National Water Quality Monitoring Council
Atlanta, Georgia
February 16-18, 2000

Minutes

1. Welcome and Introductions: Welcome and introductions were made by Tom Welborn, Acting Deputy Director, Water Management Division, EPA Region 4; Wanda Meeks, Regional Hydrologist, Southeastern Region; and Chuck Spooner, EPA, Office of Water, Co-Chair of the Council

2. Speakers. The following guests and Council members gave presentations

3. Southeast Watershed Forum

   Christine Olsenius, Forum Coordinator, Southeast Watershed Forum gave an overview of the cooperative effort among agencies, industries, and nonprofit organizations to enhance regional watershed management initiatives in nine States. Also, she presented highlights of a comprehensive Watershed Activities Survey that has been conducted by the Forum of local watershed groups in the Region.

   Dr. Bill Deutsch, Auburn University, Program Director, Alabama Water Watch. The Alabama Water Watch data is being used by the State of Alabama in completing their watershed assessments.

   Marty Kearns, Executive Director, Georgia River Network. This group is organized to facilitate communication and coordination among River advocacy and watershed organizations in Georgia.

   Don Anderson, TVA Federal/State team, gave a presentation on the Hiwassee Interagency Team; the Hiwassee Interagency Team provides technical and monitoring support to local watershed groups; Don announced the next meeting of the group at the Brasstown Community Center in Brasstown, North Carolina, on March 9, 2000.

   Don Dycus, TVA, gave a video presentation on TVA's Integrated Approach to Managing the Tennessee River. TVA has three categories of assessments: ecological health, fisheries resources, and human health. TVA been conducting this monitoring program for the past 10 years coordinating with State agencies. TVA is also working with the Alabama Water Watch.

4. Region 4 Monitoring Studies

   Ellen McCarron, Florida Department of Environmental Protection gave a presentation on New Directions for Florida Monitoring Program.

   Lloyd Wise, EPA, Coordinator for Gulf of Mexico Program, gave a presentation on the Savannah River Watershed.

   David Melgaard, EPA, Monitoring Coordinator for Region 4, discussed Sediment Development TMDL Protocol: A Status Report with Emphasis on Ecoregion. This is a collaborative effort with some other Federal and State agencies.

   Jim Porter, University of Georgia, gave presentation on Coral Reef Monitoring. Professor Porter indicated that the most important result of this study is the 5-year increase in phosphorous. Seventy-five percent of all coral reefs are losing their corals; over seven species have been lost in 2 years. There is a 218 percent increase in species that are diseased. Environmental Health equals environmental economy in the Florida Keys. Beaches were closed in the lower Florida Keys in 1999 because of water-quality problems.

5. Southeastern Region Assessment Studies

   Dan Hippe, NAWQA Chief, Water-Quality Specialist, NAWQA studies in the Southeastern Region. Emery Cleaves said from the Council point of view, we should encourage State regulatory involvement to the NAWQA Program. Emery emphasized that it is important that a very strong effort be made to provide that the layman can understand. We must be able to communicate to our Congressional staffs. The reports must be written in nontechnical language. Emery stated that NAWQA should remain a national effort, and that he is a very strong supporter of the NAWQA Program.

   Ed Martin, USGS District Chief, Georgia, Environmental Atlas for Georgia. Ed can be reached by email at ehmartin@usgs.gov for anyone who wants information on how to obtain the CD from the State of Georgia.

6. Improved Watershed Coordination

   Bill Cosgrove, EPA Region 4 Science and Ecological Support Division, gave a presentation on A Beginning for the Southeast Regional Ecological Assessment Program (REAP).

   Jim Harrison, EPA, Region 4, Water Management Division, gave a presentation on Landscape Data and Water Quality: ATTILA tools and examples.

7. Watershed Delineations - Science Tools and Approaches.

   Bob Pierce, USGS, Southeastern Region, gave presentation on Watershed Delineation Approaches-GIS (HUC's) and Modeling (SPARROW).

