal Coliform Standard
for Systematic Random Sampling.
The fecal coliform median or geometric mean MPN of the water sample
results shall not exceed 88 per 100 ml and the estimated 90th
percentile shall not exceed a MPN of:
-
(a) 260 MPN per 100 ml
for a five tube decimal dilution test;
or
-
(b) 300 MPN per 100 ml
for a three-tube decimal dilution test.
-
(5) Estimated 90th Percentile.
The estimated 90th percentile
shall be calculated by the same method described in §F. (5).
-
(6) Required Sample Collection.
-
(a) Adverse
Pollution Condition Standard. The Authority shall collect samples in
the same intensity and frequency as described in §E. (3) for
application of the standard under §G. (2).
-
(b) Systematic
Random Sampling Standard. The Authority shall collect samples in the
same intensity and frequency, and shall apply the sample results in the
manner described in §F. (6) for the application of the standard
under
§H. (4).
@. 03 Growing Area Classification.
-
General. Each growing area shall
be correctly
classified as approved, conditionally approved, restricted,
conditionally restricted, or prohibited, as provided by this Ordinance.
-
(1) Emergency Conditions. A
growing area
shall be placed in the closed status under §.03A(5) when pollution
conditions exist which were not included in the database used to
classify the area. If it is determined that an emergency condition or situation exists, then the growing area will be immediately (within 24 hours) placed in the closed status.
-
(2) Classification of All
Growing Areas. All growing areas which:
-
(a) Are not subjected to
a sanitary survey every twelve years
shall be classified as prohibited;
-
(b) Have
a sewage treatment plant outfall or other point source outfall of
public health significance within or adjacent to the growing area shall
have an area in the prohibited classification established adjacent to
the outfall in accordance with §E. Prohibited Classification; and
-
(c) Are
subjected to a sanitary survey shall be correctly classified based on
the twelve year sanitary survey, and its most recent triennial or
annual reevaluation when available, as only one of the following:
-
(i)
Approved;
-
(ii) Conditionally
Approved;
-
(iii) Restricted;
-
(iv) Conditionally
Restricted; or
-
(v) Prohibited.
-
(3) Boundaries. The boundaries
of each classified growing area
shall be delineated on charts which are:
-
(a) Of sufficient scale
and detail so as to adequately
describe the boundaries; and
-
(b) Maintained in the
central file by the Authority.
-
(4) Revision of
Classifications.
-
(a) Any upward revision
of a growing area classification
shall be supported by an adequate sanitary survey.
-
(b) The appropriate FDA
regional office shall be notified of
any revision in growing area classification.
-
(5) Status
of Growing Areas. The status of a growing area is separate and distinct
from its classification and may be open, closed or inactive for the
harvesting of shellstock.
-
(a) Open Status. Except
for an area in the
prohibited classification, any correctly classified growing area, is
normally open for the purposes of harvesting shellstock, subject to the
limitations of its classification.
-
(b) Closed Status. Any
classified growing area may be closed
for a limited or temporary period because of:
-
(i) An emergency
condition or situation;
-
(ii) The presence
of biotoxins in concentrations of public
health significance; or
-
(iii) Conditions
stipulated in the management plan of
conditionally approved or conditionally restricted areas; or
-
(iv) Failure of the
Authority to complete a written
sanitary survey or triennial review evaluation report.
-
(c) Reopened
Status. A growing area temporarily placed in the closed status as
provided in (b) above, shall be returned to the open status only when:
-
(i) The emergency
situation or condition
has returned to normal and sufficient time has elapsed to allow the
shellstock to reduce pathogens or poisonous or deleterious substances
that may be present in the shellstock to acceptable levels. Studies
establishing sufficient elapsed time shall document the interval
necessary for reduction of contaminant levels in the shellstock to
pre-closure levels. In addressing pathogen concerns, the study may
establish criteria for reopening based on coliform levels in the
water; or
-
(ii) The
requirements for biotoxins or conditional area
management plans as established in §.04 and §.03,
respectively, are met; and
-
(iii)Supporting
information is documented by a written
record in the central file.
