2006 Current Issues

July, 2006

National Fish Habitat Action Plan

The National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP), developed during the past two years and supported by more than 450 partner organizations, sets forth actions to protect, restore, and enhance fish habitats in watersheds and waterways across the country. The NPS Water Resources Division (WRD) represents NPS on the Federal Caucus of NFHAP. At the June meeting, the Federal Caucus reviewed the draft Executive Order for NFHAP implementation, examined joint performance measures for activities conducted under the NFHAP, discussed the future of the Federal Caucus once the National Fish Habitat Board is in place, and asked how the Caucus can work with its partners. The NFHAP board is scheduled to convene its first meeting in September at the annual meeting of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in Aspen, Colorado. For more information, go to [http://www.fishhabitat.org.]

Technical Water Report for Pu’uhonau o Honaunau NHS -

An Assessment of Coastal Water Resources and Watershed Conditions at Pu’uhonau o Honaunau National Historic Site (Hawaii) [Technical Report NPS/NRWRD/NRTR-2006/352], has been published. The report, a cooperative effort between the Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii, Manoa, and NPS, addresses water quantity, habitat condition, and resource utilization, and provides a discussion of environmental stressors. The report, one in a series of coastal park watershed condition assessments, is available at [http://www1.nature.nps.gov/water/watershed_reports/WSCondRpts.cfm].

USGS/NPS Marine Reserve Workshop on St. John -

Thirty scientists and marine protected area managers from the United States (including Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), Mexico, Bahamas, Belize, St. Lucia, Barbados, Colombia, and the British Virgin Islands met on St. John, USVI, July 11-13, 2006. The NPS and the USGS convened this workshop along with the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. The workshop goal was to assure future research and monitoring programs represent the best available science and build on recent experiences with marine reserves in the Caribbean region. Participants explored goals and expectations of marine reserves, discussed ecological and social connectivity predicted to affect reserve performance, and identified research and monitoring needed to measure and evaluate social and ecological reserve performances. Newly established reserves in four U.S. national parks (Biscayne NP, Channel Islands NP, Dry Tortugas NP, and Virgin Islands NP) provide rare opportunities to learn how fishing influences ecosystem integrity, stability, beauty, and capacity for self-renewal. For more information, contact Gary Davis at (202) 513-7178; (805) 658-5707.

June, 2006

Ground Water Development Proposed Adjacent to Wind Cave NP -

The Southern Black Hills Water System (SBHWS) is planning to use ground water for a growing rural population in the southern portion of the Black Hills. NPS is concerned that withdrawal of large quantities of ground water will impact caves, streams, and springs in the park. The NPS Water Resources Division assisted Wind Cave NP by sending NPS concerns to the South Dakota Chief Engineer. Concurrent with the water rights permit process, the project will also undergo a NEPA Environmental Assessment because SBHWS is seeking a federal loan from the USDA Rural Utility Service to fund construction. Jeff Hughes, Water Resources Division (970-225-3527).

Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Water Rights Hearing Held in Federal District Court - On June 29, 2006, the Federal Colorado District Court, with Judge Clarence Brimmer presiding, heard oral arguments concerning the federal reserved water right for Black Canyon. The case was brought to court by NGOs. Because of two existing agreements with the State of Colorado concerning the park’s water right, these NGOs charged that the Secretary and the NPS Director were remiss in protecting park resources, in the disposal of federal property, and in compliance with the NEPA. While this case is addressing issues of federal law, the Colorado Water Court is waiting its outcome in order to continue determining the quantity of the water right. At the hearing, Judge Brimmer indicated he will issue his decision in about a month. Chuck Pettee, Water Resources Division (970-225-3505).

Nevada State Engineer Denies Some Water Use Applications by Southern Nevada Water Authority - The Nevada State Engineer (NSE) issued Ruling No. 5621, June 15, 2006, approving some water use applications and denying others. The NSE ruled that changing some water diversion points would be detrimental to the public interest. For the denied applications, the NSE concluded that Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) failed to provide the technical evidence needed to justify moving approved groundwater permits from outside to inside the Three Lakes Valley-South groundwater basin, an unprecedented approach proposed by SNWA to avoid access issues on a national wildlife refuge. NPS concerns about the proposed changes were incorporated in a November 2005 stipulated agreement that protects Devils Hole and Death Valley NP from effects of SNWA's proposed pumping. SNWA must now determine if it can move forward with its plans to develop the smaller amount of groundwater approved by the NSE. Dan McGlothlin, Water Resources Division (970-225-3536).

