![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Determining Causes of Ecological Impairment
Objective:
Through EPA-wide partnerships with states and tribes, develop methods and capabilities to determine causes of biological impairment in rivers and streams.
Approach:
- Provide clear guidance for determining causes of biological impairment.
- Develop methods to determine causes of biological impairment especially for common causes such as excess sediment, nutrient enrichment, habitat and flow alteration and chemical contamination.
- Test and illustrate causal analysis through state and tribal case studies.
- Ensure that many states and tribes have experience determining causes of biological impairment.
- Develop and provide ready access to tools and databases that make causal analysis easier and faster.
Expected Outputs:
- EPA Stressor Identification Guidance and peer reviewed publications.
- Workshops and briefings
- Causal Analysis and Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS), a web-based system providing guidance, tools, examples and links to information for identifying causes of biological impairments.
Outcomes:
States and tribes will know the probable causes of biological impairments in their streams and rivers.
Contact: Susan Cormier (cormier.susan@epa.gov) | Susan Norton (norton.susan@epa.gov) | Glenn Suter (suter.glenn@epa.gov)