-
(d) Inactive
Status. The authority may place an approved or restricted growing area
affected by non-point sources in the inactive status for up to five
years when shellstock harvest is suspended or no longer occurring.
Shellstock harvesting shall be closed while an area is in the inactive
status. The inactive status must continue for a minimum of one year.
-
(i)
While in
inactive status, the required
bacteriological sample collection under @.02F (6)(b)(iii) may be
reduced to two water samples per station per year collected under the
systematic random sample collection strategy. Sanitary survey reports,
triennial reevaluations, and annual updates must be completed as
required under @.01C.
-
(ii) The sample
collection frequency of
six random samples per station per year specified under @.02F
(6)(b)(iii) must resume at least six months before an area is
reactivated.
-
(iii) Before an area
is reactivated, the results of
the most recent 30 samples must be reviewed and comply with the
requirements under @. 02F.
-
(e) Remote Status. A
growing area may be placed in the remote
status if:
-
(i)
A
sanitary survey determines that the area has no human habitation, and
is not impacted by any actual or potential pollution sources; and
-
(ii) The area is in
the approved classification.
-
(f)Seasonally
Remote/Approved Status. A growing area may be placed in a seasonally
remote/approved status requiring two water samples per year if the
following criteria are met:
-
(i)
The area is
initially classified as approved;
-
(ii) The closure
time period is defined; and
-
(iii) At least one
sample be taken upon reopening the area.
-
Approved Classification. Growing
areas shall be classified as
approved when the following criteria are met.
-
(1) Survey Required. A
sanitary survey finds that the area is:
-
(a) Safe for the direct
marketing of shellfish;
-
(b)Not
subject to contamination from human or animal fecal matter at levels
that, in the judgement of the Authority, presents an actual or
potential public health hazard; and
-
(c) Not contaminated
with:
-
(i)
Pathogenic
organisms;
-
(ii) Poisonous or
deleterious substances;
-
(iii) Marine
biotoxins; or
-
(iv) Bacteria
concentrations exceeding the bacteriological
standards for a growing area in this classification.
-
(2) Water
Quality. The water quality in the growing area shall meet the
bacteriological standards for an approved classification in §.02.
-
Conditional Classifications.
Growing areas may be classified as
conditional when the following criteria are met:
-
(1) Survey Required. The
sanitary survey meets the following
criteria:
-
(a) The
area will be in the open status of the conditional classification for a
reasonable period of time. The factors determining this period are
known, are predictable, and are not so complex as to preclude a
reasonable management approach;
-
(b) Each potential
source of pollution that may adversely
affect the growing area is evaluated;
-
(c) Bacteriological
water quality correlates with environmental conditions or other factors
affecting the distribution of pollutants into the growing area.
-
(2) Management Plan Required.
For each growing area, a written
management plan shall be developed and shall include:
-
(a) For management plans
based on wastewater treatment plant
function, performance standards that include:
-
(i)
Peak effluent
flow, average flow, and infiltration
flow;
-
(ii) Bacteriological
or viral quality of the effluent;
-
(iii) Physical and
chemical quality of the effluent;
-
(iv) Conditions
which cause plant failure;
-
(v) Plant or
collection system bypasses;
-
(vi) Design,
construction, and maintenance to minimize
mechanical failure, or overloading;
-
(vii) Provisions for
monitoring and inspecting the waste
water treatment plant; and
-
(viii)Establishment
of an area in the prohibited classification adjacent to a wastewater
treatment plant outfall in accordance with §E. Prohibited
Classification;
-
(b) For management plans
based on pollution sources other
than waste water treatment plants:
-
(i)
Performance
standards that reliably predict when
criteria for conditional classification are met; and
-
(ii) Discussion and
data supporting the performance
standards.
