1. New Jersey Water Monitoring Council and Monitoring & Assessment Programs Leslie J. McGeorge, Administrator NJDEP Water Monitoring and Standards Presented at: National Water Quality Monitoring Council Meeting Philadelphia, PA July 24, 2007

2. Overview Water Monitoring Council Water Monitoring Council Monitoring Programs Freshwater Freshwater Marine Water & Beach Marine Water & Beach Volunteer Volunteer Water Quality Assessment Water Quality Assessment Data Exchange Project Data Exchange Project Innovative Coastal Monitoring Techniques (Bob Connell) Innovative Coastal Monitoring Techniques (Bob Connell)

3. NJ Water Monitoring Council Formed: October 2003 on World Water Monitoring Day Vision: provide water information foundation for management of aquatic environment Mission: coordination, collaboration and communication of ambient water quality/quantity data to support effective environmental management Scope: biological, chemical and physical conditions of surface and ground waters, freshwater, estuarine, & marine waters

4. NJ Water Monitoring Council 30 Members - 15 monitoring & research orgs. Federal, state, interstate, regional, county government Academia & Research Institutions Volunteer representation Co-chairs – Leslie McGeorge (NJDEP) Rick Kropp (USGS Water Science Ctr) Coordinator – Alena Baldwin-Brown (NJDEP) Steering Committee – NJDEP, USGS, DRBC 3 meetings/yr & subcommittees EPA mini-grant support (Watershed Protection Program)

5. NJ Water Monitoring Council Member Organizations NJDEP USGS/NJ Water Science Center USEPA Region 2 NOAA Delaware River Basin Commission Interstate Environmental Commission Pinelands Commission Rutgers U. - IMCS, Coop. Extension Service NJ Water Resources Research Institute NJ Marine Sciences Consortium Passaic River Institute (Montclair State U.) Meadowlands Environmental Research Inst. Monmouth County Health Department NJ Water Supply Authority Volunteer Monitoring coordinator

6. NJ Water Monitoring Council: Information Exchange Meetings – biological monitoring, microbial monitoring & source trackdown, water quantity, county/local/volunteer monitoring State Water Monitoring Workshop – April 20, 2006 Use of Council website (www.nj.gov/dep/wms/wmcchome.html) Water Monitoring Inventory development

7. NJ Water Monitoring Council: Benefits State water monitoring community partnerships Technical information exchange National Council information Monitoring data gap identification Joint project/grant development opportunities Increased data submittals to NJDEP

8. NJ’s Monitoring & Assessment Programs www.nj.gov/dep/wms/longtermstrategyreport.pdf Programs described in Long-Term Strategic Plan (2005-2014) Identifies gaps & partnership resource needs

9. Freshwater Monitoring Where do we monitor ? Rivers/streams (>18,000 miles at 1:24,000 scale) Lakes Groundwater What do we monitor ? Water column Sediment Biological conditions

10. Freshwater & Biological Monitoring Program Designs Fixed stations Fixed stations Rotating basins Rotating basins Probabilistic designs Probabilistic designs Targeted monitoring (e.g., TMDL support, stressor identification, stormwater monitoring) Targeted monitoring (e.g., TMDL support, stressor identification, stormwater monitoring)

11. Ambient Surface Water Network Cooperative program with USGS Cooperative program with USGS Develops chemical/physical data for water column & sediment status & trends Develops chemical/physical data for water column & sediment status & trends 115 stations, 42 randomly selected 115 stations, 42 randomly selected 4x/year 4x/year Parameters Include: Parameters Include: Nutrients Nutrients DO DO Bacteriological Bacteriological Metals Metals Volatile Organics Volatile Organics Pesticides Pesticides

12. Groundwater Monitoring Network -Cooperative program with USGS - 5 rotating basins - Shallow well network - 150 targeted stations – 30/yr - Land use-based - Agriculture - Undeveloped - Urban - Parameters monitored: nutrients, VOCs, metals, pesticides, radioactivity

13. Benthic Macroinvertebrates - Ambient Biomonitoring Network (AMNET) Indicator of river/stream aquatic health Indicator of river/stream aquatic health Over 800 stations Over 800 stations 5 Rotating basins 5 Rotating basins Sampled 1x/5yrs Sampled 1x/5yrs Index period – April - Nov Index period – April - Nov

14. Ambient Biological Monitoring Network Results Non-impaired Moderately impaired Severely impaired

15. Benthic Macroinvertebrate Program Status 3 Rounds of all 5 Water Regions complete. Existing single Multi-metric index being replaced with 3 NJ-customized ecoregion- specific indices Pinelands High gradient (adaptable to headwaters) Coastal Plain New indices at genus species level

16. Fish Index of Biotic Integrity Network (FIBI) Program initiated in 2000 (N. New Jersey) 100 Fixed Site network 20 Sites per Year, 5 Year Rotation Index Period – June through Mid-October Round 2 Sampling Initiated in 2005

17. Fish Index of Biotic (FIBI) Integrity Network Results 2000-04 FIBI Ratings (First Round)

18. Inner Coastal Plain (S. Jersey) FIBI Development NJ Div. of Fish & Wildlife - lead for Coastal Plain FIBI development Validation Study Completed in 2006 Monitoring began 2007

