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MINUTES
JULY 24-26, 2007
EPA REGION 3
1650 ARCH STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

 

Note:  Powerpoint presentations referenced in these minutes may be accessed on the Council’s website at http://acwi.gov/monitoring/ppt/philadelphia_0707/.  Attachments referenced in these notes are available in hard copy by request only.

WELCOME. Gail Mallard made introductions around the room.

WELCOME TO PHILADELPHIA. John Armstead, Deputy Director, Region III, Water Protection Division, EPA, welcomed the Council to Philadelphia and to the EPA office for the Council meeting. Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. and the fifth largest. The Water Works is the first in the country although not a working entity at this time and a site of one of the field trips which the Council will visit during this meeting.   

PRESENTATION FROM NEW MEMBERS. 

Tony Shaw, Region 3, (Pennsylvania). Tony gave a presentation showing a few features of the State of Pennsylvania and the monitoring program. (See pp presentation #1). The presentation included highlights of Pennsylvania’s monitoring and assessment program that included summaries of fixed station, rotating basin, probabilistic, and targeted monitoring designs for streams, rivers, and lakes. Also included was a table summarizing monitoring program status of all of Pennsylvania’s water body types.

Neil Kamman, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 2 (Vermont)       
(See pp. presentation #2.)  Neil discussed water quality monitoring in Vermont and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources structure; the Vermont water-quality standards; Vermont Water Quality Monitoring Program Strategy; Program Design.
   
UPDATE FROM MEMBERS
U.S. Forest Service. Chris Carlson reported that the U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres in the United States and Puerto Rico. The Forest Service is looking at issues related to atmospheric deposition, nutrient and mercury deposition. They are developing a new protocol regarding climate change from high alpine lakes; looking at large scale water quality trend and monitoring. Some problems are variable monitoring standards in different the states. They are working with EPA on picking up EMAP protocols. Lab certification needs are not the same from place to place. Agency is definitely interested in a dialog with Council, states, and other Federal Agencies for managing and monitoring water quality.   

Subcommittee on Ground Water. David Wunsch reported. (See pp presentation #3) We need a framework for ground water monitoring throughout the Nation. There is not a complete nationwide network. The first meeting of the Subcommittee on Ground Water (SOGW)  took place in May 2007..  David showed organization chart of ACWI and work groups and where SOGW falls. Co-Chairs are Bill Cunningham, USGS, and Bob Schreiber, ASCE, and Chris Reimer, Executive Secretary. Work Groups are Monitoring Inventory, Data Standards and Data Management Elements, Field Practices and Field Monitoring. Combined report expected to be completed by SOGW by September for presentation of draft to ACWI at January 2008 meeting.

Nutrient Network Refinement Group. Tamim Younos reported and gave out Draft “Nutrient Requirements for the National Water Quality Monitoring Network for U.S. Coastal Waters and Their Tributaries.” (Attachment 1). Jane Caffrey and Tamim Younos have worked on this group as the Co-Chairs.  Group has developed a tiered list of nutrient parameters with corresponding analyses. (Table 1) Performance Requirements are on Table 2. Any comments on this document, please send to Jane or Tamim. 

Biology Refinement Work Group. Jawed Hameedi reported. (See pp presentation #4). Desired criteria for parameter selection is that they are measurable with a low margin error; that they are not costly to obtain; they are based on consensus and expert counsel; they are responsive to environmental conditions or stressors. Also see Attachment 2.

National Monitoring Network Contaminants. Chuck Spooner reported. Chuck showed an example of spreadsheet they are using showing critical pollutants, pollutants of concern, watch list, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Freshwater. Intention is that they will do two things—go through list of contaminants and categorize them where they are monitored. Details of methods used in monitoring, cast number, USGS lab codes, etc. They have list from NOAA of contaminants measured and a list of those contaminants no longer monitored.     

National Park Service Vital Signs Monitoring Program. Barry Long reported. (See pp presentation #5.) The country is divided up into 32 networks. Presentation showed examples of plans and protocol narratives for various regions of the country. Networks are working on various protocols shown in the presentation. 