-
(c) For
management plans based on wastewater treatment plant function or
pollution sources other than wastewater treatment plants, criteria that
reliably predict when an area that was placed in the closed status
because of failure to comply with its conditional management plan can
be returned to the open status. The minimum criteria are:
-
(i)
Performance
standards of the plan are fully met;
-
(ii) Sufficient
time has elapsed to allow the water
quality in the growing area to return to acceptable levels;
-
(iii) Sufficient
time has elapsed to allow the shellstock to reduce pathogens that might
be present to acceptable levels. Studies establishing sufficient
elapsed time shall document the interval necessary for reduction of
coliform levels in the shellstock to pre-closure levels. The study may
establish criteria for reopening based on coliform levels in the water;
and
-
(iv) Shellstock
feeding activity is sufficient to achieve
coliform reduction.
-
(d) For
management plans based on a risk assessment made in accordance with
Chapter II, Risk Assessment and Risk Management, criteria that reliably
determine when the growing area may be placed in the open status and
shellfish may be harvested;
-
(e) For management
systems based on
marine biotoxins, the procedures and criteria that reliably determine
when the growing area may be placed in the open status;
-
(f) Procedures for
immediate notification to the Authority
when performance standards or criteria are not met;
-
(g) Provisions for
patrol to prevent illegal harvest; and
-
(h) Procedures
to immediately place the growing area in the closed status in 24 hours
or less when the criteria established in the management plan are not
met.
-
(3) Reevaluation of
Conditional Classification.
-
(a) The classification
shall be reevaluated at least once
each year. The reevaluation shall include:
-
(i)
Evaluation of
compliance with the management plan;
-
(ii) Determination
of adequacy of reporting of failure to
meet performance standards;
-
(iii) Review of the
cooperation of the persons involved;
-
(iv) Evaluation of
water quality in the growing area with
respect to the bacteriological standards for its classification;
-
(v) Field
inspection of critical pollution sources, where
necessary; and
-
(vi) Written
findings, evaluations and recommendations.
-
(b) Water Sample
Collection.
-
(i)
When
the conditional management plan is based on the absence of pollution
from marinas for certain times of the year, monthly water samples are
not required when the growing area is in the open status of its
conditional classification provided that at least three of the water
samples collected to satisfy the bacteriological standard for the open
status are collected when the growing area is in the open status.
-
(ii) When
the conditional management plan is based on the operation and
performance of a wastewater treatment plant(s); combined sewer
overflow(s); or other point sources of pollution, monthly water samples
are required when the growing area is in the open status of its
conditional classification.
-
(iii) If a monthly
sample cannot
be collected due to environmental constraints, the monthly sampling
requirement will be satisfied if an additional water sampling run is
conducted the following month.
-
(iv) When the
conditional
management plan is based on the effects of non-point sources of
pollution, such as rainfall events, stormwater runoff, and seasonal
variations, a minimum of five (5) sets of water samples (when the
Adverse Pollution Condition sampling regimen is used) or six (6) sets
of water samples (when the Systematic Random Sampling regimen is used)
are required. The samples shall be collected when the growing area is
in the open status.
- (v) When the conditional management plan is based on the effects of non-point sources of pollution, such as rainfall events or storm water runoff, and the area is in the open status for less than six months a minimum of five (5) sets of water samples are required (Adverse Pollution Condition and Systematic Random Sampling). At least one (1) sample shall be collected each month the area is placed in the open status. This sample shall be collected while the area is open. If closed status samples are used to meet the minimum sample requirements only two (2) sets of samples may be utilized and they must have been taken within five (5) days of when the Authority anticipates that the area will be placed in the open status. For growing areas in the open status less than two (2) months, at least one (1) sample must be collected while the area is in the open status. Samples collected during the closed status to meet the minimum five (5) sets of water samples shall be applied to annual and triennial reevaluations of the area.