19. Lakes Monitoring Network 200 Lake network, 40 lakes/year. Began 2004. 200 Lake network, 40 lakes/year. Began 2004. Probabilistic design, using USEPA - GRTS protocol, representing ~1100 named lakes Probabilistic design, using USEPA - GRTS protocol, representing ~1100 named lakes Average 3 stations/lake Average 3 stations/lake Parameters selected to assess lake productivity Parameters selected to assess lake productivity

20. Ambient Lakes Monitoring Network Sample Parameters: Total Phosphorus Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen Nitrite+Nitrate Nitrogen Ammonia Nitrogen Dissolved Oxygen Temperature Specific Conductance pH Alkalinity Hardness Turbidity Secchi depths Chlorophyll “a”

21. Marine Monitoring for Public Health: Seafood Safety Required by NJ Statute (NJSA 58:24). Required by NJ Statute (NJSA 58:24). Required by US FDA for interstate sale of shellfish (worth ~$500 million/year to the NJ economy). Required by US FDA for interstate sale of shellfish (worth ~$500 million/year to the NJ economy). Supporting data for NJ’s Integrated Report to identify impaired shellfish use waters. Supporting data for NJ’s Integrated Report to identify impaired shellfish use waters. 2,500 locations, 15,000 samples/year for coliform bacteria 2,500 locations, 15,000 samples/year for coliform bacteria

22. Harvestable Acreage Improvements (1976-2006)

23. Monitoring for Public Health: Ocean & Bay Bathing Beaches 127 miles ocean shoreline 325 locations monitored, including 188 ocean beaches and 76 bay beaches Monitored weekly – more frequently if needed Cooperative program with counties Enterococcus Indicator Criterion = 104 enterococcus/100 ml

24. Marine Monitoring for Public Health: Ocean & Bay Bathing Beaches Most NJ beaches have never been closed. In 2006, >97% beaches with no closures. Monitoring supports $36 billion beach tourism industry in NJ 2006

25. Marine Monitoring for Public Health: Ocean Beach Closures NOTE: Indicator changed from fecal to enterococcus in 2004

26. Marine Monitoring: Ecosystem Health Required by the Federal Clean Water Act. Required by the Federal Clean Water Act. Used for NJ’s Integrated Report to identify impaired waters. Used for NJ’s Integrated Report to identify impaired waters. 250 locations - 1000 samples/year, DO, nutrients, chlorophyll 250 locations - 1000 samples/year, DO, nutrients, chlorophyll

27. Marine Monitoring: Ecosystem Health National Coastal Assessment Program Part of national assessment of estuarine systems Part of national assessment of estuarine systems Sediment Toxicity Sediment Toxicity Sediment Chemistry Sediment Chemistry Benthic Diversity Benthic Diversity Fish Tissue Fish Tissue

28. Marine Monitoring: Nonpoint Source Monitoring in NJ Applications Applications Source Tracking Source Tracking Land use load estimates for TMDL modeling Land use load estimates for TMDL modeling Automated flow measurement and sample collection Mobile laboratory - microbiology & nutrients

29. NJ Volunteer Monitoring Program - Watershed Watch Network (started 2002) 29 River/Stream Monitoring Organizations 29 River/Stream Monitoring Organizations Biological Biological Visual Visual Habitat Habitat Chemical Chemical Bacteria Bacteria 58 Lake Monitoring Organizations 58 Lake Monitoring Organizations Bacteria Bacteria Chemical Chemical

30. Volunteer Program - Watershed Watch Network Internal NJDEP Advisory Council Internal NJDEP Advisory Council Water Monitoring & Standards Water Monitoring & Standards Division of Watershed Management Division of Watershed Management Office of Quality Assurance Office of Quality Assurance External Advisory Council – Volunteer Program Coordinators from: External Advisory Council – Volunteer Program Coordinators from: Riverkeeper Organizations Riverkeeper Organizations Watershed Associations Watershed Associations

31. Volunteer Program Outcomes Training (e.g., field collection, habitat assessment, data integration, benthic macroinvertebrates) Annual Volunteer Monitoring Summit Technical Assistance - NJ Service Provider Network Resource Support – Mini-Grant Program Online Data Management System (under development) Increased high quality data submissions to NJDEP Quality Assurance Tiers

32. NJ’s 4 Tiered Approach Allows for volunteers to choose level of monitoring involvement based on: Allows for volunteers to choose level of monitoring involvement based on: Intended purpose for monitoring Intended purpose for monitoring Intended data use Intended data use Intended data users Intended data users Tier A-Environmental Education Tier B-Stewardship Tier C-Community Assessment Tier D-Indicators/Regulatory Response

33. Water Quality Assessment: CWA – Section 305(b) Required 1x/2 yrs Statewide water quality status Water quality trends Causes & sources of non-attainment Actions needed to improve water quality Cost estimate of actions

34. Water Quality Assessment: CWA Section 303(d) Formerly Impaired Waterbody List ID specific waterbodies & stream miles not meeting uses ID pollutants exceeding standards & requiring TMDLs TMDL schedule Public Participation required Use all available data

