Management Implications of Nutrient Standards

Abstract

The promulgation of a nutrient standard has a two-fold impact and brings with it, from the regulatory point of view, a responsibility as well as an exercise of authority. On the one hand, the standard must be set correctly and based on sufficient evidence to assure the benefits will in fact derive from its imposition. On the other hand, its implementation must take cognizance of the many external forces at work over which little control can be exercised, e. g., nonpoint source runoff and the costs in energy, chemicals, and operation and maintenance to assure treatment to the level of the standard.