Progress

Water Resources Division Assists Solicitor’s Office and Death Valley NP in Devils Hole Groundwater Use Hearing - On June 12-14, a Nevada State Engineer water rights hearing was held to consider the protests of NPS and FWS on numerous pending groundwater use applications for the Amargosa Desert area, near Devils Hole. WRD, park staff, and NPS consultants (including a USGS scientist) presented evidence that current water pumping in the Amargosa Desert area is affecting the water level at Devils Hole and additional proposed pumping will lower the pool level below the court-mandated minimum level. The NPS and FWS are seeking denial of these and other pending applications because the basin is over-appropriated and agency water rights would be adversely affected by the combined additional pumping. A ruling is not expected for several months. Dan McGlothlin, Water Resources Division (970-225-3536).

May, 2006

Coral Bleaching Episode in U.S. Virgin Islands -- An increase in sea temperatures in 2005 led to the most severe coral bleaching episode ever recorded in the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than 90% of coral cover bleached at six long-term monitoring sites at Virgin Island NP and Buck Island Reef NM. This bleaching episode was followed immediately by a severe outbreak of coral disease that killed many colonies. Assessments revealed coral die-offs at a rate greater than 48% loss of live coral cover at Tektite Reef and more than 20% loss at Haulover Reef. Of the over 460 elkhorn (Acropora palmata, federally endangered) colonies being monitored in Virgin Islands NP, about 45% bleached, 13% died partially, and 8% died completely. On May 3rd, Director Fran P. Mainella presented STAR awards to Jeff Miller and Rob Waara of the South Florida/Caribbean Inventory and Monitoring Network Program for their work in documenting this event. This episode highlights the value of rigorous monitoring programs. Cliff McCreedy, Marine Resource Program Leader, Water Resources Division.

Ocean Research Priorities Plan -- The White House Council on Environmental Quality began development of a National Ocean Research Priorities Plan, in response to the President's U.S. Ocean Action Plan, with a public workshop April 18-20 in Denver. The research plan will present a vision for US ocean science and technology, describe the challenges to be addressed, identify key themes, specify goals for each theme and a time frame for their achievement, and address implications for the use or prioritization of resources. NPS Geologic and Water Resources professionals facilitated the breakout session on Sustaining Natural Resources. ADNRSS also compiled and submitted NPS comments on the plan from parks and regions to assure that ocean park needs are addressed. NPS Geologic Resources professionals served as editors to incorporate comments from all sources in the final draft. Further information is available at: http://ocean.ceq.gov/about/jsost_workshop/welcome.html

April, 2006

Bailly Generating Station, Indiana Dunes NL, Groundwater Sampling -- Northern Indiana Public Service Company's contractor (AMEC Earth and Environmental) has submitted plans for an expanded ground water investigation after initial groundwater sampling at the Lakeshore’s boundary indicated contaminant levels of concern. A consensus was reached among EPA, the Lakeshore, WRD, and AMEC staff that previous sampling results from the Bailly Generating Station RCRA Facility Investigation showed dissolved metals to exceed guidance and regulatory criteria. Although they did not exceed such levels by much, given the historic releases and mobility of metals (e.g., Boron) in ground water derived from Bailly facility fly ash settling ponds, a precautionary approach is being adopted. Information provided by Peter E. Penoyer, WRD.

Devils Hole Pupfish -- On April 15, 2006, the quarterly count of the only native population of Devils Hole pupfish was 38, the lowest of the 35-year period of record. WRD and BRMD staff are working with Death Valley NP, the Pacific West Region, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, and non-agency scientists to identify and implement emergency actions to reduce the risk of near-term extinction. Plans for artificial propagation, genetic management, monitoring, and public outreach are in various stages of completion. Elements of the plans already underway include increasing the size of a refuge population and developing techniques for artificial propagation. For more information contact John Wullschleger, WRD.

Highway Construction Near Hot Springs NP -- GRD and WRD staff met with the Federal Highway Administration, Arkansas Department of Transportation, USGS, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, and Hot Springs NP staff on April 26 to discuss recent data suggesting that the planned northeast segment of the MLK Bypass highway around the City of Hot Springs may cross the springs recharge area for the park. Although construction of the northeast highway segment has not begun, the recent discovery of warm water in a domestic well near the planned bypass route has raised concerns and precipitated the meeting. All parties agreed that the USGS would provide a list of research needed to determine the source of the recently discovered geothermal waters, as well as cost estimates to acquire the information. If the research indicates that park waters might be impacted, the two highway agencies indicated they would consider rerouting the highway. GRD and WRD staff will continue to provide support to Hot Springs NP and USGS.

