United States	Office of Wetlands,	EPA 841-N-94-009
Environmental Protection Oceans and Watersheds October 1994
Agency
&ERA The Water Monitor
Region
Regional Coordinators
Monitoring, 305(b), Volunteer Monitoring: Diane
Switzer (617) 860-4377
Waterbody System: Al Pratt (617) 860-4379
303(d)/TMDL: Mark Voorhees (617) 565-4173
Nonpoint Source: Bob Moorehouse (617) 565-3513
Clean Lakes: Warren Howard (617) 565-3515
¦f
VERMONT: Nonpoint Source Control Effective-
ness Study: Vermont's Department of Environmen-
tal Conservation (VT DEC), in conjunction with the
University of Vermont, is currently in the second
year of a 6-year National Long-Term Monitoring
Project designed to assess the effectiveness of two
agricultural best management practices (BMPs).
The BMPs have been installed to reduce nonpoint
pollutant concentrations and loads from small
agricultural watersheds in the Lake Champlain
drainage basin. The two treatment practices—
controlled livestock grazing management (Voison
grazing) and "low technology" streambank stabiliza-
tion—represent two options for controlling unre-
What's Inside
On the Bookshelf.	p.	7
Headquarters Activities	p.	8
Calendar Highlights	p.	10
Order and Comment Form	p.	11
stricted access of grazing animals to streams and
riparian areas. Monitoring during the first 2 years of
the project was de-	,
signed to calibrate the	fMsi«
study watersheds using
key physical, chemical, Frl! lErtjJ?
and biological param-	Frl!
eters. The actual
implementation of BMPs will occur next year.
Monitoring efforts will be continued to document
changes in concentrations and loads of sediment,
nutrients, and bacteria, and to document in-stream
biological responses to land treatments.
For additional information, contact Wendy Cohen,
Water Quality Section, EPA Region 1, at (617) 565-
4174 or Rick Hopkins, Water Quality Division, VT
DEC, at (802) 241-3770.
Monitoring: Rancfy Braun (908) 321-6692
305(b), Waterbody System: John Malleck
(212) 264-1833
Volunteer Monitoring: Diane Calesso (908) 321-6728
303(d)/TMDL: Rosella O'Connor (212) 264-8479
Nonpoint Source: Barbara Spinweber (212) 264-8632
Clean Lakes: Terry Faber (212) 264-8708
REGIONAL OFFICE: Lake Ontario Sampling
Survey: Region 2 completed a 3-week sampling
survey on Lake Ontario during the month of Septem-
ber. The survey was a joint venture involving the
Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO), the
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Pro-
gram—Great Lakes (EMAP-GL), the New York
Maine
New Hampshire
Vermont
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Rhode Island

Regional Coordinators
Region 2
New York
New Jersey
Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands

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State Department of Environmental Conservation,
the New York Department of Health (NYDOH), and
USEPA Region 2. Environment Canada aided the
survey by providing peer review and a crew member
for part of the survey.
The purpose of the cruise was to collect water and
sediment samples for chemical and biological
analyses. The chemistry data for metals and organ-
ics will be used for comparison to existing water and
sediment chemistry criteria; the biological data
consist of sediment toxicity and macroinvertebrate
identification analyses (sediments) and nutrient and
chlorophyll analyses (water) to determine ecosystem
health. The sampling design called for the use of the
EMAP probability base grid design in selecting the
sampling stations.
GLNPO’s Research Vessel Lake Guardian was used
to conduct the Lake Ontario study. GLNPO also
provided funding for NYDOH to conduct chemical
analysis of water and sediment samples. EMAP-GL
is providing support for the sediment toxicity and
macroinvertebrate identification analyses.
The data from this study should be released by April
of 1995. Questions regarding the survey should be
directed to John Bourbon, USEPA Region 2, at
(908) 321-6729.
