U.S. EPA’s Benthic HCB ROAR Project: Developing standardized methods for sampling, analyzing, and assessing benthic HCBs
Citation:
Nietch, C. AND Kristina Laidlaw. U.S. EPA’s Benthic HCB ROAR Project: Developing standardized methods for sampling, analyzing, and assessing benthic HCBs. IWG-HABHRCA Monthly Meeting, Cincinnati (virtual), OH, January 25, 2024.
Impact/Purpose:
To provide an overview of EPA's Region-ORD Applied Research (ROAR) project focusing on developing standardized methods for assessing benthic harmful cyanobacteria blooms (HCBs) in streams and rivers.
Description:
Benthic harmful cyanobacteria blooms (HCBs) pose a significant threat to domestic animals, wildlife, and humans. They are a growing concern especially in the west. State, tribal, and local agencies need greater understanding of the risk posed by benthic HCBs. While The Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) developed guidance in 2022, it did not provide specific recommendations for characterizing the risk posed by benthic HCBs quickly and effectively. The multi-regional EPA benthic HCB Region-ORD applied research (ROAR) project is working to develop and test standardized methods for sampling, analyzing, and assessing benthic HCBs. Results from the project will inform sampling protocols and analyses that will help partners develop plans that use common approaches and inform decisions about when to post and remove alerts
