The Helicopter Monitoring Report
a Report of the New York Bight Water Quality
Summer of 2006
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
Division of Environmental Science and Assessment
2890 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08837
www.epa.gov/Region2/monitor/nybight/
EPA 902/R-07-001
February 2007
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THE HELICOPTER MONITORING REPORT
a Report of the
NEW YORK BIGHT WATER QUALITY
Summer of 2006
"The Bight Report"
Prepared By:
Helen Grebe, Regional Coastal Monitoring Coordinator
Monitoring Operations Section
Approved By:
John S. Kushwara, Chief
Monitoring and Assessment Branch
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
Division of Environmental Science and Assessment
2890 Woodbridge Avenue
Edison, New Jersey 08837
February 2007
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The Helicopter Monitoring Report
a Report of the New York Bight Water Quality
Summer of 2006
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 29 through September 8, 2006, water quality monitoring and surveillance activities were
carried out using a helicopter. The monitoring program is comprised of three separate networks; the beach
station network, the perpendicular station network, and the floatable surveillance network.
Results were as follows:
O A total of 180 samples was collected at the Long Island coastal stations, and 327 samples were
collected at the New Jersey coastal stations. Fecal coliform and enterococcus analyses were
conducted for the Long Island coastal stations and enterococcus analyses were conducted for the
New Jersey coastal samples. Low seasonal geometric means were observed at all stations.
O Semi-monthly averages of dissolved oxygen results for the New York Bight and New Jersey coast
perpendicular station network remained above 5.4 mg/1 in 2006. The lowest semi-monthly
dissolved oxygen average, 5.5 mg/1, occurred in late August of 2006. Concentrations of dissolved
oxygen 5 mg/1, or greater, were above the dissolved oxygen guideline considered to be healthy.
O There were no ocean beach closures along the Long Island or New Jersey coastal waters due to
floatable debris in 2006.
Based on the data collected, the New York Bight Apex, and the Long Island and New Jersey coastal
waters had excellent water quality in 2006.
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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-seventh in a series and reflects data collected from May
29, through September 8, 2006.
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.
A modified Twin Star helicopter was used in 2006. Pictured above, is Heliworks' pilot, John Studstill, and EPA 2006
summer interns, Gary Chan and Jon Panko preparing for the daily sampling mission.
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SAMPLING AND SURVEILLANCE
Purpose, Procedures and Locations
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 database for
STOrage and RETrieval (STORET).
The monitoring program is composed
of three separate networks.
The beach station
network 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 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
one nautical mile to nine nautical
miles off the coast between Long
Branch and 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 Grave send
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 (LI C24)
oriches Inlet West (LIC23)
Smith Point County Park (LIC22)
Bellport Beach (LIC21)
Water Island (LIC20)
Cherry Grove (LIC19)
Great South Beach (LIC1B)
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 (LIC08)
Atlantic Beach (LIC07)
Far Rockaway(LIC05)
Rockaway(LIC04)
Rockaway(LIC03)
Rockaway (LIC02)
Rockaway Point (LIC01)
o
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Figure 2
New Jersey Coast Station Locations
New Jersey
Sandy Hook (JC01A)
Sandy Hook (JC03)
Sandy Hook (JC05)
Sea Bright (JCOS)
Monmouth Beach (JC11)
Long Branch (JC13)
Long Branch (JC14)
As bury Paik (JC21)
Bradley Beach (JC24)
Shark River Inlet (J C28)
Belmar (JC27)
Spring Lake (JC30)
Spring Lake (JC33)
North Manasquan lnlet(JC35)
South Manasquan lnlet(JC37)
Bay H ead (JC41)
Mantoloking (JC44)
ikfer Beach (JC47A)
Lavallette(JC49)
Seaside Heights (JC53)
Island Beach State Park (JC55)
Island Beach State Park (JC57)
Island Beach State Park (JC59)
Bamegat(JC61)
Harvey Cedars (JC63)
Ship Bottom (JC65)
Beach H aven Terrace (JC67)
Beach H aven Heights (JC6Q)
Brigantine (JC73)
Absecon Inlet (JC74)
Atlantic City (JC75)
Ventnor City (JC77)
Longport(JC79)
'Ocean City (JCS1)
