National Coastal Condition
Assessment
Evaluation Guidelines
May 2010
-------
NOTICE
The goal of the National Coastal Condition Assessment (NCCA) is to provide a
comprehensive assessment of the condition of the Nation's coastal waters (all coastal waters of
the United States from the head-of-salt to confluence with ocean including inland waterways
and major embayments such as Florida Bay and Cape Cod Bay). The complete documentation
of overall NCCA project management, design, methods, and standards is contained in four
companion documents, including:
National Coastal Condition Assessment: Quality Assurance Project Plan: EPA-841-R-09-
004
National Coastal Condition Assessment: Site Evaluation Guidelines
National Coastal Condition Assessment: Field Operations Manual: EPA-841-R-09-003
National Coastal Condition Assessment: Laboratory Methods Manual: EPA-841-R-09-002
This document (Site Evaluation Guidelines [SEG]) contains an overview of the process
involved in locating a sampling site, evaluating the site, and selecting appropriate alternate sites
when necessary, and is based on the guidelines developed and followed in the Western
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (Peck et al. 2003). Methods described in
this document are to be used specifically in work relating to the NCCA. Mention of trade names
or commercial products in this document does not constitute endorsement or recommendation
for use. More detail of the project overview and of specific methods for field sampling, sample
handling, and sample processing can be found in the appropriate companion document.
The suggested citation for this document is:
USEPA. 2010. National Coastal Condition Assessment: Site Evaluation Guidelines
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES iv
1) SITE SELECTION BACKGROUND 1
A. Target Population: 1
B. Sampling Frame: 3
C. Site Selection: 3
D. Sample Sites and the "X-site" 3
2) SITE EVALUATION PROCESS 4
3) DESKTOP EVALUATION 5
4) OBTAINING PERMISSION TO ACCESS CANDIDATE SITE 7
5) SITE VERIFICATION 8
6) SITE RELOCATION 9
7) SELECTING ALTERNATE SITES 12
8) SUBMISSION OF SITE EVALUATION/VERIFICATION FORMS 15
9) LITERATURE CITED 15
Attachment 1 17
Attachment 2 18
Attachment 3 19
Attachment 4 20
-------
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Examples of embayment (a) and inter-coastal (b) estuarine systems 2
Figure 2 Process of Site Evaluation 4
Figure 3 Example of a permission cover letter 8
Figure 4 Excerpt from Florida's site evaluation spreadsheet 13
Figure 5 Excerpt from Michigan's site evaluation spreadsheet (note, some rows have been hidden
in the Lake Huron base site list for space reasons.) 14
IV
-------
NATIONAL COASTAL CONDITION ASSESSMENT (NCCA)
SITE EVALUATION GUIDELINES
The objective of the NCCA is to monitor and assess all coastal waters of the contiguous 48 states
and Hawaii including both the marine and Great Lakes shorelines. This document is provided to
clarify all of the steps involved in the process of locating and evaluating a sampling site for the
National Coastal Condition Assessment (NCCA) to determine if the site is a member of the
target population and whether it is sampleable. This guidance provides specific information for
determining whether a site is sampleable and recording information if a site is dropped for any of
these reasons. If you have questions while evaluating a site, please contact your Regional
Coordinator and Gregory Colianni/Treda Grayson, Coastal Team Leaders (see Appendix 4 for
contact information).
1) SITE SELECTION BACKGROUND
A. Target Population:
The intended target population for the NCCA is the area of the coupled water-sediment system
extending from the shoreline (-mean water, 0 m) into the open water of the oceans/Great Lakes,
but limited to a fringing, shallow nearshore band that is heavily used by humans and most
vulnerable to human activities within adjacent coastal watersheds. More specifics for both the
estuarine waters and Great Lakes is provided below.
Estuarine: The target population for the estuarine population identifies the resource about
° .. . „ , which information is wanted. I he
resources consists or all coastal waters or the
conterminous United States from the head-of-salt to mmt indude sufficient descriptions and
Target Population - The target
population identifies the resourc
which information is wanted. Ti
description of the target population
criteria to correctly classify as target or
non-target all potential units of the
population.
confluence with the ocean, including inland
waterways, tidal rivers and creeks, lagoons, fjords,
bays, and major embayments such as Florida Bay and
Cape Cod Bay. For the purposes of this study the
head of salt is generally defined as < O.Spsu and represents the landward/upstream boundary.
The seaward boundary extends out to where an imaginary straight-line intersecting two land
features would fully enclose a body of coastal water (see Figures la and Ib for examples). All
waters within the enclosed area are defined as estuarine, regardless of depth or salinity.
-------
Legend
| i| Estuanne System
] Land
Mame Neare/wre Coasia! Waleis
Legend
j | Esluarine System
Laid
I Manne Neatsrwre coasta' Waters
Figure la: Example of an estuarine system
comprised of an embayment plus a complex of
bays and tidal rivers and creeks.
Figure Ib: Example of an inter-coastal estuarine
system.
Great Lakes: For the Great Lakes, the target population is limited to the shoreline area within 5
km from shore and waters 30 meters or less in depth. This uniquely "coastal" land-water
interface zone includes: river mouths, open and semi-enclosed bays, embayments, and the more
open waters adjacent to shorelines. It does not include the connecting channels of the Great
Lakes (between lakes and the St. Lawrence River outlet).
All waters meeting these definitions are considered target.
