Lahart Area IA 04-LDM-1055

Assessment Comments

Assessment remains based on information from the IDNR Wildlife Bureau.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  Continue to assess (evaluate) support of the Class B(LW) aquatic life uses as "partially supported" based on information from the IDNR Wildlife Bureau.  Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed."  Other than addition of this wetland to the March 2006 Surface Water Classification of the Iowa Water Quality Standards as a Class B(LW)/HH water, this assessment is the same as that developed for the 2002, 2004, and 2006 assessment/listing cycles.

EXPLANATION:  The 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.