EPA support of biocriteria

• Biocriteria help shift the regulatory focus to the actual, rather than theoretical response of the watershed to pollution and other environmental stressors.

• Bioassessment data can be used to identify biologically impaired waters, verify impacts of point source discharges, assess the effects of habitat alteration and capture episodic or nonpoint source pollution.

• Aquatic biota are continuous monitors of environmental quality and integrators of environmental impacts.

• Biocriteria and bioassessment data may be used as the basis for evaluating the effectiveness of watershed restoration plans (TMDLs) and actions taken to restore water bodies.

• Bioassessments and biocriteria can improve the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit process by providing a biological picture of a receiving water’s response to discharges and control measures.

(http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/biocriteria/faqs.html)

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