United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds EPA841-N-99-005 August/September 1999 &EPAON The Water Monitor JFK FEDERAL BLDG. BOSTON MA 3-2211 REGIONAL AND STATE ACTIVITIES Region 1 Maine New Hampshire Vermont Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island Regional Coordinators Monitoring 305(b): Ray Thompson (781) 860-4372 305(b), Volunteer Monitoring: Maureen Hilton (781) 860-4608 Waterbody System: Tom Faber(781) 860-4672 303(dyTMDL: Mark Voorhees (617) 565-4173 Nonpoint Source: Sandra Fancieullo (617)565-4426 Clean Lakes: Warren Howard (617) 565-3515 VERMONT: Study of Mercury in Vermont and New Hampshire Lakes: In response to the issu- ance of health advisories against the consumption of mercury-contaminated freshwater fish, Vermont and New Hampshire have launched a three-year study of mercury in sediments, waters, and biota of lakes in these two states. The study is being jointly con- ducted by the Vermont Department of Environmen- tal Conservation (VTDEC) and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, in collabora- tion with Dr. Charles Driscoll from Syracuse Uni- versity. Other project collaborators include Dr. Dan Engstrom from the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Biodiversity Research Institute of Freeport, Maine, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the What's Inside ... Headquarters Activities On the Bookshelf Calendar Highlights Web Happenings Order and Comment Form ..p.7 ..p. 8 ..p. 9 p. 11 p. 12 Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. The project is being managed by VTDEC. The goal of this study is to determine which larger, publicly used Vermont and New Hampshire lakes are of the type that: 1) have significant quantities of mercury in their waters and sediments; 2) possess the conditions linked to processing this mercury into its toxic methyl mercury form; and 3) bioaccumulate mercury into plankton, fish, and fish-eating wildlife such as the merganser (Mergus merganser) and the common loon (Gavia immer). The study follows an EPA-Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) design for study lake selection, and employs rigorous mercury-clean sampling and analytical protocols as well as new techniques for the acquisition of piscivore tissue samples without injury to the birds. The results of this study will be used in part to refine fish tissue consumption advisories in Vermont and New Hampshire, in part to learn more about bioaccumulation of mercury in New England freshwater biota, and also to provide baseline chemical and biological indicators against which future reductions of atmospherically emitted mercury can be measured. Researchers have visited 68 of 90 lakes for chemical characterization, have sampled fish and piscivorous birds beginning in May of 1999, and have visited 49 lakes for biological collections. Sediment cores have been acquired from 10 of the 13 lakes. For additional information about this project, contact Neil Kamman, Environmental Scientist, at the Vermont Department of Environmental Conserva- tion at (802) 241-3777 or e-mail: neil.kamman@state.vt.us. • ------- Region 2 New York New Jersey Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Regional Coordinators Monitoring: Darvene Adams (732) 321-6700 305(b), Waterbody System: Linda Longo (212) 637-3847 Volunteer Monitoring: Diane Calesso (908) 906-6999 303(dyrMDL: Rosella O'Connor (212) 637-3711 Nonpoint Source: Donna Somboonlakana (212) 637-3700 Clean Lakes: Terry Faber (212) 637-3698 NEW JERSEY: Monitoring in Raritan Water- sheds: New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) recently conducted 303{d)/ reconnaissance monitoring in the North and South Branch Raritan watersheds. Metals were monitored using "Clean Methods" (which are designed to produce data accurate to one part per billion) for three consecutive days at 11 stations. At each station, researchers monitored sediment and the US Geological Survey collected flow information. In addition, 19 stations were monitored for conven- tional parameters on three consecutive days. These data will be entered into EPA's STORET database. For more information, contact James E. Mumman at (609)292-1623. Bacterial Monitoring: The NJ DEP has begun a cooperative program with county governments to collect and analyze fecal coliform samples at various freshwater sites in the state. These data will be used to better understand the potential sources of bacte- rial contamination and the transport of bacterial particles within the aquatic ecosystem. For more information, contact Bill Eisele at (609) 748-2000. Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring Annual Report: The NJ DEP has completed its report summarizing 1997 water quality conditions in coastal areas. This report consists of a comprehen- sive analysis of water quality impacts. Each year, the report highlights a different aspect of the coastal environment: this year, the report included an analysis of stormwater impacts. For more informa- tion, contact Bill Eisele at (609) 748-2000. Ambient Surfacewater Network: The NJ DEP has begun monitoring on the redesigned bacterial component of the ambient surfacewater network. This monitoring effort will result in the collection of 5 samples, within a 30-day period this summer, at each network station. This sampling frequency follows the guidance provided in the Surface Water Quality Standards. For the first time, DEP asked for and received assistance from many county health departments in the collection and analysis of these samples. Their assistance has greatly reduced the effort required by the bureau and is greatly appreci- ated. For more information, contact James E. Mumman at (609) 292-1623. Region 3 Delaware Pennsylvania Maryland Virginia West Virginia Regional Coordinators Waterbody System/305(b): Martin Matlin (215)814-6149 Monitoring: Chuck Kanetsky (215) 814-2735 303(d)/TMDL: Thomas Henry (215) 814-5752 Volunteer Monitoring: Peter Weber (215) 814-5749 Nonpoint Source, Clean Lakes: HankZygmunt (215)814-3429 MARYLAND: Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS): A comprehensive and scientifically-defensible tool is available to determine how many stream miles (either within specific river basins or statewide) are healthy, threatened, or degraded. Maryland's Biological Stream Survey has assessed data from about 1,000 randomly selected sites to evaluate the overall ecological health of ------- Maryland's nontidal freshwater streams from the Appalachian Mountains of Garrett County to the Lower Eastern Shore. Researchers assessed aquatic animals, physical habitat, and water chemistry at each site, as well as land use in the upstream watershed. Major findings include: urbanization is a major threat to Maryland's streams; the loss of high-quality physical habitat, such as forested riparian (streamside) buffers is widespread; acid rain is the most impor- tant and widespread source of stream acidity, affecting nearly one fifth of the state's stream miles; based on fish and the benthic community in Mary- land, 12% of all stream miles are in good condition, 42% are fair, and 46% are poor; and in spite of the stressors on Maryland's streams, they are still habitat for an incredible diversity of animal life. Results of the Survey can help answer important management questions about the relative impacts and geographical extent of different stressors on Maryland streams. The final report will be pub- lished in August. For more information, contact Tom Pheiffer at (410) 305-2740. New Volunteer Monitoring Coordinator in MD: Maryland Department of Natural Resources has recently filled the position of Volunteer Water Monitoring Coordinator. The new coordinator, Rita Bruckler, will act as a liaison between the Depart- ment of Natural Resources (DNR) and volunteer monitoring organizations throughout Maryland. Through this new position, DNR will provide workshops, lectures, and technical help to assist volunteer monitoring groups in their efforts to promote environmental stewardship. In addition, the coordinator will facilitate the exchange of informa- tion from the volunteers to those in government involved in preservation and restoration projects and to others who are interested in the condition of watersheds. The MD volunteer monitoring coordinator is currently updating information on MD volunteer monitoring groups and assessing the needs of those groups using informa- tion from the Mary- land Volunteer Water Region 4 Quality Monitoring Association, Tributary Teams, the Chesapeake Bay Program Survey, and direct contact with volunteer groups. Frequent updates will be sent to the volunteer monitoring groups concerning Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) progress, Maryland Water Monitoring Council meetings, conferences, and other information that would be useful to the volunteer groups. Under the MBSS program, MD DNR is planning to use volun- teer monitors to help collect benthic invertebrate samples and habitat information on watersheds throughout the state to fill information gaps for smaller watersheds. For more information, contact Rita Bruckler at Maryland DNR, 580 Taylor Ave. C-2, Annapolis, MD 21401, (410) 260-8610. North Carolina Kentucky South Carolina Tennessee Georgia Alabama Mississippi Florida Regional Coordinators Monitoring, Volunteer Monitoring, 305(b), Waterbody System: David Melgaard(404) 562-9265 303(d): Yvonne Martin (404) 562-9263 TMDL: Jim Greenfield (404) 562-9238 Nonpoint Source: Betty Barton (404) 562-9381 Clean Lakes: Howard Marshall (404) 562-9392 REGIONAL OFFICE: Report on Usefulness of Probability Sampling: The USEPA Region 4 Science and Ecosystem Support Division has released a report entitled Savannah River REMAP: A Demonstration of the Usefulness of Probability Sampling for the Purpose of Estimating Ecological Condition in State