Recommended Aquatic Life Ambient Estuarine/Marine Water Quality Criteria for Copper - 2016

15 organizations filed 16 public comments on Recommended Aquatic Life Ambient Estuarine/Marine Water Quality Criteria for Copper - 2016, at the Environmental Protection Agency. The comment window closed 3591d ago.

Abstract

EPA is updating its national recommended ambient water quality criteria for copper in estuarine/marine environments in order to reflect the latest scientific information, and current EPA policies and methods. EPA's water quality criteria provides recommendations to states and tribes authorized to establish water quality standards under the Clean Water Act. In adopting water quality standards, states set exposure protections for aquatic life; acute exposure to copper can result in mortality, while chronic exposure to copper can negatively impact factors including the growth, development, and reproduction of aquatic life in estuarine/marine systems. The draft criteria incorporates use of the saltwater biotic ligand model (BLM), a bioavailability model that relies on water quality input parameters to estimate copper criteria that is protective of aquatic life in estuarine/marine environments, and an updated toxicity database. Incorporation of the BLM allows users to account for individual water quality variables (temperature, pH, dissolved organic carbon, and salinity) that influence the bioavailability and toxicity of copper in estuarine/marine environments.

Commenters (15)

• International Copper Associationtrade assoc.

  2 filings · confidence 85%
• American Chemet Corporationunverified attribution

  1 filing · confidence 70%
• American Chemistry Counciltrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 97%
• American Coatings Associationtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 97%
• American Petroleum Institutetrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 97%
• Barnes & Thornburg LLP on behalf of Federal Water Quality Coalitiontrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Bay Planning Coalitiontrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Boat Owners Association of The United Statestrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Center for Biological Diversity

  1 filing · confidence 97%
• Marina del Rey Lessees Associationtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Marine Recreation Associationtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)trade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 97%
• National Marine Manufacturers Associationtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• North American Metals Counciltrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Western Wood Preservers Institutetrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%