Great Lakes Embayments: Embayments of the Great Lakes are those areas nested within the
shallow nearshore (main GL NCCA target population) which are semi-enclosed by shoreline
features, making them less hydrologically-open to open lake wind and waves. Embayments
include harbors with man-made shoreline structures [e.g., breakwalls] which make them semi-
enclosed. Embayments come in a variety of geomorphologic forms and thus vary in the degree
of physical restrictions to water movement between the embayment and more open nearshore
waters. In general though, embayments represent more protected waters that are proximal to,
and vulnerable, to watershed activities. They may or may not have tributaries from land, but
have a continuously-open water connection/channel to the adjacent Great lake. The target
population was limited to distinct semi-enclosed open water areas no smaller than 1 km2 and no
larger than 100 km2.
-------
Sampling Frame - The specific
information, usually a list or map, that
identifies every unit within the
that every individual member of the
target population can be identified
unambiguously.
B. Sampling Frame:
The NCCA marine sample frame was derived from prior
National Coastal Assessment sample frame developed
population of interest is the sampling , /-vnr^ /-> ir™ T- i T~»- • • T-I • /-IT--TV
r t, i r 77 by ORD Gulf Breeze Ecology Division. The prior GED
jrame. Such information is needed so
sample frame was enhanced as part of the National
Coastal Monitoring Network design by including
information from NOAA's Coastal Assessment
Framework, boundaries of National Estuary Programs
and identification of major coastal systems. For NCA 2010 information on salinity zones was
obtained from NOAA. For Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Puget Sound and state of South
Carolina, the prior NCA sample frames were replaced by GIS layers provided by those
organizations, ensuring that no prior areas in NCA were excluded and any differences clearly
identified in the new NCA 2010 sample frame. For the Californian Province excluding San
Francisco Bay, the GED sample frame was changed to match 2004 sample frame used for NCA
2004 study.
The NCCA Great Lakes sample frame was determined from existing standard GIS medium
vector shoreline coverage from NOAA. That coverage was modified slightly to include an
extension 500 m upstream in river mouths and include a few embayment areas which were
noticeably missing from the existing shoreline coverage.
For the embayment sites, an automated GIS-methodology was used to define unique contiguous
areas within the target size range which were within the main GL NCCA nearshore frame (i.e.,
from shoreline to 30 m water depth and no greater than 5 km from shore). Additionally, they
met quantitative geometric criteria to define them as a semi-enclosed water body.
C. Site Selection:
Using a Generalized Random Tessellation Stratified (GRTS) survey design for an area resource,
the survey design is a stratified design with unequal probability of selection based on area within
each stratum. More information on this process can be found in the NCCA 2010 Design
Document.
Note: a statistical survey draw was also completed for Alaska, Puerto Rico and the Canadian
portion of the Great Lakes shoreline, but the NCCA sampling in 2010 is limited to the marine
and Great Lake shorelines of the 48 contiguous states and Hawaii. The territories of American
Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas are also conducting related sampling during 2010.
D. Sample Sites and the "X-site":
Each point selected using the process described under sampling frame above is referred to as the
"X-site." The "X-site" is the point that determines the location at which samples are taken. The
latitude/longitude of the "X-site" is listed on the site spreadsheet that was distributed by the EPA
Regional Coordinators. Oversample sites are provided in the spreadsheet as well. These sites
are to be used as replacement sites, in order, for any dropped base sites. They can also be used
to intensify the national survey to achieve a state-wide or other geographic-wide assessments.
-------
2) SITE EVALUATION PROCESS
There are 5 steps involved in this process (Figure 1):
• Locate the index site ("x-site") on a topographic map and verify that the x-site appears to
meet the target population definition
Obtain permission to access the site
Verify that the site is sampleable
Sample the site OR replace with an alternate site
Complete and submit the site evaluation guidelines
Se ect a ternate Site
Locate X-site on map
Conduct preliminary
evaluation
(desktop / office)
Regional
NCCA rep and
Coastal Team
Leader confirm
sites should be
ropped?.
Complete site recon
spreadsheet/verif.
Is X-site in a
coastal
nearshore
area?
Permission to access
granted (as needed)
X-site Verification
(on-site)
Complete site
verification form and
submit to ....
Is X-site
sampleable?
Identify reason(s) why
site not sampleable
Can X-site be
moved within a
.02 nm area to
achieve
sampleability?
Figure 1 Process of Site Evaluation
-------
In the process of completing each of the steps in site evaluation, the Field Crew will also
assemble a site packet that contains important location and access information for each site they
are scheduled to visit. The site packet should contain appropriate maps, aerial images, contact
information, copies of landowner permission forms, any necessary research permits (if
applicable), and site access instructions. If the field crew is not composed of any employee from
the state/tribal agency, they should contact the regional coordinator to determine if agency staff
are able to provide technical assistance in verifying locations. Before a site visit, each Field
Crew should confirm access to the sampling site by contacting the landowner(s) listed in the site
packet to ensure the team has permission to sample and to verify that information in the site
packet is accurate.
3) DESKTOP EVALUATION
The primary purpose of desktop evaluation is to determine if the selected site is, or likely will be,
in the target population during the 2010 sample period using data that is easily obtainable and
verifiable without the expense of a more intensive field visit. The focus of the desktop
evaluation should be on ruling out sites that are clearly not part of the target population
for reasons described in more detail below. If information obtained during the desktop
evaluation is not conclusive then a field visit will be necessary.
