The Helicopter Monitoring Report
a Report of the New York Bight Water Quality
1999-2001
United States EnvironmentaFProteetion Agency, Region 2-
Division of Environmental Science and Assessment ~~.'-~. - . February'-2002'
2890 Woodbridge-Avenue,Edison;jNewJersey'' '''
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The Helicopter Monitoring Report
a Report of the New York Bight Water Quality
1999-2001
Abstract
The Division of Environmental Science and Assessment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 2, has prepared this report to disseminate environmental data collected for the New York
Bight. From May 26, 1999 through September 8, 1999, May 22, 2000 through September 4, 2000,
and May 24, 2001 through September 6, 2001, water quality monitoring and surveillance activities
were carried out using a helicopter. The monitoring program is composed of three separate networks,
the beach station network, the perpendicular station network, and the floatable surveillance network.
Results were as follows:
Between 801 and 945 samples per year were collected and analyzed for fecal coliform and
enterococcus bacteria from stations along the Long Island and New Jersey coastal beach
station network. Low seasonal geometric means were observed at all stations for 1999, 2000
and 2001.
The dissolved oxygen semi-monthly averages for the New York Bight and New Jersey coast
perpendicular station network followed a typical dissolved oxygen sag curve, and never fell
below 4.3 mg/1 in 1999 and 2000. In 2001, a low semi-monthly dissolved oxygen average of
3.2 mg/1 occurred in late June, followed by a steady increase to 5.6 mg/1 by early September.
In 1999 and 2001 there were no ocean beach closures due to floatable debris. In 2000 only
one beach closure occurred due to floatable debris.
Based on the data collected, the New York Bight Apex, and the New Jersey and Long Island coastal
waters had good to excellent water quality in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
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INTRODUCTION
The Division of Environmental Science and Assessment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 2,
has prepared this report to disseminate environmental data for the New York Bight. Specifically, data coverage includes
the New York Bight Apex, the New York/New Jersey Harbor Complex, and the coastal shorelines of New York (NY)
and New Jersey (NJ).
This report is the twenty-third in a series and reflects data collected over three summers, from May 26 to September 8,
1999, May 22 to September 4, 2000, and May 24 to September 6, 2001.
The New York Bight Water Quality Monitoring Program (The Helicopter Monitoring Program) is EPA's response to its
mandated responsibilities as defined under the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, the Water
Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 and 1977, and the Water Quality Act of 1987. This program was initiated in
1974 and incorporated the use of a helicopter in 1977.
Past
In past years, a specially modified Huey helicopter was
used to collect water samples.
Present
Presently, a modified Twin Star helicopter is used.
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SAMPLING ANb SURVEILLANCE
Purpose, Procedures and Locations
From late May through early
September 1999, 2000 and 2001, water
quality monitoring and surveillance
activities were carried out using a
helicopter. While the helicopter
hovered over the surface, sampling
was accomplished by lowering a one
liter Kemmerer sampler into the water.
Details of the analytical and sampling
procedures can be found in the Quality
Assurance Project Plan for the New
York Bight Summer Monitoring
Program (available upon request). The
raw data can be found in EPA's
computerized data base for STOrage
and RETrieval (STORET).
The monitoring program is composed
of three separate networks.
The beach station
netWOPK is sampled to gather
bacteriological water quality
information on swimmability for
comprehensive public health
protection.
Samples are collected once a week at
twenty-six Long Island coastal (LIC)
stations extending from the western tip
of Rockaway Point 130 km eastward
to Shinnecock Inlet (Figure 1) and at
forty-four New Jersey coastal (JC)
stations from Sandy Hook to Cape
May (Figure 2). All samples are
collected just offshore in the surf zone
at one meter depth.
Analyses for fecal coliform and
enterococcus bacteria densities are
conducted at the EPA Region 2 Edison
Laboratory.
The perpendicular
station network is sampled to
monitor for bottom dissolved oxygen
concentrations and temperature.
