Delisting Targets developed by RAP Teams

Degradation of Benthos

*Please note: it is not in the IJC’s jurisdiction to endorse specific delisting targets.
*The IJC would like to encourage RAP Teams to submit estabnlished delisting targets to us. Please send them to the International Joint Commission

Canada

Detroit River, Ontario
Liver and oral/dermal tumor incidence rates shall be no greater than rates at unimpacted control sites. Survey data shall confirm the absence of neoplastic or preneoplastic liver tumors.
Spanish Harbour, Ontario
* Evaluate recovery of benthic communities from abatement initiatives undertaken in Sudbury basin.
* Benthic community structure within the Whalesback Channel and Spanish Harbour to resemble communities in unimpacted areas of the North Channel.
* Predict recovery of sediment quality with respect to time and loading reductions; recovery of benthic communities.
St. Clair River, Ontario
When invertebrate community structure can be documented as unimpaired or intermediate as defined by recent OMOEE benthic investigations.
Severn Sound, Ontario
* To reach appropriate benthic community targets and ecosystem objectives for Severn Sound.
* To have benthos characteristic of mesotrophic conditions throughout Severn Sound, i.e. (a) to maintain and enhance presence of the mayfly Hexagenia as an indicator of ecosystem health (b) to have aq sludge work density, especially Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, less than 3000/m 2 in all locations.
* Absence of acute and chronic toxic effects on benthos attributable to trace metals or organics in sediments throughout Severn Sound.
Hamilton Harbour, Ontario
* Biomass estimates for mesotrophic conditions to range from 25 to 50 g/m2 wet weight of benthos.
* Shift in oligochaete assemblages (benthic sludge worms) from indicators of eutrophic environments, to mesotrophic indicators.
* An increase in the contribution of other species in Hamilton Harbour sediment indicative of mesotrophic conditions such as midges, fingernail clams, mayflies, and the amphipod Pontoporeia hoyi.
* Reduction in oligochaete (sludge worm) density from an average 10,000 animals per m2 found in 1984 to between 2,000 and 3,000 per m2 in profundal sediments.
* Appearance of crustaceans, such as freshwater shrimp in the deep water basin and the amphipod Pontoporeia hoyi in the surficial sediments throughout the hypolimnion.
* Absence of acute and chronic toxic effects attributable to trace metals or organics in benthic macroinvertebrates throughout the Harbour and Cootes Paradise.
Toronto & Region, Ontario
* Suspended, transported, and in-place sediments contain levels of contaminants at or below the Provincial Sediment Quality Guidelines.
* Materials used in lakefilling meet the Fill Quality Guidelines for Lakefilling in Ontario.
* Lakefilling produces no net loss of aquatic habitat.
* Lakefill structures do not have adverse effects on water circulation.
Bay of Quinte, Ontario
Restore the Bay of Quinte ecosystem to conditions capable of supporting a diverse and stable benthic community structure including pollution sensitive species that existed prior to the onset of hyper-eutrophic conditions in the bay.
St. Lawrence River, Ontario
When benthic community structure, diversity and abundance are comparable for sites with similar habitat (sediment grain size, water velocity) in the AOC at locations upstream and downstream of Cornwall industrial and municipal discharges.
Niagara River, Ontario
Ensure adequate sampling has been undertaken to identify all contaminated sediment sites. Use the most stringent guidelines for contaminant levels in suspended, transported and in-place sediments, of the jurisdictions involved (contaminants at or below LEL) (incl. Welland River and tribs).
St. Mary's River, Ontario
* Monitor effluent from East End Water Pollution Control Plant for concentrations and loadings of persistent contaminants exceeding guidelines in Lake George Channel sediments.
* Complete sediment chemistry analysis and benthic community assessment as part of the St. Mary=s River Contaminated Sediment Zones Evaluation (Kauss 1999).
* Periodically conduct benthic, toxicity, and sediment chemistry studies in the Bellevue Marine park area.
* Resample river sediments every five years to obtain trend with time information.
* Further sediment quality and benthic community assessments in the Algoma Steel slip to determine the effectiveness of contaminant removal during maintenance dredging operations, and the need for further dredging.
* Conduct further studies to characterize sediment quality in high priority areas (ie., adjacent to Algoma Slag Dump, portion of Little Lake George Channel downstream of East End WPCP, and the Algoma Slip).
* Monitor the receiving water every three years at St. Marys Paper Ltd. to document response of benthic communities to improved effluent quality as mill upgrades and process improvements are implemented.
* Develop a multi-agency sediment management plan for the river to address remedial options and implement actions for contaminated sediments, including long-term sediment contamination studies.
* Monitor surface water, groundwater, wetland soils, and biota at the Cannelton Industries Superfund site to ensure protection of the ecological food chain. Conduct a site review (U.S. EPA) every five years to ensure that the remedy continues to provide adequate protection.
Nipigon Bay, Ontario
* Point source effluent should not inhibit native biota.
* Virtual elimination of toxic substances, at levels impairing biota, from point, non point and atmospheric sources.
* Aquatic biota should not be manipulated without careful regard for public and environmental concerns.
* Nearshore mixing zones should be rehabilitated to restore the normal benthic community.
* The benthic community should not be restricted in either quantity or diversity due to discharges.
Jackfish Bay, Ontario
* Blackbird Creek can continue to convey mill effluent provided that it does not impair beneficial uses, inhibit indigenous biota, or produce other adverse effects on the ecosystem.
* Discharge of toxins from point sources must be reduced to meet or exceed federal and provincial guidelines.
Peninsula Harbour, Ontario
* Atmospheric inputs should not adversely impact aquatic biota.
* Benthic communities should not differ from surrounding areas.
* Elimination of toxins and contaminants in aquatic organisms.