It is possible that some sites selected for sampling based on available GIS information will not
be part of the NCCA target population. A number of sources of information will be useful for the
desktop evaluation. These include aerial images, topographic maps, state, county, or tribal
coastal data, the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), personal and local knowledge, literature
and scientific reports, land ownership records, and the internet. The use of these sources is at the
discretion of the individual Field Crew but all information gathered about a site will enhance the
site evaluation.
The procedures for conducting the desktop evaluation are detailed in the steps below.
Information found during the evaluation should be recorded on the Site Evaluation Spreadsheet
(See Attachment 1 for more information). It is important that the information requested in the
spreadsheet is completed for each site regardless of whether it is selected for sampling or not.
The information provided in this spreadsheet will contribute to the statistical analyses of data
from the survey. Please see Attachment 1 for more information on documenting the site
evaluation information.
Step 1. Locate the X-site on the most recent aerial imagery that can be obtained. Using this
imagery and any supplemental sources of information, determine if the X-site is in or
near (within 0.02nm or 37m) an estuary or the Great Lakes nearshore as described
above under Target Population (see Section 6 for relocation information within the
0.02nm or 37m area) If the image or other sources of information provide conclusive
evidence that the X-site is not in a location that meets these definitions, but rather is
-------
clearly outside of an estuary, in a Great Lakes connecting channel, on land etc., note
the reason for this conclusion in the Site Evaluation Spreadsheet and follow the
procedures for selecting an alternate site in Section 7. If the site is identified as being
outside of an estuarine area (for marine sites) or greater than 5km from shore (for Great
Lakes sites), please verify this measurement with your regional coordinator and Greg
Colianni/Treda Grayson before dropping the site and replacing it with an alternative
site.
Step 2. Review maps, other collected information, or enlist the assistance of someone with
personal knowledge of the location of the X-site to determine if it is physically
accessible by Field Crews and safe to sample.
In order to achieve the most robust results possible with the probabilistic sampling
design, every effort must be made to sample the primary coastal sites that were
generated. It is very important not to reject a site based on inconveniences in access.
Some sites may be accessed easily while others may require more lengthy or time-
consuming trips. Similarly, it may not be possible to collect data at all sites for all
indicators, but samples should still be collected for other indicators rather than
dropping the site (for example, kelp beds may hinder a crews ability to collect
sediment. Be sure to note that in those instances when sediment cannot be collected at
the Xsite, crews should move (and attempt additional sediment grabs) within a. 02nm
or 37m and then a . 05nm or 100 m area from the X- site to increase the likelihood of
obtaining sediment as described in the field operations manual Section 4) Some sites
may be in areas that are impossible to safely access. A site may be permanently
inaccessible if it is unlikely to be sampled by anyone due to physical barriers that
prevent access (e.g., heavily used shipping lanes). Sites might also be rejected for
sampling if they are temporarily inaccessible due to barriers that may not be present at
some future date (e.g. unsafe weather conditions), but which render them inaccessible
during the entire study index period.
If these maps and other sources of information indicate conclusively that the site is not
accessible, for example the site is in a shipping channel, note the reason(s) for this
conclusion on the Site Evaluation Spreadsheet and follow the procedures for selecting
an alternate site in Section 6.
See Figure 3 for information on the definition of various sampleable/non-sampleable
categories that are to be used in completing the information requested in the site
evaluation spreadsheet for the site.
Step 3. Desktop evaluation is complete. If the site is identified as non-sampleable, submit the
completed Site Evaluation Spreadsheet and be sure to follow the process for selecting
an alternative site in Section 6. If the site is identified as sampleable, follow the
procedures for obtaining permission to access the site in Section 4.
Information and data sources used in the desktop evaluation should be kept and incorporated into
the official site packet for each site. If you have a question about whether information should be
deemed conclusive evidence that a point is either not target or inaccessible, please contact your
-------
regional coordinator and Greg Colianni/Treda Grayson.
4) OBTAINING PERMISSION TO ACCESS CANDIDATE SITE
Each field crew is responsible for obtaining permission for their sampling team to access their
sampling sites if the site or the launch point falls on private lands. Obtaining permission prior to
the sampling day is often important to minimize loss of time on the part of the field team. When
applicable, contact with the landowner or agency can be done either through an "in-person"
recon visit or through mailing out landowner permission request letters, similar to the attached
cover letter (Figure 2) with a permission slip (Attachment 1) for the landowner to return. In
either case, a signed permission slip is important to use as documentation on the day of
sampling. Some teams will choose to deal with access issues on the day of the sampling event.
This method is usually adequate if a "desk-top reconnaissance" shows that the area around the
site includes enough public land to gain access to the waterway. If the site is in an area that is
largely privately owned land, waiting until the day of sampling could pose unnecessary delays
and access issues that should have been resolved prior to the scheduled sampling day.
Landowner information can be obtained from the county tax assessor office. Tax assessor maps
will display landowner boundaries, addresses and, oftentimes, phone numbers. This information
enables the team to contact landowners before the sampling day. The provision of county maps
for the field crews will help clarify access to the targeted sampling site.
Field Crews will also need to be aware of and follow any special conditions and requirements for
accessing and sampling on state, tribal, or federal lands. Field Crews should work with
appropriate state, tribal and federal agencies to determine any permits or special condition that
apply to the access points and the coastal waters. EPA will work to provide assistance to crews
in coordinating efforts with federal land management agencies as needed, Field Crews should
work with the appropriate state agencies to determine any permits or special conditions that
apply to state lands.
