33 CFR 320-330
Federal regulations which identify Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) general policies to implement Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Part 320 outlines the ACOE's general policies; Part 321 -- permit regulations for dams and dikes; Part 322 -- permit regulations for structures; Part 323 -- permit regulations for dredged materials; Part 324 -- permit regulations for ocean dumping; Part 325 -- permit regulations for discharges to navigable waters and wetlands; Part 326 -- enforcement policies; Part 327 -- public hearings; Part 328 -- definition on navigable waters regulations; and Part 330 -- nationwide permit program regulations.

40 CFR
Federal regulations for air, waste, and water-related programs. Water-related regulations include the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), water quality standards, discharges to navigable waters, other discharges, and test procedures. See also Code of Federal Regulations.

Abatement
A reduction in the degree or amount of pollution.

Accumulation
The build-up of a substance in a plant or animal due to repeated exposure to and uptake of that substance from the environment. See also bioaccumulation.

Acid Deposition
The total amount of pollutants that make up what is commonly referred to as acid rain. This includes both the wet deposition and dry deposition components that settle out of the atmosphere. See acid rain.

Acid Rain
Occurs when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions are transformed in the atmosphere and return to the earth in rain, fog or snow. Acid rain can damage lakes, harm forests and buildings, contribute to reduced visibility, and may damage human health. Regulations have been implemented at the federal and state (MN) level to reduce acid rain. Related Programs - Clean Air Act, MN Rule Chapter 7009

Acute Test
A comparative study in which organisms, are subjected to different treatments, are observed for a short period usually not constituting a substantial portion of the organism's life span.

Acute Toxicity
Adverse effects to a plant or animal that result from an acute exposure to a stimulant such as a pollutant. The exposure usually does not constitute a substantial portion of the life span of the organism. In standard laboratory toxicity tests with aquatic organisms, an effect observed in 96 hours or less is typically considered acute. Also described as a stimulus severe enough to induce an effect.

Aerobic
A term that describes organisms or processes that require the presence of molecular oxygen.

Air Pollution Control Rules-Minnesota
MN State rules regulating air pollution and implementing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (1990 CAAA). See Minnesota Rules Chapters 7007, 7009, 7021 Related Programs - Clean Air Act

Air Toxics
Substances that cause or contribute to air pollution and which can cause serious health and environmental hazards, such as cancer or other illnesses. Also see Hazardous Air Pollutants. Related Programs - Clean Air Act, Minnesota Air Toxics Strategy.

Air Toxics Strategy
See Minnesota Air Toxics Strategy.

Algae
Simple plants found in water and elsewhere that have no roots, flowers or seeds. These are usually microscopic plants and are the primary producers in lakes. See also phytoplankton and periphyton.

Ambient Toxicity
A measurement made, using a standard toxicity test, to determine how toxic a natural water body is. In some cases a water body may already possess some degree of toxicity before a known pollutant is discharged into it.

Anaerobic
A term that describes processes that occur in the absence of molecular oxygen. See also anoxia.

Anoxia
The absence of oxygen or a deficiency of oxygen that is harmful to living organisms. Anoxic conditions can develop in a lake bottom when oxygen is depleted by decomposition processes. This often happens in eutrophic lakes and can result in fish kills. See also anaerobic.

Anthropogenic
Anything that is human-caused or derived.

Anti-Backsliding
A federal policy to ensure that water bodies that have been improved are kept at that higher quality. Point source dischargers are required by governments to meet effluent limits, but if discharges become cleaner, or fall below the limit, they are not allowed to go up again. The relaxation of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit limits are not allowed, except in certain, limited circumstances.

Anti-Degradation
A federal policy to protect water quality. The policy states that the existing high quality of a particular water resource cannot get worse unless justified by economic and social development considerations. Contained in U.S. water quality standards and applied in the Water Quality Guidance for the Great Lakes System. Related Programs - Clean Water Act

Aquatic Life Criteria
Water quality criteria designed to protect aquatic organisms, including fish, plants, and invertebrates. Related Programs - Great Lakes Initiative, Clean Water Act

Aquatic Nuisance Species ANS
Water-borne plants or animals that pose a threat to humans, agriculture, fisheries, and/or wildlife resources. See also, non-indigenous species, zebra mussel, Bythotrephes, Eurasian ruffe, Eurasian watermilfoil.

Aquatic Nuisance Species Great Lakes Panel
A federal organization formed in 1991 by the Great Lakes Commission to advance exotic species research, monitoring, and control activities. The activities conducted are based on federal legislative and budgetary needs and research and management requirements. Activities include Great Lakes-wide education.

Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force
An international organization that develops and implements programs to prevent the introduction and distribution of aquatic nuisance species. Their goal is to monitor, control, and study these species, and to disseminate technical and educational information. Made up of 19 provincial, state, and federal organizations.

Area of Concern AOC
Areas of the Great Lakes identified by the International Joint Commission as having serious water pollution problems requiring remedial action and the development of a Remedial Action Plan. AOCs are defined in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement as follows: ... a geographic area that fails to meet the general or specific objectives of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, or where such failure has caused or is likely to cause impairment of beneficial use or of the areas ability to support aquatic life. Initially, there were 43 AOCs in the Great Lakes Basin. The 8 AOCs in Lake Superior are; Deer and Torch Lakes in Michigan, St. Louis River in Minnesota and Wisconsin, Jackfish Bay, Nipigon Bay, Thunder Bay, and Peninsula Harbour in Ontario, and St. Marys River in Michigan and Ontario. Related Programs - Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Remedial Action Plans

Army Corps of Engineers ACOE
The federal agency that administers the Section 404 permit program on dredging or filling navigable waters, including wetlands.

Arrowhead Regional Development Commission ARDC
One of several regional development commissions located throughout Minnesota, this one serves seven counties in northeastern Minnesota. Through its mission to provide local leadership it is involved in many issues related to the environment in the Lake Superior Basin.

Atmospheric Deposition
Pollution that travels through the air and falls on land and water. Related Programs - Clean Air Act, Great Lakes Toxic Reduction Effort