'Peck Beach (JC83)
'Strathmere (JCS5)
Sea Isle City(JC87)
' Avalon (JC39)
'Hereford Inlet CJC92)
'Wild woo d(JCS3)
Beack sampllig Locatbt:
• Tmo Mile Beach fJC95)
FCape May Inlet CJC96)
Cape May (JC97)
Cape May Point(JC99)
0
10
20 Miles
A
-4-
N
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V
Figure 3
New Jersey and New York Bight Apex
Perpendicular Stations
New Jersey
NYB 20's
JC14 - Long Branch
JC27 - Belmar
JC41 -Bay Head
JC53 - Seaside Heights
JC61 - Barnegat
JC69 - Beach Haven
€)0©0 JC75 - Atl anti c C ity
JC85 - Strath mere
JC90 -Hereford Inlet
0 4 8 12 16 20 Miles
-5-
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Figure 4
New York Bight Apex
New York/New Jersey Harbor Complex
Long Island
Lower
Harbor
Raritan Bay
Hetonc Area
Remediation Site
(H AR S)
Former 12 mile
Sewage Sludge Site
Nave sink River
Shrewsbury River
New Jersey
New York Bight Apex
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THE BEACH STA TION 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 Col 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 for
swimming in 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 coll 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, required
coastal States to adopt the 1986 criteria by April 2004.
Promulgation
As of December 16, 2004, EPA has promulgated water quality criteria for coastal and Great Lake waters that have
been designated for swimming, bathing, surfing, or similar water contact activities, and for which the State or
Territory did not have in place EPA-approved bacteria criteria that are as protective of human health as EPA'sl986
recommended bacteria criteria. New York State coastal and Great Lakes waters were included in this promulgation.
NJDEP Surface Water Quality Standards
New Jersey has adopted and implemented the enterococci standard of 104 enterococci/100 ml.
New Jersey 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 of 104 enterococci/100ml, when
closure is required by New Jersey State law (NJDHSS, 2004).
NYSDEC Surface Water Quality Standards
New York State, for its primary contact recreational coastal waters, allowed 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). In addition to these standards, New York State has
implemented the enterococcus criteria consistent with EPA's 1986 criteria for their coastal
recreational waters.
exceedances
of these
criteria are
immediately
reported to
the proper
state and
local
authorities.
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BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
Each of the 26 Long Island coastal stations and the 44 New Jersey coastal stations was sampled six to twelve times
per year from late May through August. A total of 302 samples was collected at the Long Island coastal stations, and
a total of 303 samples was collected at the New Jersey coastal stations. All Long Island coastal samples were
analyzed for fecal coliform and enterococcus densities, and all New Jersey coastal samples were analyzed for
enterococcus densities.
Individual Fecal Coliform Counts
There were no individual fecal coliform counts that exceeded
the federal guideline of 200 fecal coliforms per 100 ml, at the
Long Island stations.
Individual Enterococcus Counts
Only three enterococcus counts exceeded the federal single
sample maximum of 104 enterococci per 100 ml at the Long
Island coastal stations. The exceedances, 820, 304 and 141
enterococci per 100 ml, occurred at Moriches Inlet West
(LIC23) on August 15, Moriches Inlet East (LIC24) on
August 15 and Rockaway (LIC03) on August 29, 2006,
respectively. All exceedances were reported to local
authorities, who conducted follow up sampling as necessary.
There were no individual enterococcus counts that exceeded the federal single sample maximum of 104 enterococci per
100 ml at the New Jersey coastal stations.
Bacteriological Trends
Seasonal geometric means were
calculated for each coastal station for
the 2006 bacteriological results. All
seasonal geometric means were
substantially below fecal coliform and
enterococcus guidelines.
All individual counts that exceeded
bacteriological guidelines for the past
ten years, are presented in Table 1.
The highest occurrence of enterococcus
exceedances, 12 out of 318 samples (or
3.8%), occurred at the Long Island
stations, in 1998. The highest
occurrence of fecal coliform
exceedances, 5 out of 567 samples (or
0.8 %), occurred at the New Jersey
stations, in 2000.
Based on these data, the bathing waters
of Long Island and New Jersey were of
excellent quality in 2006.
