Shellfish also may be vulnerable to contaminants and smothering. The user will be asked questions that help identify vulnerable benthic areas and significant shellfish beds. These questions assist the user in identifying whether the cultured organisms or the facility could harm breeding or nursery areas of wild organisms. Proximity to these areas will be the most important issue. The user is asked questions that will assist in identifying areas that are vulnerable.
Questions also consider effects on fish-eating mammals and birds.
These questions assist the user in identifying whether the culture operation could adversely affect wild populations and pre-existing aquaculture operations through a higher cumulative waste load that could decrease dissolved oxygen levels and increase dissolved nutrients, thus promoting eutrophication. The objective of these questions is to assess cumulative impacts. Users are directed to suggested agencies to make these determinations. These questions assist the user in identifying whether the facility or its related infrastructure are located in areas that may affect other lake users. Potential impacts on culturally, historically or navigationally sensitive sites are also considered.