Delaware
Pennsylvania
Maryland
Virginia
West Virginia
Regional Coordinators
305(b): Maggie Passmore (215)597-6149
Monitoring, Waterbody System: Chuck Kanetsky
(215) 597-8176
303(d)/TMDL: Thomas Heniy (215) 597-9927
Volunteer Monitoring: Teena Reichgolt
(215) 597-3364 and Peter Weber (215) 597-4283
Nonpoint Source, Clean Lakes: Hank Zygmunt
(215) 597-3429
MARYLAND: Survey of Pesticides in Urban
Streams: In 1992, the Maryland Department of
the Environment (MDE) initiated a multi-year
project to evaluate nonpoint source pesticide
pollution of urban streams in Baltimore. During
the first year, two major activities were conducted:
(1) a pesticide usage survey of residents within
selected Baltimore watersheds, and
(2) a search for the presence of 27 pesticides in
streams located within those watersheds.
The usage survey identified 47 pesticides as
receiving prominent residential use; of these, 25
had appropriate analytical methods. Fourteen of
the 27 pesticides analyzed in the stream survey
were detected in at least one stream sample; the
remaining 13 pesticides were not detected in any
samples. By consolidating the list of 47 promi-
nently used pesticides with the list of pesticides
detected during the urban stream survey, a target
list of 35 pesticides was developed for monitoring.
These 35 pesticides are included among the
analytes being monitored in three Baltimore City
watersheds on five occasions during 1994.
For further information or a copy of the report for
the first year of this project, write to Rosanna
Kroll at MDE, Water Quality Program, 2500
Broening Hwy., Baltimore, MD 21224 or call
(410) 631-3906.
Region 3
2

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North Carolina
Kentucky
South Carolina
Tennesee
Georgia
Alabama
Mississippi
Florida
Regional Coordinators
Monitoring, Volunteer Monitoring, 305(b), Waterbody
System: David Me!gaard (404) 347-2126
303(d)/TMDL: Jim Green field (404) 347-2126
Nonpoint Source: Mary Ann Gerber (404) 347-2126
Clean Lakes: Howard Marshall (404) 347-2126
GEORGIA: AmeriCorps Program Kicks Off in
Atlanta: On September 12, EPA Administrator
Carol Browner visited Atlanta to participate in the
kickoff of a new river protection program for the
Chattahoochee River. Ms. Browner joined Atlanta
Mayor Bill Campbell in downtown opening ceremo-
nies and later netted a crawfish from the river and
helped plant birch trees on the riverbank.
This 3-year project, part of President Clinton’s new
AmeriCorps program, will help clean up a 12-mile
section of the Chattahoochee under the auspices of
the Greater Atlanta Community Corps, in partner-
ship with EPA. In
the first year alone,
this new river
project is designed
to remove tons of
litter from the
Chattahoochee and
its feeder streams, conduct biological surveys along
the river, stabilize eroding riverbanks, test water
quality, and build riverbank nature trails.
This initiative is lunded by a $200,000 EPA grant.
The National Park Service is putting up $10,000,
Fulton County is contributing $12,800, and the City
of Atlanta has donated office space worth $30,000.
Participants in this program will receive $170 per
week plus a $4,725 annual scholarship toward
college or trade school studies.
For more information, contact Karen Wood at
(404) 522-4222.
Region 5
Indiana
Illinois
Michigan
Minnesota
Ohio
Wisconsin
Regional Coordinators
Monitoring/305(b): Dave Stoltenberg (312) 353-5784
303(d)ITMDL: Robert Pepin (312) 886-1505
Waterbody System: Fouad Dababneh (312)353-3944
Volunteer Monitoring: Clyde Marion
(312) 353-5966 and Tom Davenport (312) 886-0209
Nonpoint Source, Clean Lakes: Tom Davenport
(3 12) 886-0209
WISCONSIN: Major Industrial Plant Ceases
Discharge: Superwood-Superior, a hardboard
manufacturing plant located in Superior, WI, has
ceased discharging its process wastewater to Lake
Superior. The permitted industrial biochemical
oxygen demand (BOD) load (5740 lb/day max.) had
been the largest of any discharge to Western Lake
Superior. The plant achieved zero discharge through
a combination of internal recycling and transporting
wastes to a similar plant in Duluth, MN. The Duluth
plant has a more advanced treatment system and is
able to convert the high-strength wastes into a
saleable product. For further information, contact
Chuck Olson of WDNR at (715) 372-4866.