These parameters are used for early
detection of anoxic conditions and
trend analysis.
Nine New Jersey coast (JC)
perpendicular transects extend east
from Long Branch to Hereford Inlet,
and one New York Bight (NYB) Apex
perpendicular transect extends east
from the southern end of Sandy Hook
(Figure 3).
New Jersey coast perpendicular
stations were sampled at 1, 3, 5, 7, and
9 nautical miles offshore. Historical
New York Bight Apex stations, NYB
20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, were sampled
approximately 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8 nautical
miles off the southern end of Sandy
Hook.
Samples are collected one meter above
the ocean floor, eight to ten times
during the critical summer period. The
dissolved oxygen analyses are
conducted at the EPA Region 2 Edison
Laboratory.
The floatable
surveillance network
encompasses overflights of the New
York/New Jersey Harbor Complex six
days a week during the summer
months. This surveillance is in
response to the Short Term Action
Plan for Addressing Floatable Debris,
(USEPA 1989) developed by the
Interagency Floatable Task Force.
The plan was initiated after extensive
garbage washups and beach closures
occurred in 1987 and 1988. The plan's
objectives are to improve water quality,
protect the marine environment, and
prevent the occurrence of beach
closures due to floatables debris. This
is accomplished by sighting slicks and
determining the most efficient
coordinated cleanup effort possible.
Approximate size or dimension,
contents, relative density, location,
possible sources and time of sighting of
significant floatable debris are
recorded. The information is reported
to a central communication response
network, specifically established to
coordinate cleanup efforts. Cleanup
efforts are conducted via skimmer
boats or vessels by the Corps of
Engineers or the New York City
Department of Environmental
Protection.
For purposes of this report, the New
York/New Jersey Harbor Complex is
defined as the following five
waterbodies: 1) the Arthur Kill; 2)
Newark Bay, as far north as the New
Jersey Turnpike Bridge; 3) the Kill
Van Kull; 4) the Upper New York
Harbor, including the lower portions of
the Hudson River and the East River
as far north as Central Park, New
York; and 5) the Lower New York
Harbor including Gravesend Bay, and
the shoreline of Coney Island as far
east as the Marine Parkway Bridge
(Figure 4).
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Shinnecock Inlet East (LIC28)
Shinnecock Inlet West (LIC27)
Tiana Beach (LIC26)
West Hampton Beach (LIC25)
oriches Inlet East (LIC24)
Moriches Inlet West (LIC23)
Smith Point County Park (LIC22)
Bellport Beach (LIC21)
Water Island (LIC20)
Cherry Grove (LIC19)
Great South Beach (LIC18)
Long
Island
Figure 1
Long Island Coast
Station Locations
Beach Sampling Locations
Robert Moses State Park (LIC17)
Cedar Island Beach (LIC16)
Gilgo Beach (LIC15)
East Overlook (LIC14)
Jones Beach (LIC13)
Short Beach (LIC12)
Point Lookout (LIC10)
Long Beach (LIC09)
Long Beach (LICOS)
Atlantic Beach (LIC07)
Far Rockaway (LICOS)
Rockaway(LICQ4)
Rockaway(LIC03)
Rockaway (LIC02)
Rockaway Point (LIC01)
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,_x
f
-ff
Figure 2
New Jersey Coast Station Locations
Huuk (JC03)
Sandy Hook
Bright (ITDR)
o n m o uth B c a o h ( J C 1 1 )
Long Branch (JC13)
Luny Bidiidi (JC 14)
Aibury Park (JC2-1)
Rr^rl Ipy
Shark River lnleKJC2S)
Bslnidi CJC27)
Spring La k e i'J c 3 O'j
North Manajquan In Itt (JC05)
Manasquan Inlet f.JUJ/.l
Day II ead (JC41)
Mantoloking (JC44)
Silver Beach ''
Lavalletti (JC49)
Seaside H eights i
New Jersey
Island Beach 5tate Park
Island Beach State Park (JCS7'i
bland Death Ctats Park (JC59J
Harvey Cedars (J C 63)
Ship bottom (JUOO)
Be ac-h l-l avan Tarrjca (JC67)
Heach Haven Heights
Brigantine (JC73)
Abiaoon Inlat CJC74)
Atlantic Uitv fJU
ntnnr H ity (.IT77)
Ucean Uity r.JUai.l
Pcol( Bcaoh (JC99)
Strjthmara (JC95)
Re. 3 kle R rryf.