8. Recommendations of the Task Force to Review the FederalState Cooperative Program.

   Steve Blanchard, USGS Office of Associate Director for Water, gave a presentation on the Federal-State Cooperative Program. A committee was formed to review the USGS Cooperative Program. Membership included 16 non-Federal agency representatives, 6 Federal agency representatives, and 1 Executive Secretary from the USGS. Steve served as Executive Secretary. Overview of the program was conducted at the District level. The review was published as Circular No. 1192. Availability of the report is open to the public and will be announced in the Federal Register. The report will be on the agenda at the ACWI Meeting that will take place in Reston on May 16 and 17, 2000. Findings and Recommendations are listed in the report. The task force recommended a name change of the program from Federal-State Cooperative Program to Federal Cooperative Water Program. Steve stated that it was up to ACWI to look at the recommendations to come up with their decisions. The report was sent to each of the ACWI members for their comments. There have been about 20 comments on the recommendations from the public. Chuck Spooner indicated that it would be EPA's recommendation to keep this program alert and well funded. ACWI as an advisory body could make recommendations to USGS and other Federal agencies of what these priorities should be. These recommendations would be reviewed at the regional level. ACTION: Fred Van Alstyne suggested that prioritization of recommendations for the Federal Cooperative Water Program could be a topic for consideration by ACWI; and agreed to collect State comments and write a letter from the Council to ACWI before the May meeting. The public review comment period on the report of the task force closes on February 29, 2000.

9. States' Comments on EPA Proposed Changes to TMDL Rules.

   Gary Ingman presented an overview of proposed new TMDL Rules of EPA and stated that the roles the Council may play on the implementation of the rules and changes will have real impact on State programs on water-quality monitoring and assessment. At this point Susan Holdsworth, EPA, Office of Water, Washington, DC, joined the Council meeting by teleconference. EPA seems to be on a fast track to get these rules finalized by April and hopes to publish final rules in the Federal Register by June. Gary Ingman suggested that the Council may be able to play a role as to TMDL's. Methods development is a good opportunity for the Council to take an active part. Gary asked for other State representatives on the Council to give their recommendations on these proposed rules.

10. Highlights of State Comments by Council State Representatives.

    Ellen McCarron, Florida, indicated that States fall into one or two classes with lawsuits pending or those that do not. The ones that do not have lawsuits can be in a better position to work with these rules. Florida does have a lawsuit pending.

    Fred Banach, Connecticut, said the State is still out on the proposed rules. They would like to do problematic monitoring on a regular basis every 5 or 10 years. They do not have the funds to do that. They need to look harder at watershed management with the TMDL method.

    Dave Pollison, Delaware, stated that the Delaware Commission has a number of concerns. Generally, they strongly endorse the comment about the need for this Council to address proposed rules; they approve of the linkage between 305B and 305D.

    Jim Cox, National Association of State Conservation Agencies, stated that he would highlight interest of nonpoint sources and opportunity of this Council. There is a need to improve nonpoint sources by reissuing permits.

    Peter Tennant, ORSANCO River Basin, representing the States of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, and New York stated that since TMDL's have gained importance, there is increasing difficulty in his States in accepting those regulations. Reviewing the new regulations, there are three major comments against inclusion of implementation plan; concern about too much emphasis on point sources; concern about the four-part listing; and the States were wondering why they would submit methodology and not receive comments back from EPA. One area that they did not comment on was 305B and 305D listings. They could not agree on how often the lists should be issued. Some like the 5-year cycle.

    Rodney DeHan, Florida, stated that it is going against watershed management; watershed should be three dimensional; EPA Region 4 is addressing TMDL. Rodney indicated that we are so busy dealing with the bad waters that we are neglecting the pristine waters. Good waters should remain safe.

    Gregg Gross, Minnesota, commented that States that are good actors will be treated the same as the bad. This is not fair. How to use general permits should be left with the States. TMDL surrogates should be allowed.

    Fred Van Alstyne, stated that New York has no lawsuit. New York wants to continue the monitoring that has been in place for many years. TMDL should not derail our monitoring program; focused on standard water-quality parameters. The 305D list generates from 305B and that is a good thing. The 5-year listing cycle is probably a good process.

    Seth Makepeace, Montana, CSKT NRD Tribal, stated that there is a national push for narrative standards for all tribes. CSKT does have TMDL standards. They are concerned that States' programs are getting pushed and pulled. They are very sensitive, and the tribes consider lawsuits so critical because judgments of lawsuits apply to all tribes across the country.

    Susan Holdsworth, EPA, Office of Water, presented an overview of the evolving thinking of 303D and 305B. Susan thanked the panel for their views that will be considered in writing the 305D and 305B programs. EPA is at the beginning stage in scoping out the methodology and working with many technical issues that are of concern to all the States. Susan stated that they would like to put together a draft identifying the technical issues to be addressed and expect to have this done in the next few months. The outline set up is pretty simplistic--to identify major sections that the methodology should address. Another issue is appropriate techniques for use of secondary data to support 305B and 305D. The issue is how to interpret data to access waterquality assessment. How are causes and sources identified and characterized. Susan said they would like this finished to influence the next monitoring cycle which would be the 2001 cycle. Susan stated that they would like to pull it together with the regulations. Seth Makepeace questioned whether Western Water Rights and TMDL rules are being compared. Susan stated that she would check into this.