ASSESSMENT OF DELAWARE BASIN

Delaware River Basin SPARROW Nutrient Model. Mary Chepiga, USGS, reported. (See pp. presentation #6) SPARROW model takes monitored loads and relates them to independent variables.  

More Precise Assessment of Benthic Conditions in the Delaware Bay. Henry A. Walker, EPA, reported. (See pp presentation #7.)  

  
NEW JERSEY PROGRAMS AND NEW JERSEY STATE MONITORING COUNCIL
New Jersey State Council.  Leslie McGeorge reported on the New Jersey Water Monitoring Council which was formed in 2003. It is an informal Council to establish and exchange information. Their mission is coordination, collaboration, and communication of ambient water quality/quantity data to support effective environmental management. (See pp presentation #8.)  Leslie also distributed copy of presentation. (Attachment 3) There are 30 members. Members include Federal, State, Interstate, Regional, County Government, Academia, and Volunteer representatives. Leslie is Co-Chair along with Rick Kropp (USGS). They meet about three times a year and have subcommittees.
 
New Jersey Monitoring and Assessment Programs. Leslie reported on New Jersey Programs of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. These programs are described in the long-term strategic Plan for 2005-2014. It idenifies gaps and partnership resource needs. Freshwater monitoring covers more than 18,000 miles of  rivers/streams, lakes, and ground water.

Innovative Coastal Water Monitoring Techniques. (See pp presentation #9) Presentation presented by Bob Connell, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

CONCENTRATIONS AND LOADS OF PCBS AND MERCURY IN WATER AND SUSPENDED SEDIMENTS IN TRIBUTARIES ABOVE THE HEAD OF TIDE IN NJ IN THE NJ/NY HARBOR ESTUARY COMPLEX 
Tim Wilson, USGS, reported. (See pp presentation #10.)

NATIONAL MONITORING NETWORK PILOTS UPDATE
Delaware River Basin
Bob Tudor, Delaware River Basin Commission, gave an update on Delaware River Basin (DRB). (See pp. presentation #11.) Presentation overview included national issues; DRB partners; DRB pilot study area; resource components snapshots, data management status; dry run nutrient analysis. The Delaware River Basin supplies drinking water to 5 percent of nation’s population. Delaware Bay is 782 sq. miles. Three reaches are included in the National Wild and Scenic River System. Bob also discussed the Steering Committee and work groups. 

Lake Michigan
John Hummer, Great Lakes Commission, gave the pilot update and as well a new member overview for Great Lakes.  (See pp presentation #12.) Kickoff meeting was held on May 10, 2007, in New Buffalo, Michigan; component work groups were formed and looking for more participants. Presentation includes map of Lake Michigan pilot study area.  Lake Michigan is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume. States around the lake include Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana..

San Francisco Bay Area
Mike Connor, San Francisco Estuary Institute, gave update. (See pp presentation #13.) 

NWIS/STORET UPDATE
Dwane Young, EPA, gave update on NWIS/STORET. (See pp presentation.)

BUSINESS MEETING

Methods and Data Comparability Board
Eric Vowinkel reported.  (See pp presentation #14.) The Board is working with NEMI. There are 903 methods in the data base. We hope to break a 1000 by the time of the 2008 National Monitoring Conference. Franceska Wilde is entering field methods. A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) is being processed through the USGS. Current partners are Tennessee Technical University, Neptune, Inc., YSI, Inc., and Abraxis, LLC. “Green” Methods were discussed. Water-Quality Data Elements group is working on physical habitat. We hope to have a public website available by May 2008. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Portland, Oregon, in October.  We need to determine how the Board fits in with the National Monitoring Network. 

Water Information Strategies Work Group
Curtis Cude reported. Main discussions were conference topics and program development. Dan Radulescu and Mary Skopec, Data Analysis Group, to get speakers into a Council meeting to talk about the National Assessment and how it is used. We need clear idea of what we want for a couple of presentations. Susan Holdsworth, EPA, will be asked to speak for EPA. What basic statistical tools are applied on uniform basis for status and trends in NAWQA Program. Eric will get that information for Leslie McGeorge. Action Item Speakers for National Assessment from EPA and USGS for Council meeting in December 2007.