Monitoring Programs. This report presents results of sampling wadeable streams (first through third order) and large lake embayments in the Savannah River Basin using a probabilistic sampling strategy. The sampling design was derived from the approach used in EPA's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP). For streams, re- searchers selected benthic macroinvertebrates, fish, habitat, and algal growth potential as the indicators ------- to assess biological condition and trophic condition. For the embayment assessment, they selected Chlorophyll a. total phosphorous, algal growth potential. Secchi disc transparency, and total sus- pended solids to assess trophic condition. One hundred nineteen stream sites were sampled over a four year period and 126 embayment stations were sampled over a three year period. The study was a joint effort conducted with the cooperation and assistance of USEPA Region 4. USEPA Office of Research and Development (Corvallis. OR), and the states of Georgia and South Carolina. Limited numbers of the report are available. For information concerning this report, contact Hoke I loward at (706) 355-8721 or Bobby Lewis at (706) 355-8629 of EPA Region 4 Science and Ecosystem Support Division. Region 5 Indiana Illinois Michigan Minnesota Ohio Wisconsin Regional Coordinators Monitoring/ 305(b)/Waterbody System: Dave Stoltenberg (312) 353-5784 303(d)/TMDL: Donna Keclik (312) 886-6766 Volunteer Monitoring: Philip Gehring (216) 522-7260 and Tom Davenport Nonpoint Source, Clean Lakes: Tom Davenport (312)886-7804 REGIONAL OFFICE: Volunteer Moni- toring Meeting Planned: USEPA Region 5 and the Region 5 state agency volunteer monitoring coordinators are planning a volunteer moni- toring meeting early in FY2000. The meeting is intended to 1) encourage participants to share experiences and ideas for developing, implementing, and maintaining a network of volunteer monitoring programs that contribute data to state and local efforts; and 2) improve coordination and communi- cation between state and federal staff working on volunteer monitoring issues in Region 5. In particu- lar, this first meeting will focus on issues such as the data states need that volunteers can provide, devel- opment of Quality Assurance Project Plans, data management, and volunteer recruitment and reten- tion techniques. It is hoped that this meeting be- tween USEPA and the state staff will lead to addi- tional conferences and workshops in the future. For more information, contact Sarah Lehmann at (312) 353-4328. Region 6 Arkansas Louisiana Oklahoma Texas New Mexico Regional Coordinators Monitoring: Charlie Howell (214) 665-8354 303{d)/TM DL: Troy Hill (214) 665-664 7 305{b)/Waterbody System: PaulKoska (214)665-8357 Volunteer Monitoring, Clean Lakes: Mike Bira (214)665-6668 Nonpoint Source: Brad Lamb (214) 665-7140 REGIONAL OFFICE: Biocriteria Contractor Support in Arkansas and Texas: Biocriteria support funds provided by EPA Headquarters were applied to two projects in Region 6. One project will involve assessing habitat data collected using the EPA rapid bioassessment protocol (RBP), as well as the state's "receiving water assessment" method. This assistance will aid the state in developing a standardized habitat assessment protocol for state- ------- wide application. The second project involves initial development of an index of biological integrity (IBI) applicable to fish, for selected ecoregions in Arkan- sas, This will be a joint effort between the state (Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality), the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and the contractor. The study will concentrate on assess- ment of existing data for both reference and im- paired streams with small- to medium-sized water- sheds. Once developed, the IBI will be used in assessing ecological use classifications already included in the state water quality standards. For more information, contact Philip Crocker at (214) 665-6644 or e-mail: crocker.philip@epa.gov. Region 7 Iowa Nebraska Kansas » Missouri Regional Coordinators Monitoring: Lyle Cowles (913) 551-5042 305(b)/Waterbody System: Bob Steieii (913)551-7433 303(d)/TMDL: Ann Lavaty (913) 551-7370 Volunteer Monitoring: Norm Crisp (913) 551-5076 Nonpoint Source: Pete Davis (913) 551-7372 Clean Lakes: Sue Belvill (913) 551-7788 No material submitted. Region 8 Montana Utah Wyoming Colorado North Dakota South Dakota Regional Coordinators Monitoring, 305(b), Waterbody System: Jill Minter (303)312-6084 303(dyTMDL: Bruce Zander (303) 312-6846 Nonpoint Source: Kris Jensen (303) 312-6237 Clean Lakes: Rick Claggett (303) 312-6800 Volunteer Monitoring: Tina Laidlaw (303) 312-6880 REGIONAL OFFICE: Tribal Coordinators Workshop Held: Region 8 sponsored a training workshop for tribal water quality coordinators in Denver on June 8-10. The workshop included sessions on field monitoring techniques (chemical, physical, and biological), data