    Tim Kubiak, USFWS, discussed monitoring on Federal lands. Interior is also concerned at two levels-how we interact with the States and who is responsible. One of the points in Clean Water Action Plan (CWAP) is that Agriculture share responsibility. We could tidy up some uncertainty about where the money is coming from. If we go back to the FACA Committee, EPA made it clear that Federal land management agencies are on their own for funding. The Council could address what are all the unfunded mandates. That specific issue could be on the agenda later this afternoon stated Chuck Spooner.

11. Data Methods and Comparability. Charlie Peters gave presentation on data methods and comparability from the Methods Board. A letter will be sent to about 60 organizations giving them the Board's Internet site and suggesting that they link to it. Charlie reported on recommendations from each of the work groups on the Board.

12. End of Public Session. John Klein thanked the Region for the hospitality and announced that at this time the public session of the meeting ends.

COUNCIL BUSINESS

1. Work Group Reports and Discussion.
   
   

   1. Robert Ward gave a presentation on water information strategies. Emery Cleaves said that ITFM had a methodology for designing a water-quality network. It might be appropriate for the Council to indicate a regional and local water-quality network keeping in mind the costs.

   2. Herb Brass reported on the Methods Board. Product based approach; prioritize activities to meet objectives; draft agenda for next meeting is very different; previously work groups met and reported back to Board; now they are going to deal with individual projects; then meet with Board to get input and ideas from everyone. Herb discussed the priority products list.
      

   3. Emery Cleaves reported on Institutional Collaboration. The Council encourages State and local groups. The national meeting will have one session and workshop on institutional collaboration. If State and Regional Councils do not sense the need to collaborate, it will not happen. Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, Michigan, and Maryland have groups up and running. In April, Emery will be in New England about their interest in doing this. A brief update in Maryland, they now have a Program Coordination Committee that the county and local governments were insistent that they have. In Virginia, the Virginia Monitoring Council is growing out of diversity stated Chuck Spooner. ACTION: Make sure we understand the state of their art (Virginia Council) at the next meeting of this Council.

   4. Ellen McCarron reported on Data Management and Assessment. Ellen reported that there has not been much activity with this group. There followed an in-depth discussion on restructuring this group. What role and function for the group would contribute to the Council? Ellen stated that she would openly support a motion by a member of the Council to abolish the data management group. Ellen suggested that they do away with the work group but not the subject matter. It should be merged with other work groups that are active, particularly Goal 1, Water Information Strategies, and Goal 2, Methods and Data Comparability. ACTION: Rodney DeHan made a motion that the Council disband the data management group and the Council make recommendations regarding this activity; Herb Brass, Charlie Peters, Wayne Hood and Ellen McCarron should work on this issue. The motion was seconded by Emery Cleaves. The motion was unanimously passed.

2. National Monitoring Conference Planning. Abby Markowitz reported on issues for the National Monitoring Conference to be held in Austin, Texas, in April 2000. Abby suggested that session moderators contact other speakers in the session. Ellen McCarron said that she could be in one of the data management sessions. ACTION: Abby will get an updated list of participants and moderators of sessions to Council members. After Jim Porter's briefing at yesterday's session, there was some discussion of requesting Jim to speak at the Monitoring Conference in April. Abby said this is something that can be pursued if Council members agree. ACTION: Mike Houts said that he would talk to Jim Porter about participating at the Monitoring Conference; they would offer him honorarium or travel; if he accepts, the Steering Committee will schedule a conference call to discuss these details.

   There was a discussion regarding registration fee for Council members. The registration fee will be $100 for Council members rather than $195. Ellen, Rodney, and Emery would need some support for travel funds to attend the meeting. ACTION: John Klein requested that any member contact him who would need support for travel to attend the Conference.

