United States Office of Wetlands, EPA 841 -N-94-001 Environmental Protection Oceans and Watersheds December/January 1994 Agency svEPA The Water Monitor Regional and State AcmvmES Regional Coordinators Monitoring, 305(b), Volunteer Monitoring: Diane Switzer (617) 860-4377 Watertxxty System: Al Pratt (617) 860-4379 303(dVTMDL: David Pincumbe (617) 565-3544 Nonpoint Source: Bob Moorehouse (617) 565-3513 Clean Lakes: Warren Howard (617) 565-3515 VERMONT: Wetland Protection Program in Lake Champlain Basin: The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) recently unveiled a strategy to permanently protect over 1500 acres of wetland in the Champlain Valley of New York and Vermont. The project represents a major achievement in the protection of wetlands through cooperative, nonregulatory means. The Vermont chapter of the Nature Conservancy invento- ried more than 100 wetlands throughout the Lake Champlain basin during 1992 and listed the 18 highest quality wetland sites in need of permanent protection. According to Jon Binhammer, a biologist with The Nature Conservancy, these wetlands contribute to the improve- ment of water quality and the maintenance of biological diversity in the Lake Champlain basin. What's Inside... On the Bookshelf. P- 4 Headquarters Activities P- 6 Calendar Highlights P- 7 Order and Comment Form P 8 The wetland protection strategy will be implemented through the cooperative efforts of The Nature Conservancy's New York and Vermont chapters, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. These organizations will work with willing sellers to acquire wetland acreage and upland buffers on both sides of Lake Champlain. The program is strictly voluntary. For more information, contact John Roe, Director of Land Protection, Vermont Chapter, The Nature Conservancy, at (802) 229-4425. Regional Coordinators Monitoring: Randy Braun (908) 321-6692 305(b), Waterbody System: Xuan-Mai Tran (212)264-3188 Volunteer Monitoring: Diane Calesso (908) 321-6728 303(dyTMDL: Rosella O'Connor (212)264-8479 Nonpoint Source: Mack Henning (212) 264-2059 Clean Lakes: Terry Faber (212) 264-8708 NEW YORK: Estuarine Eutrophication Model Developed: Recently, the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program Nutrient Workgroup met to discuss a draft scope of work for a system-wide eutrophication model developed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The scope of work has been revised considering workgroup comments and submitted to EPA Region 2 for further action. This project will be combined with a similar one under Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Workgroup development for toxics modeling. Ultimately, the two will be used as a base for cooperative model development between the U.S. Army Corps and the Harbor group for the NY/NJ Harbor, Western Long Island Sound, and the New York Bight. Region 1 Maine New Hampshire Vermont Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island New York New Jersey Puerto Rico Virgin Islands ------- For more information, call Phil O’Brien, NYSDEC Monitoring and Assessment Bureau, (518) 457-8819. NEW JERSEY: Ambient Biomonitoring Network (AMNET): The state of New Jersey has sampled a total of 56 biomonitoring stations in the Raritan Basin in addition to the 106 stations in the Passaicfliackensackl Wallkill Basins. The results of this monitoring will be used to provide the department with a biological impair- ment assessment of the basins using EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocol II. Furthermore, state staff have used the Global Positioning System (GPS) to establish coordinates for 300 of the FY93 and FY94 monitoring stations. All 300 station locations have been downloaded from the Geographical Position Unit (GPU) receivers and corrected to base station data using the Trimball PFINDER software. Eighty-four station locations have been converted into state plane coordinates and entered into the department’s Geographical Infonnation System. Monitoring Operations Section staff also developed standard operating procedures for downloading and correcting GPS data. For more information on the biomonitoring component of the AMNET program, contact John Kurtz at (609) 292-0427. For more informa- tion regarding either the GPS or GIS activities of the state, contact Paul Morton at (609) 292-0427. EcoRegion Site Development: To date, 43 ecoregion sites have been established throughout the state. Four new sites were sampled this month for the second seasonal monitoring event. For more information, contact John Kurtz at (609) 292-0427. Regional Coordinators Monitoring, Volunteer Monitoring: Chuck Kanetsky (215)597-8176 305(b), Waterbody System: Margaret Passmore (215) 597-6149 303(d lTMDL: Thomas Henry (215) 597-8243 Nonpoint Source, Clean Lakes: Hank Zygmunt (215) 597-3429 VIRGINIA: Volunteers Conduct Mussel Search in the North Fork Shenandoah River: In 1991, Friends of the North Fork Shenandoah River (Friends), in cooperation Region 3 Delaware Pennsylvania Maryland Virginia West Virginia with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (GAIF), initiated a pilot program to search for freshwater mussels in the North Fork. In the past decade, a drastic decline has been noticed in the number of mussel species in the North Fork Shenandoah River. Current information suggests that Alasmidonta varicosa and other mussel species may disappear from the North Fork unless causes and remedies are explored immediately. The Friends of the North Fork has now entered a 2-year program that will identify specific sites where mussels, both live and dead, are found in the 96 miles of the North Fork and 25 miles of Smith Creek. Using a grid-marked map of the entire length of the North Fork, Friends is voluntarily searching the river grid-by-grid, marking sites of discovery, and reporting in detail to GAIF. Samples of dead mussels are sent to GAIF for identification; live beds are recorded but left untouched. GAIF will use this information to identify critical habitat sites and help determine the probable causes of the problem. For more information, contact The Friends of the North Fork Shenandoah River at (703) 459-8550. Region 4 Regional Coordinators North Carolina Kentucky South Carolina Tennesee Georgia Alabama MissIssippi Florida Monitoring: David Meigaard (404) 347-2126 305(b), Waterbody System: Lannda Tervelt (404) 347-2126 303(d)FTMDL: Jim Greenfield (404) 347-2126 Volunteer Monitoring: Virginia Buff (404) 34 7-2 126 and Connie Alexander (404)347-1740 Nonpoint Source: Ma,yAnn Gerber (4 04) 347-2126 Clean Lakes: Howard Marshall (404) 347-2126 REGIONAL OFFICE: BMP Development for Silviculture: EPA Region 4 has initiated a project in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service to identify and document the scientific/technical rationale for silviculture Best Management Practices (BMPs) applicable in the southeastern United States. All eight states in Region 4 have developed their own BMPs, hut state BMP manuals do not describe the technical basis or provide detailed guidance on BMP selection, installation, and maintenance and the direct relationship of BMPs to water resource protection. This project brings together Forest Service 2 ------- and University of florida scientists to compile this information in one report on BMP recommendations for southeastern states. While the project may not result in identification of new BMPs, their usefulness to protect water resource integrity (chemical, physical, and biological) will be better understood. In addition, current inconsistencies among state BMPs for similar activities in similar forested ecosystems will be reduced if the information provided is used in future BMP revisions