analysis, and STORET for tribal programs. Twenty-one tribes participated in the three-day training. For more information, contact Tina Laidlaw at (303) 312-6880 or Sue Groves at (303) 312-6068. Upcoming Biological Assessment Workshop: Region 8 will host a workshop, "Biological Assess- ment in State and Tribal Programs," in Denver, Colorado, on September 20-23, 1999. The work- shop is designed to help support and develop state biomonitoring and bioassessment programs and facilitate communication and coordination among EPA, States, and Tribes along with other federal agencies conducting bioassessments. The workshop will also provide an opportunity to discuss the role and involvement of the states in the Western Envi- ronmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP Pilot Study). For more information, contact Jill Minter at (303) 312- 6084. Volunteer Monitoring Sup- port: Region 8's volunteer monitoring coordinator, the Regional lab, and staff from the Community Based Environmental Protection program are working closely to provide support for local watershed groups. Conducting free laboratory analysis of samples, training volunteers in water quality monitoring, and providing technical assistance are a few of the ways the region has been supporting local monitoring efforts. For more information, contact Tina Laidlaw at (303) 312-6880. Use of STORET in Region 8: A Regional contractor has recently finished an assessment of how close Region 8 states are to implementing EPA's modern- ized STORET data management system. This assessment will be used to assign resources in support of these states' efforts to contribute water quality information to STORET. Both the contractor and Region 8's STORET Coordinator will be working closely with EPA partners over the next few months to move existing data sets into STORET. Region 8 is also bringing STORET to new users ------- such as community monitoring groups, Tribes, and the US Forest Service. For more information, contact Marty McComb, STORET Coordinator, at (303)312-6963. WYOMING: Biological Assessment Workshop: EPA sponsored a workshop supporting Wyoming's Biological Assessment Program in Casper on June 22-24. The workshop presented the results of an analysis of Wyoming's database of physical, biologi- cal, and chemical data, and the technical rationale for procedures used in the analysis. The workshop also included a demonstration of the Wyoming database in the Ecological Data Application System (EDAS), a data management system for managing and analyzing biological data. For more informa- tion, contact Jack Smith, Wyoming DEQ, Monitor- ing Coordinator, at (307) 332-3144. Region 9 California Nevada Arizona Hawaii Guam Regional Coordinators Monitoring/305(b): Janet Hashimoto (415) 744-1933 Waterbody System: Eric Wilson (415) 744-1964 303(d)/TMDL: David Smith (415) 744-2019 Nonpoint Source: SamZiegler(415) 744-1990 Clean Lakes: Wendell Smith (415) 744-2018 REGIONAL OFFICE: Pilot REMAP Project in Calleguas Creek Watershed, Ventura County, California: The pilot Regional Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program (REMAP) project in Calleguas Creek Watershed began this year as a two-year monitoring effort to assess the condition of coastal streams and to evaluate the relationship between land use and stream biota condition. Coastal Calleguas Creek Watershed covers approxi- mately 878 km2 and is framed by Los Angeles County in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west. The watershed is one of the fastest growing areas in California, and contains important land uses such as urban, agricultural, and minimally to undisturbed habitat. It currently suffers from many water quality impairments. Researchers are using a random, probability-based sampling design to select sampling stations. This random design will allow site selection that covers the range of conditions in the watershed, from undisturbed or minimally disturbed to highly im- pacted areas. The study will intensively monitor indicators of habitat condition and pollutant expo- sure (i.e., bioassessment) and estimate pollutant loads from different land uses in the watershed. Biological community sampling will take place during spring/summer of each year and will include fish, benthic macroinvertebrates and periphyton assemblages, and riparian habitat assessment and stream morphology. Researchers will determine the relationship between load, condition and land use by assessing biological conditions at approximately 90 stream sites near major land uses in the watershed. They will monitor during storm and dry weather events to capture pollutant load estimates for major land uses. Results from this study will allow identification of the areas contributing to nonpoint source pollution, targeting of control measures, and evaluation of the vulnerability of coastal resources. The Calleguas Creek Watershed pilot project is part of a four-year