-------
(Date)
Dear Landowner:
The US Environmental Protection Agency, in cooperation with State agencies, is conducting an
environmental assessment of coastal waters (estuaries and Great Lakes) across the United States. A computer
was used to randomly select these sites. A total of approximately 700 coastal sites and 200 Great Lakes sites
were selected for sampling in 2010. Water quality chemistry, aquatic life, and habitat will be evaluated at
each site. The findings of the study are not will not be used for enforcement or regulatory purposes.
We are contacting you prior to the site visit to obtain permission (form enclosed) to access the
sampling site. We have enclosed a copy of a topographic map(s) with the site(s) identified by an "X" at the
specific point to be sampled. We realize that working on your property is a privilege and we will respect your
rights and wishes at all times.
Please return the completed Access Permission Form in the enclosed envelope by (date). If you have
any questions concerning this request, please contact me (phone number). We are looking forward to hearing
from you.
Sincerely,
(Name)
Figure 2 Example of a permission cover letter
5) SITE VERIFICATION
While traveling from a base location to a site, record a detailed description of the route taken on
page 1 of the Verification Form (Attachment 3). This information will allow others to find the
site again if it is selected for a repeat visit in the future. Upon reaching the target site, confirm
its location and that the team is at the correct location. Record the information on page 1 of the
Verification Form. Complete a Verification Form for each site visited (regardless of whether it
is sampled), following the procedures described below.
Equipment and supplies list for site verification.
For locating and
verifying site
For recording
• Sampling permit and landowner access (if required)
• Field Operations Manual and/or laminated quick reference guide
• Site dossier, including access information, site spreadsheet with map
coordinates, street and/or topographic maps with "X-site" marked
• NCCA Fact Sheets
• GPS unit (preferably one capable of recording waypoints) with manual,
reference card, extra battery pack
• Clipboard
-------
measurements
#2 pencils
Site Verification Form
SITE VERIFICATION PROCEDURES
1. Find the site location in the field corresponding to the target site coordinates and the target
site marked on the map. Record the routes taken and other directions on the Verification
Form so that others can visit the same location in the future.
2. Use all available means to ensure that you are at the correct location as marked on the map
including: GPS, 1:24,000 USGS map, topographic landmarks, county road maps, local
contacts, etc.
3. The field team must verify that the site is correctly located. Sampling site verification is
based on map coordinates and locational data from the GPS. Latitude and longitude are
required for all sampled sites. Identify the "X-site" using GPS and navigate to the location
within 0.004167 decimal degrees of latitude and longitude of the given X site. This
distance is approximately equal to the precision of the GPS receiver (±100 m) without
differential correction of the position fix. This is the desired level of precision. Record the
actual coordinates of the vessel after anchorage, not the initial intended coordinates, on the
field data sheet. Make sure the GPS unit is set to reference the NAD 83 geospatial data set.
Include the type of satellite fix (2D or 3D) for QA purposes. Record this information on
the site verification form and in the Site Evaluation Spreadsheet.
4. Determine whether the site is sampleable using the guidelines provided below in Figure 3,
and mark the appropriate box on the Verification Form (Attachment 3) and reflect this
information in the Site Evaluation Spreadsheet (Attachment 1).
5. Do not sample non-target or "Non-sampleable" or "No Access" sites. Place an "X" in the
"NO" box for "Did you sample this site?" and check the appropriate box in the "Non-
Sampleable" or "No Access" section of the Verification Form; provide detailed explanation
in comments section.
6) SITE RELOCATION
Relocation situations occur when the X-site itself is deemed to be not sampleable, but a nearby
location is sampleable. For relocation situations, every attempt should be made to relocate a site
within a 0.02 nm (37m) radius of the intended location that provides for a sampleable, target site
(see definitions in Figure 3). A guideline the relocation effort follows:
• The field crew leader should choose a specific compass heading (e.g., north, south, east,
west) and slowly motor the vessel in that direction for approximately 20 m. Assess the
relocated site using the Site Verification guidelines above. Should the relocated site fail
to meet the operational definition sampleable, then this process may be continued using
the same heading out to the 37m mark or using a new heading until an acceptable
sampling location is found. If after a sufficient amount of effort is expended and no
suitable site is found, then the determination may be made that the site is unsampleable.
-------
The specific reason the X-site is unsampleable must be documented in the site-
verification spreadsheet.
Do not reject a site because sediments cannot be collected (refer to the Field Operations
Manual for more information on the process for relocating to collect sediment).
Additionally, successful deployment offish collection gear should not necessarily be
used as a determining factor for rendering a site "unsampleable".
10
-------
Sampleable/Nonsampleable Categories
After you confirm the location of the X-site, evaluate area surrounding the X-site and classify the site into one of four major
sampling status categories: Sampleable, Non-Sampleable (temporary), No Access to site, or Non-Target (not sampled).
Sampleable Categories (Review the target population definition for more specific information)
Estuarine Waters-There is water and the site is within an estuarine environment (eg., tidal habitats and adjacent
tidal wetlands and waters that are at least occasionally diluted by freshwater runoff from the land) (or these
conditions exist within 0.02 nm or 37m from the x-site - refer to Section 7: site relocation)
• Great Lakes Coastal Waters - There is water and the site is within 5km of shore but not deeper than 30 meters (or
these conditions exist within .02nm or 37m of the x-site- refer to Section 7: site relocation).
Note: a site can still be identified as sampleable even if all indicators cannot be collected. For example, kelp beds may
hinder a crews ability to collect sediment however other indicators can still be collected. In this instance, the site would be
sampleable. Refer to the Field Operations Manual Section 4 for more information on moving to collect sediment samples.