Table 1: Bacteriological Trends 1997 - 2006
Year
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Long Island
Number
of
Samples
304
318
320
378
337
337
295
234
180
302
Number of Values
Exceeding 1 04
Enterococci/lOOml
0
12
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
Number of Values
Exceeding 200 Fecal
Coliform/lOOml
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
New Jersey
Number
of
Samples
452
547
583
567
464
372
301
442
327
303
Number of Values
Exceeding 104
Enterococci/lOOml
1
11
0
5
1
2
2
1
3
0
Number of Values
Exceeding 200
Fecal
Coliform/lOOml
1
1
0
5
0
0
0
*
*
*
' New Jersey samples were not analyzed for fecal coliform.
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The Perpendicular Station Network
Dissolved Oxygen Guidelines Discussion and Results
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 Hatter as,
Nov. 2000 (USEPA, 2000).
In 2006, a total of 299 bottom water samples was collected and analyzed for
dissolved oxygen 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).
For comparison, five years of bottom dissolved oxygen results are presented
in Table 2. In all five years, the majority of the dissolved oxygen results
was greater than the borderline to healthy guideline of 4 mg/1. There were
no individual dissolved oxygen concentrations below 2 mg/1 in 2003, 2005
or 2006. In 2004, only three dissolved oxygen values, or 1.0%, were less
than 2 mg/1. The highest percentage of dissolved oxygen values below 2
mg/1, 5.3%, occurred in 2002.
Table 2: Bottom Dissolved Oxygen Results 2002 - 2006
'
Year
•
Total Number of Samples Collected
% greater than 5 mg/1
*
% between 4-5
•
% between 3 -4
.
% between 2-3
% less than 2 mg/1
2002
301
49.2
19.9
17.6
8.0
5.3
2003
128
88.3
9.4
2.3
0
0
2004
311
85.9
9.6
2.9
0.6
1.0
2005
200
84.0
14.0
1.5
0.5
0
2006
299
73.9
20.7
4
1.3
0
Semi
8
Figure 5
New Jersey and NYB Perpendiculars, 2002 - 2006
-Monthly Average of Bottom Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations
en
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c
01
O
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0
v>
V)
June
August
September
Semi-Monthly Averages
The 2006 semi-monthly averages of
bottom dissolved oxygen results for
the New York Bight and New
Jersey coast perpendiculars
remained at or above 5.5 mg/1
(Figure 5). From mid June to mid
August, the 2006 semi-monthly
averages ranged from 1.8 to 0.4
mg/1 below the three previous
years' semi-monthly averages. The
lowest dissolved oxygen semi-
monthly average over the five-year
period, 4.3 mg/1, occurred in late
August of 2002.
Semi-Month ly
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Dissolved
jen 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 2006 (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 of zero percent to a
high of 43.8 percent, during the
sampling period of 1981 - 2006
(Figure 7).
Depressed levels fluctuated greatly,
year to year, from 1981 through 1986.
From 1986 to 1996, fluctuation from
Figure 6
New Jersey Perpendiculars, 1992 - 2006
Average Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations: One and Nine Nautical Miles off the Coast
8
Nine Nautical Miles off the Coast
One Nautical Mile off the (.
'94
'96
'98
00 '02 '04 '06
'93 '95 '97 '99 '01 '03 '05
Year
year to year was less severe. The
highest percentage of hypoxic samples
occurred in 1985.
The depressed dissolved oxygen levels
in 1985 were attributed to the
decomposition of the organisms
Figure 7
Dissolved Oxygen Trends - Percent of Bottom Values Below 4 mg/1
Off the New Jersey Coast, 1981 - 2006
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Hr
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n
— i
[
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r
i
-n
'81 '83 '85 '87 '89 '91 '93 '95 '97 '99 '01 '03 '05
'82 '84 '86 '88 '90 '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02 '04 '06
Year
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, 2001 and 2002 were not as
widespread or persistent as those
encountered in 1985.
Water Quality
The 2006 data set was limited,
however, during the summer, late
summer coastal algal blooms were not
observed, strong winds prevailed, there
were numerous storms promoting
reaeration, and no adverse effects were
reported.