- (vi) When the conditional management plan is based on the seasonal opening and closing of the area, and the area is in the open status for a predetermined period of less than six (6) months, a minimum of five (5) sets of water samples are required (Adverse Pollution Condition and Systematic Random Sampling). All samples shall be collected while the area is in the open status unless the Authority has historical water quality data to demonstrate that the area meets open status criteria while in the closed status. If closed status samples are used to meet the minimum sample requirements they must be collected within thirty (30) days prior to the area being placed in the open status.
-
(4) Understanding
of and Agreement With the Purpose of the Conditional Classification and
Conditions of Its Management Plan by All Parties Involved.
-
(a) The management plan
shall be developed by the Authority
in coordination with:
-
(i)
The local
shellfish industry;
-
(ii) The
individuals responsible for the operation of any
wastewater treatment plants involved; and
-
(iii) Any local or
State agencies; and
-
(b) Failure
of any one party to agree shall constitute sufficient justification to
deny the application of the conditional classification to a growing
area.
-
(5) Conditional Area Types.
There are two types of conditional
areas:
-
(a) Conditionally
approved; and
-
(b) Conditionally
restricted.
-
(6) Conditionally Approved
Classification. Any growing area in
the conditionally approved classification shall:
-
(a) Meet the
requirements for:
-
(i)
An approved
area classification when the
conditionally approved classification is in the open status; and
-
(ii) A restricted
or prohibited classification when the
conditionally approved classification is in the closed status; and
-
(b) If
the closed status meets the criteria for the restricted classification,
designate in its management plan whether the shellstock may be
harvested for relaying or depuration.
-
(7) Conditionally Restricted
Classification. Any growing area in
the conditionally restricted classification shall:
-
(a) Meet the
requirements for:
-
(i)
A restricted
classification when the conditionally
restricted classification is in the open status; and
-
(ii) A prohibited
classification when the conditionally
restricted classification is in the closed status; and
-
(b) Designate in its
management plan whether the harvested
shellstock are to be relayed or depurated.
-
Restricted Classification.
-
(1) General
-
(a) A growing area may
be classified as restricted when:
-
(i) A sanitary
survey indicates a limited degree of
pollution; and
-
(ii) Levels
of fecal pollution, human pathogens, or poisonous or deleterious
substances are at such levels that shellstock can be made safe for
human consumption by either relaying, depuration or low acid-canned
food processing.
-
(b) The Authority shall
have effective controls to assure
that shellfish are harvested from restricted areas only:
-
(i) By special
license; and
-
(ii) Under the
supervision of the Authority.
-
(2) Water
Quality. Water quality in the growing area shall meet the
bacteriological standards in §.02 for a growing area in the
restricted
classification if the growing area is used for depuration.
-
(3) Shellstock
Quality Criteria. The Authority shall establish shellstock quality
criteria for use in placing an area in the restricted classification.
Depending on the treatment process to be applied to the shellstock, the
criteria shall be established in accordance with:
-
(a) Chapter V.
Shellstock Relaying; or
-
(b) Chapter XV. Depuration.
- Prohibited Classification.
-
(1) Exception.
The prohibited classification is not required for harvest waters within
or adjacent to marinas. The Authority, however, may use the prohibited
classification for these waters.
-
(2) General. The Authority shall:
-
(a) Not permit the
harvest of shellstock from any area
classified as prohibited, except for the
harvest of shellstock for the gathering of seed for aquaculture or the
depletion of the areas classified as prohibited; and
-
(b) Ensure that
shellstock removed from any growing area
classified as prohibited is effectively excluded from human
consumption unless it is seed to be cultured as outlined in NSSP MO Chapter VI. Shellfish Aquaculture.02 Seed Shellstock.