Non-Sampleable Temporary Category (site can be revisited)
Non-Sampleable Temporary - Other-The site could not be sampled on that particular day, but is still a target site.
Examples might include a recent precipitation event that has caused unrepresentative conditions. The site should
be revisited.
No Access to Site Categories
• Access Permission Denied—You are denied access to the site by the landowners.
Permanently Inaccessible-Site is unlikely to be sampled by anyone due to physical barriers that prevent access to
the site (e.g., major shipping lane).
Temporarily Inaccessible-Site cannot be reached at the present time due to barriers that may not be present at
some future date (e.g. high water, extreme weather event) but are expected to exist throughout the index period.
Equipment-related inaccessibility: site 1 m deep - The site was deeper than 1 meter but could not be sampled
due to the draft on the boat being used. No suitable depth could be found within 0.02 nm or 37m from the X-site.
Before dropping this target site, every attempt should be made to bring a boat of suitable draft for the location,
Non-target (Non-Sampleable) Categories (permanent condition; site is non-target)
• Dry S7fe--There is no coastal water anywhere within a 0.02nm or 37m radius centered on the X-site. If determined
at the time of the sampling visit, record as "Dry-Visited"; if site was determined to be dry from another source
and/or field verified before the actual sampling visit, record as "Dry-Not visited."
Great Lakes — Wetland- There is standing water present, but site is in a wetland.
Mudflat - There is no standing water, but site is clearly a permanent mudflat. (if site is likely to be covered with
water at other times during the index period, the site should be classified as non-sampleable (temporary) and
rescheduled for another day.)
• Marine - Not Estuarine — site is outside of the imaginary straight-line intersecting two land features that would
fully enclose a body of coastal water.
Map Error - No evidence that the X-site represents coastal waters (x-site is inland, significantly up-stream in a
stream/river, etc.)
Other - The site is non-target for reasons other than those above. Please describe in detail and verify with your
regional coordinator and Greg Colianni before replacing a site based on this category.
11
-------
Site Replacement - Key Points to
Remember:
-Ifa site is evaluated and it is
determined that it cannot be sampled,
then it is to be replaced by the next
site in order on the list within the major
estuary group or Great Lake.
- If you drop a revisit site, the
replacement site from the oversample
list becomes the new revisit site.
7) SELECTING ALTERNATE SITES
The sampling site lists for the NCCA are organized
by state spreadsheets within each EPA Region. Each
spreadsheet contains a list of all primary (panel=base)
and alternate (panel=oversample) sites in the State.
The sites are listed on the spreadsheet in the order in
which they were randomly selected. All primary
(base) sites must be evaluated for potential sampling
and should be sampled unless they are determined to
be non-sampleable or not accessible. If a primary site
is rejected because it is non-sampleable or not
accessible, then it will be replaced by the next
alternate (oversample) site within the same State.
Sites are organized to be replaced in SitelD order within each major estuary group or Great Lake
from the state list in the site evaluation spreadsheet. All base/revisit sites are highlighted in
yellow; oversample sites follow the base sites for each stratum. Ifa site is evaluated and it is
determined that it cannot be sampled, then it is to be replaced by the next site in order on the list
within the major estuary group or Great Lake. This information can be found in the stratum
column. When a primary site is rejected, the sampling/reconnaissance team—or other
cooperator project lead — must contact the EPA Regional Coordinator and Gregory
Colianni/Treda Grayson to report it. The Field Crew must inform the EPA contacts which site
was rejected, the reason why and the site selected from the oversample list to replace it. The
EPA contacts will confirm that the correct process was used to select the site and confirm which
Field Crew is responsible for sampling the site (if multiple organizations are sampling within the
state boundaries).
Marine Site Replacement: Figure 4 outlines the process for replacing a site within a State for
marine sites. If site NCA10-1190 in Florida (highlighted in bright yellow) is reported as non-
sampleable, the first alternate site within the same estuary - in this case CarP_Other, NCA10-
2192 (highlighted in green), will be added as a replacement. If site NCA10-1294 is rejected, the
next alternate site in the LP_Apalachee_Bay stratum will be added; NCA10-2299. Because 1294
is a revisit visit, 2299 becomes the new revisit site. As primary sites are rejected, the Field Crew
lead or Cooperator lead will continue to replace them with alternate sites by selecting the next
one on the list from the appropriate estuarine groups in the stratum column. Remember, if you
drop a revisit site, the replacement site becomes the new revisit.