REMAPAVestem EMAP study to more intensively assess the ecological condition of Southern California streams. It was begun to evaluate indicators for conditions representative of watersheds in semi-arid environments with flashy and intermittent streams (EMAP protocols have been primarily applied in other geographic areas of the country). The results from this pilot effort will be applied to areas in Southern California with similar land uses, as well as to the rest of the Medi- terranean Califor- nia ecoregion, and provide broader applicability to the EMAP Western Pilot. For more information, contact Cindy Lin at (415) 744-1965 or e-mail: lin.cindy@epa.gov. ------- Region 10 Washington Oregon Idaho Alaska Regional Coordinators Monitoring, Waterbody System: Gretchen Hayslip (206)553-1685 305(b): Curry Jones (206) 553-6912 303(d)/TMDL: Bruce Cleland (206) 553-2600 Volunteer Monitoring: Krista Rave (206) 553-6686 Nonpoint Source: Teena Reichgott (206) 553-1601 Clean Lakes: Krista Mendelman (206) 553-1571 WASHINGTON: Salmon Study Complete: The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) recently published a report titled The Relation- ship Between Stream Macroin ve rtebrates and Salmon in the Quilceda/Allen Drainage. Ecology collected stream macroinvertebrate, quantitative physical habitat and water column measurements at several reaches in the Quilceda/Allen drainage, and used existing information on stream reach use by salmon. Researchers found high quality biological conditions at sites where the riparian corridor was visually intact. These sites had a high percentage of coarse gravel and cobble-sized stream bottom substrates. Canopy shading was also correlated to the biological condition of stream communities. The response by the macroinvertebrate community to channel degra- dation was coincident with changes in reported salmon use. For a copy of this report (Ecology Publication Number 99-311), contact the Department of Publica- tions at (360) 407-7472. The report is online at the Washington Department of Ecology's website (http:/ /www.wa.gov/ecology/eils/fw_benth/ fwb_pubs.html). For specific questions, contact the author, Robert Plotnikoff, at (360) 407-6687. OFFICE OF WETLANDS, OCEANS AND WATERSHEDS (OWOW) ASSESSMENT AND WATERSHED PROTECTION DIVISION (AWPD) Proposed Revisions to TMDL Regulations: On August 14, 1999, USEPA's Office of Water proposed revisions to the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) regulations (40 CFR Part 130) for implementing state, territorial, authorized tribal, and EPA responsi- bilities under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. Under Section 303(d), states, territories, and autho- rized tribes (collectively referred to as "states") are required to develop lists of impaired waters. These are waters that do not meet water quality standards, even after point sources of pollution have installed the minimum required levels of pollution control technology. States must establish priority rankings for waters on the lists and develop TMDLs for listed waters'. A TMDL specifies the maxi- mum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards, and allocates pollutant loadings among point and nonpoint pollutant sources. EPA must approve or disapprove state lists and TMDLs. If a state submission is inadequate, EPA must establish the list or the TMDL. States and territories have identified over 20,000 individual river segments, lakes, and estuaries across America as polluted. These identified waters include approximately 300,000 miles of river and shoreline and approximately 5 million acres of lakes that are polluted mostly by sedimentation, nutrients, and harmful microorganisms. The purpose of the proposed revisions to the TMDL regulations is to provide states with clear, consistent, and balanced direction for listing waters and develop- ing TMDLs, resulting in restoration of waterbodies not meeting water quality standards. The proposed ------- On the Bookshelf. Getting Started with TMDLs, by Wesley M. Jarrell, Ph.D. This 86-page document is an introduction to the science, policy, and societal elements of the TMDL program. It addresses common terms, stakeholder involvement, TMDL parameters, assigning load and wasteload allocations, sample sites, effective monitoring, sample data analysis, and the role of models; many case studies, highlights, and references are included. For a copy contact YSI, Inc., 800-897- 4151, Rapid Watershed Planning Handbook, Center for Watershed Protection, October 1998. This manual was written to help local governments and watershed organizations develop effective and low-cost watershed protection plans. Eight steps are described in detail, including how to identify and classify subwatersheds, protect and restore water resources, and evaluate progress. Watershed plan budgeting is included, along with a discussion of how estimates were derived. The emphasis of this document