OHIO: Habitat Recovery Project to Save Endan-
gered Mussel: Three federal agencies, two states, a
private conservation group, and local farmers have
mobilized to save the last known refuge of a rare
endangered species, the White Cat’s Paw Pearly
Mussel. The only known habitat of the mussel is in
Fish Creek, in the St. Joseph River basin, Williams
County, Ohio. The 1 10-square mile watershed
straddles the Indiana-Ohio state boundary line and is
mainly devoted to agricultural use. The Fish Creek
Project seeks to maintain the habitat by preventing
sedimentation and deforestation and by providing
protection from other potential impacts. The entities
involved are USEPA, U.S. Department of Agricul-
ture, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the States of
Ohio and Indiana, and The Nature Conservancy. For
further information, contact Romy Myszka of
USEPA at (312) 353-8034.
Region 4
3

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Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
New Mexico
Regional Coordinators
Monitoring: Charlie Howell (214) 665-8354
303(d)/TMDL: Troy Hill (214) 665-6647
305(b): Russell Nelson (214) 665-6646
Waterbody System: Paul Koska (214) 665-8357
Volunteer Monitoring: Mike Bfra (214) 665-6668 and
Paul Koska (214) 665-8357
Nonpoint Source: Brad Lamb (214) 665-7140
Clean Lakes: Mike Bira (214) 665-6668
Region 7
Iowa
Nebraska
Kansas
Missouri
Regional Coordinators
Monitoring: Lyle Cow/es (913) 551-5042
305(b), 303(d)ITMDL: John Houlihan (913) 551-7432
Waterbody System: Jerome Pitt (913) 551-7766
Volunteer Monitoring: Jerome Pitt (913) 551-7766
Nonpoint Source: Julie Elfving (913) 551-7475
Clean Lakes: Larry Sheridan (913) 551-7439
REGIONAL OFFICE: R-EMAP Project Com-
pletes Field Sampling for 1994: The Region 7
R-EMAP project concluded its 1994 sampling
season on September 30. One hundred and fifty
sites in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska (100 percent
of the target number) were successfully sampled for
fish community, macroinvertebrate community,
water quality, sediment and fish tissue contaminants,
and physical habitat. Each of the three sampling
crews was, audited in the field over the course of the
collection season and each performed well. The
project will now focus on the tasks of data entry and
data analysis and will prepare for the 1995 field
season. An interim draft report of the first year’s
data and findings is scheduled to be completed in the
summer of 1995. For more information, contact
Lyle Cowles, Project Coordinator, at
(913) 551-5042.
MISSOURI: Volunteer Monitoring Training:
Staff of the Missouri Department of Natural Re-
sources and the Department of Conservation have
trained their 500th individual in volunteer monitor-
ing workshops that began in the summer of 1993.
Nearly 400 waterbodies are monitored by volunteers
in the state. The most recent workshop was held in
Sedalia, Missouri, on October 1 and was attended by
EPA staff. For more information, contact Jerry Pitt
at (913) 551-7766.
KANSAS: Hilisdale Lake TMDL: EPA Region 7
has received the TMDL report for Kansas’s
Hilisdale Lake Watershed. A TMDL case study is
being prepared and will be available soon. The
Region 6
An Annual Report on the Continuous
Automated Monitoring System
The North Central Texas Council of Governments
has produced an annual report on the Continuous
Automated Monitoring System (CAMS) for Trinity
River Water Quality. This program employs 10
automated monitors to measure discharges,
dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, and
pH. The monitors are located throughout the Trinity
River and downstream from the Dallas/Fort Worth
metroplex. The report summarizes water quality
data collected from May 1977 to April 1993 and
includes trends in the quality of major wastewater
treatment plant discharges.
The report documents remarkable improvement in
selected water quality parameters. Although flows
from wastewater treatment facilities have increased,
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) loadings have
decreased dramatically due to improved treatment.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations at most
stations have shown steady increases during the
period of record. The amount of increase in average
DO concentrations ranges from about 0.5 mg/L at an
upstream station to about 4 mg/L at some down-
stream stations. Average DO concentrations appear
to be leveling off at about 8 mgfL at some stations,
based on moving averages. For more information,
contact Samuel Brush at (817) 640-3300.
4

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Montana
Utah
Wyoming
Colorado
North Dakota
South Dakota
TMDL addresses nutrient loading to Hillsdale
Reservoir through existing point and nonpoint
sources. For more information, contact Jerry Pitt at
(913) 551-7766.