Audlun (JC8S)
. . .. j Mile BKduh (JC95)
'Cape Mav Inlet VJC90)
Cape May (JCQ7)
e. May P nint (.1 TPQ)
0
Campllig
10
20 Miles
A
N
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J
Figure 3
New Jersey and New York Bight Apex
Perpendicular Stations
New Jersey
JC14 - Long Branch
JC27 - Belmar
JC41 - Bay Head
JC63 - Seaside Heights
JC61 - Barnegat
JC69 - Beach Haven
£>©© JC75 - Atlantic City
JCQS - Strath mere
JC90 - Hereford Inlet
0 4 8 12 16 20 Miles
A
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^
^
V
X
Figure 4
New York Bight
New York/New Jersey Harbor Complex
l^w
) Long Island
Jamaica Bay
Raritan Bay
Nsvesinf< River ^f.^
Shrewsbury River
New Jersey
New York Bight Apex
10 Miloc /\
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THE BEACH STATION NETWORK
Guideline, Criteria and Standards
By determining the bacteriological water quality, one can estimate potential health risks associated with ocean
recreational activities. Epidemiological studies have attempted to assess the incidence of illness associated with bathing
in water containing fecal contamination. Evidence exists that there is a relationship between bacterial water quality and
transmission of certain infectious diseases (Cabelli, 1979).
It is common practice to use an indicator organism to detect fecal contamination because of the ease of isolating and
quantitating certain microorganisms on membrane filters. When many indicator organisms are present, the likelihood of
pathogens being found is far greater. EPA has issued guidelines for the following indicator organisms:
EPA Guidelines/Criteria
Fecal Co I if or m
A fecal coliform bacterial guideline for primary contact
recreational waters was recommended by the EPA in
1976, and subsequently adopted by most of the States.
The EPA guideline states that fecal coliforms should be
used as the indicator to evaluate the suitability of
recreational waters, and recommends that fecal coliforms,
as determined by MPN or MF procedure and based on a
minimum of not less than five samples taken over not more
than a 30-day period, shall not exceed a log mean of 200
fecal coliforms/100 ml, nor shall more than 10% of the
total samples during any 30-day period exceed 400 fecal
coliforms/100 ml (USEPA, 1976).
Enterococci
In 1986, EPA issued a criteria guidance document
recommending enterococci and Escherichia coli for
inclusion into state water quality standards for the
protection of primary contact recreational uses in lieu of
fecal coliforms. The EPA (1986) recommended criterion
for enterococci for marine water is a single sample
maximum of 104 enterococci/100 ml, or a minimum of not
less than five samples taken over not more than a 30-day
period, shall not exceed a log mean of 35/100 ml (USEPA
1986). The Beaches Environmental Assessment, and
Coastal Health Act of 2000, requires coastal States to
adopt the 1986 criteria by April 2004.
NJDEP Surface Water Quality Standards
New Jersey has adopted the standard of 200 fecal coliforms/100 ml.
Local officials may close a beach on the basis of a single sample. Local
discretion is allowed up to the point of two consecutive exceedances,
when closure is required by New Jersey State law (NJDEP, 1998).
JYSDEC Surface Water Quality Standards
New York State, for its primary contact recreational coastal waters,
allows the local permit issuing official to choose one of two standards as
follows: 1) a thirty day, five-sample log average of 200 fecal
coliforms/100 ml, or 2) a thirty day, five sample log average of 2400 total
coliforms/100 ml (NYSDEC, 1999).