Collaboration and Outreach Work Group
David Tucker reported.  Priorities include review of communication tools draft during the monthly C&O conference calls. Action Item Chuck Spooner will update information on web on State Councils. There is a National Monitoring Network on the Council website that can be printed out. This can be found on the Council webpage at http://acwi.gov/monitoring/network/index.html. Copies of this poster have been sent to each of the Pilot groups.  The communication strategy draft was reviewed and edited. Action Item Communication Strategy to be updated by Toni Johnson. Logistics for the next meeting in December was discussed. Action Item Judy Griffin will work on selecting and contract with hotel for rooms and conference rooms for San Diego, California, meeting to be held December 4-7, 2007.  A discussion was held regarding celebrations for the Tenth Anniversary for Council. Decisions for this event to be made by Council Steering Committee. The C& O members will review and make suggestions for revisions of Council webpages by January 2008. We are looking at how the Council’s webpages are presented and their functionality—how they can be used more effectively.

Conference Planning Committee
Eric Vowinkel reported. There was an update from Curtis Cude on five different areas that the WIS Work Group wants emphasized for the Sixth National Monitoring Conference, May 18-22, 2008. It was emphasized that we do not invite speakers for specific topics as that can be misinterpreted as covering all costs to the conference. Encourage folks to submit an abstract. All persons whose abstracts are selected must pay to attend conference. Fees for the conference were also discussed.  Possibilities for locals to attend (at reduced costs) by providing materials for conference. The Call for Abstracts is on the Conference website. The Announcement of the Conference was sent out a couple of weeks ago. Due Date for Abstracts is September 10. (Note:  Extension date is September 24.) There was a discussion of field trips with many suggestions from Danielle Donkersloot (New Jersey Volunteer). We will get more information from Danielle at the December meeting. Jeff Schloss will head a subcommittee of the Conference Planning Committee on Awards.  Jeff will be recruiting members for this subgroup. This subcommittee will include nominations for the Elizabeth J. Fellows Award as well as other awards for the 2008 National Monitoring Conference. There was also a discussion of State Councils concerns and what they might like to see on the agenda for the Sixth National Monitoring Conference. What would be useful to discuss for State Councils and if they wish to have conference calls with the NWQMC.

Membership
Chuck Spooner discussed membership issues. Jim Cox is no longer with the National Association of State Conservation Agencies. It is unclear whether that organization (representing Agriculture/State) will appoint another member. There is a person identified for the Region 8 slot who is interested in the Council and biological water-quality monitoring. Chuck will pursue. USDA/ARS will be asked to join. There is a potential for a new Tribal member. 

Meetings
The winter meeting will be held in San Diego, California, on December 4-7, 2007; the  Council would not meet again until the Sixth National Monitoring Conference, May 18-22, 2008, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. A date for a summer meeting will be discussed in December. There was also a discussion of possibilities of a location for the 2010 National Monitoring Conference. A central location would be good—suggestions were Portland, Oregon, and San Antonio, Texas. Other locations mentioned were Memphis or Nashville, Tennsessee, since they are reasonably central locations.

                                                                                    Judith B. Griffin
                                                                                    Executive Secretary
                                                                                    NWQMC 
    

Members/Staff
David Shepp
Bob Hoke
Toni Johnson
Gail Mallard
Chuck Spooner
John Hummer
Tony Shaw
Tamim Younos
Leslie McGeorge
Peter Tennant
Jeff Schloss
David Tucker
Tom Leahy
Barry Long
Fred Leslie
Jawed Hameedi
Garth Redfield
Judy Griffin
Chris Piehler
Neil Kamman
Art Garceau
Don Dycus
Curtis Cude
Chris Carlson
Eric Vowinkel
Kim Martz

Visitors:
Mike Connor, San Francisco Estuary Institute
Ed Santoro, Delaware River
Bob Connell, NJ/DEP
Edie Stevens, League of Women Voters
Bob Tudor, Delaware River Basin Commission
Danielle Donkersloot
Al Korndoerfer, NJ/DEP
Mary Chepiga, USGS
Tim Wilson, USGS
Danielle Kreeger, Partnership for Delaware Estuary
Larry Merrill, EPA


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Thursday, 04-Oct-2007 15:55:30 EDT