IOWA: Wasteload Allocation Update: EPA
received 45 waste load allocations (WLAs) for
streams receiving wastewater from minor facilities
in Iowa. The WLAs encompass work completed
during the second and third quarters of FY94. For
more information contact Jerry Pitt at (913) 551-
7766.
Regional Coordinators
Monitoring, 305(b): Phil Johnson (303) 293-1581
303(d)/TMDL: Bruce Zander (303) 293-1580
Waterbody System: Toney Ott (303) 293-1573
Volunteer Monitoring: Paul Mc! ver (303) 293-1552
and Phil Johnson (303) 293-1573
Nonpoint Source/Clean Lakes: Dave Rathke
(303) 293-1703
REGIONAL OFFICE: On September 20-21,
USEPA Region 8 hosted a workshop devoted to
monitoring macroinvertebrate communities in low-
gradient stream systems in the Region. Eighteen
participants (representing seven states, one tribe, the
U.S. Geological Survey, Colorado State University,
the City/County of Denver, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, and 2 private firms) attended the
meeting, which was held in Denver, Colorado. This
workshop focused pu manly on macroinvertebrate
community sampling since fish sampling techniques
are more standardized across the Region and devel-
opment of appropriate field methodologies is not a
significant issue.
On the first day, various organizations described
methods used to sample low-gradient streams.
Speakers included the U.S. Geological Survey
(South Platte River National Water Quality Assess-
ment (NAWQA) project), Colorado State University
(research on the South Platte River), and the States of
Florida, Delaware, and Nebraska. Formal presenta-
tions included an update on bioassessment activities
currently underway or planned by seven tribes in the
Region. Following the formal presentations, partici-
pants held a roundtable discussion of bioassessment
issues within Region 8.
The second day consisted of a field session to
demonstrate three different sampling techniques
(USGS Richest Targeted Habitat method, Mid-
Atlantic Coastal Streams Workgroup method used by
Delaware, and Stream Invertebrate Index of Florida
method). Samples were collected at two sites in the
South Platte River drainage and were retained for
identification and enumeration of macrobenthos.
This workshop was organized in response to con-
cerns expressed by state and tribal biologists at the
1993 Region 8 meeting. In that meeting, biologists
noted that published Rapid Bioassessment Protocols
(RBP) for sampling macroinvertebrates and accepted
quantitative macrobenthos sampling methods devel-
oped for cobble bottom streams were not appropriate
for the types of low-gradient streams found in
Region 8. For more information, contact Phil
Johnson, USEPA, at (303) 293-1581.
Regional Coordinators
MonitorIng, 305(b): Ed Liu (415) 744-1934
Waterbody System: Janet Hashimoto
(415) 744-1156
303(d)/TMDL: David Smith (415) 744-2019
Volunteer Monitoring: Clarice Olson (415) 744-1489
and Janet Hashimoto (415) 744-1156
Nonpoint Source: Jovita E. Pajariio (415) 744-2011
Clean Lakes: Wendell Smith (415) 744-2018
CALIFORNIA: Southern California Bightl
EMAP Pilot Project: One of Region 9’s Environ-
Region 9
California
Nevada
Arizona
Ha wall
Guam
Region 8
5

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mental Monitoring and Assessment Program
(EMAP) pilot projects centers on the Southern
California Bight (offshore region). This project
builds a regional monitoring effort through a
partnership between the regulators (EPA and the
State of California) and the regulated commu-
nity (the four largest coastal municipal discharg-
ers in California—the City of Los Angeles, Los
Angeles County, Orange County, and San
Diego). It also involves a research organization.
the Southern California Coastal Water Research
Project, and a National Estuary Program, the
Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project.
For the past 20 years, coastal dischargers have
sampled water, sediment, and benthos at several
stations clustered near their outfalls. Compari-
Sons were made with certain reference stations
near the outfalls, but as far away from the
influence of pollutant sources as possible.
Statistically significant differences were de-
tected between outfall stations and reference
stations, but it was not possible to determine the
ecological significance of the differences.
Reference conditions were alsanot well-
defined.
