Protecting “aquatic life”

The EPA gives special emphasis to protecting aquatic life in its Water Quality Standards Handbook (August 1994) and its publication “Questions and Answers on Antidegradation” (December 1983).

“Water quality should be such that it results in no mortality and no significant growth or reproductive impairment of resident species… Any lowering of water quality below this full level of protection is not allowed …The fact that sport or commercial fish are not present does not mean that the water may not be supporting an aquatic life protection function. An existing aquatic community composed entirely of invertebrates and plants, such as may be found in a pristine alpine tributary stream, should still be protected whether or not such a stream supports a fishery.”

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