by state forestry and water quality agencies and EPA. The first draft of the report is expected to be available for review by next summer. For more information, contact Ira Linville at (404) 347-2126. ALABAMA: Statewide Volunteer Monitoring Net- work: The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is cooperating with a number of organizations to build a statewide volunteer monitoring network and educate teachers, students, and citizens about the importance of water quality. In the past 2 years, nonpoint source water quality teacher workshops have trained approximately 150 teachers, and about 200 volun- teers have attended volunteer water monitoring workshops. A related program evolved with the establishment of Alabama Water Watch, a stream and lake monitoring program that provides equipment and technical expertise to volunteer groups and teachers of grades 1-12 for monitoring water quality and biological characteristics at selected sites. Alabama Water Watch is cooperating with ongoing citizen volunteer monitoring programs and is also helping to establish at least 20 new groups across the state. The groups will assess chemical, biological, and habitat characteristics throughout the year. For more information, contact Patti Hurley, ADEM Nonpoint Source Section, at (205) 271-7938. The Water Monitor is produced monthly to exchange surface water assessment informa- tion among states and other interested parties. If you would like more infbrmation or want to be added to the mailing list, please 1111 Out the order and comment ibrm on page 8. I Region 5 Regional Coordinators No material was submitted for December/January. Illinois Michigan Minnesota Ohio Wisconsin Monitoring, 305(b): Donna Williams (312) 353-6175 303(d)ITMDL: Robert Pepin (312)886-1505 Waterbody System: FouadDababneh (312) 353-3944 Volunteer Monitoting: Donna Williams (312) 353-6175 and Tom Davenport (312) 886-0209 Nonpoint Source, Clean Lakes: Tom Davenport (3 12) 886-0209 II Oklahoma Region New Regional Coordinators Monitoring: Charlie Howell (214) 655-8354 303(d)ITMDL: Troy Hill (214) 655-6647 305(b): Russell Nelson (214) 655-6646 Waterbody System: Paul Koska (214) 655-8357 Volunteer Monitoring: Mike Bira (214) 655-6668 and Paul Koska (214) 655-8357 Nonpoint Source: Brad Lamb (214) 655-7140 Clean Lakes: Mike Bira (214) 655-6668 REGIONAL OFFICE: Annual Water Monitoring and Assessment Workshop: The annual Region 6 Water Monitoring and Assessment Workshop will be held in Bandera, Texas, on March 22-24, 1994. Bandera is located in the historic Texas Hill Country northwest of San Antonio. The workshop will include a half-day of field demonstrations on the Medina River. The seminar committee is currently soliciting presentations for the workshop. Please contact Paul Koska at (214) 655-8357 or Charlie Howell at (214) 655-8354 if you are interested in making a presentation at the meeting, or for additional details. 3 ------- Iowa Nebraska Kansas Missouri Regional Coordinators Monitoring: JenyAnde,son (913) 551-5066 305(b), 303(d) /TMDL: John Houlihan (913) 551-7432 Waterbody System: Jerome Pitt (913) 551-7766 Volunteer Monitoring: Jerome Pitt (913) 551-7766 and Donna Sefton (913) 551-7500 Nonpoint Source: Julie ElMng (913) 551-7475 Clean Lakes: Larry Sheridan (913) 551-7439 REGIONAL OFFICE: NPS/TMDL Workshop: Region 7 sponsored the Second Annual NPS Workshop on December 6-8, 1993, in Kansas City, KS. Included in the conference was a TMDL workshop with presentations by Ed Carney of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, who discussed the Eutromod modeling status for the Hilisdale Reservoir TMDL Mini-Grant, and by Paul Brakhage of the Nebraska Department of Envi- ronmental Quality (NDEQ), who discussed NDEQs approach to TMDL development. For more information, contact Jerry Pitt at (913) 551-7766. Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program: To formally begin the Region 7 R-EMAP project, ‘kick-off’ meetings were held on December 7 and December 8 in Kansas City, KS, and Lincoln, NE. The meetings were attended by all participating state person- nel, the project coordinator, and Frank McCormick, project officer (designee), EMSL Cincinnati. The agenda for the meeting included distribution of random site maps, site reconnaissance and replacement procedures, funding procedures, ecoregion reference site selection, report procedures, data transfer, sample handling, and a sum- mary of project plan modifications including methods. The meetings were very productive and several project issues were resolved. The R-EMAP project is scheduled to begin its data collection phase in June 1994. For more information, contact Jerry Anderson at (913) 551-5066. Region 8 Regional Coordinators Montana Utah Wyoming Colorado North Dakota South Dakota Monitoring, 305(b): Phil Johnson (303) 293-1581 303(dYFMDL: Bnice Zander (303)293-1580 Waterbody System: Toney Ott (303) 293-1573 Volunteer Monitoring: Paul McI ver (303) 293-1552 and Phi/Johnson (303) 293-1573 Nonpoint Source: Carol Russell (303) 293-1449 Clean Lakes: Dave Rathke (303) 293-1703 UTAH: Utah Watershed Assessment Reports: The State of Utah has recently restructured the surface water quality monitoring program, focusing monitoring efforts in Region 7 the Bookshelf Nat anaI Environmental Benefits of the Clean Water Act (EPA 842-K-93 -001). This brochure includes 14 case studies to highlight national statistics and progress made through the secondary treatment of municipal wastewater. Available from the National Center for Environmental Publications and Information in Cincinnati and CC PD. Contad Karen Kbma at (202)260-9130 or Ray Hall at (202) 260-1998. Nonpoint Source News ’Notes, November-December, 1993, Thjs 30-page newsletter contains articles on a range of nonpoint-source- related subjects, including New York Cfl s Watershed Program, news from the coastal nonpoint pollution control program, and wetlands worl ho for teachers in Georgia. For a copy or to get on the mailing list, fax your request to (202) 260-1517. Runoff Report, Winter 1993. This 12-page newsletter, subtitled Watershed Information Network News, is published by the National Nonpoint Source Federation. The WinIer 1993 issue includes articles on the Farm*A*Syst Program, a national rural pollution prevention program supported by the USE PA and the USDA; Living Classrooms, a river-based training program for teachers; and runoff news shorts from across the Nation. The newsletter is available to Federation members. For more information, call 800-795-3634. Volunteer MonItoring, September 1993, EPA 800-F93008. m 6 age brochure includes information on EPA’s volunteer monitoring program, the national volunteer monitoring mcwernent, and brief examples of environ- mental improvements volunteer mon ors have made to our environment. For a copy, contact Alice Maylo at (202) 260-7018. 