To address these problems, EPA Region 9 and
EMAP collaborated with the diverse monitoring
partners listed above to redesign monitoring in
Southern California offshore waters. The
partners adopted EMAP’s stratified, random
grid design in developing the program.
This past summer, participants collected
samples for water (e.g., physical and chemical
properties), sediment (e.g., physical and chemi-
cal properties and toxicity), and benthic infaunal
(e.g., species composition and bioaccumulation)
analyses. The samples are still being analyzed.
All of the data from this pilot effort will be
stored in Region 9’s database management
system. The system has been set up so that files
can be accessible and transferable to each of the
pilot participants.
For more information, contact Janet Hashimoto,
EPA Region IX, at (415) 744-1933 or Terry
Fleming, EPA Region 9, at (415) 744-1939.
Region 10 JIW t 0fl
Idaho
Alaska
Regional Coordinators
Monitoring, Waterbody System: Gretchen Hayslip
(206) 553-1685
305(b): Donna Walsh (206) 553-1754
303(d)/TMDL: Bruce Cleland (206) 553-2600
Volunteer Monitoring: Susan Handley
(206) 553-1287
Nonpoint Source: Elbert Moore (206) 553-4181
Clean Lakes: Krista Mendelman (206) 553-1571
Regional Water Quality
Meeting
EPA Region 10, in conjunction with the
Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology)
and the U.S. Geological Survey. (USGS),
hosted a Regional Water Quality Monitoring
Meeting in Lacey, Washington, on October
1 3. This meeting was designed to build on the
national efforts of the Intergovernmental Task
Force on Monitoring Water Quality (ITFM).
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss
how to improve communication on data
collection, analysis, and evaluation of water
quality monitoring information in the Pacific
Northwest. For additional information,
contact Gretchen Hayslip (EPA) at
(206) 553-1685 or Stu Mackenzie (USGS) at
(503) 251-3260.
Willamette River Toxics Study, 1988-1991: This
report, recently published by the Oregon Depart-
ment of Environmental Quality, was profiled in the
September issue of The Water Monitor. The
contact name for further information on the report
was incorrectly cited: the correct contact is Gene
Foster of ODEQ, at (503) 229-5358. We apologize
for any inconvenience this error may have caused.
6

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Bookshelf...
A Creek Runs Through It: The Story of San Copies can be obtained by w tIng to U.S. EnvironS
Francisquito. This 30-minute documentary mental Protection Agency, NCEPI Box 42419,
explores the issues facing San Francisqu Ito Creek Cincinnati, OH. 45242-2419. Be sure to include
in Palo Alto, CA. As one of the last steelhead runs the EPA publication number in your request,
in the south $ n Francisc O Bay the creek is the: . . : .J:: : .. • .: I .:.::: • : : . :
site of the state s first biological inventory of a TMDL Case Study 7 uckee River, NV EPA
waterway The video addresses issues such as 841 F 94-006, August 1994 This total maximum
water pollution and diversion, development, flood daily load case study is the 13th in the series
control, and the impact of homeless people living : :P published by the Watershed Branch of AWPD: It is
along the creek’s banks. San Francisquito is also available either on the NPS Bulletin Board System
the s e of California ’s only urban Comprehensive TMDL Special Interest Group forum or through
Resource Management Plan (CRMP), a process your Regional 303(d)/IMOL Coordinator.
that brings together the parties that have an impact
on the water hed so that they can discuss prob- Watershed Protection: TMDL Notes, EPA 841:
lems facing the creek and their solutions. K-94-005. Four TMDL Notes are now available;
They are part of a continuing série of fact sheets
To order a video, send a check for $15 to Bay Area designed to facilitate information exchange among
Action, 715 colorado Ave., #1, Palo Alto, CA people involved in the total maxImumdaily load
94303. process. The four Notes are: Number 1: An
Introduction to the TMDL Note Series, which
Turning the Tide on Trash—A Learning Guide discusses the background and purpose of the
on Marine Debris, EPA 842 ’ 13-92-003. The U.S. series; Number2: BIoassessmentanr/ TMDLs,
EPA ’s Oceans and Coastal Protection Division has which discusses how bioassessments can be used
produced this curriculum for grade school children in the TMDL process; Number 3: TMDL End-
focused on educating and creating awareness points, which defines and explains assessmeht
about the marine debris problem. The document is and measurement endpoints.in the TMDL process;
full of activities and games to help students learn and Number 4: An Ambient-Induced Mixing
more about the types, sources, and effects of Equation for Rivers, which presents an equation
marine debris and provide them with prevention that can be used to demarcate mixing zones for
information so they can become part of the solution pollutants in rivers after their initial discharge.
to the problem. A Spanish version, entitled Usted These four TMDL notes have been distributed to
Puede Ayudar a Detenerfa Marea de Basura, (EPA the Regions; for a copy, contact your Regional
842-B -93 -003) is now available. 303(d)/TMDL Coordinator.
