Область применения

1.1 State and Federal agencies as well as industry have requested guidance for collecting, reporting, and interpreting fish and wildlife incident data. This guide covers planning and completing a thorough investigation to determine an incident's cause. Recommendations for documenting and reporting incidents are provided. A summary of the information necessary for completing a risk assessment and information on how fish and wildlife incident data are considered for regulatory decisions are also provided.

1.2 Several agencies collect information and maintain databases regarding fish and wildlife incidents. A list of these databases and the types of information they contain are included. Agencies with regulatory authority relating to fish and wildlife incidents are listed and laws pertaining to fish and wildlife incidents are summarized.

1.3 For the purposes of this guide, a fish or wildlife incident is defined as an allegation of an adverse effect on nontarget fish and wildlife species. By today's detecting standards, adverse effects data are usually limited to mortalities. However, as biological monitoring improves, sublethal effects data may be more readily quantifiable and reported.

1.4 This guide is arranged as follows:

SectionReferenced Documents2Terminology3Significance and Use4Laws and Regulations4.1Benefits of Maintaining Records4.2Ecological Risk Databases4.3Ecological Risk Assessments4.4Precautionary Steps and Safety5Determining the Cause of the Incident6Common Causes of Fish Mortality6.1Common Causes of Wildlife Mortality6.2Investigation of Incidents7Quality Control and Standard Operating Procedures7.1Planning Field Investigation7.2Interagency Coordination7.3Chain of Custody7.4Comprehensive and Systematic Collection of Samples and Information7.5Analyses of Samples7.6Analyses of Data7.7Determining Significance of Investigation7.8Reporting of Incidents8Format of Report8.1Documentation of Information8.2AppendixesReferences

1.5 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 5.