Priorities for Ecological Protection: An Initial List and Discussion Document for EPA. Anne Barton and Anne Sergeant, U.S. EPA (1400 and 8623, respectively), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460
Although there is general consensus on the human-health endpoints of concern, there is far less agreement on the corresponding endpoints for protecting the environment. EPA decisionmakers as well as those outside the Agency have sought guidance on what specific resources to protect and how they and the public can become more involved in the ecological risk assessment and decision-making process. We identified eight ecological entities of concern and hope to stimulate Agencywide discussion on whether they should be considered priorities for protection. The list can help turn the general goals provided by EPA laws into concrete, specific objectives that can guide assessments and actions. We also proposed a process by which decision makers can set specific ecological objectives to guide both assessment and action. Above all, we hope that Agency decision makers will use this document and share their experiences with others. The presentation will include an example of how risk assessors and risk managers worked together to develop objectives for one EPA program.