..
7

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• : : 44 :-::•:: :
UrA rii’ i i*
Assessment and Watershed Protection
Division (A WPD)
TMDL Note Series Underway: AWPD’s Water-
shed Branch is developing a TMDL Notes series of
brief fact sheets on technical and program issues
related to developing total maximum daily loads
(TMDLs). The purpose of the series is to facilitate
easy transfer of information among engineers and
scientists, EPA TMDL program staff, and state and
local agency personnel. The first four notes in the
series have been printed and distributed (see On The
Bookshelf for more information). For copies,
contact your Regional 303(d) TMDL Coordinator.
Policy and Communication Staff
Watershed Management Policy Committee: The
Watershed Management Policy Committee held its
first meeting on September 21. The group includes
all four Office of Water Office Directors and se-
lected senior Regional officials. They are assessing
how successfully the watershed approach is being
implemented, identifying and committing to critical
action items to improve the Office of Water s work
in that regard, and ensuring fundamental consistency
on key issues across water programs. This group
will build on important progress already made in
reorienting Office of Water activities such as the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
watershed strategy, the National Estuary Program,
the Clean Lakes Program, the Great Waterbodies
programs, State Wetland Conservation Plans, the
Welihead Protection Program, and the Comprehen-
sive State Ground Water Protection Program. The
Committee’s vision is to eventually coordinate these
and newer programs so that states can develop more
comprehensive assessments of their environmental
needs and better tailor and target actions to those
needs. For more information, contact Janet
Pawlukiewicz at (202) 260-9194.
Wetlands Division (WD)
Wetlands State Development Grants Guide: The
FY95 Wetlands Protection—State Development
Grants guidance was approved on September 20.
Copies of the guidance were mailed
to all Regional Offices for
. distribution to states and
tribes. For a copy of the
guidance, call the EPA
Wetlands Hotline at
1-800-832-7828.
The Water 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.
OFFICE OF WETLANDS, OCEANS
AND WATERSHEDS (OWOW)
I
8

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STORET Modernization
This article is part of a continuing series of
updates on the STORETmodernization project.
STORET is EPA ’s computerized National Wa-
ter STOrage and RETrieval system for hous-
ing, managing, and analyzing biological and
water quality data.
Study Defining Parameter Code Issues
Completed: AWPD has completed its
current study of issues surrounding the
existing STORET parameter code system.
A parameter code in STORET is a shorthand
representation of a specific combination of
individual pieces of data about a pollutant,
constituent, analyte, or other environmental
“characteristic” recorded in the data base.
The most important pieces include: a
constituent name (e.g., iron, phosphorus,
etc.); a unit of measure (e.g., parts per
million, milligrams per kilogram, etc.); a
sample medium (e.g., water, sediments,
etc.); and a filter fraction (e.g., total, dis-
solved, etc.). As part of STORET moderniza-
tion efforts, EPA is in a position to redirect
the implementation of parameter codes in the
new system. Options range from using the
parameter codes in their present form to not
using the codes at all. Obviously, it would be
best to eliminate the problems associated
with the current situation while avoiding
additional burdens to users. AWPD is trying
to identify possible obstacles to making the
transition from parameter code-organized
data to data organized according to the
Logical Data Model, the current proposal for
organization of the new system.
The Logical Data Model of STORET X
proposes that each of the separate pieces of
information stored in a single meaning
parameter code be treated individualy.
Therefore, a new code would not have to be
created when one component, such as units
of measure, changes.