U.S.A.

Detroit River, Michigan
1. There is no more incidence of deformity than at suitable reference sites, as determined by experts; AND
2. Community composition is no different from refernce sites but is significantly better than degraded sites; AND
3. Sediment-associated contaminants are not bioaccumulative; AND
4. Sediment-associated contaminants are not toxic.
Rouge River, Michigan
GLEAS data = "acceptable" or better at all stations for 3 consecutive surveys.
River Raisin, Michigan
Improve and enhance the quality and quantity of benthic populations in the Area of Concern.
St. Clair River, Michigan
When invertebrate community structure can be documented as unimpaired or intermediate as defined by recent OMOEE benthic investigations.
Rochester Embayment, New York
1. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities are "non-impacted" or "slightly impacted" according to NYSDEC indices (Bode et al., 1996); OR
2. In the absence of conclusive community structure data, the toxicity of sediment-associated contaminants is not statisically higher than controls.
Buffalo River, New York
1. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities are "non-impacted" or "slightly impacted" according to NYSDEC indices (Bode et al., 1996); OR 2. In the absence of conclusive community structure data, the toxicity of sediment-associated contaiminants is not statistically higher than controls
St. Mary's River, Michigan
1. Due to frequent disruption of benthic communities within the navigational channels, as a consequence of ship traffic (includes adjacent areas that may be affected by ship traffic through bow waves, etc.) and navigational dredging, emphasis is placed on demonstrating the absnece of acute and chronic toxic effects of sediment-associated contaminants and on demonstrating bioassay end points comparable to controls.
2. Benthic community structure outside the shipping channel is not significantly different from control sites of comparable physical and chemical characterisitcs (i.e., shallow, silty sand substrates with no oxygen limitations). When benthic macroinvertebrate community structure does not significantly diverge from unimpacted sites of comparable physical and chemical characteristics. Populations of mesotrophic species such as mayfly (Hexagenis), fingernail clam (Pisidium), and oligochaetes (Ilyodrilus templetoni and Spirosperms ferox) are present where suitable substrates are located, and historical data indicates that these organisms are native to the area.
Saginaw River & Bay, Michigan
Sample of mayfly nymphs collected in the open waters of Saginaw Bay exceed 30/m 2 for two consecutive years, based upon established sampling methods.
Kalamazoo River, Michigan
Reduce erosion and nonpoint source pollution to the river and its tributaries so that sedimentation is not impacting benthis life. Reduce nutrient input to prevent euthrophication of impoundments within the watershed
Muskegon Lake, Michigan
1. Remedial action cleanup will start in Ruddiman Creek by 2003/2004
2. 50% of the contaminated sediment "Hot spots" in Muskegon Lake will be in the feasibility study stage by 2010, with the initiation of remedial actions at the remaining sites at the rate on one site every year.
3. All contaminated sites cleanups will be completed by 2015
4. Local government will adopt zoning and ordinances to support the restoration and maintenance of near shore aquatic, tributary, wetland and shoreline buffer habitats.
5. Sub-watershed streams will be hydro logically and morphologically stable and not a source of contaminated sediment transport
Waukegan Harbor, Illinois
1. Maintain conditions which promote the development of healthy and diverse benthic populations in the nearshore waters of Lake Michigan adjacent to Waukegan.
2. Remove contaminated sediments with PCB concentrations greater than 50 mg/kg (ppm) from Waukegan Harbor to prevent the spread of contamination to the nearshore waters of Lake Michigan.
3. Maintain water and sediment quality conditions in Waukegon Harbor, and allow the development of diverse benthic communities consistent with industrial and commercial use of the harbor.
White Lake, Michigan
1. Documentation of population increases of pollution intolerant benthic organisms (including Hexagenia mayfly) for 3 consecutive years. Increases must include samples taken in 3 of 5 areas designated as "High Concern" by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (2000 publication).
2. Reclassification by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concerning the 5 heavily contaiminated areas within White Lake as having no impact on ecological health of the system.
3. Erosion sites, along White River, listed "extremely severe" restored by 2004 and remaining "severe" sites by 2008. Implement plans for remaining sites by delisting data in 2010. (see addendum, White River Streambank Erosion Inventory, 2002, Timberland RC&D).
Milwaukee Estuary, Wisconsin
Toxics: when contaminent levels in macroinvertebrates are not significantly different from unaffected control sites.
Ecosystem: when environmental conditions support healthy communities of desired macroinvertebrates at levels of abundance that would be expected from the amount and quality of suitable habitat present.
Manistique River, Michigan
1. When the benthic macroinvertebrate community structure does not significantly diverge from non-impacted reference sites of comparable physical and chemical characteristics.
2. When toxicity of sediment-associated impacts are not siginificantly higher than reference sites.
3. Establishment of clean non-sawdust substrate in the dredged areas to support a healthy population of native organisms.