3. Work Group Reports and Discussion.

   1. Ground Water Focus. Rodney stated that the ground water group has achieved some goals. Three priorities out of fifteen were cited for action. The three priorities are--development of a fact sheet, workshop on ground-water and surface-water, and developing ground-water standards for ground-water monitoring. Of the three priorities, only one has been started for the role of geologic hydrology. USGS Office of Ground Water has not worked on this fact sheet. John Klein stated that he anticipates a comment from Bill Wilber on this fact sheet. Rodney stated that a letter dated October 22, 1999, was sent to USGS regarding cooperative work. John Klein indicated that Rodney's letter went to Bob Hirsch; John Klein sent his comments to Bob Hirsch. John expects the reply to come from Bob Hirsch, Associate Director for Water, USGS. John Klein stated that one of the thrusts for USGS is coastal activities. Rodney said that both Bob Hirsch and Pat Leahey have been contacted to have a meeting in March regarding joint activities. Florida is working very hard to establish a monitoring council. There is an initiative to look at priorities of the work plan and adopt a plan. Toni Johnson stated that another agency could work with Clean Water Action Plan (CWAP) members. Terms of Reference describe the work of the Council. In a meeting of the Steering Committee, Rodney combined comments of Steering Committee members into one final draft. This document was to go to the entire Council. ACTION: Fred Van Alstyne distributed document on Council Terms of Reference and Council members are to get comments back to Toni Johnson. Fred said that this document needs to be approved and finalized.
      
      
   2. State Grants. During one of the Steering Committee meetings, receiving funds for priorities of Council was discussed. Rodney DeHan suggested tapping into the State's grant programs to support the Council. The grant could pay dues to a national organization. Rodney's suggestion was to take some money from the State and earmark it for some of the Council's activities. Toni Johnson stated that the Council as a body and a subcommittee of the ACWI and, as such, the Co-Chairs (Federal) must fund their activities; however, State members can accept funds to support their activities on the Council. CRADA is another option and might establish an activity that could be funded. Herb Brass stated that the Council as a whole could set up a CRADA through one of the Federal agencies, EPA or USGS. Gary Ingman said that it might be a good idea to identify projects of the Council that are unfunded. ACTION: Toni Johnson will schedule a special meeting of the Steering Committee to discuss the issue of funding projects of the Council.
      
      
4. Coastal Activities. Andy Robertson said it might be a good idea to have a work group on coastal activities. Emery Cleaves said that from the Council's standpoint it is important, but on the other hand can the Council serve fruitfully when there are so many organizations working on these issues. There was a discussion regarding how communication and coordination among these groups is transmitted generally and if the Council needs to deal with this issue. Toni said that there are openings on the Council and perhaps we should get some people on the Council who would be interested in this topic rather than creating a work group.
   
   
5. Terms of Reference. Toni Johnson took comments (suggestions, corrections, additions) from the group on the Terms of Reference for the Council. ACTION: Don Dycus made a motion to approve the Terms of Reference as modified at this meeting; the motion was seconded by Fred Van Alstyne. There were no objections and the motion passed.
   
   
6. Chuck Spooner discussed the ASIWPCA document. Chuck suggested that we become involved in this issue. This is the document to which Susan referred to as Assessment Methodology. The idea is to merge 305B and 303D into a consolidated document.
   
   
7. Cooperative Water Program. Develop a letter signed by the full Council to go to ACWI regarding the Cooperative Water Program; Fred Van Alstyne would prepare this letter. It must be received by February 29, 2000. It might be better for individuals to respond. Emery said that he has already responded individually.
   
   
8. Membership Status.

   Toni discussed membership document that was sent out about 6 months ago. Greg Gross is here from Region 5; Mike Talbott was original representative. Greg will be the member and Sylvia will be alternate.

   Region 7 is small and there is lack of interest outside that region stated Chuck Spooner. Chuck said that we should leave this vacant until there is any real interest in the Council from Region 7.

   All of the other members, let us confirm asked Toni Johnson. Fred Banach, Emery Cleaves, Wayne Hood. Next set of rotations take place October 2000. Bill Backus has not been able to participate very well; we may need to get a new alternate for ill, Region 10. ACTION: Toni will revise the membership list.

   Ellen McCarron is representing watersheds. There is a potential of 10 Federal slots; we now have 8. Barry suggested that we have a USGS Biological Resources representative. They could not be on as a USGS representative said Toni. We can consider having a biological representative from another source. Don Dycus will submit a couple of names for consideration. Tom Christenson was suggested by Mike Houts as an agriculture representative. Don Dycus is a biologist and said that we do have representation in that field but would be glad to have additional members with biology background. Two vacancies on the private industry side.

   ACTION: The next date for the Steering Committee Conference Call was scheduled for March 7, 2000.