The study found that only half of the 15,000
parameter codes that currently exist actually
have any data associated with them. Almost all
STORET observations are stored in only 13
percent of the available parameter codes, and
there is considerable overlap among them. For
example, observations of a substance identified by
its brand name could be stored under a parameter
code completely separate from observations
identified by scientific name, although the sub-
stance, medium, units, analytical procedure, and
filter fraction are exactly the same.
Of the 7700 parameter codes with data, 25
percent do not correspond well to the Logical Data
Model. For example, 550 parameter codes do not
identify the medium from which the sample was
taken. Even more have no units of measure
associated with them. It will be difficult if not
impossible for these codes to migrate to STORET
X. Only 39 percent of current parameter codes
are candidates for smooth migration.
Modifying or replacing the parameter coding
system with a more efficient scheme is compli-
cated by the fact that STORET parameter codes
are used by many federal, state, and private data
systems not within the control of EPA. A work
group has been formed to address the problem of
existing STORET
parameter codes.
The work group
distributed a memo to
all users of these
systems describing
the pros and cons of
altering the param-
eter code system and
requesting user
suggestions and
reactions. Users’
responses were requested by December 1, 1994
(an extension of the original October 14 due date).
If you would like further information on parameter
code issues or any aspect of STORET Moderniza-
tion, or would like to join the workgroup, contact
Phil Lindenstruth at (202) 260-6549, email:
LINDENSTRUTH.PHIL@epamaiI.epa.gov.
9

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Calendar Highlights
NOVEMBER 5-9 Meeting on Water Quality Standards!
Criteria and Related Programs, Chicago,
15-16 Watershed WISE; A Workshop on IL. Contact Liz Htett, letra Tech, at
Watershed Protections. Grand Junction, (703) 385-6000.
CO. Contact Susan Foster, Thorne
Ecological Institute, 5396 Manhattan 12 13: Protecting Ground Water: Promoting,
Circle. Suite 120, Boulder, CO 80303. Understanding, Accepting Responaibil-
(303) 499-3647, FAX (303) 499-8340. ity, and Taking Action. Washington, DC.
Contact Stacey Satagaj, Terrene Institute,
15-16 Ecological Risk Assessment; Use, 17171< St. NW, Washirigtorr, DC 20005.
Abuse and Alternatives. Corvallis, OR. (202) 833-8317, FAX (202) 833-8317.
Contact Conference Assistant, College of
Forestry, Oregon State University,
Corvallis, OR 97330. (503) 737-2329, FEBRUARY
FAX (503) 737-2668.
7-9 Third STORET Modernization Work
29-Dec 2 Meeting on Water Quality Standards! shop. Dallas, TX. Contact USEPA, 401 M
Criteria and Related Programs. Seattle, St ., .SW(4503F), Washington, DC 20460.
WA. Contact Liz Hiett, Tetra Tecli, at 1 -800-424-4067 (STO RET User Msis-
(703)385-6000. tance Line) or STOF ET @
EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV.
23-24 Water, Nitrogen and People: An
DECEMBER International Conference Everett. WA.
Contact Craig MacConnell, Washington
56th Midwest Fish and WildUfe Confer. Stale UniversIty Extension Whatcom
ence. lnc anapolls, IN. Contact Debbie County, 1000 N. Forest St., Suite 201,
Fairhurst, Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area, Bellingham, WA 96225 -5594,
Edinburgh, IN 46124 (317) 23 7535 (206) 676 6736
Call for Artwork and Photographs
EPA’s Assessment and Watershed Protection
Division (AWPD) invites you to submit photos and
children’s artwork for possible use in the
National Water Quality Inventoly: 1994
Report to Congress. Photos and artwork
should depict the value of our Nation’s
are selected for publication. Selected photos
and artwork will be fully credited. All materials
submitted become the property of the U.S.
waters to the public, threats to water
quality, and water quality protection
activities.
Environmental Protec-
\ Please label all photos with your name,
organization, and location of the photo.
Label children’s artwork with name, age, city, and
state of the artist. You will receive a copy of the
1994 Report to Congress if your artwork or photos
tion Agency and cannot
be returned to you.
EPA retains the right to
reproduce any materials
submitted in any future
EPA publications. The
deadline for submittals
1 1
is December 31, 1994. Send your photos and
artwork to Barry Burgan, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (4503F), 401 M St., SW,
Washington, DC 20460.
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