Hydrologic Monitoring System at Haleakala NP -- Haleakala NP is installing an automated hydrologic monitoring system on Palikea Stream. The monitoring system will measure rainfall and stream data at several locations within the Palikea watershed. When installed, tipping bucket rainfall gages will measure rainfall intensity and pressure transducers will measure stream water level. This information will be transmitted in near real time to a base station computer system located at the Kipahulu Ranger Station and will assist park staff in managing this popular visitor area. The system should be fully operational by August 2006. Information provided by Gary Smillie, WRD.

Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA)

UPDATE (4/13/06)
DOE continues its preparations and ongoing efforts to remediate the Moab Site through removal of the 16-million ton uranium mill tailings pile from the Moab site, the cleanup of vicinity properties, and implementation of the ground water interim action, after receiving 28 million for fiscal year 2006. Publishing of the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in July 2005 and approval through DOE’s issuance of the Record of Decision in September 2005 of the preferred alternatives including tailings pile removal, off-site disposal at Crescent Junction and active ground water remediation, have allowed steps toward relocation and permanent disposal of the pile to begin. These steps include characterizing the Moab and Crescent Junction sites, building necessary infrastructure, coordinating transportation (primarily rail) logistics, hiring appropriate personnel, and awarding contracts to perform the work. In addition, DOE continues implementing an active ground water clean up program (pump and treat/evaporate) to address ammonia levels and other contaminants to protect the Colorado River and limit further potential impacts to Threatened and Endangered (T&E) species.

After implementation of the first phase of an interim action to address ground water contamination at the site in 2003 (Configuration 1 extraction well system), DOE has substantially expanded the system into a second and third phase (Configuration 2 and Configuration 3) to include cycling of both extraction and injection wells, expansion of the evaporation pond, and installation of a sprinkler system (28 acres) to more than double the evaporative capacity of the treatment system. Although not intended as a long-term activity, the system is being evaluated and some components may eventually become part of the final ground water remedy. Interim soils cleanup, revegetation efforts, and air quality monitoring for radioparticulates and fugitive dust are also ongoing site activities.
Value engineering is being applied by DOE and its contractors to assess how the surface contamination will best be cleaned up and the handling strategies for relocating the mill tailings to the Crescent Junction disposal site including excavation, conveyance, and their disposal into repository cells.

DOE has also established a newsletter “Tailings Times” to keep the public informed of their ongoing activities at the Moab Site which may be accessed through their project website at http://gj.em.doe.gov/moab.

Accomplishments:

New Water Resources Foundation Report --A Water Resources Foundation Report has been completed by Effigy Mounds NM, with help from the NPS Water Resources Division and Denver Service Center staff. The report will serve as a reference during development of the park’s General Management Plan. This is the second water resources report produced in this new format, following guidance from the 2004 Park Planning Program Standards. For a copy of this report, contact Don Weeks, Hydrologist, at 303-987-6640.

Professional Meetings/Papers:

Devils Hole Workshop --WRD staff participated in the annual Devils Hole Workshop, Death Valley NP, April 26-28, 2006. The workshop brings together scientists in a non-confrontational setting to exchange information from recent studies of physical and biological resources in southern Nevada’s Amargosa Desert. Public land management issues in the vicinity include the activation of the Yucca Mountain Radioactive Waste Repository and the effects of ground water development on Devil’s Hole in Death Valley NP. Information provided by Chuck Pettee, WRD.

Water Quality Monitoring Conference --Roy Irwin, Kristen Keteles, Pete Penoyer, Gary Rosenlieb, and Dean Tucker, Water Resources Division, and Brannon Ketcham, Pacific West Region, gave presentations at the 5th National Water Quality Monitoring Conference sponsored by the National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC). NWQMC provides a national forum to promote consistent and scientifically defensible methods and strategies to improve water quality monitoring, assessment, and reporting. It also promotes partnerships to foster collaboration, advance the science, and improve management within all elements of the water quality monitoring community. Conference proceedings can be viewed at:
http://www.nature.nps.gov/water/VitalSigns_index/VitalSignsnews.cfm.
Gary Rosenlieb, Water Quality Program Team Leader, Water Resources Division.