95-27072. Open Forum on Whole Effluent Toxicity Workshop

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 211 (Wednesday, November 1, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55573-55574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27072]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5322-8]


Open Forum on Whole Effluent Toxicity Workshop

    During September 1995, the Society of Environmental Toxicology and 
Chemistry (SETAC) sponsored a Workshop on Whole-Effluent Toxicity (WET) 
at the University of Michigan Biological Station near Pellston, 
Michigan. Funding for the Workshop was provided by the American 
Industrial Health Council, the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage 
Agencies, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the 
workshop was administered by the SETAC Foundation for Environmental 
Education. EPA's WET program uses WET testing to help ensure protection 
of the Nation's waters. WET testing is viewed as one of the most direct 
ways to ensure adherence to the ``narrative criterion'' that states 
that ``no toxics in toxic amounts'' shall be discharged. Workshop 
results should give valuable insight into the strengths and weaknesses 
of technical aspects of WET testing. The Workshop was attended by 45 
nationally recognized scientists from government, academia, and 
business who were invited to participate based on their expertise and 
experience in the WET program. The primary topic areas addressed during 
the Workshop included (1) Laboratory Test Methods/Appropriate 
Endpoints, (2) Effluent Toxicity Testing Variability, (3) Field 
Assessments (in relation to aquatic responses to effluents), and (4) 
Predicting Receiving System Impacts From Whole Effluent Toxicity Tests. 
Activities began with discussion- initiation presentations on the four 
topic areas. Group breakout sessions were then held to examine in depth 
the issues introduced in the discussion sessions, to reach a consensus 
on the state of the science in each of these topic areas, and to agree 
upon issues in the WET program that require further consideration or 
investigation. Written proceedings were drafted by the workgroups, and 
those proceedings are in the process of being reviewed and edited prior 
to being published by SETAC Press.
    On Tuesday, December 5, 1995, from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the 
Crystal City Marriott (near the Washington National Airport), SETAC 
will hold an Open Forum to report the results of the Pellston WET 
Workshop. The primary purpose of the Forum is to provide attendees (1) 
an overview of key technical issues and conclusions from the Workshop; 
(2) the opportunity for Forum attendees to make brief information 
statements regarding their perspectives on technical issues discussed 
at the Workshop; and (3) the opportunity for a dialogue between Forum 
attendees and Workshop participants. 

[[Page 55574]]

    In order to plan for adequate seating and to order refreshments, 
attendees must communicate their plans to attend the Open Forum by 
November 21, 1995. Mail, fax, or E-mail your name and affiliation to: 
SETAC-WET Open Forum, 1010 North 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32501-3370; 
the fax number is [phone]; and the E-mail address is 
[e-mail].

Greg Schiefer, Assistant Executive Director, Society of Environmental 
Toxicology and Chemistry, 1010 North 12th Avenue, Pensacola, Florida 
32501-3370, USA, TEL [phone], FAX [phone], e-mail 
[e-mail].

    Dated: October 26, 1995.
Donna K. Reed,
Workshop Trichair.
[FR Doc. 95-27072 Filed 10-31-95; 8:45 am]
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