is on resource identification and evaluation and planning. Available for $40 from the Center for Watershed Protection, (410) 461-8324, www.cwp.org. The Quality of Our Nation's Waters: Nutrients and Pesticides, USGS Circular 1225. This 82- page, full color report provides national and regional insights on nutrients and pesticides in streams and ground water, based on findings from studies completed in 1998 by the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program in 20 of the nation's most important river basins and aquifer systems. The report suggests that nutrients and pesticides pose a greater risk to aquatic life than to human health. The report is available at http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/circ/ . circl 225/ or in printed form from the Branch of Information Services, P.O. Box 25286, Denver, CO 80225 or by fax request to (303) 202-4693 (specify USGS report C-1225). Toward a Sustainable Chesapeake, EPA Chesapeake Bay Program, EPA 903-R-99-015. Subtitled 'Tools and techniques to promote smart growth, protect the environment, and preserve quality of life," this 58-page document summa- rizes the results of a March 1999 summit that brought together people throughout the Bay watershed involved in community development and growth, land use, and planning. Topics include starting out right, ;haracterizing your community, planning for the future, and imple- menting sustainable community initiatives. For more information, visit the Chesapeake Bay Program website at www.chesapeake bay.net/ bay program. The Volunteer Monitor, Spring 1999: Restora- tion. This 24-page issue of the Volunteer Moni- tor newsletter is devoted to ecological restora- tion: what it is, the role of volunteers, and its relationship to water monitoring. Articles by program coordinators and restoration exports include: fixing a salt marsh, using bioengineer- ing to restore Paper Mill Run, monitoring restoration projects, standing by your projects (follow-up), funding for community-based habitat restoration, restoring a coastal scrub community, using monitoring data to choose planting sites for underwater grasses, making your restoration project happen, and learning science through restoration. A large list of resources is included for volunteer programs interested in restoration activities. For a copy, contact Alice Mayio, USEPA, at mayio.alice@epa.gov, (202) 260-7018. ------- Calendar Highlights September 17-18 Citizens Volunteer Monitoring Work- shop: Stream Corridor Restoration and Monitoring. Juniata College, Huntington, PA. Contact Lesley Moore at (814) 768- 9584 or e-mail: cui@uplink.net. 21-22 Successful River Corridor Management Planning and Policy Considerations. Fargo, ND. Contact Linda Kingery at (701) 352-3550 or e-mail: Ikingery @polarcomm.com. 22-24 Working at a Watershed Level. Jekyll Island, GA. Contact Barry Tonning at (606) 244-8228, e-mail: btonning@csg.org, web site: www.statesnews.org/ecos/working.htm. October 2 Pennsylvania Lake Management Society and Citizen's Volunteer Monitoring Workshop, Lake Harmony, PA. Contact Lesley Moore at (814) 768-9584; e-mail: cvi@uplink.net. 9-13 WEFTEC '99. Contact Water Environment Federation, Attn: WEFTEC*99 Program Coordinator, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1994. Web site: www.wef.org/ docs/conference.html. 18-19 East Coast Regional BEACH Conference. Tampa, FL. Contact Mary Crowe at (703) 385-6000, ext. 144; e-mail: crowema@tetratech-ffx.com; web site: www.epa.gov/OST/beaches. November 14-16 Animal Residuals Management Confer- ence: Developing, Testing, and Imple- menting Technological Advances. Crystal City, VA. Water Environment Federation, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. 14-18 Sustaining Global Environmental Integ- rity. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) 20th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. For a copy of the program overview or for more informa- tion, contact SETAC. 1010 North 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32501-3367. Phone: (850) 469-1500, Fax: (850) 469-9778, e-mail: setac@setac.org, or web site: http:// www.setac.org/. 15-17 Understanding and Addressing Risks to Groundwater, The 15th Annual Ground- water Foundation Fall Symposium. Atlanta, GA. Contact Cindy Kreifels or Zoe McManaman at (800) 858-4844. 