Science
 loRESUL  FS
  SCIENCE lies at the heart of the mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Agency must rely on cutting edge research, accurate
  measurements and effective technology to implement its programs to protect the environment and human health. Without sound science and credible data,
  EPA can not wisely set environmental and health standards, dean up contaminated sites, measure ambient air and water quality conditions, or identify the new
  technologies or practices that will reduce releases to the environment. These fact sheets share with you some of our EPA New England's laboratory capabilities
  and exemplify some of the very best science we do to meet our agency mission.
KEY  CONTACTS:

HILARY SNOOK
Environmental Scientist
(617) 918-8670
snook.hilary@epa.gov

KATRINA KIPP
Chief, Ecosystem Assessment
(617) 918-8309
kipp.katrina@epa.gov

ROBERT  HILLGER
Sen/or Science Advisor
(617) 918-8660
hillger.robert@epa.gov
GENERAL INFO:


EPA NEW ENGLAND
REGIONAL  LABORATORY
11 Technology Dr.
North Chelmsford, MA 01863
(617) 918-8300
www.epa.gov/ne/lab

TOLL-FREE
CUSTOMER SERVICE
1-800-EPA-7341
GOAL:
The  New England Lakes and Ponds project has sampled hundreds of lakes and
ponds throughout the six New England states,  with the goal of evaluating and
assessing their water quality and ecological health. Specific indicators were used to
characterize these water bodies and identify stresses that have induced ecological
impairment The  indicator data provides information to environmental resource
managers that will help guide implementation  of best management practices for
protecting and restoring water quality and ecological integrity in New England lake
and pond ecosystems.
PROGRESS:
Starting in 2005, EPA New England, in partnership with
the New  England state  environmental agencies, EPA
Office of Research and Development's Atlantic Ecology
Division in Narragansett. Rl, the New England Interstate
Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC), and
the Universities of New  Hampshire and Rhode Island,
embarked on the New England Lakes and Ponds (NELP)
project, a six-year regional study to assess the current
water quality and ecological condition of New England's
lakes and ponds. Lakes were chosen utilizing a random
probability selection process,  which ensured that each
water body had an equal chance of being selected. Sci-
entists collected chemical, physical, and biological data
that are indicators of resource condition from  over
three hundred lakes and  ponds. The data is being used
to evaluate the overall ecological hearth of lakes region
wide, identify common stresses to lake ecosystems, and
determine trends  in  lake condition for guiding future
management strategies for protection and restoration.

Building on the collaborative working relationships of its
partners, the NELP project is very technologically progres-
sive. The project is utilizing new technologies for more
efficient data collection and recording. Project participants
are developing, among other new tools, (1) sediment
EPA intern measuring
    water quality
diatom models,  for infer-
ring historical and present
day  nutrient  conditions,
(2)   land  use   nutrient
models,  (3)  new meth-
ods for assessing cyanobacteria and chlorophyll levels
through the use of in-situ remote sensing technologies, and
(4)  genetic bar-coding of zooplankton and web-hosted,
imagebased taxonomic  keys. In order to encourage
broad use of the study's results,  data  will be  stored
on-line with associated  tools  for analysis of the data.
A final report  is anticipated  in  2010 that  will  report
on the condition of New England lakes and ponds and show-
case the additional tools developed as part of the project

BENEFITS:
The New England Lakes and Ponds study will provide
EPA and its partners with statistically valid assessments
of water quality and ecological health across the region.
The dynamic nature of the data-sharing and collabora-
tive effort will provide long-term benefits in  the sharing
of technology, models, data, and ideas, all of which will
be readily available to the public. The outcome of the
NELP project will be more informed and effective man-
agement strategies for protecting our valuable lake and
pond ecosystems throughout New England.
                                5-EPA
                United States
                Environmental Protection
               k Agency
© printed on 100% recycled paper, with a minimum of 50% post consumer wail», using vegetable-based inb
   EPA-901-F-09-015
         April 2009

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