4 ------- specific basins. Monitoring will be conducted in a rotating series of basins, with each basin being revisited on a 5-year cycle. A core network of monitoring stations will also be maintained within the state to allow assessment of temporal trends at a subset of stations. These basin investigations are designed to provide informa- tion about designated use support, to address water quality trends, and to determine water quality issues that should be addressed by state or local entities. A series of reports have been completed for the Little Bear River, Otter Creek, and Chalk Creek watersheds. Copies of these reports can be obtained by contacting Tom Took, Utah Department of Environmental Quality - Division of Water Quality, at (801) 538-6146. Region 9 Regional Coordinators California Nevada Arizona Hawaii Guam Monitoring, 305(b), Waterbody System: Chris Faulkner (415) 744-2012 303(d)tTMDL: David Smith (415) 744-2019 Volunteer Monitoring: Clatice Olson (415)744-1489 and Chris Faulkner (415) 744-2012 Nonpoint Source: Jovita E. Pajariio (415) 744-2011 Clean Lakes: Wendell Smith (415) 744-2018 CALifORNIA: Bioassessment Methodology for CA Water Monitoring Agencies: California’s water quality monitoring agencies met on December 14, 1993, in Sacramento to discuss the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for performing biological assessments. This meeting was convened by Jim Harrington of the state’s Department of Fish and Game. It was decided that a statewide bioassessment workgroup involving state and federal government personnel, as well as local university professors, should be created to adapt the Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for streams to Californian ecoregions. Chris Faulkner from the Water Manage- ment Division of EPA Region 9 was asked to chair this bioassessment workgroup. Also involved in this effort are Peter Husby from the EnvironmentaJ Services Branch and Gary Wolinsky from the Water Quality Standards Section. The formulation of the bioassessinent workgroup is a necessary first step in the state’s efforts to implement a biological criteria program. The desired product from this workgroup is an adapted bioassessment protocol docu- ment for California similar to the Region 10 In-stream Biological Monitoring Handbook For Wadable Streams in the Pacific Northwest. This activity has been proposed as an action item for the Regional Intergovernmental Task Force on Monitoring Water Quality (ITFM) workgroup as well. The first full workgroup meeting will be held in late January or early February of 1994. For more information on the status of biological assessment data in California, contact Jim Harrington at (916) 355-0856 or Michael Perrone at (916) 657-0660. Region 10 JIL an Idaho Alaska Regional Coordinators Monitoring, Waterbody System: Gretchen Hayslip (206) 553-1685 305(b): Donna Walsh (206) 553-1754 303(d)IMDL: Bnice Cleland (206) 553-2600 Volunteer Monitoring: Susan Handley (206) 553-1287 Nonpoint Source: Elbert Moore (206) 553-4181 Clean Lakes: Judith Leckrone (206)553-6911 IDAHO: NPS/Monitoring Workshop: The fourth annual “Nonpoint Source Water Quality - Monitoring Results Workshop” was held in Boise, Idaho on January 4-6, 1994. This workshop was sponsored by the idaho Division of Environmental Quality (IDEQ), Idaho Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Agriculture Research Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and EPA. Each year this workshop brings together state and federal agencies, tribes, and others conducting water quality monitoring projects in Idaho to share their results and to provide technical transfer. In addition to presentations concerning nonpoint source water quality monitoring projects, this year there were workgroups on endangered species, data management, and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). For more information, contact Bill Clark (IDEQ) at (208) 334-5860. Agricultural Water Quality conference: On January 23- 26, 1994, in Boise, Idaho, the Idaho Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts is sponsoring a conference titled “Water Quality 2000 - Helping to set the course for 5 ------- Idaho’s agricultural water quality program in the next century.” The objectives of this conference are to provide Idaho’s farmers and ranchers with current information on water quality; to identify and prioritize national water quality issues of local importance regarding endangered species, watershed policies, and economic development; to prompt farmers and ranchers to adopt Best Management Practices; and to foster the publics interest in water quality issues. For more information, contact Juanita Arroues at (208) 338-5900. Assessment and Watershed Protection Division (AWPD) Joint TMDL/NPS Meeting Held in San Francisco: On November 1-3, members of AWPD’s Watershed Branch and Nonpoint Source Control Branch and the Office of Science and Technology’s (OST) Exposure Assessment Branch met with Regional total maximum daily load (TMDL) and nonpoint source (NPS) coordinators in San Francisco to discuss ways to improve coordination of program activities. One of the results of the meeting is the establishment of an informal workgroup that will include NPS, TMDL, and OST representatives. These representatives will work together to develop a strategy to identify and recommend tasks and activities in which the NPS and TIvIDL programs can coordinate. The workgroup plans to release a report in about 4 months. For more information, contact Mimi Dannel at (202) 260-1897. Joint Meeting of Regional Monitoring Coordinators and Regional Quality Assurance Officers (QAO): Region 3 hosted the first joint meeting of the Regional Monitoring Coordinators and Regional Quality Assurance Officers (QAO) on November 16-17. The purpose of the meeting was to ensure good QA/QC involvement in the water monitoring strategic plan and program activities. This forum resulted in suggested areas for cooperation between quality assurance and monitoring staffs. For more infonna- tion, contact Mary L. Belefski at (202) 260-7061. Searchable Watershed Registry Available on Nonpoint Source Bulletin Board (NPS BBS): An on-line searchable database of watershed project professionals is now open on the NPS BBS in Special Interest Group Forum #5, the Watershed Restoration Network. Over 150 people are registered in the database, which include (for each person) contact information, expertise, and details about watershed project activities. New registrations are being accepted on- line only. To obtain a free copy of the US EPA NPS Information Exchange Computer BBS U er’ Manual (EPA 503/8-92/002), write to NCEPI, 11029 Kenwood Road, Building 5, Cincinnati, OFT 45242 or fax your request to (513) 891-6685. Midwest Flood Activities: An organizational meeting of the Flood Event Water Quality Workgroup, a workgroup of the Subcommittee on Water Quality (under the Interagency Coordination Committee on Water Information), was held December 14-15 in Washington, DC. The mission of the workgroup is to develop a national plan for collecting water quality infonnation during major flood events. Mary L. Belefski (primary) and Franz Schmidt (alternate) are the EPA representatives to this workgroup. John Helvig of the Environmental Services Division in Region 7 also attended and briefed the members on Region 7’s flood-monitoring activities. For more information, contact Mary L. Belefski at (202) 260-7061. Oceans and Coastal Protection Division (OCPD) OCPD National Branch Chiefs Meeting: The annual OCPD National Branch Chiefs Meeting was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 1-3. Major topics included implementation of the Water Resources Development Act; management of contaminated dredged material; funding and program direction issues in the National Estuary Program OFFICE OF WETLANDS, OCEANS AND WATERSHEDS (OWOW) . TheyjoterMoriltor Goes Bulk Maul The Water Monitor has recently shifted from 1St class to bulk mail rate. While this saves postage fees, it also increases the time it takes your monthly copy to reach you. We hope our readers are not inconvenienced by this unavoidable delay. 6 ------- Calendar Highlights ebruaty is -ig Biodiversityofthe!nd!anRiverLagoon, Foil Pierce, FL. Contact Derek Busby, Indian River Lagoon NEP, 1900 So. Harbor City Blvd., #109, Melbourne, FL 32901 (407) 984-4950. 16-18 Ecosystem Management- What Is It and How Do We Achieve It? Annual Meeting of the Oregon Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Sunriver, Ol . Contact Bob Hughes, METI, 200 SW 35th Street, Coniallis, OR, 97333. (503) 754-4516, FAX: (503) 754-4716. 