A National Water Quality Monitoring Network for U.S. Coastal Waters and their Tributaries
The U.S. Ocean Action Plan called for a National Monitoring Network for U.S. Coastal Waters and their Tributaries (Network) to assure effective stewardship of ocean resources. The National Water Quality Monitoring Council of the Advisory Committee on Water Information was asked to design such a Network, in part because of its broad membership, including federal, tribal, state and local agencies, water associations, universities and the private sector.
The proposed Network shares many attributes with ongoing monitoring efforts but is unique in that it uses an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to address a broad range of resource components, from upland watersheds to offshore waters. Key design features include:
Resource components included in the design are estuaries, nearshore marine waters, offshore marine waters, Great Lakes, rivers, groundwater, atmospheric deposition, beaches and wetlands. Constituents to be monitored include physical characteristics, inorganic and organic chemical concentrations, and biological conditions. Continuity of measurements will provide better understanding of linkages among resources, to calculate flow and loads of constituents from upland areas to coastal waters.
Three Pilot Studies to test the Network design were selected from among 12 expressions of interest. The pilots are:
These Pilot Studies help to refine the Network design through evaluation and selection of environmental parameters, sampling protocols and details of measurements. They conducted an inventory of ongoing or recently concluded monitoring, to identify gaps in existing data through comparison with the Network design. Results of the analyses conducted by the Pilot Studies will improve estimates of the costs for improving data quality and filling data gaps.
The next phase of Network development will be Demonstration Studies which could begin as early as Fiscal Year 2008. New Federal funds will be needed to add sensors in the field, collect and analyze environmental samples, improve data sharing and data management, and other activities to move towards a fully implemented Network in the Demonstration Study areas.
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U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological
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