[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2237-2238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-940]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5949-9]
The Incidence and Severity of Sediment Contamination in Surface
Waters of the United States
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
ACTION: Notice of availability of report to Congress.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announces the
public availability of a report to Congress, The Incidence and Severity
of Sediment Contamination in Surface Waters of the United States. This
report to Congress is required by the Water Resources Development Act
of 1992. Section 501(b)(4) of the Act defines contaminated sediment as
``sediment containing chemical substances in excess of appropriate
geochemical, toxicological or sediment quality criteria or measures; or
otherwise considered to pose a threat to human health or the
environment''. Section 503(a)(1) of the Act requires USEPA to compile
existing information on the quantity, chemical and physical
composition, and geographic location of pollutants in aquatic sediment,
including the probable source of such pollutants and identification of
those sediments which are contaminated. Section 503(a)(2) of the Act
requires the Administrator of USEPA to report to Congress the findings,
conclusions, and recommendations of the survey required under section
503(a)(1), including recommendations for actions necessary to prevent
contamination of aquatic
[[Page 2238]]
sediments and to control sources of contamination.
The full report to Congress comprises three currently available
volumes, and one volume in preparation. Volume 1: National Sediment
Quality Survey is a screening analysis to qualitatively assess the
probability of associated adverse human or ecological effects at
sampling stations based on a weight of evidence evaluation. Volume 2:
Data Summary for Areas of Probable Concern (APC) includes sampling
station location maps and chemical and biological summary data for APC
watersheds. Volume 3: National Sediment Contaminant Point Source
Inventory is a screening analysis to identify probable point source
contributors of sediment pollutants. Volume 4: National Sediment
Contaminant Nonpoint Source Inventory is a screening analysis to
identify probable nonpoint source contributors of sediment pollutants
(in preparation).
ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of Incidence and Severity of Sediment
Contamination in Surface Waters of the United States (Volume 1 EPA
document number EPA 823-R-97-006; Volume 2 EPA document number EPA 823-
R-97-007; Volume 3 EPA document number EPA 823-R-97-008) should be sent
to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for
Environmental Publications and Information, 11029 Kenwood Road,
Building 5, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242; telephone: 513-891-6561, fax: 513-
891-6685.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas M. Armitage or F. James
Keating, Risk Assessment and Management Branch, Office of Science and
Technology, Mail Code 4305, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460;
telephone 202-260-7301.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Incidence and Severity of Sediment
Contamination in Surface Waters of the United States describes the
accumulation of chemical contaminants in river, lake, ocean, and
estuary bottoms and includes a screening assessment of the potential
for associated adverse effects to human and environmental health. EPA
studied available data from 65% of the 2,111 watersheds in the
continental U.S. and identified 96 watersheds that contain ``areas of
probable concern''. In portions of these watersheds, environmental
conditions may be unsuitable for bottom dwelling creatures, and fish
that live in these waters may contain chemicals at levels unsafe for
regular consumption. Areas of probable concern are located in regions
affected by urban and agricultural runoff, municipal and industrial
waste discharge, and other pollution sources. EPA recommends that
resource managers fully examine the risks to human health and the
environment in these watersheds. Authorities should take steps to
ensure that major pollution sources are effectively controlled and that
plans are in place to improve sediment conditions and to support long-
term health goals.
Dated: January 8, 1998.
Robert Perciasepe,
Assistant Administrator for Office of Water.
[FR Doc. 98-940 Filed 1-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
