The purpose for this evaluation is to determine whether applicable water quality standards were achieved under the expiring permit and to decide if changes are needed. Biological surveys and criteria are particularly effective for determining the quality of waters subject to permitted discharges. Since biosurveys provide ongoing integrative evaluations of the biological integrity of resident biota, permit writers can make informed decisions on whether to maintain or restrict permit limits. A. Staff with sound knowledge of State aquatic biology and scientific protocol are needed to coordinate a biological criteria program. Actual field monitoring could be accomplished by summer-hire biologists led by permanent staff aquatic biologists.
Most States employ aquatic biologists for monitoring trends or issuing site-specific permits.
A. Management personnel from each area within the standards and monitoring programs should be involved in this approach, including permit engineers, resource managers, and field personnel. The cost of developing biological criteria is a State-specific question depending upon many variables. Biological criteria provide an integrative assessment over time. Biota reflect multiple impacts. A. Dischargers are concerned that biological criteria will identify impairments that may be erroneously attributed to a discharger who is not responsible.