| Contents Notes |
This document was prepared by U.S. EPA's Marine Operations Division (Office of Marine and Estuarine Protection), in response to requests from U.S. EPA regional offices and coastal municipalities for assistance on technical issues raised during issuance of 301(h)-modified NPDES permits. Under regulations implementing Section 301(h) of the Clean Water Act, municipalities that discharge sewage to marine waters are required to conduct monitoring programs to 1) evaluate the impact of their discharge on marine biota, 2) demonstrate compliance with applicable water quality standards, and 3) measure toxic substances in the discharge. Fish liver histopathology is one important biological impact that is monitored by selected dischargers. The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for designing and conduction field surveys of fish liver histopathology as part of 301(h) monitoring programs. At present, no comprehensive sources of such guidance are available. Information derived from the surveys of fish liver histopathology will be used in conjunction with other kinds of environmental data to assess potential impacts of permitted sewage discharges on marine biota. The information provided herein will be useful to U.S. EPA monitoring program reviewers, permit writers, permittees, and other organizations involved in performing nearshore monitoring studies. As fish liver histopathology frequently is assessed in other marine and estuarine monitoring programs, the guidance provided herein has broad applicability beyond the 301(h) program. |