-
(3) Sanitary Survey. A growing
area shall be classified as
prohibited if:
-
(a) No current sanitary
survey exists;
-
(b) A sanitary survey
determines:
-
(i)
The growing
area is adjacent to a sewage treatment
plant outfall or other point source outfall with public health
significance;
-
(ii) Pollution
sources may unpredictably contaminate the
growing area;
-
(iii) The growing
area is contaminated with fecal waste so
that the shellfish may be vectors for disease microorganisms;
-
(iv) The
concentration of biotoxin is sufficient to cause
a public health risk as identified in §.04. or
-
(v) The area is
contaminated with poisonous or
deleterious substances causing the shellfish to be adulterated.
-
(4) Risk
Assessment. A growing area shall be classified as prohibited if a risk
assessment performed in accordance with Chapter II, Risk Assessment and
Risk Management indicates the shellstock are not safe for human
consumption.
-
(5) Wastewater Discharges.
-
(a) An
area classified as prohibited shall be established adjacent to each
sewage treatment plant outfall or any other point source outfall of
public health significance.
-
(b) The determination of
the size
of the area to be classified as prohibited adjacent to each outfall
shall include the following minimum criteria:
-
(i)
The volume
flow rate, location of
discharge, performance of the wastewater treatment plant and the
bacteriological or viral quality of the effluent;
-
(ii) The decay rate
of the contaminants of public health
significance in the wastewater discharged;
-
(iii) The
wastewater's dispersion and dilution, and the
time of waste transport to the area where shellstock may be harvested;
and
-
(iv) The location
of the shellfish resources,
classification of adjacent waters and identifiable landmarks or
boundaries.
Additional Guidance - Section IV Guidance Documents
@.04 Marine Biotoxin Control.
-
Contingency Plan.
-
(1) The Authority shall
develop and adopt a marine biotoxin
contingency plan for all marine and estuarine shellfish growing areas.
-
(2) The plan shall define the
administrative procedures and
resources necessary to accomplish the following:
-
(a) Initiate an
emergency shellfish sampling and assay
program;
-
(b) Close growing areas
and embargo shellfish;
-
(c) Prevent harvesting
of contaminated species;
-
(d) Provide for product
recall;
-
(e) Disseminate
information on the occurrences of toxic algal blooms and/or toxicity in
shellfish meats to adjacent states, shellfish industry, and local
health agencies; and
-
(f) Coordinate control
actions taken by Authorities and
federal agencies.
-
(3) Except
that the Authority shall classify as prohibited any growing areas where
shellfish are so highly or frequently affected by marine biotoxins that
the situation cannot be safety managed, the presence of marine
biotoxins shall not affect the classification of the shellfish growing
area under §.03. The Authority may use the conditionally approved
classification for areas affected by marine biotoxins.
-
(4)
The plan may include agreements or memoranda of understanding, between the
Authority and individual shellfish harvesters
or individual shellfish dealers,
to allow harvesting in
designated parts of a growing area while other parts of the growing
area are placed in the closed status. Such controlled harvesting shall
be conducted with strict assurances of safety, such as by batch release
of shellfish lots only after samples of each lot are tested and found
to be below the action levels specified in Section C.
- Marine Biotoxin Monitoring.
In those areas where toxin-forming organisms are known to occur periodically and the toxins are prone to accumulate in shellfish, and when appropriate at those times when marine biotoxins can be reasonably predicted to occur, representative samples of the water and/or shellfish shall be collected during harvest periods. The samples shall be collected from indicator stations at intervals determined by the Authority. Water samples will be assayed for the presence of toxin-forming organisms and shellfish meat samples shall be assayed for the presence of toxins.
-
Closed Status of Growing Areas.