Site id
NCA10-
1190
NCA10-
1193
NCA10-
1197
State Stratum Panel
FL CarP_Other Base
FL CarP_Other Base
FL CarP Other Base
Latitude Longitude
30.50875904070 -81.43482305180
30.32010485030 -81.62646391390
30.00395025860 -81.64196164130
12
-------
NCA10-
1201 FL
NCA10-
1206 FL
NCA10-
1209 FL
NCA10-
1212 FL
NCA10-
1213 FL
NCA10-2192FL
NCA10-2197FL
NCA1 0-2201 FL
NCA1 0-2205 FL
NCA1 0-2209 FL
NCA10-2213FL
NCA10-2215FL
NCA10-
1294 FL
NCA10-
1295 FL
NCA10-
1296 FL
NCA10-
1297 FL
NCA10-
1298 FL
NCA10-
1299 FL
NCA1 0-2299 FL
NCA1 0-2300 FL
NCA1 0-2301 FL
NCA1 0-2302 FL
NCA1 0-2303 FL
NCA1 0-2304 FL
CarP_Other Base
CarP_Other Base
CarP_Other Base
CarP_Other Base
CarP_Other Base
CarP_Other Over
CarP_Other Over
CarP_Other Over
CarP_Other Over
CarP_Other Over
CarP_Other Over
CarP_Other Over
LP_Apalachee_Bay Revisit
LP_Apalachee_Bay Base
LP_Apalachee_Bay Base
LP_Apalachee_Bay Base
LP_Apalachee_Bay Base
LP_Apalachee_Bay Base
LP_Apalachee_Bay Over
LP_Apalachee_Bay Over
LP_Apalachee_Bay Over
LP_Apalachee_Bay Over
LP_Apalachee_Bay Over
LP_Apalachee_Bay Over
30.54911958570
29.77883577610
30.19058510980
-81.49425522830
-81.27240768680
-81.64256141940
30.38706370490 -81.63754591090
30.41046013440
30.50070057910
29.32611790910
30.23242601490
30.29612246540
30.39919532570
29.93745800070
30.10120188650
-81.67483574010
-81.44328312100
-81.07370163280
-81.65789244860
-81.66590020730
-81.57799290760
-81.30873576460
-81.74746838380
29.96715186410 -83.94437721590
29.97571458570 -84.11755290290
30.09362054860 -84.21621351690
30.00948838740 -84.30958358240
30.02372859890 -84.58118831150
29.97247500350
29.96855134980
30.09234560700
29.94714177750
30.02832610400
29.99094984170
30.00991758090
-84.45746542830
-83.89600927020
-84.03794950810
-84.34331138370
-84.12929737680
-84.24953675160
-84.28158638600
Figure 4 Excerpt from Florida's site evaluation spreadsheet
Great Lake Site Replacement: Figure 5 outlines the process for replacing a site within a State
for Great Lake sites. If site NCAGL10-1140 in Michigan (highlighted in bright yellow) is
reported as non-sampleable, the first alternate site within the same Great Lake - in this case Lake
Erie, NCAGL10-2141 (highlighted in green), will be added as a replacement. Because 1140 is a
revisit site, 2141 becomes the new revisit site. If site NCAGL10-1096 is rejected in Lake Huron,
the next alternate site in the Lake Huron stratum will be added - NCAGL10-2091 . As primary
sites are rejected, the Field Crew lead or Cooperator lead will continue to replace them with
alternate sites by selecting the next one on the list from the appropriate Great Lake in the stratum
column. Remember, if you drop a revisit site, the replacement site becomes the new revisit.
Please note, if a base NCCA site that is also identified as a NFS site is dropped, the next site
within that Park from the state draw should be used as the replacement. Please contact your
Regional Coordinator or Gregory Colianni/Treda Grayson with questions.
13
-------
Site id State
NCAGL10-1140 Michigan
NCAGL10-1148 Michigan
NCAGL10-1154 Michigan
NCAGL10-1160 Michigan
NCAGL10-1166 Michigan
NCAGL10-1168 Michigan
NCAGL10-2141 Michigan
NCAGL10-2145 Michigan
NCAGL10-2158 Michigan
NCAGL10-2164 Michigan
NCAGL10-2167 Michigan
NCAGL10-2169 Michigan
NCAGL10-1091 Michigan
NCAGL10-1092 Michigan
NCAGL10-1093 Michigan
NCAGL10-1094 Michigan
NCAGL10-1095 Michigan
NCAGL10-1096 Michigan
NCAGL10-1097 Michigan
NCAGL10-1098 Michigan
NCAGL10-1099 Michigan
NCAGL10-1100 Michigan
NCAGL10-1101 Michigan
NCAGL10-1102 Michigan
NCAGL10-1103 Michigan
NCAGL1 0-209 1 Michigan
NCAGL1 0-2092 Michigan
NCAGL1 0-2093 Michigan
NCAGL1 0-2094 Michigan
NCAGL10-2095 Michigan
Stratum
Lake Erie_USA
Lake Erie_USA
Lake Erie_USA
Lake Erie_USA
Lake Erie_USA
Lake Erie_USA
Lake Erie USA
Lake Erie_USA
Lake Erie_USA
Lake Erie_USA
Lake Erie_USA
Lake Erie_USA
Lake Huron_USA
Lake HuronJJSA
Lake Huron_USA
Lake HuronJJSA
Lake HuronJJSA
Lake HuronJJSA
Lake HuronJJSA
Lake HuronJJSA
Lake HuronJJSA
Lake HuronJJSA
Lake HuronJJSA
Lake HuronJJSA
Lake HuronJJSA
Lake Huron_USA
Lake Huron_USA
Lake Huron_USA
Lake Huron_USA
Lake Huron_USA
Panel
Revisit
Base
Base
Base
Base
Base
OverSamp
OverSamp
OverSamp
OverSamp
OverSamp
OverSamp
Revisit
Revisit
Revisit
Revisit
Revisit
Base
Base
Base
Base
Base
Base
Base
Base
OverSamp
OverSamp
OverSamp
OverSamp
OverSamp
NCAGL1 0-2096 Michigan Lake Huron_USA OverSamp
Figure 5 Excerpt from Michigan's site evaluation spreadsheet (note,
Lake Huron base site list for space reasons.)
