Lahart Area IA 04-LDM-1055

Assessment Comments

Assessment remains based on information from the IDNR Wildlife Bureau.

Basis for Assessment

[NOTES:  This wetland is not in the current (2002) version of the Iowa Water Quality Standards and is thus classified only for "general uses."  This wetland however, has been proposed for inclusion to the standards as a Class B(LW) waterbody.   For the 2002 report, the waterbody identification number for this wetland was changed from "IA-WETLAND-41" to "IA 04-LDM-0175-L."]
  
SUMMARY:  Continued to assess (evaluate) support of the aquatic life uses as "partially supported" based on information from the IDNR Wildlife Bureau.  Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed."  This assessment is the same as that developed for the 2002 and 2004 assessment/listing cycles.

EXPLANATION:  The previous (2000) assessment of support of the aquatic life uses ("partially supported") was reviewed by the local DNR Wildlife Biologist (Telleen) in 2002.    This wetland is managed as a fishery.   The assessment category for this wetland of "evaluated" indicates that the assessment is based entirely on "best professional judgement."  In terms of Section 305(b) reporting, "monitored assessments" are based primarily on recent, site-specific ambient monitoring data and thus have relatively high confidence.   IDNR considers waterbodies identified as "impaired" based on "monitored assessments" as candidates for the state's Section 303(d) list.   "Evaluated assessments" are those based on data older than five years or other than site-specific ambient monitoring data (e.g., questionnaire surveys of fish and game biologists [=best professional judgement]) and thus have relatively lower confidence.   IDNR does not consider waterbodies identified as "impaired" based on "evaluated assessments" as candidates for the state's Section 303(d) list.   Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed" due to a lack of fish contaminant data upon which to base an assessment.