Big Marsh IA 02-WFC-803

Assessment Comments

Assessment remains based on information from the IDNR Wildlife Bureau.

Basis for Assessment

SUMMARY:  The Class B(LW) aquatic life uses remain assessed (evaluated) 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 previous assessment/listing cycles.  

EXPLANATION:  The aquatic life uses remain assessed as "partially supported" based on information from the Iowa DNR Wildlife Bureau (see assessment for the 1998 and 2000 assessment cycles).   The assessment category for this wetland of "evaluated" indicates that the assessment is based entirely on "best professional judgment."  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 judgment]) 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 the lack of fish contaminant monitoring at this wetland.   In general, Iowa wetlands are not managed for recreational fisheries; thus, fish contaminant monitoring is not typically conducted at these waterbodies.