Latitude Longitude
41.85548789 -83.37181083
41.97838910 -83.22606826
41.77540808 -83.42459803
41.98628375 -83.16000724
41.91762589-83.29771774
41.92854315-83.23335254
41.91737840 -83.24061004
42.05998631 -83.17978134
41.84529374 -83.38692718
41.88430015 -83.30797653
41.97967824 -83.21412730
41.81439334 -83.43201490
43.66117227-83.81374505
43.24615352-82.46420498
45.75036237-84.56395123
44.83934528 -83.24250009
43.69187813-83.60716071
45.96306896 -84.71430350
45.37810395 -83.64797083
43.99504716 -83.74728059
44.00505114-83.22757902
45.93965160-84.66939243
45.00659691 -83.35905655
43.87990812-83.43664297
44.01349982 -82.76739263
43.43816447 -82.52560942
43.96079643 -83.29976591
45.68079773 -84.33828281
45.96547619 -83.93677500
43.48770127 -82.49571234
44.05544403 -83.01852164
some rows have been hidden in the
Special Situations
Great Lake Embayment Enhancement Sites: EPA conducted a special draw of sites
to enhance the NCCA work for embayments across the Great Lakes. If any of the 152
embayment enhancement sites are dropped during desk recon, the next site in the
overall embayment site list will be chosen. If an embayment site is dropped during a
field visit, the site is dropped and not replaced with an alternate site. Contact Peder
Yurista, EPA (yurista.peder@epa.gov) with questions.
National Park Service Sites: Another draw was also conducted to enhance sites for the
14
-------
National Park Service. If a National Park Service special site is dropped, the next
oversample site on the list within the Park should be selected to replace it. Please note,
if a base NCCA site that is also identified as a NFS site is dropped, the next site within
that Park from the state draw should be used as the replacement.
Point of contact: Greg Colianni (202-566-1249) or Treda Grayson (202-566-0916)
8) SUBMISSION OF SITE EVALUATION/VERIFICATION
FORMS
The following forms must be returned to EPA for all base sites and for all oversample sites
selected as replacements whether they are sampled or not. There must be completed forms for
all sites for each state through the last site on the oversample list that is sampled regardless of
whether all of those sites are sampled.
- SITE EVALUATION SPREADSHEET
For information collected prior to the start of the 2010 sampling index period, please send the
spreadsheet to your regional coordinator and to Gregory Colianni via email. After the start of
the field season, please send updated spreadsheet information to your regional coordinator
and to Gregory Colianni every several weeks (see appendix 4 for contact information).
- SITE VERIFICATION FORMS (Part of form packet for each site visited)
Send completed evaluation forms (with other field forms as appropriate) for the sites to the
Information Management Coordinator, Marlys Cappaert, in the fed ex envelope provided in the
site kit. Forms should submitted within 2 weeks of sampling
9) LITERATURE CITED
Madden, C. J., K. Goodin, RJ. Allee, G. Cicchetti, C. Moses, M. Finkbeiner, D. Bamford.
Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard. NOAA and NatureServe. 2009.
NOAA. Coastal Science Center. Coastal And Marine Ecological Classification Standard.
Version III (Working Draft) Standards Working Group, Federal Geographic Data Committee
April 2010
Peck, D.V., J.M. Lazorchak, and D.J. Klemm (editors). Unpublished draft.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program -Surface Waters: Western Pilot Study Field
Operations Manual for Wadeable Streams. EPA/XXX/X-XX/XXXX. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Washington, B.C.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Research Strategy: Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment. Washington D.C. 2002.
U.S. EPA. Wadeable Streams Assessment: Site Evaluations Guidelines.
15
-------
EPA841-B-04-006. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington D.C. 2004
16
-------
Attachment 1
Instructions for completing the site evaluation form (spreadsheet)
EPA will provide each state or other organization conducting sampling as part of the NCCA
2010 with a site evaluation spreadsheet that includes all of the appropriate sampling sites
organized by state, then stratum (NCCA estuary or Great Lake) and site id. These sites will
include base sites (composed of both "revisit" and "base" sites) and oversample sites.
A) Complete site evaluation information for all sites highlighted in yellow (these are the base
sites). Several columns use pick lists for ease in providing consistent information.
i. The spreadsheet will have columns A-G completed.
ii. Column H: Indicate whether the site is target or non-target based on the target
definition provided in Section 1 above. If you have questions, please contact your
regional coordinator and Greg Colianni/Treda Grayson.
iii. Columns I-K: Either during the desktop reconnaissance or field visit, determine
whether the site is sampleable using Figure 3. If yes, select the appropriate category in
column J; if no, select the appropriate category in column K. If the site is not currently
sampleable, but will be later in the index period be sure to note when you plan to return
in the comment field. The information in the spreadsheet should be updated when the
site is determined to be sampleable.
iv. Columns L and M: Input the actual GIS readings for latitude and longitude recorded
at the X-site. If the site is not visited, leave these two columns blank.
iv. Column N: If a site is dropped, please provide any additional information that will be
useful to NCCA analysts.
v. Columns O-Q: - Provide contact information for the person(s) conducting the site
recon.
vi. Column R: Provide any additional comments for explaining the current site recon.
B) If you drop a site, select a replacement site from the oversample sites for that same stratum
(estuary or Great Lake). In the site evaluation spreadsheet, these oversample sites are listed
directly below the base sites for that stratum (italicized sites following each set of yellow base
sites).
i. Be sure to let your regional coordinator and Greg Colianni/Treda Grayson know which
sites have been dropped and which sites are selected as replacements. This will be
especially important if more than one organization is conducting sampling with a state
and estuary, or within a state/Great Lake.
ii. If you drop a revisit site, the oversample site within that stratum used as a replacement
becomes the new revisit site.