35. Water Quality Assessment: Integrated Report Process* Data solicitation Data solicitation Assessment Methods document Assessment Methods document Assessment of data (> 6400 individual designated use assessments in 2006) Assessment of data (> 6400 individual designated use assessments in 2006) Integrated Waterbody List Integrated Waterbody List Stakeholder input Stakeholder input Integrated Report w/ 305(b) water quality characterization Integrated Report w/ 305(b) water quality characterization EPA List Approval EPA List Approval Data submission to EPA via Assessment Database Data submission to EPA via Assessment Database * Based on EPA guidance: “Guidance for 2006 Assessment, Listing and Reporting Requirements Pursuant to Sections 303(d), 305(b) and 314 of the Clean Water Act (IRG)”, July 2005.

36. 2006 NJ Assessment Enhancements Assessment units based on USGS HUC 14 subwatersheds vs. waterbody segments Assessment units based on USGS HUC 14 subwatersheds vs. waterbody segments Assessment units now consistent for each Integrated Report cycle Assessment units now consistent for each Integrated Report cycle Increased use of external data (36 groups) – federal agencies, interstate, volunteers, watershed associations, local governments, MUA’s Increased use of external data (36 groups) – federal agencies, interstate, volunteers, watershed associations, local governments, MUA’s

37. Overall Assessment for 2006 Goal – all waters fully assessed <10% of subwatersheds assessed for all uses 25% of subwatersheds fully assessed with exception of fish consumption use

38. 2006 Assessment Results

39. Top Impairments – All Waters 2006 Assessment Results

40. NJ Water Quality Data Exchange Goals Develop searchable inventory of monitoring activities Develop searchable inventory of monitoring activities Integrate federal, state, county and local ambient water quality monitoring data into NJDEP’s enterprise environmental data management system Integrate federal, state, county and local ambient water quality monitoring data into NJDEP’s enterprise environmental data management system Continue making NJDEP’s water quality data readily available to public Continue making NJDEP’s water quality data readily available to public Exchange ambient water quality monitoring data with USEPA (not just submit NJDEP data to EPA) Exchange ambient water quality monitoring data with USEPA (not just submit NJDEP data to EPA) Funding: National Environmental Information Exchange Network (NEIEN) Grant Funding: National Environmental Information Exchange Network (NEIEN) Grant Target Completion – Oct 2008 Target Completion – Oct 2008

41. NJDEP WQ Data Exchange NJDEP NJ DHSS Lab USGS/NWIS Web Services Counties Commissions Web Services spreadsheets Web forms XML Web Server USEPA Central Data Exchange (CDX) XML Non-NWIS Data Volunteer Organizations spreadsheets Web forms XML spreadsheets Web forms XML TMDL Contractors 319(h) Grantees spreadsheets Web forms XML Inventory (Who, What, Where, When, Why)

42. Data Exchange Project Key Challenges EPA data exchange standard (WQX) does not contain some data elements needed to describe monitoring for inventory (e.g., municipality, categories – metals, organics, etc.) EPA data exchange standard (WQX) does not contain some data elements needed to describe monitoring for inventory (e.g., municipality, categories – metals, organics, etc.) How get data from the USGS/NWIS web services (when available) since not initially Exchange Network (EN) compliant (i.e., can’t use EN software tools) How get data from the USGS/NWIS web services (when available) since not initially Exchange Network (EN) compliant (i.e., can’t use EN software tools) How get data from EPA’s EN node since new WQX web services may not initially be EN compliant (i.e., can’t use EN software tools) How get data from EPA’s EN node since new WQX web services may not initially be EN compliant (i.e., can’t use EN software tools)

43. Possible Solutions from NJDEP’s NEIEN Grant Inventory: Work with EN to enhance WQX to include inventory related data elements. Enhance EN Browser to accomplish inventory tasks (requires consultation with EN Leadership Council and ECOS) Inventory: Work with EN to enhance WQX to include inventory related data elements. Enhance EN Browser to accomplish inventory tasks (requires consultation with EN Leadership Council and ECOS) USGS/NWIS web services: NJDEP build application to get data from soon to be released USGS web services and make data WQX compliant for loading in NJDEP’s data system. USGS/NWIS web services: NJDEP build application to get data from soon to be released USGS web services and make data WQX compliant for loading in NJDEP’s data system. EPA’s WQX web services: NJDEP to build application to get data from new WQX web service and load into NJDEP’s data system. EPA’s WQX web services: NJDEP to build application to get data from new WQX web service and load into NJDEP’s data system.

44. Acknowledgements Council - Alena Baldwin-Brown Council - Alena Baldwin-Brown Marine - Bob Connell & Virginia Loftin Marine - Bob Connell & Virginia Loftin Volunteer - Danielle Donkersloot Volunteer - Danielle Donkersloot Assessment - Debra Hammond & Nancy Immesberger Assessment - Debra Hammond & Nancy Immesberger Freshwater - Al Korndoerfer Freshwater - Al Korndoerfer Data Exchange - Paul Morton & Angela Witcher Data Exchange - Paul Morton & Angela Witcher