February 20-21, 2008
Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport Hotel and Conference Center, Herndon, Virginia

Draft-3-17-2008

HIGHLIGHTS and ACTION ITEMS – Presented in order of the Agenda
<Please send comments to Toni Johnson at tjohnson@usgs.gov>

• The SOGW requested guidance from ACWI on whether they are focusing on the appropriate issues. These issues were discussed at the SOGW Roundtable.
• SOGW will seek further feedback at the National Monitoring Conference, May 18-22, 2008
• SOGW will provide a Draft Framework to ACWI by summer/fall 2008.

II. ACWI was asked by USGS to provide feedback on the Water of America Initiative (National Water Census)

• ACWI member Organizations who wish to provide additional written comments may do so by March  21, 2008 to  tjohnson@usgs.gov

III. National Water Quality Monitoring Network for U.S. Coastal Waters and their Tributaries
   

• The following documents were available for members and guests at the ACWI Meeting, and are also posted on the web site at: http://acwi.gov/monitoring/network
  
  Three Pilot Study Final Reports: Delaware Bay, San Franciso Bay, Lake Michigan.

• Two Draft Summary Reports:  Summary of results of the three pilots, and Summary of the Network Refinements. 

• At the Network discussion Roundtable, there was discussion of a possible implementation plan which would show how we might phase in several Demonstration Studies over time.  This could become a recommendation from ACWI to CEQ if ACWI members request it (see schedule).

• ACWI members expressed appreciation for how much work had gone into the Network design refinements and the Pilot studies.  People were also impressed with how many people had been involved as volunteers.

III. Secure Water Act

• ACWI members wanted to provide comments to Michael Connor should do so by February 29, 2008 to Michael_Connor@energy.senate.gov 

IV. Methods and Data Comparability Board -- National Environmental Methods Index  (NEMI)

• The Board will seek ACWI approval of the Physical Habit Elements (April 2008).
• The Board is developing an updated fact sheet for the National Water Quality Monitoring Conference in May 2008.
  See conference web site at: http://wef.org/monitoring/