Any exceedances of
these criteria are
immediately
reported to the
proper state and local
authorities.
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BACTERIOLOGICAL RESUL TS
Each of the 26 Long Island stations and
the 44 New Jersey stations was sampled
seven to fifteen times per year. Samples
were collected approximately once per
week from late May to early September,
and analyzed for fecal coliform and
enterococcus densities.
W»^S^^VN*VVW>^V'S^V'*-"VS/V'\t«
Total Number of Samples Collected
Year
1999
2000
2001
Lone Island
320
378
337
New
Jersey
583
567
464
Individual Fecal Coliform Counts
ll individual fecal coliform counts for the
Long Island coastal stations were below
the federal guideline of 200 fecal coliforms
per 100 ml.
Only five of the 567 individual fecal
coliform counts in 2000 exceeded the
federal guideline for the New Jersey
coastal stations. There were no
exceedances in 1999 or 2001 for these
stations.
Endividual Enterococcus Counts
All individual enterococcus counts for the
Long Island coastal stations were below
the federal single sample maximum of 104
enterococci per 100 ml.
Individual enterococcus counts did not
exceed the federal single sample
maximum at the New Jersey coastal
stations in 1999. Exceedences of the
enterococcus federal guideline occurred
five times in 2000 and once in 2001 at the
New Jersey coastal stations.
Bacteriological Trends
Seasonal geometric means were calculated for each coastal station.
Below is a comparison of the highest individual station seasonal
geometric mean densities per year for the last ten years. All
seasonal geometric means were substantially below fecal coliform
and enterococcus guidelines.
The summer of 2000 had the highest individual station fecal coliform
geometric mean, and 1998 had the highest enterococcus geometric
mean for New Jersey and Long Island stations. Station JC96, Cape
May Inlet, had the highest enterococcus geometric mean for five
consecutive years, from 1992 - 1996.
Highest Seasonal Geometric Mean Densities (per 100 ml)
1992 - 2001
Year
New Jersey
Station
Geometric
Mean
Long Island
Station
Geometric
Mean
Fecal Coliform Densities
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
JC92
4
JC96
JC53
JC75
JC53
JC26
JC96
JC92
JC26
JC37
2.20
5.13
3.77
2.86
^^^^L
4.51
9.09
3.85
4.98
3.49
LIC02
LIC 10
LIC04
LIC 16
LIC03
LIC 10
LIC04
LIC 10
LIC01
LIC01
1.41
1.99
2.12
2.89
^—3.45
3.83
4.48
2.87
9.46
6.64
Enterococcus Densities*
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
JC96
JC96
JC96
JC96
JC96
JC27
JC21
JC96
JC75
JC21
1.53
2.70
2.02
2.64
3.67
2.76
11.25
4.15
3.90
4.12
LIC07
LIC17
LIC04
LIC10
LIC22
LIC10
LIC01
LIC04,21
LIC01
LIC28
1.27
1.18
1.38
1.87
2.38
1.81
4.12
1.41
2.20
2.90
*From 1 992 - 1997, a 48 hour enterococcus test method was used.
From 1 998 - 200 1 , the 24 hour EPA 1 600 enterococcus test method was used.
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The Perpendicular Station Network
Dissolved Oxygen Guidelines
Dissolved oxygen levels necessary for
survival and/or reproduction vary among
biological species. Sufficient data have
not been accumulated to assign definitive
limits or lower levels of tolerance for
each species at various growth stages.
As in previous reports, the following
guidelines will be used (USEPA 1977):
Dissolved Oxygen Guidelines
5 mg/1 - healthy
4-5 mg/1 - borderline to healthy
3-4 mg/1 - stressful if prolonged
2-3 mg/1 - lethal if prolonged
< 2 mg/1 - lethal in a relatively
short time
These guidelines are consistent with
EPA's Ambient Aquatic Life Water
Quality Criteria for Dissolved Oxygen
(Saltwater): Cape Cod to Cape
Hatteras, Nov. 2000 (USEPA, 2000a).