17-18 Noith Carolina Stonn water Management Confer- ence, Ash vilIe, NC. Contact Bill Eaker, Land of -Sky RegIonal Council, 25 Heritage Dr., Asheville, NC 28806. (704)254-8181. 23-25 Mid-Atlantic Highlands Area: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Conference, Hershey, PA. Contact Susan Brager, Eastern Research Group, Inc. 110 Hartwell Ave., Lexington, MA. 02173-3198. (617) 674- 7347, FAX: 617) 674-2906. 28- Mar 4 $tm waterManagementMode!Ing Toronto, Canada. Contact Evelyn James, CHI, 36 Stuart Street, Guelph, Ontano, Canada, NIE 455. (519) 767-0197, FAX (519) 767-2770. March 3-5 NALMS 3rdAnnual Southeastern Lakes Manage- ment Con! erence—Watershed Management: From Concept to Implementation, Columbia, SC. Contact Kathy Shecker, SCOHEC, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. (803) 734-5402, FAX (803) 734-5216. 7-10 National Pesticides Management Conference, St. Louis, MO. Contact Lynn Kirshner, CTIC, 1220 Potter Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47906 (317) 494-9555, FAX (317)494-5969. 22-24 Annual RegIon 6 Water Monitoring and Assessment Workshop, Bandera, TX. Contact Paul Koska at (214) 655-8357. 27-30 Second International Conference on Groundwater Ecology, Atlanta, GA. Contact John Sirnons, USEPA (4602), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, 0020460. (202) 260-7091. AprU 10-13 Toxic Substances and the Hydrologic Sciences, Austin, TX. Contact AIH, 3416 University Avenue, SE, Minneapo- lis, MN 55414-3328. (612) 379-1030, FAX (612) 3790169. 10-14 Fourth National Volunteer Monitoring Conference, • Portland, OR. Contact Deborah Rodney, CITE, Inc., 2405 NE 21st Avenue, Portland, OR 97212. (503) 282-2627, • FAX (503) 335-3532. 17-20 The Coast Organlzingfor the Future, Charleston, SC. • Contact Leigh Handel, SC Sea Grant, 287 Meeting Street, • Charleston, SC 29401, (MEP); transferring lessons learned in the NEP to other programs; OCPD’s role in section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments; and potential impacts of the Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act reauthori- zation on OCPD programs, For more infonnation, contact Macara Lousberg at (202) 260-9109. Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Comprehensive Conser- vation and Management Plan (CCMP): On November 30, the Policy Committee of the Albemarle -Pamlico Estuarine Study (one of EPA’s early National Estuary Programs) voted to transmit its final CCMP to the Governor and the Administrator for approval. Agricultural and forestry practices were among those issues addressed most aggressively by the program, and the CCMP is consistent with the state’s Watershed Protection Approach. Activities to implement the CCMP are already underway. For example, the Governor has designated 1994 as the “Year of the Coast” and has established a Coastal Futures Committee to review 20 years of coastal management in North Carolina. The CCMP implementation will be carried forward by a Coordinating Council and five regional subcouncils, the latter also corresponding to the watershed regions in the study area. The Management Conference hopes to receive approval by the Administrator in February 1994. For more information, contact Eric Slaughter at (202) 260-1051. 7 ------- United States Office of Wetlands, EPA 841 -N-94-OO1 Environmental Protection Oceans and Watersheds February 1994 Agency EPA IR ONAL AND TATE AC1IVI1IES Region 1 Regional Coordinators Maine New Hamp8hlre Vermont Massachusetta Connecticut Rhode Island MonItoring, 305(b), Volunteer Monitoring: Diane Svdtzer (617) 860-4377 WaterbodySystem: Al Pratt (617) 860-4379 303(d)fTMDL: Maik Voorhees (617) 565-4173 Nonpoint Source: Bob Moorehouse (617) 565-3513 Clean Lakes: Warren Howard (617) 565-3515 REGIONAL OFFICE: Workshop on Biological Indicators for Lakes: The New England Association of Environmental Biologists (NEAEB) hosted a workshop, “Developing Fish and Macrobenthos Indicators for Lake Assessments,” at its meeting in March (see related story below). EPA’s Environmen- tal Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) and Biological Criteria Program (BCP) are currently developing a series of biological indicators for assess- ing the ecological condition of lakes; this workshop focused on a number of the issues associated with evaluating the potential of lake fish and benthic invertebrate assemblages as ecological indicators. The first section of the workshop included presentations T h eth bj ftfl’itO r MAR 18 1994 0mw, C based on data collected from Northeast lakes. The second section was a panel-led discussion focusing on selection and standardization of sampling methods, evaluation of candidate metrics, reference site selection and comparison of indicator requirements for making region-level (EMAP) versus lake-specific (BCP) assessments. For information concerning the workshop, contact Peter Vaux, Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies, University of Nevada - Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 454009, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4009, (702) 895-3382, FAX (702) 895-3094. MAINE: Volunteer Conference: The Maine State Planning Office and University of Maine Cooperative Extension will sponsor a fourth annual Water Quality Monitoring Fair for volunteer monitoring groups, ‘Water, Water Everywhere,” on March 26, 1994 in Newcastle, Maine. Concurrent workshops will feature over 30 expert presenters from New England, Colo- rado and Nova Scotia Topics at this year’s fair include: organizing and funding a program; incorpo- rating quality assurance elements; interpreting data; approaches for watershed protection; and biological monitoring. There will be displays and resource tables sponsored by existing monitoring programs. For more information, contact the Maine State Plan- ning Office at (207) 287-3261. RHODE ISLAND: Meeting of New England Biologists: The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) hosted the 18th annual meeting of the New England Associa- tion of Environmental Biologists (NEAEB) on March 2-4, 1994 in Newport, Rhode Island. Topics highlighted for discussion included metals contami- nation and assessment; targeted nonpoint source programs; watershed permitting and monitoring; case studies incorporating biological monitoring and assessments; and wet weather programs. rc ’ h o alnkon paper that ‘cJc7 ntalnset leat 50% recyded fiber What’s inside... On the Bookshelf p. 6 Headquarters Activities p. 8 Calendar Highlights p. 10 Order and Comment Form p. 11 U A Region 8 ‘ rary ------- For more information contact Bob Richardson, RJDEM, Division of Water Resources, 291 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908-5767, (401) 277-6519. • Ne v )‘ork Region NPeUwO eR O Virgin islands Regional Coordinators Monitoring: Randy Braun (908) 321-6692 305(b), Waterbody System: X n-Mai Tian (212)264-3188 Volunteer Monitoring: Diane Calesso (908)321-6728 30 d)ITMDL: Rose/la O’Connor (212)264-8479 Nonpoint Souice: Mack Henning (212) 264-2059 Clean Lakes: Terrj Faber (212) 264-8708 REGIONAL OFFICE: 1993 R-EMAP Sampling: RegIon 2 Environmental Services Division (ESD) personnel completed the 1993 sampling portion of their Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assess- ment Program (R-EMAP), “Sediment Quality Assess- ment of the NY/NJ Harbor Complex and the Regional Validation of EMAP-Like Indicators of Sediment Quality.” EMAP staff assisted the Region in determin- ing the appropriate random stations for sampling. EPA staff and the EPA vessels Clean Waters and Anderson conducted the sampling. The ESD sampled a total of 85 stations in 6 basins of the haibor complex and analyzed