Partnerships

The USGS Contaminant Biology Program (CBP) collaborates with other agencies and organizations in the conduct of its research to better understand the environmental effects of current and emerging contaminants. Partners that manage the Nation’s biotic resources, like the Fish and Wildlife Service, often identify information needs that provide a focus for Program scientific activities. USGS and its partners share expertise, resources, facilities, and field locations in order to provide the science that is needed for management of natural resources.  Resource managers in the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Reclamation, and Office of Surface Mining, and other Federal, State, and local agencies use information generated by USGS to determine the role of contaminants in species declines.

CBP provides leadership and research support to many agencies and organizations, including the following:

• Bonneville Power Administration
• Bureau of Land Management
• CALFED Bay-Delta Program
• Chesapeake Bay Program
• Department of Natural Resources and Environmental protection at the State level
• Fish and Wildlife Service
• National Nanotechnology Initiative
• National Park Service
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. Forest Service

Bonneville Power Administration

• Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)  -  the Bonneville Power Administration, a Federal agency under the U.S. Department of Energy, serves the energy needs of the Pacific Northwest. USGS has provided information that has enhanced BPA structures for wildlife.

Bureau of Land Management

• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - USGS is investigating contamination on BLM land associated with Clark Fork, Bear Creek, Yuba River, Deer Creek, Trinity River, Cœur d'Alene, and Clear Creek.

CALFED Bay-Delta Program

• CALFED Bay-Delta Program - administered by the California Bay-Delta Authority, the program coordinates efforts of 25 state and federal agencies working cooperatively to improve the quality and reliability of California’s water supplies while restoring the Bay-Delta ecosystem.  The Contaminant Biology Program and other USGS programs assess and conduct research on contaminants such as mercury and selenium, and other issues throughout the Bay and Delta watershed.

Chesapeake Bay Program

• Chesapeake Bay Program - USGS participates in the Chesapeake Bay Program by providing data, conducting studies, and serving on technical committees and workgroups. USGS research on intersex fish in the Potomac River Watershed is an important focus of this work.
  See the Summary of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Information Related to the Intersex Characteristics of Fish in the Potomac Watershed (256KB, PDF).
  Check out current USGS Chesapeake Bay Activities.

Fish and Wildlife Service

• Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) - USGS is investigating contamination on FWS National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) (including Agassiz, Lostwood, Great Bay, Kenai, Prime Hook, Blackwater, Carson Lake, and Stillwater NWR). CBP scientists have provided methods for development of water quality criteria that meet the needs for endangered species. Natural Resource Damage Assessment activities are another important collaboration between the USGS and FWS. Classes at the FWS National Conservation Training Center often include USGS instructors and methods developed by USGS scientists.

National Nanotechnology Initiative

• Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology Subcommittee (NSET) and Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implications Working Group - USGS works within interagency nanotechnology committees to plan and coordinate our research on nanoparticles.

National Park Service

• National Park Service (NPS) - USGS is investigating contamination on NPS land (including Golden Gate, Lake Mead and Whiskytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Areas (NRA), Acadia, Grand Teton, and Big Bend National Parks (NP), Rock Creek Park, and Ozark National Scenic Riverways).

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

• U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - uses USGS information for regulation, remediation, and restoration. CPB research improves the information base and tools for monitoring, evaluation, and restoration decisions and in setting regulations for toxic substances.

• Acid Rain Program - aims to achieve significant environmental and public health benefits through reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) - the primary causes of acid rain.

• Endocrine Disruptors Research Initiative - conducts a wide range of research and monitoring related to endocrine disrupting compounds in two of its Divisions, Biological Resources and Water Resources.

• Endocrine Disruptors Screening Program - USGS supports EPA's program to screen pesticide chemicals and environmental contaminants for their potential to affect the endocrine systems of humans and wildlife.

• Superfund Program - the Federal government's program to clean up the Nation's uncontrolled hazardous waste sites, under the authority outlined in the Comprehensive environmental response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, commonly known as Superfund.

• USGS/EPA Mercury Roundtable - established in 2000 by the USGS and EPA to provide a forum for Federal, State, and local government personnel to discuss science and its role in affecting policy related to mercury.
  
  
• Water and Sediment Quality Criteria - USGS has provided scientific information and methods for criteria development for water and sediment.

U.S. Forest Service

• Mark Twain National Forest - The USGS Contaminants Biology Program has worked closely with the USGS to provide information on the potential effects of mining of the Mark Twain National Forest on water quality, quantity, and habitat for aquatic organisms.

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