Discussion
Over the three-year period, bottom water samples were generally collected
and analyzed for dissolved oxygen in late June through late August. In
2001, bottom water samples were also collected in early September. A total
of 224 samples in 1999, 350 samples in 2000 and 309 samples in 2001 was
collected at the New York Bight (NYB20, 21, 22, 23, 24) and New Jersey
coast perpendicular stations (JC14, 27, 41, 53, 61, 69, 75, 85, 90).
In all three years, the majority of the dissolved oxygen results were greater
than the borderline to healthy guideline of 4 mg/1 ( Table 1). There were no
individual dissolved oxygen concentrations below 2 mg/1 in 1999 or 2001. In
2000, only one value, or 0.3%, was less than 2 mg/1. This value, 1.9 mg/1
occurred on July 18, three nautical miles off Belmar and showed an
increase to 4.4 mg/1 on July 21.
! Bottom Dissolved Oxygen Results
| Total Number of Samples Collected
% greater than 5 mg/1
% between 4-5
% between 3-4
% between 2-3
• % less than 2 mg/1
1999
224
77.2
15.6
6.7
0.4
0
2000
350
54.9
20.6
15.1
9.1
0.3
2001 J
309 j
49.2 <
19.1 j
18. 1 j
13. 6 j
0<
Figure 5
New Jersey and NYB Perpendiculars: '99, '00, <£ '01
Semi-Monthly Average of Bottom dissolved Oxygen Coneerttrotions
June
July August
Semi-Monthly
September
Semi-Monthly Averages
The 1999 and 2000 semi-monthly
averages of bottom dissolved oxygen
concentrations for the New York Bight
and New Jersey coast perpendiculars
follow a typical dissolved oxygen sag
curve with lows occurring in early
August (Figure 5). In 2001, a low semi-
monthly average dissolved oxygen
concentration occurred in late June, with
a steady increase through early
September. The lowest dissolved oxygen
semi-monthly average over the three-
year period, 3.2 mg/1, occurred in late
June of 2001.
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Dissolved Oxyoen Trends
One Mile vs. Nine Miles
With the exception of 1992, average
dissolved oxygen values are 0.3 to 2.2
mg/1 higher nine miles off the coast
than one mile off the coast, from 1992
through 2001 (Figure 6). The lower
values at the one mile offshore stations
can be explained by the oxygen
demand created by the influences of
river discharges, treatment plant
effluents, stormwater runoff, and/or
the plume from the Hudson-Raritan
River Estuary system.
Values Below 4 mg/l
The percent of New Jersey bottom
dissolved oxygen values below 4 mg/1,
ranged from a low 1.2 percent to a
high of 43.8 percent, during the
sampling period of 1981 - 2001 ( Figure
7).
Depressed levels fluctuated greatly,
Figure 6
New Jersey Perpendiculars, 1992 - 2001
Average Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations: One and Nine Miles off the Coast
3
Nine Mica off rhc Coast
'32 '93 '33 '95 '96 '97 '98 '39 '00
year to year, from 1981 through 1986.
From 1986 to 1996, fluctuation from
year to year was less severe. The
highest percentage of hypoxic samples
occurred in 1985.
Figure 7
bissolved Oxygen Trends - Percent of Bottom Values Below 4 ing/1
Off the New Jersey Coast, 19 Bl - 2001
•B? '91 '?3 '95 '97 '99 '01
'SB 'SO '92 '94 '96 '9B 'DD
Year
Year
The depressed dissolved oxygen levels
in 1985 were attributed to the
decomposition of the organisms
responsible for the numerous algal
blooms that occurred, the lack of
meteorological events favoring
reaeration, such as substantial winds
and storm activity, and the presence of
a strong thermocline. The below
average dissolved oxygen levels in
1997, 2000 and 2001 were not as
widespread or persistent as those
encountered in 1985.