for chemical param- eters, toxicity and benthic conununity structure. The 6 basins were: Upper NY Harbor, Jamaica Bay, western Long Island Sound, Newark Bay, NY Bight Apex, and Lower NY Harbor/Raritan Bay. Complete results for the first year of this two-year study are expected by June 30, 1994. For more information, contact Darvene Adams at (908) 321-6700. NEW JERSEY: aean Method Sampling Protocol for Ambient Trace Metal Monitoring: The Depart- ment of Environmental Protection and Energy’s (DEPE) Office of Water Monitoring Management has developed a draft clean methods monitoring protocol. Entitled, “Clean Methods Techniques to be Used When Sampling for Trace Metals in Aqueous Samples,” its objective is to provide monitoring accurate to 1 part per billion (ppb). Method validation is currently underway. The draft protocol addresses equipment precleaning, source water, reagent quality, field blanks, sample collection, filtration (dissolved metals) and atmospheric contami- nation. In conjunction with this work, several laboratories are being evaluated regarding 1 ppb analytical capabilities. The impetus for the work is the low level monitoring requirements for trace metals in DEPE’s watershed management initiative. For more information, contact Bill Honachefsky at (609) 292-0427. Nonpoint Stormwater Study: The NJ DEPE and the US Geological Survey are cooperating on a study of stormwater pollutant loads in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey. Participants will conduct storm event monitoring and base flow monitoring to estimate annual loads from three distinct land use types. They will evaluate basic water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, nutri- ents and fecal coliform bacteria. The state will use information obtained from this study to estimate the impact of stormwater on water quality in the Bay. Techniques developed may be used in future studies for stonnwater impacts in other estuaries and in the evaluation of best management practices (BMP) effectiveness. For more information, contact James Mumman at (609) 292-1623. Improving Water Quality Trends in NJ Estuarine/ Marine Waters: The NJ Office of Water Monitoring Management has found a general improving trend in the quality of NJ marine and estuarine waters based on increases in acreages of water from which shellfish can be harvested. During 1976-1994, the state found an 11% increase in the acreage of harvestable waters. Shellfish water classifications are based on shoreline, hydrographic, and bacteriological surveys. The Bureau of Marine Water Classification and Analysis has proposed changes to shellfish water classifications which call for the upgrading of approximately 285 acres. For more information, contact Bill Elsele at (609) 749-2000. 2 ------- NEW YORK: Ramapo River Assessment Re- port: The NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has completed a biological assessment of the Ramapo River, sampled on August 24, 1993. Compared to sampling in 1991, the study found that water quality improved substantially downstream of the main Orange County Sewer District #1 discharge at Hamman. The discharge now does not adverse ‘affect instream fauna. Water quality from Southflelds to Hillburn remains slightly impaired. Since the Ramapo provides little dilution to the Orange County Sewer District #1 treated effluent, treatment efficiencies must be maintained to assure aquatic life health in the waterbody. This has been difficult to maintain in the past. For more Information, contact Peter Mack at (518) 457-3495. Long Island Sound Study: DEC representatives participated In the Long Island Sound Study monitor- ing plan workshop held at the Stony Brook SUNY campus from November 30 through December 1, 1993. In attendance were representatives from the states of New York and Connecticut, the Interstate Sanitation Commission (ISC), New York City Depart- ment of Environmental Protection (NYDEP), the Marine Sciences Research Center at Stony Brook, Hydroqual, Involved federal agencies, and Invited participants from academia. Workshop participants developed the outline of a draft monitoring plan that will be refined and finalized during a final workshop to be held early in 1994. For more information, contact Peter Mack at (518) 457-3495. The Waier Monitor Is produced monthly to exchange surface water assessment informa- tion 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 11. I D.iawar. P.nnayivania MaiyIand Virginia Wait Virginia Regional Coordinators Monlto.lng, Voluntair Monitoring: Chtz* Kanetsi y (215) 597-8176 305(b), Wat.ibody Sy sm: Margaret Passmcre (215) 597-6149 30 d TMDL: 11xwT s Hen,y (215) 597-8243 Nonpoint Sourc., Clean Laks: Hank Zygmunt (215) 597-3429 REGIONAL OFFICE: Marine Sediment and Fish Sampling Project: Region 3, in cooperation with the Headquarters Office of Research and Development, conducted an oceanographic survey at and around three ocean outfalls. This survey was conducted from January 8 through 11, 1994 using the U.S. EPA ocean survey vessel Peter W. Ander- son. Sediment samples and fish samples were collected at nine stations in a study area extending from north of the Bethany Beach, DE outfall to south of the Ocean City, MD outfall, as well as at five stations in a study area extending from north to south of the Virginia Beach, VA outfall. The purpose of this sampling activity was to ascertain the winter benthic Infaunal and fisheries community composition In support of the National Biological Criteria Program. In spite of frigid and windy weather conditions, all sampling activities were conducted without any problems. For details on this sampling program as well as the status of the Na- tional Biological Criteria Program, contact George R. Gibson, Jr. at (202) 260-7580. Presque Isle Bay Sediment Monitoring: EPA Region 3, the PA Department of Environmental Resources and the Great Lakes National Program will be performing some follow-up sediment moni- toring at 21 sites in Presque Isle Bay to further delineate the environmental problems in this Great Lakes Area of Concern. The objective Is to deter- mine the extent of the pollution problem from anthropogenic versus background sources and Its impact on macrolnvertebrates and plankton in the Region 3 3 ------- Bay. The monitoring activities will include sedi- ment toxicity testing, sediment chemistry (pesti- cides, PCBs, and PAHs), particle size, total organic carbon, and macroinvertebrate and plankton identifi- cation. For more information, contact Chuck Kanetsky at (215) 597-8176. North Carolina Kentucky South Carolina Tennesee Georgia Alabama Mississippi Florida Monltoñng: DavklMelgaard (404) 347-2126 305(b), Watethody System: Larinda Tervelt (404) 347-2126 303(dyTMDL: Jim Green! leki (404) 347-2126 Volunteer Monitoring: ConnieAlexander (404)347-1740 Nonpolnt SoLute: MaryAnn Gerber (404) 347-2126 Clean Lakes: Howard Marshall (404) 347-2126 REGIONAL OFFICE: Mississippi Flood Waters Affect Gulf of Mexico and North Carolina Coast: Last summer’s flood waters in the Upper Mississippi River Drainage Basin could result in significant degradation of the water quality of the lower Missis- sippi River and provide large concentrations of contaminants and nutrients to the Gulf of Mexico. In addition. these midwestern flood waters, which joined the Gulf Stream around the tip of Florida and flowed up the East Coast, have reduced the salt content of the water around Cape Lookout in North Carolina. The Mississippi River carried tons of farm chemicals into the Gulf during the summer flood. Heavy concen- trations of the herbicide airazine and nitrates from fertilizers triggered a huge growth of algae. The algae settled and decayed, consuming the oxygen