Lower Columbia River and Columbia River Estuary Monitoring
Lower Columbia River and Columbia River Estuary Monitoring and Data Management • Management plan completed in 1999 • 43 specific actions • Key elements – long term monitoring and data management • Volume 2 – monitoring and data management strategies
MONITORING STRATEGY COMPONENTS COORDINATION AND OVERSIGHT CONVENTIONAL POLLUTANTS • Bacteria • Sedimentation • DO • Temperature • Nutrients • p. H • Total Dissolved Gas TOXIC CONTAMINANTS • Sediments and Tissues Dioxins/Furans Metals PAHs PCBs Pesticides Phenols Radionuclides • Water Column Dioxins/Furans Metals Pesticides Radionuclides • Assessment • Contracts • Data Management • Implementation • Outreach • Oversight • QA/QC Plans EXOTIC SPECIES • Impacts • Mechanisms of Introduction • Public Education • Species Composition PRIMARY PRODUCTION/FOOD WEB Monitoring DATA MANAGEMENT • Analysis and Reports • Consistent Protocols • Interactive Web Access • Linked Systems • Standard Format • Storage • Benthic Algae • Chlorophyll a • Fish • Macroinvertebrates • Nutrients • Plankton HABITAT • Bathymetry • Bottom Composition • Channel Configuration • Disturbed Areas • Vegetative State • Wetlands
Strategy for Implementing Long Term Monitoring and Data Management • Strategies reviewed and assessed by Science Work Group • Current implementation evaluated • Missing elements identified • Elements critical to salmonids identified • Approach modified to meet current needs
LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER LONG TERM MONITORING October 2001 Interagency Management Team • Contracts • Data Management • Assessment • Implementation • Outreach • Oversight • Consistent Protocola • QA/QC Plans CONVENTIONAL POLLUTANTS • Bacteria • Sedimentation • DO • Temperature • Nutrients • p. H • Total Dissolved Gas TOXIC CONTAMINANTS • Sediments and Tissues Dioxins/Furans Metals PAHs PCBs Pesticides Phenols Radionuclides • Water Column Dioxins/Furans Metals Pesticides Radionuclides ERIC • Analysis and Reports • Outreach • Interactive Web Access • Linked Systems • Standard Format • Storage HABITAT • Bathymetry • Bottom Composition • Channel Configuration • Disturbed Areas • Vegetative State • Wetlands Mapping and Assessment Monitoring EXOTIC SPECIES • Impacts • Mechanisms of Introduction • Public Education • Species Composition PRIMARY PRODUCTION /FOOD WEB • Benthic Algae • Chlorophyll a • Fish • Macroinvertebrates • Plankton
• Habitat Monitoring: – Issues • Lack of baseline data • No agreed upon methods or protocols • No agreed upon way to evaluate habitat projects • Toxics Monitoring – Issues • Limited monitoring data indicates problems with PCBs, pesticides, dioxins, and metals • Insufficient baseline data to evaluate trends • Insufficient data to evaluate impacts
• Data Management – Issues • Existing LCR data in multiple formats in multiple locations • Existing systems not generally compatible and not linked • New initiatives will be generating large amounts of new data • Need to be able to access raw and processed data to make resource management decisions • Complicated and expensive to establish – need strong commitment and support from users
Relationship of the Monitoring and Data Management Proposal to the Biological Opinion • Habitat monitoring and toxics monitoring objectives address: – RPA 161: Fund a monitoring and research program acceptable to NMFS and closely coordinated with the LCREP plan – RPA 163: Develop a compliance monitoring program – RPA 198: Develop a common data management system for fish populations, water quality and habitat data.
Objective 1: Implement Pilot Program to Develop and Test Habitat Monitoring Protocols • Task a: Develop draft protocols • Task b: Implement pilot program • Task c: Implement 2 year monitoring program for selected reference sites • Task d: Technical team will review results and make recommendations on protocols and need for long term habitat monitoring
Objective 2: Implement toxics monitoring program • Task a: Develop baseline toxic data • Task b: Implement 3 year monitoring program • Task c: Monitor specific “problem” areas • Task d: Implement 1 year site specific toxics survey • Task e: Evaluate results to identify possible exposures and possible effects
Objective 3: Develop an environmental information center “ERIC” • Task a: Assemble staff of experts • Task b: Develop agreements between partners to share data and develop compatible protocols
• Task c: Begin systematic approach to developing ERIC to provide: – A storage site for: bathymetry, habitat, physical parameters, biological parameters, and project data – Ready access to raw data – Access to pre-processed data – Access to custom processed data – Access to raw, processed and custom data on demand • Task d: Evaluate prototype, modify as needed and seek permanent funding
Expected Results • Products – Habitat monitoring protocols specific to the lower Columbia River and estuary – Recommendations for future habitat monitoring needs – Baseline toxic contaminant data – Toxic contaminant data for specific problem sites – An analysis of possible exposure levels and effects on salmonids with recommendations for future actions – A prototype ecosystem information management system
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