-
(1) A growing area, or portion(s) thereof as provided in §A.(4), shall be placed in the closed status for the taking of shellstock when the Authority determines that the number of toxin-forming organisms in the growing waters and/or the level of biotoxin present in shellfish meats is sufficient to cause a health risk. The closed status shall be established based on the following criteria:
- NSP - cells/L n/a; 80 µg/100 grams
- NSP - 5,000 cells/L or 20 MU (approximate as 80 µg/100 g)
- ASP - cells/L n/a; 2 mg/100 grams (20 ppm)
-
(a) The concentration of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) equals or exceeds 80 micrograms per 100 grams of edible portion of raw shellfish; or
-
(b) For neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP), the harvesting of shellstock shall not be allowed when:
-
(i) The concentration of NSP equals or exceeds 20 mouse units per 100 grams of edible portion of raw shellfish; or
-
(ii) The cell counts for Karenia brevis organisms in the water column exceed 5,000 per liter; or
-
(c) For domoic acid, the toxin concentration shall not be equal to or exceed 20 ppm in the edible portion of raw shellfish.
-
(2) For any marine biotoxin producing organism for which criteria have not been established under this Ordinance, either cell counts in the water column or biotoxin meat concentrations may be used by the Authority as the criteria for not allowing the harvest of shellstock.
-
(3) When sufficient data exist to establish that certain shellfish species can be safely exempted from the marine biotoxin contingency plan, the closed status for harvesting may be applied selectively to some shellfish species and not others.
-
(4) The closed status shall remain in effect until the Authority has data to show that the toxin content of the shellfish in the growing area is below the level established for closing the area.
-
(5) The determination to return a growing area to the open status shall consider whether toxin levels in the shellfish from adjacent areas are declining.
-
(6) The analysis upon which a decision to return a growing area to the open status is based shall be adequately documented.
-
Heat Processing. If heat
processing is practiced, a control
procedure shall be developed. This procedure shall define the
following:
-
(1) Toxicity limits for
processing;
-
(2) Controls for harvesting
and transporting the shellstock to
processor;
-
(3) Special marking for
unprocessed shellstock;
-
(4) Scheduled processes; and
-
(5) End product controls on
the processed shellfish.
-
Records. The Authority shall
maintain a copy of all of the
following records.
-
(1) All information, including
monitoring data, relating to the
levels of marine biotoxins in the shellfish growing areas;
-
(2) Copies of notices placing
growing areas in the closed status;
-
(3) Evaluation reports; and
-
(4) Copies of notices
returning growing areas to the open status.
@.05 Marinas.
-
Marina Proper. The area within
any marina which is in or adjacent
to a shellstock growing area shall be classified as:
-
(1) Conditionally approved;
-
(2) Conditionally restricted;
or
-
(3) Prohibited.
-
Adjacent Waters. Waters adjacent
to marina waters classified
under §A. may be impacted by pollution associated with the marina.
-
(1) A dilution analysis shall
be used to determine if there is
any impact to adjacent waters.
-
(2) The dilution analysis
shall be based on the volume of water
in the vicinity of the marina.
-
(3) The dilution analysis
shall incorporate the following:
-
(a) A slip occupancy
rate for the marina;
-
(b) An actual or assumed
rate of boats which will discharge
untreated waste;
-
(c) An occupancy per
boat rate (i.e., number of persons per
boat);
-
(d) A fecal coliform
discharge rate of 2 x 10 fecal coliform
per ninth power per day; and
-
(e) The assumption that
the wastes are completely mixed in
the volume of water in and around the marina.
-
(4) If
the dilution analysis predicts a theoretical fecal coliform loading
greater than 14 fecal coliform MPN per 100 ml, the waters adjacent to
the marina shall be classified as:
-
(a) Conditionally
approved;
-
(b) Restricted;
-
(c) Conditionally
restricted; or
-
(d) Prohibited.
-
(5) If
the dilution analyses predicts a theoretical fecal coliform loading
less than or equal to 14 fecal coliform MPN per 100 ml, the waters
adjacent to the marina may be classified as:
-
(a) Approved; or
-
(b) Conditionally
approved.
-
(6) If
the Authority chooses not to determine a specific occupancy per boat
rate by investigation in specific areas or sites, the Authority shall
assume a minimum occupancy rate of two persons per boat.