necessary for marine life and creating a dead zone approximately the size of New Jersey in surface area and running up to 20 meters thick. Divers who entered this dead zone found no crabs, shrimp or fish. The U.S. Geological Survey is sampling at sites that were also sampled in 1991-92 during a study of agricultural chemicals in the Mississippi River, and will compare the concentrations and loads during and after the flood with the earlier data. For more informa- Region 4 Regional Coordinators tion, contact Dr. Nancy Rabalais, Louisiana Universi- ties Marine Consortium, at (504) 851-2800. SOUTH CAROLINA: Water Quality Awards Presented: On January 6, 1994, EPA-Region 4 presented awards for the South Carolina Outstanding Soil Conservation District and Conservation District Cooperator for 1993. The 1993 EPA/Conservation District Water Quality Award was presented to John Walpole, primary owner and operator of Sunny Point Farm located on Wadmalaw Island. This 1,800-acre farm is bounded by creeks and streams that flow directly into the marshlands of coastal South Carolina. Fields are contoured so that any runoff is drained to holding ponds where it is recycled through the irrigation system. All water on the farm is channeled, thus precluding runoff into adjacent streams and creeks. Fertilization needs are established through soil and plant tissue tests, and fertilizers are applied directly to crops through a drip irrigation system. Sunny Point Farm has been used as a demonstration site by a number of federal and state agencies, and Mr. Walpole has been previously recognized by the South Carolina Land Resources Commission as the State’s Clean Water Farmer of the Year. For more informa- tion, contact Mark Gates, EPA-SCS Liaison, at (404) 347-2126. Region 5 Regional Coordinators --a Illinois Michigan Minnesota Ohio Wisconsin Monitoring: Dave Stoiterberg (312) 353-5784 303(d)/TM DL: Robert Pepin (312)886-1505 Wateibody System: FouadDababneh (312) 353-3944 Volunteer MonitoringI 3O5(b): Donna WI/jams (312) 353-6175 Nonpoint Souite, Clean Lakes: Tom Davenpo, (3 12) 886-0209 MINNESOTA: Monitoring Proposals Submitte(J: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) 4 ------- recently submitted two monitoring proposals to the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR). The LCMR funds 2-year projects designed to help maintain and enhance Minnesota’s natural resources. One project will develop region-specific biological criteria, using fish and macroinvertebrate community data collected at stream reference sites. The other project will develop and pilot test statisti- cally-based monitoring networks for lakes and streams. These networks would be developed in consultation with USEPA Environmental Monitoring and Assess- ment Program (EMAP) personnel. If funding is obtained, the projects would begin in July, 1995. For more information, contact Sylvia McCollor at (612) 296-7249. Interagency Committee on Nonpoint Source Monitoring: An interagency committee composed of representatives from federal, state and local agencies involved in monitoring in MN has been formed to revise the monitoring strategy of the Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Plan. Participants have expressed interest in main- taining this committee on an ongoing basis to enhance other monitoring coordination activities. For more information, contact Sylvia McCollor at (612) 296-7249. Regional Coordinators Monitoring: Cha,lie Howel (214) 655-8354 303(d)’TMDL: TroyHill (214) 655-6647 305(b): Russell Nelson (214)655-6846 Waterbody System: Paul Koska (214) 655-9357 VokJnte.r Monitoring: Mke Bka (214)655-6668 and Paul Koska (214)655-8957 Nonpoint Source: Brad Lamb (214) 655-7140 Clean Lakes: Mike 81 ,-a (214) 655-6668 Region No material submitted for February. Arkansas Loui8iana Oklahoma Texas New Mexico — Iowa Nebraska Region Kansas .: ::: .:::. . Missouri Regional Coordinators Monitoring: JenyAnderson (913) 551-5066 305(b), 303(d)ITMDL: John Houlihan (913) 551-74 Wateibody System: Jerome Pitt (913)551-7766 Volunteer Monitoring: Jerome Pitt (913) 551-7766 and Donna Sell’on (913) 551-7500 Nonpolnt Source: Julie Elf ving (913) 551-7475 Clean Lakes: Lariy Sheridan (913) 551-7439 KANSAS: Volunteer Monitoring Activities: Pure Water for Kansas has announced a number of upcoming volunteer monitoring program activities. Several cities throughout the state will host work- shops to train team leaders for monitoring, and Pure Water for Kansas is scheduling a conference to be held in 1995 for volunteer groups to meet and discuss their data and future activities. For more information, contact Jerome Pitt at (913) 551-7766. Region 8 Regional Coordinators Montana Utah Wyoming Colorado North Dakota South Dakota MonItoring, 305(b): Phi/Johnson (303)293-1581 303(d}ITMDL: Brt.ce Zander (303)293-1580 Wateibody System: Toney CYt (303)293-1573 Volunteer Monitoring: Paul Mclver (303)293-1552 and Phil Johnson (303)293-1573 Nonpolnt Source: Carol Russell (303)293-1449 Clean Lakes: Dave Rathke (303) 293-1703 REGIONAL OFFICE: Adopt-A-Platte Citizens Monitoring Program: Adopt-A-Platte is a joint EPA/Audubon Society program designed to collect biological information on the South Platte River and stimulate citizen awareness and stewardship of the 5 ------- the Bookshelf . . . Clean Waterin Your Watershed: A Citizen ’s • I Using Nonprofit Organizationsto Advance Guide tO Watershed Protectioit This 90-page .1. Estuary Program Goalé, EPA 842-B-093-008: guide is designed to help citizen groups work This 50-page paper developed by the EPA wfth local, state, and federal agencies to plan describes the role nonpibt i t organizations:• and implement watershed protection /restoration : (NPOs) can play in carrying out the recommen- projects tailored to the needs of their O wn dations for action identified in the COmprehen- communities. The guide was deveioped.through sive Conservation and Management Plans that a cooperative agreement with EPA Region t are being develOped for the 21 estuaries in the While supplies last, single copies may be . . . . . . National Estuary Prégram. The paper cover obtained for free by sending a self-addressed . .. the ability of NPOs to attract funding and carry . adhesive mailing label to Susan Alexander, out implementation, oversight and federal: 6WQS , USEPA, Region 6 1445 Ross Aye, bonsistency activities. Types of NPOs and Dallas TX 75202.: Copies may also be pur- I . advantages and disadvantages of Using an chased f or $19.95 plus $3 shipping and handling existing NPO versus a new NPO are also from the :Terrene lnstitute, .1117 K St N.W., Suite discussed. The issues and recommendations 801, Washington, D C 20006, (202) 833-8317 in this paper are also relevant to most ecosys- tern and Watershed management prgrams. :tJkess d ,,......The First Lake Maintenance . . To obtain a free copy write to USEPA NCEP I, Handbook A new publication on lake mainte 11029 Kenwood Road, Building 5, Cincinnati nance tools and techniques developed throUgh . OH 45242 or fax your request to NCEPI at an EPA grant is now available. This B28tpagó I :• (513) 891-6685. Be sure to cite the correct title “do-it-yourself ’ oriented handbook is written in : and EPA publication number. hon-technical terms and is filled with practical : . : . . . .. and affordable techniques for solving lake water : Watershed Protection Techniques: A quality problems. The handbook is directed : QusterIy Bulletin on Utban Watershed primarily at lake communities, lake associations H •: Restoration and Protection Tools, v.1 , no.1 , and lake. property owners who are interested in . : 1 ; Feb 1994. This 34-page bulletin Includes an . preserving or restoring water quality. Copies : open forum