Missouri River IA 06-WEM-1708

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on (1) surveys of Nebraska fisheries biologists, (2) consultation with IDNR staff and (3) results of fish tissue monitoring.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class A (primary contact recreation) uses remain "not assessed."  The Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remain assessed as "partially supported."  The fish consumption uses were assessed as "fully supported."  EXPLANATION:  The Class A uses remained "not assessed" due to the lack of monitoring data for indicator bacteria for this reach of the Missouri River.   The Class B(WW) uses remained assessed as "partially supported" based on the assessment developed for the 1998 report.   This assessment was developed in consultation with the Missouri River fisheries biologist for the state of Nebraska.   Fish consumption uses were assessed as "fully supported" based on EPA/DNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring just south of Council Bluffs in 1999 that showed levels of all contaminants were less than ½ of the respective FDA action levels in the composite samples of fillets from carp and flathead catfish (levels of contaminants were unusually low in this sample; 21 of 23 contaminants were below the respective analytical detection levels).