![]() Probabilistic Assessment of Wadeable Rivers And Streams 2011-2015 Macroinvertebrate Indices of Biotic Integrity (IBI) WPP is currently engaged in a multi-year probabilistic monitoring project for coastal water resources (2020-2023). A summary report for the MAP2 lakes and ponds project will be available soon. ![]() From 2016-2018, a statewide probabilistic monitoring project was conducted for MA lakes and ponds. The summary report for the MAP2 wadeable rivers and streams project is now available. In 2011, the Massachusetts Probabilistic Monitoring & Assessment Program (MAP2) was initiated with wadeable rivers and streams as the first water resource type assessed. The use of probabilistic monitoring is based on the principle that the quality of waters in a target population can be statistically estimated or inferred with a stated level of certainty by monitoring a random subset of the waters in the target population. The overall goal of this strategy is to provide an unbiased and statistically valid assessment on the condition of selected designated uses (e.g., Aquatic Life Use and Recreation Use) in all waters of the state and the potential stressors impacting those uses. To enable reporting on the condition of all waters in the state, WPP uses probabilistic monitoring strategies to assess rivers, lakes and estuaries. Targeted monitoring approaches are by design limited to specific locations, and typically cover a small percentage of the total waters in the state. In order to assess the quality of Massachusetts’ water resources, the MassDEP Watershed Planning Program (WPP) conducts both targeted and probabilistically-based surface water monitoring. The 303(d) List is subject to public review and comment and must be approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency.Ģ022 Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology GuidanceĢ018 Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology GuidanceĢ016 Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology GuidanceĢ012 Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology Guidance Statewide Statistical Reporting Category 5 of the IR is assigned to the surface waters on the 303(d) List that require restoration using cleanup plans, or Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL). These "Integrated List of Waters" reports (IR) combine the CWA reporting requirements of sections 305(b) (“Summary of Water Quality”) and the 303(d) List. The CWA requires states to submit reports on the designated-use-support status of their water bodies every 2 years. Waters that are impaired for one or more uses due to pollutant(s) are listed on the 303(d) “List of Impaired Waters” (“303(d) List”). It also describes the categorization of the assessed waters as to whether they meet designated uses. The Massachusetts Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology (CALM) Guidance Manual (see Additional Resources below) describes how data are used to assess surface water quality conditions, and the process used to identify causes and sources of impairment. These data, along with other state and federal agency data, are used by the WPP to assess and report on the state’s surface water quality conditions. Additionally, quality-assured data are provided from watershed associations and other outside groups ( External Data Submittals). Validated water quality monitoring data are provided by the WPP monitoring program ( WPP Monitoring Data). To view DEP’s latest 305(b), 314, and 303(d) decisions geospatially, you can use WPP’s Water Quality Data Viewer (under the Integrated List of Waters view) or the MassMapper application (select “Regulated Areas” to access the most recent data layers for the DEP Integrated List of Waters). ![]() Assessment and listing decisions are combined in biennial Integrated Reports to EPA. The designated uses include aquatic life (such as fish, other aquatic life, and wildlife) fish consumption public water supply shellfish harvesting primary (e.g., swimming) and secondary (e.g., boating) contact-recreation and aesthetics. The WPP fulfills these monitoring and reporting requirements and evaluates the support of uses designated in the state’s Surface Water Quality Standards (SWQS) Regulations (314 CMR 4.00). Sections 305(b), 314, and 303(d) of the CWA direct states to monitor and report on the quality of their surface waters and whether they support designated uses. Water quality assessments are conducted to evaluate the ecological and recreational ("fishable/swimmable") condition of Massachusetts’ surface waters. MassDEP's Watershed Planning Program (WPP) conducts monitoring and assessment activities and reports its findings to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the public as required by the federal Clean Water Act (CWA).
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