discussing the pros and cons of can be obtained for $18.95 plus $3 shipping and. using natural wetlands for stormwater treit- handlingfrom the Terrene Institute, 1717 K . ment and a series of technical notes on urban Street. N W, Suite 801, Washington, D C best management practices The technical 20006, (202) 833t8317. . .. : notes cover topics as Yanied as the effective- ness of vegetated filter strips, pollution preven- fljrn. Ca Study, LakeCho lan, Washington, . hon practices for service stations, and estab- EPA 841 -F94 001 This total maximum daily lishment of wildflower cover In stormwater load case study is the 11th in the senes pub detention basins The bulletin is produced by $shed by the Watershed Branch of AWPD. it is the Center for Watershed Protection, 1020 available either onthe NPS-BBS TMDL Special : Elcien St., Suite 205, Hemdon, VA 22070 . lhterOst Group: Forum or through your regional (703 709-0040. Single copies may be ob- 303 (d) coordinator ta med for $14, subscriptions are also available 6 ------- river, which runs through Denver and out onto the plains of Colorado. The program began in August, 1992, when volunteers adopted one mile of the river. Currently concerned citizens have adopted a total of four miles of the South Platte. Volunteers are collecting quantitative data on bird species present; bird population density information is collected several times a month along each adopted segment. To date, a total of ninety-two species of birds have been identified along the monitored segments. Volunteers also quantify the recreational use of the river and surrounding river corridor for each adopted section. Recreational use of the river is significant, with volunteer monitors documenting up to 32,000 “user hours” per month along a single one -mile stretch of river. Future activities planned include nparian mapping and aquatic habitat mapping on the South Platte. For further information contact Bob Erickson, EPA Region 8, at (303) 293-1566. Region 9 Regional Coordinators Monitoring, 305(b), Waterbody System: Chris Faulkner (4 15) 744-2012 303(d TMDL: C vkI Smith (4 15) 744-2019 Volunteer Monitoring: Cleice Oi n (415) 744-1489 and Chris Faulkner (415) 744-2012 NonpolntSouice: Jovita E. Pajarillo (415) 744-2011 Clean Lakes: Wendell Smith (415) 744-2018 CALIFORNIA: Citizens’ Meeting to Discuss Russian River Assessment: On January 26, 1994, California’s North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board convened a meeting with a local citizens’ group to discuss the state’s Section 305(b) assessment of the Russian River. According to the assessment, the river is attaining its designated uses; however, the citizens’ group believes that uses are not being met and that the local sewage treatment facility is causing a nutrient loading problem. Participants at the meeting agreed that additional monitoring was needed to better understand the Russian River Watershed and to adequately prove or disprove the theory that the facility is responsible for summer algal blooms. Region 9 staff presented information on EPA’s integrated assessment ap- proach, recommended biological monitoring of the river (to be integrated with chemical data), and encouraged the formation of a volunteer monitoring group to assist in the assessment. For more informa- tion, contact Chris Faulkner at (415) 744-2012. Region 10 Washington 0regon Idaho Alaska Regional Coordinators Monitoring, Waterbody System: Gretchen HaysIIo (206) 553-1685 305(b): Donna Walsh (206)553-1754 303(dyTMDL: Bruce Cleland (206)553-2600 Volunteer Monitoring: Susan Handley (206) 553-1287 Nonpoint Source: EIbe,t Moore (206) 553-4181 Clean Lakes: Krista Mendelman (206) 553-1571 REGIONAL OFFICE: Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (R-EMAP) Confer- ence: EPA Region 10 will host a R-EMAP Confer- ence on March 8, 1994 in Portland, OR. In 1994, EPA and the states of Oregon and Washington will undertake a multi-year joint ecological monitoring and assessment program for the Coast Range Ecoregion of Oregon and Washington and the Yakima River Basin. The program will assess the current ecological status of wadable streams in the area. The conference objectives are to provide information on the details of the Region 10 R-EMAP project; identify the breadth and extent of ongoing research, monitoring, and assessment in these geographic areas; and identify the ecological indica- tors, methods and information systems to be used in this R-EMAP project. For additional information, contact Gretchen Hayslip at (206) 553-1685. IDAHO: Teton Canyon Status Report Published: The Idaho Division of Environmental Quality I California .11 Arizona Hawaii Guam 7 ------- (IDEQ) recently published a water quality status report for Teton Canyon, Idaho. The Teton River was identified in the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement Plan as a second priority stream segment for the reduction of agriculture- related pollutants. In addition, the state conducted an agricultural planning study in conjunction with local Water and Soil Conservation Districts. The objectives of these studies were to: 1) document the water quality impact of agricultural practices on the Teton River and its tributaries; 2) determine the source of the pollution found in the streams and river; 3) based on the water quality data and analy- sis, rank each watershed as to the severity of agricul- tural pollution, and ; 4) recommend, to the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, areas where pollution control programs would produce the greatest reduc- tion in agricultural water pollution. For additional infonnation, contact Blame Drewes of IDEQ at (208) 233-6160. Assessment and Watershed Protection Division (A WPD) EPAJNOAA Conduct First Three CZARA Threshold Reviews: AWPD and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coastal Programs Division have completed thresh- old reviews of coastal nonpoint pollution control programs for three states: South Carolina, New York and Maryland. EPA and NOAA established the threshold review process to assist coastal states in developing the coastal nonpoint programs re- quired by the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 (CZARA). This voluntary process is intended to provide states with early feedback on their proposed approaches to their coastal nonpoint programs. It also encourages early public participation and promotes direct dialogue between EPA, NOAA and the state coastal zone and water quality agencies responsible for program development and implementation. The two-day reviews are conducted by a team comprised of staff from NOAA, EPA Headquarters and the appropriate EPA Region. EPA and NOAA expect that most of the 29 states and territories covered by CZARA will request reviews over the next year. Final state programs must be submitted to EPA and NOAA by July of 1995, and approval of the programs must occur within six months of submittal. For more informa- tion, contact Stu Tuller at (202) 260-6487. Ecological Restoration Planning Meeting: In mid-February, AWIPD’s Watershed Branch, along with EPA Region 5, co-sponsored a planning meeting of experts in the field of aquatic ecosystems restoration. The planning group is focusing on developing the agenda for a 1995 symposium on using ecological restoration techniques to help achieve Clean Water Act goals and meet state water quality standards. Contact Doug Norton at (202) 260-7017 for further information. STORET MODERNIZATION: Water Systems Modernization Activities: Modernization of EPA’s Water Quality Storage and Retrieval (STORE1) computer network is proceeding on several fronts: (1) The logical model is being converted to a physi- cal model in anticipation of