National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)
EPANonrulemakingEPA-HQ-OW-2016-0332

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

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National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) filings
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National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) filed 1 comment on this docket between Sep 29, 2016 and Sep 29, 2016. 14 other organizations filed here. The comment window closed 3591d ago.

What National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) filed (1)

Sep 29, 2016· Comment submitted by Chris Hornback, Chief Technical Officer, National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)· EPA-HQ-OW-2016-0332-0023

See attached comments from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)

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.

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Recommended Aquatic Life Ambient Estuarine/Marine Water Quality Criteria for Copper - 2016 (EPA) — National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) | OpenPolis