[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 40, Volume 24]

[Revised as of July 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 40CFR230.32]



[Page 268]

 

                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT

 

         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)

 

PART 230_SECTION 404(b)(1) GUIDELINES FOR SPECIFICATION OF DISPOSAL SITES 

FOR DREDGED OR FILL MATERIAL--Table of Contents

 

Subpart D_Potential Impacts on Biological Characteristics of the Aquatic 

                                Ecosystem

 

Sec.  230.32  Other wildlife.



    (a) Wildlife associated with aquatic ecosystems are resident and 

transient mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

    (b) Possible loss of values: The discharge of dredged or fill 

material can result in the loss or change of breeding and nesting areas, 

escape cover, travel corridors, and preferred food sources for resident 

and transient wildlife species associated with the aquatic ecosystem. 

These adverse impacts upon wildlife habitat may result from changes in 

water levels, water flow and circulation, salinity, chemical content, 

and substrate characteristics and elevation. Increased water turbidity 

can adversely affect wildlife species which rely upon sight to feed, and 

disrupt the respiration and feeding of certain aquatic wildlife and food 

chain organisms. The availability of contaminants from the discharge of 

dredged or fill material may lead to the bioaccumulation of such 

contaminants in wildlife. Changes in such physical and chemical factors 

of the environment may favor the introduction of undesirable plant and 

animal species at the expense of resident species and communities. In 

some aquatic environments lowering plant and animal species diversity 

may disrupt the normal functions of the ecosystem and lead to reductions 

in overall biological productivity.



    Note: Possible actions to minimize adverse impacts regarding 

characteristics of biological components of the aquatic ecosystem can be 

found in subpart H.