Joint U.S. Geological Survey/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Study of Aquatic Systems in the Mid-Atlantic Region

WRD PROJECT #: MD144
PROJECT CHIEF: Blomquist, Joel D.
BEGIN DATE: 01-April-1997
END DATE: 30-September-1999

Customers currently supporting the project:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Geological Survey

Objectives

The objective of this study is to assess and evaluate links among the natural physical setting (physiography, lithology, and ecoregions) and chemical and biological conditions at site-specific, local, and regional scales in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Region III through a multi-agency integrated assessment based on complementary monitoring networks and research programs. Conceptual models will be developed to describe links between spatial and temporal data to the natural physical setting and environmental stressors (land-use, point and nonpoint sources, habitat alteration, and other cultural activities).

This joint effort is composed of four phases including the following activities:

1. Existing data assessments;
2. Integration of existing data;
3. Network evaluation; and
4. Regional and targeted assessments.

These components will demonstrate the added value in utilizing data from multiple agencies as recommended by the CENR, ITFM, and the DOI Science Board. In addition, the process used to meet this objective will enhance/facilitate the interagency coordination recommended by CENR.

Approach

As recommended by CENR and ITFM, a multi-tiered approach will be used to build a multi-agency, regional pilot project in the Mid-Atlantic region that integrates existing environmental monitoring and research networks, thereby enabling agencies to answer complex questions that are beyond the scope of their individual existing programs. The Mid-Atlantic region was recommended as a pilot because of the large number of well-organized stakeholders at all levels of government in the area currently participating in environmental monitoring and research activities. The challenge is to weave this information together across spatial and temporal scales to address a common set of assessment questions that provide environmental and policy managers with scientific information to enhance management of our environmental resources.

The approach is divided into four phases: (1) Existing Data Assessment, (2) Integration of Existing Data, (3) Network Evaluation, and (4) Regional and Targeted Assessments. The first two phases of the joint assessment will focus on the data-rich parts of the Mid-Atlantic Highlands Area. The primary sources of data targeted for the first two phases of the assessment include the EMAP/MAHA streams assessment, the USGS NAWQA study units, and programs related to the USGS Chesapeake Ecosystem study. These data sets will be combined using a multi-tiered approach to form preliminary conceptual models. Additional stakeholders and complementary data sets will be included during the second assessment phase to further build upon the multi-tiered joint assessment approach.

The multi-tiered hierarchical framework for integrating monitoring and research programs consists of remote sensing, resource surveys, and intensive studies to: (1) characterize specific properties of large regions by continuous measurement (remote sensing); (2) assess selected constituents and properties on a regional scale based on synoptic surveys; and (3) understand processes and interactions at fewer intensive index sites.

This multi-agency study will integrate the data and results of several major assessment efforts and data-collection programs. For example, the EMAP program has focussed on assessing the ecological condition of streams in the Mid-Atlantic region, while the NAWQA program has focused on water-quality conditions in ground-water and surface water bodies. Both programs, however, have incorporated ecological, physical, and chemical measurements and information on environmental stressors into their assessments. Preliminary discussions indicate that the joint assessment will allow a more thorough assessment of links between nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and ecological conditions in a stream environment.

Products from the joint assessment will improve the information base for water-quality and ecological management in the Mid-Atlantic region by: (1) providing a common information base for regional assessments, (2) showing the complementary or dissenting nature of independently-designed assessments, (3) identifying and filling significant gaps in data and information in the region, and (4) developing statistical assessment models that utilize spatially and temporally extensive data to assess ecological and water-quality conditions in the region.

A data-analysis team will be assembled that consists of hydrologists, biologists, statisticians managers and support personnel from various offices of the USGS and USEPA. This team will meet and work in smaller groups to accomplish the tasks and produce the products outlined in phases 1 and 2. Initial gatherings, or workshops, of the team will be facilitated by the USEPA's MAIA (Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment) program. The team will build upon the knowledge gained in the data analysis and integration phases to jointly evaluate the current network's ability to address the jointly developed assessment questions in phase 3. Recommendation for additional regional and targeted assessments will be developed and implemented by the team during phase 4.