16-17 Wetlands & Remediation: An Interna- tional Conference. Salt Lake City, UT. Contact Karl Nehring at (614) 424-6510 or e-mail: nehringk@batelle.org. 18 Rivers, Dams, and the Future of the West. Salt Lake City, UT. Contact Jack Hamilton, Executive Director, Utah Wetlands and Riparian Center, University of Utah, 1515 Mineral Square, Rrn. 138, Salt Lake City, UT 84112. Phone: (801) 581-6384 or e-mail: jack.harnilton@rn.cc.utah.edu. December 15-17 Conservation 2000: Conference to Highlight Local, State, and Federal Programs. New Orleans, LA. Contact the Conservation Technology Information Center at (765) 494-9555 or e-mail: ctic @ctic.purdue.edu. October 15 Deadline for Abstracts for National Water Quality Monitoring Council Conference to be held April 25- 27, 2000 in Austin, TX. For more information, call (405) 516-4972 or web site: http://nwqmc.site.net. ------- changes call for states to include implementation plans in their TMDLs when they submit them to EPA. Implementation plans should include specific best management practices for nonpoint source pollutants and NPDES permit conditions for point sources, as needed to allow listed waterbodies to achieve water quality standards. Changes to the NPDES and water quality standards regulations are also being proposed in support of the TMDL regula- tions. The proposed regulatory revisions are being pub- lished in the Federal Register for a 60-day comment period. A copy of the proposal is also available on the Internet at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/. Maximum C\jii> Lojd (TMLHj Progrjin US Geological Survey/EPA Interagency Agree- ment: AWPD has entered into an interagency agreement (IAG) with the US Geological Survey (USGS) Office of Surface Water to produce USGS data sets and arrange demonstration evaluations of hydrogeological principles for stream assessment across the US and Alaska from USGS data. The work should be completed in Spring 2000, with the expectation that the IAG will serve as a vehicle for continued collaboration between EPA and USGS on technology assistance/transfer to the regions and states for clean sediment activities. The results will be useful to state and tribes who are seeking guid- ance and technical transfer of information on using stream assessments to develop total maximum daily loads for clean sediment. For more information, contact Chris Zabawa at (202) 260-7101. National Clean Boating Week: The second annual National Clean Boating Campaign kickoff celebration was held at a marina along the Cuyahoga River, in Cleveland, Ohio. This event featured tech- niques and products for control- ling polluted runoff at marinas and recreational boating facili- ties, and promoted the environ- mental benefits of clean waters for boating enjoyment. Repre- sentatives from EPA Region 5, Eastern District Office, distrib- uted water quality information on the Great Lakes and other water quality and nonpoint source pollution programs in the region. The venue for this event was particularly fitting, since 1999 is the 30th anniversary of the infamous Cuyahoga River fire. For more information, contact Ed Drabkowski at (202) 260-7009. OCEANS AND COASTAL PROTECTION DIVISION (OCPD) Atmospheric Deposition of Nitrogen Studied: The OCPD Air-Water Coordination Group has joined a team working to understand the loadings and sources of atmospheric deposition of nitrogen compounds in the high elevations of the Rocky Mountains. This project will improve scientific understanding of the impacts of atmospheric deposi- tion of nitrogen. The project is taking place in the San Miguel watershed in southwestern Colorado. It includes air deposition monitoring, back-trajectory analysis to estimate sources, and community in- volvement to find solutions. The project is a joint effort between many organizations: EPA's Office of Air and Radiation and Office of Water are providing the necessary equipment, the US Forest Service is donating capacity for sample analysis, the University of Colorado is providing the back-trajectory analy- sis, and the San Miguel Watershed Coalition and local county officials are taking the lead role in coordinating the project and devising management solutions. For more information, contact Deborah Lebow at (303) 312-6223. 10 ------- Web Happenings: Interested in checking out some water-oriented web sites? Here are a few to consider: Center for Marine Conservation: www.cmc-ocean.org EPA's BEACH Watch Web Site: www.epa.gov/OST/beaches EPA's Efficient Water Use Homepage (Drought Management): www.epa.gov/owm/genwave.htm EPA's Fish Advisories Homepage: www.epa.gov/ost/fish EPA's TMDL Homepage: www.epa.gov/owow/ti ndl EPA's Wetlands Homepage: www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands Kentucky Watershed Watch 2000: water.nr. state, ky.us/watch/2000 National Water Quality Monitoring Council Conference Web Site: nwqmc.site.net Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Homepage: www.dep.state.pa.us The Groundwater Foundation: www.groundwater.org USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program Homepage: www.rvares.er.usgs.gov/nawqa Washington Department of Ecology: www. wa.gov/ecology The Water Monitor is produced to exchange surface water assessment information among states and other interested parties. If you would like more information or want to be added to the mailing list, please fill out the order and comment form on page 12. Also, come visit us on the EPA Internet Homepage at http://www.epa.gov/ OWOW/watershed/ watermonitor. ------- |