Water Quality
During the summers of 1999, 2000 and
2001, few coastal algal blooms were
observed, strong winds prevailed,
water temperature remained low, there
were numerous storms promoting
reaeration, and no fish kills or adverse
effects were reported. Based on these
facts and the data collected, New
Jersey coast had good to excellent
water quality in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
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THE FLOATABLE SURVEILLANCE NETWORK
Observations and Discussion
Floatable surveillance was conducted Monday
through Saturday, weather permitting, from
May 26, 1999 through September 8, 1999, from
May 22, 2000 through September 4, 2000, and
from May 24, 2001 through September 6, 2001.
Guidelines for Reportable Floatable
Debris
For cleanup purposes, the Short Term Action
Plan defined a "slick" as an aggregation of
floating debris of indefinite width and a
minimum length of approximately 400 meters
(USEPA, 1989). Using this as a guideline, all
slicks have been divided into three categories
(from largest to smallest):
Pic l:
Size Category
For Floatable Debris/Slicks
Major: any slick greater than 1600 meters in length
Heavy: 800 meters to 1600 meters
Moderate: 400 meters to 800 meters
In previous reports, slicks less than 400 meters
were categorized as minor or dispersed.
Because of the difficultly in detecting,
maintaining a sighting and conducting efficient
cleanups of slicks less than 400 meters, only
significant slicks have been consistently
reported and will be discussed.
All floatable observations have been placed in
one of the three categories according to the
slick's estimated dimensions, relative density
and other recorded observations. The
categories of slicks are somewhat subjective.
Any slick just short of the length requirement
that has a relatively heavy density or extensive
width can be moved up a category; as any slick
with a relative light density or broken pattern
can be moved down a category.
Lower NV Harbor
1 Newark Bay
f/k^V
Kill VanKull
Upper NV Harbor
Observations
A total of thirty-six slicks was observed over the three-year period,
eleven slicks in 1999, fourteen slicks in 2000, and eleven slicks in
2001. Thirty-three percent of the total slicks were observed in the
Lower New York Harbor (Pie 1). The arrows in Pie 1, indicate the
year followed by the number of slicks for that year. Sixty-one
percent of the observed slicks fell into the moderate category, 22%
were heavy and 17% were major (Pie 2).
Pie 2: Three Year Comparisioit of Floatable Observations by Size Category
9, £000,. 4 £001
Moderate
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FLOA TABLE TRENDS
From late May to early September 1989 - 2001, the NY/NJ Harbor
Complex was surveyed for floatables, six days a week, weather
permitting. For comparison, data from the last eight years will be
presented.
Over the eight-year period, a total of 144 slicks was observed
(Figure 8). The sighting of slicks was variable from year to year
with the most number of slicks, 46 slicks, reported in 1995. The least
number of slick sightings, six slicks, was reported in 1998.
Tr
NV/N
S ao
aJ
w
•ji
tj
Q
E_
"i 5
1 0
Figure 9
snds of Floatable Observations by Laeational Subdivision
J Harbor Complex, late May - early September, 1994 - 2001
L '94 L '98
J L ,li
Arihup Kill
M™
t
J '** L '97 _l '91 L '99 _l 'M L '81
H
tbLj 1 [^IL-J
1
ilLd
Kill Van Kull Uwer Hff Harbor
•«r* Boy Upper KIV Hsrbw
Locutional Subdivision
ri nf FluillftmK 4j:i*Mi-v*. ir:nr; n I he-. KJV/K-.. KKJ-VIOT
icy - ecrly ^cTtcmbcr, L(J:M- ciUtJ
50
Locational Subdivision
The Upper New York Harbor had the greatest
number of slicks, 50, observed in the eight-year
period. The Kill Van Kull, with 12 slicks, had the
least number of slicks observed (Figure 9).
Size Category
For the eight-year period, the majority of slicks
observed, 54.9 percent, were in the moderate
category, 30.6 percent were in the heavy category,
and 14.6 percent were in the major category
(Figure 10). A downward trend over time can be
seen in all size categories.
