Wetland Monitoring and Assessment National Water Quality Monitoring

Wetland Monitoring and Assessment National Water Quality Monitoring Council Meeting August 20, 2003

How Does Wetland Monitoring Support Clean Water Act Programs? • Evaluating effectiveness of restoration and BMPs (Section 319) • Identifying Priority Watersheds and demonstrating recovery of watersheds • Measuring performance of compensatory mitigation (Section 404) • Influencing federal permits and licenses (Section 401) • Assessing Water Quality Standards (Section 303) • Tracking and Reporting Conditions (Section 305(b))

What Is EPA Doing to Support Wetland Monitoring? • Build state/tribal monitoring capacity by coordinating and expanding upon existing monitoring efforts • Facilitate the development and implementation of comprehensive state and tribal wetland monitoring programs • Lead the National Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Workgroup (EPA Regions and HQ, 14 States, 2 Tribes, USGS, NRDC, ORD)

What is the Role of the National Wetland Monitoring Workgroup • Establish regional wetland monitoring workgroups • Provide a forum for technical support, data and methods sharing • Provide financial support (Wetland Program Development Grants) • Provide technical guidance and training

Regional Activities Communication Work Group Formation New England (R 1) Mid-Atlantic (R 2/3) Mid-West (R 5) Rocky Mountain (R 8) Tidal Venture (R 9/10) Quality Science Research Collaboration EMAP Design Team Technology Transfer Demonstration Projects Ambient Monitoring REMAP Projects RARE Projects STAR Grants Restoration and Mitigation Effectiveness Regulatory Decision Making

Technical Support for Biological Assessment Methods Development • Pilot projects • Technical assistance to states • Biological Assessment of Wetlands Working Group (BAWWG) • Began in 1995 • 7 states, 6 universities, 4 federal agencies, 1 county • Methods for Evaluating Wetland Condition (http: //www. epa. gov/waterscience/criteria/wetlands/) • Technical Workshop on formulating an Aquatic Life Use Support framework for wetlands

3 -Tiered Technical Approach Products/Applications Level 1 - Landscape Assessment: Evaluate indicators for a landscape view of watershed and wetland condition Level 2 – Rapid Wetland Assessment: Evaluate the general condition of individual wetlands using relatively simple indicators. These assessment are based upon identification of stressors (i. e. road crossings, tile drainage, ditching). Level 3 – Intensive Site Assessment Designed to provide quantitative data on wetland condition within an assessment area, used to refine rapid wetland assessment methods and diagnose the causes of wetland degradation. • Status and Trends • Targeting Restoration and further monitoring • Landscape Condition Assessment • Integrated Reporting (305(b)/303(d)) • 401/404 Permit Decisions • Identify potential impacts/stressors • Integrated Reporting • Assign designated uses • WQS Refinement • Integrated Reporting (attainment decisions) • Rest. /Mitig. Performance Criteria • TMDL Dvlpmt. & Implementation • Verify Levels 1 and 2

Combination of Technical Tools • Probability-based (randomized) designs • Targeted monitoring • Predictive tools • Landscape models • Water quality models • Remote sensing • Support the full range of decision objectives at multiple scales

Financial Support for State and Tribal Monitoring Programs • Wetland Program Development Grants (CWA 104(b)3) • Targeting more grant funds towards wetland monitoring • Wetland monitoring identified as National Wetland Program Priority • $5 m in FY 02, > $8 m since FY 01 • Other funding opportunities • EMAP/REMAP • STAR

Next Steps: • Continue developing state/tribal technical and programmatic capacity through regional and national workgroups • Develop technical guidance on 3 Tiered Assessment Approach • Describe wetland condition through aquatic life uses • Work with states to develop wetland component of state monitoring strategies