Fecal Coliform

Bacteria that come from the intestines of humans and other large animals. A high coliform count in a water body indicates human or animal sewage is leaking or being dumped into the lake.

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

Originally adopted in 1947 and currently enforced by EPA, this law regulates the marketing of pesticides.

Federal Register

The official document of the U.S. government that announces proposed federal rules and regulations. It signals the beginning of a period of time for public review and comment.

Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA)

A federal law that identifies national requirements to protect the nation’s waters. Commonly referred to as the Clean Water Act (CWA).

Fill Material

Material used to convert a water body into dry land or change its configuration or bottom elevation.

Final Effluent Limits

The amount of a pollutant allowed to be discharged by a U.S. industry or municipality.

Fish Consumption Advisory (FCA)

An advisory issued by a government agency recommending that the public limit their consumption of fish. Advisories are issued to limit exposure to toxic substances in the fish that have the potential to impact human health. A fish consumption advisory is prepared annually by each state. Fish caught from selected lakes and streams are tested for toxic substances. Many of the lakes tested have restrictions on fish consumption due to high mercury levels. PCBs and dioxin levels in fish have also resulted in suggested restrictions on fish consumption in some lakes and streams.

Food Web

A network of interconnected food chains and feeding interactions among organisms. The process by which organisms in higher trophic levels gain energy by consuming organisms at lower trophic levels. Humans are at the highest level of many food webs.

Forage fish

Fish species utilized as principal food sources for major sport and commercial fishes.

Fostering

Practice of removing an unhatched egg from one nest, hatching it artificially, and placing the chick in a new nest (referred to in regard to bald eagles).