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Water Quality
To improve water quality, the Alliance proposes to improve the detection and forecasting of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Gulf of Mexico and to better understand the public health and socio-economic effects of bloom events. These efforts will take the form of investments in existing and new technology, on-going research and training. To improve beach water quality management, the Alliance proposes to select two promising bacterial source tracking methodologies for testing and validation in five different Gulf estuaries. The selection of the most effective test methodologies and site determination will be carried out at workshops. Finally, the Gulf States and partner federal agencies will take steps to standardize and coordinate water quality data collection and analysis.
Goals for Water Quality for Healthy Beaches and Shellfish Beds
- WQ-1: Improve harmful algal bloom detection and forecasting in the U.S. and Mexican Gulf States
- WQ-2: Improve beach water quality management
- WQ-3: Improve government efficiency in water quality monitoring
Water Quality Priority Issue Team
State Leadership
ALABAMA
Mark Ornelas
ADEM
Phone: (251) 450-3430
Email: meo@adem.state.al.us
FLORIDA
Steve Wolfe
FDEP
Phone: (850) 245-2102
Email: steven.wolfe@dep.state.fl.us
LOUISIANA
Dugan Sabins
LDEQ
Phone:(225) 219-3553
Email: dugan.sabins@la.gov
Kris Pintado
LDEQ
Phone: (225) 219-3596
Email: kris.pintado@la.gov
MISSISSIPPI
Henry Folmar
MDEQ
Phone: (601) 961-3910
Email: henry_folmar@deq.state.ms.us
Alice Dossett
MDEQ
Phone: (601) 664-3964
Email: alice_dossett@deq.state.ms.us
TEXAS
Mark Fisher
TCEQ-Aquatic Scientist
Phone: 512-239-4586
Email: MFISHER@tceq.state.tx.us
Federal Co-facilitators
Co-faciliatators from EPA and NOAA have been designated for each of the Priority Issue Teams (PITs) to serve as staff support to PIT state leads. Water Quality co-facilitators are listed below:
Brent Ache (Support)
NOAA - NOS
Phone: (301) 713-3000 x111
Email: brent.ache@noaa.gov
Jeanne Allen
EPA - GMP
Phone: (228) 688-2761
Email: allen.jeanne@epa.gov
Phil Bass
EPA - GMP
Phone: (228) 688-2356
Email: bass.phil@epa.gov
Lael Butler
EPA - GMP
Phone: (228) 688-1576
Email: butler.lael@epa.gov
Dave Whitall
NOAA - NCCOS
Phone: (301) 713-3028 x138
Email: brent.ache@noaa.gov
Danny Wiegand
EPA-GMP
Phone: (228) 688-2041
Email: wiegand.danny@epa.gov