Due to the decreasing dissolved
oxygen values observed in 2000, 2001
and 2002, these waters have been listed
as impaired and further investigation of
low dissolved oxygen off the coast of
New Jersey is being conducted by
NJDEP.
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THE FLO A TABLE SURVEILLANCE NETWORK
Observations and Discussion
Floatable surveillance was conducted Monday through Saturday, excluding routine maintenance or inclement weather
days, from May 29 through September 4, 2006.
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):
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
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.
2006 Floatable Observations
Twenty-one significant floatable slicks were observed in
2006 (Table 3). Newark Bay had the most slicks observed,
nine, and the Kill Van Kull with zero slicks observed, had
the least.
Figure 8
Trends of Floatable Observations in the NY/NJ Harbor Complex
late May - early September, 1989 - 2006
on
oU
X /^\
6U
40-
20-
0J
| 1
i ~ i - i - i ~ i - i ~ i ~ i -
•89 '91 '93 '95 '
'90 '92 '94 '96
t-|-i~i-|-i~i"
97 '99 '01 '03
'98 '00 '02 '
i - i - i
'05
04 '06
Veor
Table 3
2006
Floatable Observations
Newark Bay
Lower NY Harbor
Upper NY Harbor
Arthur Kill
Kill Van Kull
g
>
£>
cd
ffi
0
1
1
0
0
i-H
c3
1
4
2
2
1
0
Floatable Observation
Compilation
A total of 513 significant slicks was
observed over an eighteen year period
(Figure 8). The sightings of slicks were
variable from year to year with the most
number of slicks, 81 reported in 1990. The
least number of slick sightings, six slicks,
was reported in 1998. For unknown
reasons, there was a significant increase in
slick observations in 2004 followed by a
decrease in 2005 and 2006.
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FLOA TABLE TRENDS
For comparison, data from the last
thirteen years will be presented.
Locational Subdivision
The Upper New York Harbor had the
greatest number of slicks, 85, observed in
the thirteen-year period. The Kill Van
Kull, with 26 slicks, had the least number
of slicks observed (Figure 9). During six
of the thirteen years, the Upper New
York Harbor had the most number of
slicks observed per year.
Size Category
For the thirteen-year period, the majority
of slicks observed, 53.6 percent, were in
the moderate category, 26.8 percent were
in the heavy category, and 19.6 percent
were in the major category (Figure 10).
Cleanup
Figure 9
Trends of Floatable Observations by Locational Subdivision
NY/ NJ Harbor Complex, late May - early September, 1994 - 2006
Upper NY
Harbor
'94 '96 '98 '00 '02 '04 '06
'95 '97 '99 '01 '03 '05
ocational Subdivision
Figure 10
Trends of Floatable Obervations by Size Category
NY/NJ Harbor Complex, late May - early September, 1994 - 2005
a
Moderate Heavy
Size Category
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
2005 (USEPA, 2005).
There were no ocean beach
closures along the Long Island
coastal waters or the New Jersey
coastal waters due to floatable
debris in 2006.
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BUILbING PARTNERSHIPS
FOR THE FUTURE
Regional Administrator, Alan J. Steinberg,
briefs the press in Atlantic City, New Jersey,
on July 6, 2006.
The Helicopter Monitoring Program afforded EPA the unique opportunity to address the press and promote
partnerships by assisting other federal and state agencies in the real time collection of water quality 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 Harbor and Delaware Bay.
Phytoplankton identification, quantification and
chlorophyll a enumerations were completed by the
New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection's (NJDEP) Bureau of Marine Water
Monitoring, at the NJDEP Leeds Point Laboratory.
This sampling provides early warning of noxious
algal blooms and complements NJDEP's
commitment to the National Shellfish Sanitation
Program.
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,
Wildlife and Marine Resources, Bureau of Marine
Resources analyzed the samples for 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 in June
and July 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.
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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 Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS), 2004. New Jersey State Sanitary Code Chapter iX Public
Recreational Bathing, N.J.A.C. 8:26, Authority: N.J.S.A. 26:lA-7 & 26:4A-7, Effective Date: March 10, 2004,
Readoption, April 5, 2004, Amendments, Operative Date: October 1, 2000, Amendments, Expiration Date: March
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