developing up to three prototypes. AWPD plans to showcase at least one of these prototypes in selected locations before the planned national users conference later this calendar year. (2) Tools available in the present STORET, Ocean Data Evaluation System (ODES), and Bio- logical System (BIOS) have recently been compiled to determine which will be supported in the new system. (3) Parameter codes have been categorized and grouped in order to propose business rules for migrating data from the present systems to the new modernized system. As progress on this project OFFICE OF WETLANDS, OCEANS AND WATERSHEDS (OWOW) B ------- continues, AWPD’s Information Management Section is planning to form subgroups to address each of these issues and involve the user community. For further information on STORET modernization, contact Phil Undenstruth at (202) 260-6549 or (800) 424-9067. Taxonomy Standards: An effort is underway to establish interagency standards for taxonomy and a taxonomic reference system. The USGS, EPA, NOAA and the National Biological Survey (NBS) are participating in the development of a relational data- base that will contain a comprehensive list of taxo- nomic and common names with additional supporting information. NOAA’s National Oceanographic Data Center houses the existing database and will coordinate update activities. The system will provide a common reference list for taxonomic data that is consistent, accessible, and regularly updated. A system is envi- sioned that will allow users to download information for selected taxonomic groups via Internet. For additional information, please contact Charlie Howell at (214) 655-8354 or Lee Manning at (202) 260-6082. Midwest Flood Monitoring Activities Update: The interagency Flood Event Water Quality Moni- toring (FEWQM) work group held meetings with State representatives from Missouri and Iowa during the week of January 24 to learn about any monitor- ing conducted by the states during the 1993 Midwest floods and what they would do differently if flood- ing occurred again. On February 8 and 9, FEWQM convened to review the states’ results, to plan for potential spring 1994 flooding, and to work on the outline for overall guidance for any future flood events. As a result of the meeting, the group plans to develop and distribute guidance on water quality monitoring relating to spring flooding. This special interest work group is under the Subcommittee on Water Quality which reports to the ongoing Inter- agency Advisory Committee on Water Data. For more information, contact Mary Belefski at (202) 260-7061. Oceans and Coastal Protection Division (OCPD) San Francisco Ray-Delta Estuary CCMP Ap- proval: On December 9, Administrator Carol Browner approved the San Francisco Bay-Delta Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). Growing public concern for the health of the San Francisco Bay and Delta led EPA to estab- lish the San Francisco Estuary Project in 1987. To address this challenge, the project brought together over 100 representatives from the private and public sectors, including government, industry, business, and environmental interests, as well as elected officials from all 12 Bay-Delta counties. The Plan contains 144 specific action items that will foster the improvement and maintenance of the Bay-Delta estuary. Many of the actions will be implemented using funds from section 319 and Titles II and VI of the Clean Water Act. For more information, contact Steve Taylor at (202) 260-6578. Estuarine Biocriteria Workgroup: The Estuarine Biocriteria Workgroup held a meeting on January 6 and 7 to discuss and reach consensus on elements of standardized methods which should be included in technical guidance for developing estuarine biocriteria. These elements include reference conditions; community measurements; habitat assessment; survey design; and specific metrics used for assessment purposes. Other issues discussed include how and where biocriteria/bioassessments interface with current regulatory programs and approaches. The group, chaired by the Office of Science and Technology, includes staff from EPA, NOAA, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Other attendees included representatives from states and academia. For more information, contact Steve Glomb at (202) 260-6414 or Brigitte Farren at (202) 260-9134. Local Government Workshops on Protecting Coastal Resources: OCPD staff are planning the next series of Local Government Workshops. These workshops are designed to familiarize state and local decision-makers and planners with the regulatory tools available to them for protecting their coastal resource, as well as the financing mechanisms avail able. To date, five workshops have been held. The upcoming workshops will be held in Boston, MA; Norwalk, CT; coastal North Carolina; Orlando, FL; San Juan, PR; Portland, OR; and Portland, ME. Specific dates and workshop sites are being ar- ranged. For more information, contact Macara Lousberg at (202) 260-9109. 9 ------- Calendar Highlights March 1 18-20 7th Annual Virginia Water Resources Conference, Richmond, VA.. Contact Ann Beli, 11743 Leduta Court, #204, Reston, VA 22091 (703) 620-8168. 22-24 Annual Region 6 Water Monitoring and Asses eM • Woi*shop Bandera, TX. Contact Paul Kc ska 19-22 RIvera Without Bounds r1ea Grand Junction, Co. (214) 655 8357. Contact Denny.Hutfman , American River Management Society Symposium Chairperson, Dinosaur Nationat 26 Water, Water Everywhere: FourthAnnual water Monument, P.O. Box 210, Dinosaur, CC 81810, (303) QualftyMon!torlng Fack r Volunteer., Newc t le, 374-2216, FAX (303) 374-2414. ME. Contact Maine State Planning Office. (207) 287-3261. Ma 27-30 Second International Conibsenc. on G undwater 2-6 Water Quality Standards Academy,499t Sacra. Ecology Manta, GA. Contad John Simons, USEPA mento, CA Contact Miche e Vuctto, D ,iwnec Corpoiation, (4602), 401 M Streets SW , Washu ton, DC 20460. 2276 Ressarth Blvd., Rodt vIle, ) )852 (301)417-6090, • (202) 260-7091. i 2-3 Wat.,a , $takeIioId.rs: A Training 28 .Apr i t 1 Water Quality Standards Madn y,499t Kansas Workshop, Chicago, IL. Contact Bob Krschner, Cay , KS Contact Michele Vu to. Dynamac Corpora NE!PC, Natural Resources Department, 222 South tion, 2215 Reseach Blvd., Rôckv e,MD2085Z •• : Riverside Plaza, Su e 1800, Chicago, II . 60606, (901) 417-6090 (312)454-0400 • : : Enhancing the StatW Laki Management P o- A p I .• : g an ; Building Partnerships for Lake and Watershed P,oteàtlon Chicago, IL. Contact Bob ... . , J.. All. K & , NEIPC, Nati ral Resources Department, 222 nai.i i iiwiiy ‘ lOIlUW IJ ’UI ñW 4 U& : South Riverside Pl O :S ¶ ‘ Ch ” ft. 60606 quo NM. Contact Michele Vuotto , Dynarnac Corpora- ‘312’ 454 “ ‘ don, 2275 Research Blvd Rockv ME) 2085Z ‘ I (301)4174090 5-8 T.xaa Watch Meeting of the Monitors Getting to 10-13 ToxIc Su andUeHydrclogicSc1inc.a • .hmfb 0ff Watemh,4Gsiveston ,TX Contactl)( Auatin, TX. Contact A IH, 3416 University Avenue , • Natural Resource Conservation Commission. Minneapolis, MN 554144328 (612) 379-1030, FAX (512) 475 ’2t66 (612)379 .01w 16.20 WaWQuaNfYSdardsAcadI lWl Mar- ga, 10-14 • Fow*frN*n&VolunWrMonltothig Conference, • • GA. Contact Miohels Vuo1to nacCc*poration , Rodney, crr , nis Research Blvd., ROCkVIIIOt:MD 852,: 2405 NE 21st Avenue, Portland, OR 97212. • • • (901) 417 6090.: : • (503)282 27, FAX (503)335-3632 2427 North American Benthologlcal SocIety, 42nd 17• • The Coast Oankrth.Futw. Charleston, • Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, Contact Rob Mattson, SC. Coina Leigh Handal, SC Sóa Grail, 287 Meeting . •SUWSfl 5 S Management District, RouteS, Box 84, Street, Charleston, SC 401. • . .. • : •: • • L ive 08k, FL 32060. •.• . . 10 ------- |