Cleanup
The inter-agency monitoring and cleanup program,
the initiation of beach and litter cleanup activities,
such as the Clean Streets/Clean Beaches campaign,
and Operations Clean Shores have contributed to a
decrease in beach closures due to floatable debris,
and a significant decrease in the number of slicks
observed, as compared to the extensive washups in
1987 and 1988. More information on cleanup
activities can be found in the Floatable Action Plan
Assessment Report 2000 (USEPA, 2000b).
In 1999 and 2001, there were no Long Island or New
Jersey coastal beach closures due to floatable debris.
Only one beach closure incident occurred in 2000. A
total of nine beaches in Nassau County was closed
on August 7 and reopened on August 8.
T3
a>
Qi
m
_Q
o
O
!_
Figurs 10
Trends of Floatable Obervationa by Size Category
NY/NJ Harbor Complex, late May - early September. 1994 - 2001
ID '** HI '95 _ '»* Zl '?T Z! '»B C 'S» Zl '00 __ 'Dl
15
10
E 5
O
o 0
Heavy
Size Category
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PROM O TING PA K TNEKSHIPS
The Helicopter Monitoring Program afforded EPA the unique opportunity to promote partnerships by assisting other
federal and state agencies in the real time collection of data. With a little extra coordination, EPA assisted other agencies
in collecting data to complement or maintain objectives for the following national/state programs:
New Jersey Shellfish
During the data collection for the New Jersey beach station sampling network, additional samples were collected for
phytoplankton analyses along the New Jersey coast, and in Raritan/Sandy Hook Bay, Barnegat Bay, Great Egg Bay and
Delaware Bay. Phytoplankton identification, quantification and chlorophyll a enumerations were completed by the New
Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP) Aquatic Biomonitoring Laboratory of the Bureau of Water
Monitoring. This sampling provides early warnings of noxious algal blooms and complements NJDEP's commitment to
the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
Subsets of the phytoplankton samples collected in Barnegat Bay were provided to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service for the identification of the brown tide organism, A. anophagefferens,
in 1999 and 2000. In 2001, NJDEP arranged for the identification of A. anophagefferens.
Long Island Shellfish
During the data collection for the Long Island beach station sampling network, additional samples were collected at each
station for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The NYSDEC's Division of
Fish and Wildlife and Marine Resources Bureau of Marine Resources analyzed the samples for total and fecal coliforms.
These samples help fulfill NYSDEC's commitment to the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
New Jersey Nutrients
As part of EPA's Performance Partnership Agreement with NJDEP, surface water samples were collected three to four
times each year at 41 stations from Sandy Hook to Cape May, and in Delaware Bay. The samples were analyzed by
NJDEP for chlorophyll, salinity, nitrate, nitrite, ortho-phosphate, ammonia, total nitrogen, and total suspended solids.
Temperature was recorded in the field and dissolved oxygen analyses were conducted by the EPA Edison Laboratory.
The 41 stations are part of NJDEP's 200 Station Network.
Delaware Estuary Nutrients
At the request of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), surface water samples were collected at low slack tide
at four sites along the Delaware River three times during the 2001 sampling period. All samples were analyzed by a
contract laboratory for bacteria, algae, metals, VOAs, dissolved oxygen and organic carbon. This sampling enhanced
DRBC's longstanding water quality sampling program in the Delaware Estuary.
DEFGHLOPSY
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REFERENCES
Cabelli, V. J. et al. 1979. Relationship of Microbial Indicators to Health Effects at Marine Bathing
Beaches. American Journal of Public Health. 69:690-696.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), 1998. Surface Water Quality Standards
N.J.A.C. 7:9B. NJDEP Office of Environmental Planning Authority N.J.S.A. 13:1D-1 et seq.,
58:10A-1 et seq., and 58:11A-1 et seq. Amendments - May 18, 1998.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), 1999. Water Quality
Regulations Surface Water and Groundwater Classification and Standards New York State
Codes, Rules and Regulations Title 6, Chapter X Parts 700-706.
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