9. Next Council Meeting. John Klein discussed possible date for next Council meeting. There would not be time to meet in April at the Conference. John said that it was suggested that we have a working meeting and break into working groups. If that is the case, it does not need to be a Regional meeting. Ellen McCarron suggested that the meeting be held in Montana. Seth Makepeace said tribal issues have not come to the front, and they would like to see that happen. Logistics could be St. Mary's in Montana. John Klein is concerned about the travel costs. A meeting in Montana might be something to explore in the next fiscal year stated Toni Johnson. September is an ideal time to meet in Montana. The format of that meeting would be issues of regional information for 1 day and 1/2 days for Council Business. Concerns were discussed regarding scheduling a meeting in September regarding funding; having a meeting in September would mean less funds for the fact sheet and outreach activities. We could meet (whenever we gather in Reston) regarding coastal issues suggested Emery Cleaves. John Klein said that meeting in Montana would give us new insight on activities and issues there of which Council members may not be aware. John will have his secretary run some costs analysis for these trips. Fred said that we need a meeting as soon as possible after the Conference in April. After costs of this meeting is confirmed, John would have a better idea if funds will be available for a September meeting. ACTION: TENTATIVELY, THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 18 (DEPENDING ON FUNDS) IN MONTANA.

   At the meeting's end, Toni thanked Becky Covert, of the Atlanta EPA office, for her work in scheduling and organizing the meeting in Atlanta. Toni presented Becky and others instrumental in facilitating the meeting with some tokens of appreciation from the USGS.

   Attendees:
   John Klein, USGS o-Chair)
   Chuck Spooner, EPA (Co-Chair) (Speaker)
   Herb Brass, EPA (Co-Chair, Methods Board) (Speaker)
   Charlie Peters, USGS (Co-Chair, Methods Board) (Speaker)
   Abby Markowitz, Tetra Tech
   Jennifer Pitt, Tetra Tech
   Wanda Meeks, USGS (Regional Hydrologist, SR) (Speaker)
   Tom Welborn, EPA/R4 (Deputy, Water Management Division) (Speaker)
   Greg Gross, MPCA
   Bill Ingersoll, NAVSEA
   Tim Kubiak, FWS
   Barry Long, NPS
   Rodney DeHan, FL/DEP
   Don Dycus, TVA (Speaker)
   Peter Tennant, ORSANCO
   Robert Ward, Colorado State University
   Jeff Schloss, University of New Hampshire
   Keith McLaughlin, USDA Forest Service
   Dave Pollison, Delaware River Basin Commission
   Karl Muessig, NJGS/AASG
   Fred Banach, CT/DEP
   Emery Cleaves, MD/GS
   Ellen McCarron, FL/DEP (Speaker)
   Lloyd Wise, EPA/R4 (Speaker)
   Ed Martin, USGS/GA/DC (Speaker)
   Linda Harn, Georgia DNR/EPD
   Bill Deutsch, Auburn University,
   AL Water Watch (Speaker)
   Don Anderson, TVA (Speaker)
   Marty Kearns,GA River Network (Speaker)
   Christine Olsenius, Southeast Watershed Forum (Speaker)
   Mike Houts, OK/DEQ
   Gary Pederson, USGS/SR
   David Melgaard, EPA/R4 (Speaker)
   Lindsay Martin, Colorado State University (Speaker)
   Jim Cox, NASCA
   Gerald Ryan, USGS/NC
   Gary Ingman, MT/DEQ (Speaker)
   Seth Makepeace, CSKT
   Davika Misir, ADI Technology Corp. (Navy)
   John Richardson, EPA/R4
   Karen G. Porter, University of Georgia/Ecology
   Jim Porter, University of Georgia (Speaker)
   Bill Ainslie, EPA/R4
   Antonio Quinones, EPA/GA
   Bruce A. Pruitt, EPA/GA
   Morris C. Flexner, EPA/R4
   Ben Grunewald, GWPC
   Dario J. Dal Santo, RTI (EPA)
   Susan Holdsworth, EPA, Office of Water (via teleconference)
   Steve Blanchard, USGS/WRD/Coop (Speaker)
   Andy Robertson, NOAA/NOS
   David Denig-Chakroff, AMWA
   Fred VanAlstyne, NY/DEC
   Dan Hippe, USGS/GA/NAWQA (Speaker)
   Jim Harrison, EPA/R4 (Speaker)
   Bob Pierce, USGS/GA (Speaker)
   Toni Johnson, USGS (Executive Secretary)
   Judy Griffin, USGS/OI, Asst. Executive Secretary

Recorded by J. Griffin 3/2/00
Updated 6/7/00 :J. Griffin

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
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