C) For any stratum where one or more base sites are dropped, all sites within the oversample
list for that stratum up to the last one sampled also require site evaluation information.
D) Submit site evaluation information in the spreadsheet to your regional coordinator and
Gregory Colianni/Treda Grayson prior to the start of the field season and periodically throughout
the field season as changes are made.
17
-------
Attachment 2
Example of Landowner Permission Slip
I grant permission to the biological field crew from (state agency, Cooperator, or contractor) to
access the coastal target site located on my property as part of the EPA's National Coastal
Condition Assessment.
Do grant permission
Do grant permission but with the following restrictions:
Do not grant permission
Landowner Name (Please print):
Landowner Signature:
Date:
Phone Number:
Address:
*If the operator is different than the landowner, please list the name and phone number below so
that we may contact the operator before the site visit.
18
-------
Attachment 3
Site Verification Form Example
NCCA 2010 SITE VERIFICATION (Front)
SITE NAME: DATE:
SITE 10: NCCA10 STsn|OF .
/ j 2 0 1 0 VISIT: O1 O?
&TSTWJ DEPTHtm). TEAM:
DID YOU SAMPLE THfS SITE?
(J YES |f YES, sheck one belo*
SAMPLEABLE (£g
O llraa*
NOM-8AMPLEABLE-TEMPORAKY-R( schedule
O No Aces«3
t; Tair j*ararli ^ 'naceaaslDls-F w. ' ,c
I1 Othar IB wain ir> ccwm»nt!i;
tfERIBCSTlGN IHFORMATION
Site verified by (fill in all that apply): Q QPS O Local Contact
O Other [Describe Herei:
C' Sig^s i i Rt, plain.
BOTTOM TYPE: O Cotal Reef O Oyster Bed O Grass B«d O S and O Roehff Shell O Hardpan Q Mud
•-i Other, expJsin:
Debris Present?: | If Yes TYPE'
O ¥ES O HO ', O Glass O PfastiC O Wood O Cans O Other, ejiplaia:
SAV Present*3: J Ves O K> ABUM3ANCE
MaeraalgaePresepf- O Jes ".Mo ABUNiJAWOE
(Sparse^ dense, etc)
f$pamef dense, ete)
GENERAL COMMEMV. .{
; \ '"
DIRECTIONS TO SITE:
OJ'31 '20 to NCCA ate
19
-------
Attachment 4
NCCA Project Contact List
CONTACT LIST
Field Logistics Coordinator
Jennifer Linder
Tetra Tech
400 Red Brook Blvd., Suite 200
Owings Mills, MD, 21117
410-356-8993
410-356-9005 (fax)
Jenn ifer. Linder@tetratech. com
Alternate Field Logistics Coordinator
Chris Turner
Great Lakes Environmental Center
739 Hastings St
Traverse City, Ml 49686
715-829-3737
715-874-5370 (fax)
cjturner@wwt.net
Information Management Coordinator
Marlys Cappaert
Computer Sciences Corporation
200 S.W. 35th Street
Corvallis, OR 97333
(541)754-4467
(541)754-4799 fax
cappaert.rnarlys(S)epa.gov
Sampling Kit Request and Coordination
Mailee Garton
or
Sara McNew
Great Lakes Environmental Center
739 Hastings St
Traverse City, Ml 49686
231-941-2230
231-941-2240 (fax)
mgarton(S)glec.com
Great Lakes Human Health Fish Tissue Contacts
Leanne Stahl
U.S. EPA Office of Water
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (4503T)
Washington, D.C. 20460
202-566-0404
Stahl.leanne@epa.gov
Blaine Snyder
Tetra Tech
400 Red Brook Blvd., Suite 200
Owings Mills, MD, 21117
410-356-8993
Blaine.Snyder@tetratech.com
USEPA HEADQUARTERS
Greg Colianni
USEPA Office of Water
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (4503T)
Washington, D.C. 20460
(202)566-1249
colianni.gregory@epa.gov
Treda Grayson
USEPA Office of Water
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (4503T)
Washington DC 20460
(202)566-0916
grayson.treda@epa.gov
20
-------
USEPA REGIONAL CONTACTS
USEPA Region 1
Hilary Snook
617-918-8670
snook.hilary@epa.gov
Diane Switzer
617-918-8377
switzer.diane@epa.gov
USEPA Region 1 - New England Regional
Laboratory
11 Technology Drive
North Chelmsford, MA 01863-2431
USEPA Region 3
Larry Merrill
USEPA Region 3
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
(215)814-5452
merrill.larry@epa.gov
USEPA Region 2
Darvene Adams
USEPA Facilities
Raritan Depot
2890 Woodbridge Avenue
Edison, NJ 08837-3679
(732) 321-6700
adams.darvene@epa.gov
USEPA Region 4
David Melgaard
USEPA Region 4
61 Forsyth Street, S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303-8960
404-562-9265
melgaard.david@epa.gov
USEPA Region 5
Mari Nord
USEPA Region 5
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604-3507
(312)886-3017
nord.mari@epa.gov
USEPA Region 9
Janet Hashimoto
USEPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415)972-3452
hashimoto.janet@epa.gov
USEPA Region 6
Mark Stead
(214)665-2271
stead.mark@epa.gov
Forrest John
(214)665-8368
john.forrest@epa.gov
USEPA Region 6
1445 Ross Avenue
Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
USEPA Region 10
Gretchen Hayslip
USEPA Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
(206)553-1685
hayslip.gretchen@epa.gov
21
------- |