In November 2019, EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program Management Board approved the formation of a Plastics Pollution Action Team (PPAT) to address the emerging and growing concerns of microplastics in the watershed. More specifically, the PPAT was asked to assist in implementing the following recommendations resulting from the April 2019 workshop, Microplastics in the Chesapeake Bay and its Watershed: State of the Knowledge, Data Gaps, and Relationship to Management Goals:
- The Scientific, Technical Assessment and Reporting Team should incorporate development of ERAs of microplastics into the CBP strategic science and research framework, and the Plastic Pollution Action Team should oversee the development of the Ecological Risk Assessments (ERAs) focused on assessment of microplastic pollution on multiple living resource endpoints.
- STAC should undertake a technical review of terminology used in microplastic research, specifically size classification and concentration units, and recommend uniform terminology for the CBP partners to utilize in monitoring and studies focused on plastic pollution in the bay and watershed.
In support of these recommendations, the PPAT is currently overseeing the preparation of an Ecological Risk Assessment of microplastics in the Potomac River and creation of a Terminology document currently being performed by a third party. Both products were requested to be reviewed under two STAC-sponsored Reviews.
- Terminology Document Technical Review: The contractor, Tetra Tech, is currently under contract with US EPA Region III to develop a uniform size classification and concentration unit terminology for microplastics and a Preliminary Ecological Risk Assessment. The Chesapeake Bay Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) has been formally requested by both US EPA Region III and the Chesapeake Bay Program Management Board to provide a Technical Review of the report (Standardization of Terminology Recommendations for Microplastic Ecological Risk Assessments in the Chesapeake Bay and its Watershed, hereafter referred to as the Terminology Document). The review team has completed the draft review report and it is in final development stages with STAC Staff and the STAC Executive Secretary, Denice Wardrop (CRC Executive Director).
- Phase II ERA Merit Rapid Response Review: STAC convened a panel on November 11, 2020 to conduct a Rapid Response Technical Review. By design, these Rapid Response Technical Review advisories involve a limited number of individuals, occur in relatively short time frames, and generate concise and focused reports. The panel reviewed the following documents provided by the PPAT: Phase II: Preliminary Ecological Risk Assessment Conceptual Model for Striped Bass Exposure to Microplastics; Microplastics Ecological Risk Assessment: Phase II Model. Powerpoint presentation by Bob Murphy and Jennifer Flippin (Tetra Tech Center for Ecological Studies) and Ryan Woodland, University of Maryland, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory; Developing a Preliminary Conceptual Ecological Risk Assessment Model and Science Strategy for Microplastics in the Potomac River. Quality Assurance Project Plan prepared for US Environmental Protection Agency. Tetra Tech July 10, 2020.