datagaps, needs & opportunities
DESCRIPTION
Datagaps, Needs & Opportunities. Philip Trowbridge, P.E. Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership & NH Department of Environmental Services. A presentation for the Southeast Watershed Alliance Science Symposium May 11, 2011. Piscataqua Region Monitoring: Perception vs Reality. Reality - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Datagaps, Needs & Opportunities
Philip Trowbridge, P.E.Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership &NH Department of Environmental Services
A presentation for the Southeast Watershed Alliance Science SymposiumMay 11, 2011
Piscataqua Region Monitoring: Perception
vs RealityPerception• Piscataqua
Region data collected through a single, well-funded monitoring program
Reality
• Mosaic of under-funded programs that change yearly
• Time-consuming data synthesis by PREP
• Cannot answer many crucial questions
Scientific Datagaps
• Water quality trends in the Cocheco, Salmon Falls, Bellamy, and Lower P.R.
• Composition of plankton populations• Sediment budgets• Components of Biological Oxygen Demand• Components of light attenuation
Scientific Datagaps
(cont.)
• Changes in oyster bed boundaries
• Impervious surfaces that are disconnected
• Changes in salt marsh and freshwater wetland area
• Lakes and streams that meet standards for swimming, fishing, and aquatic life
Data Needs
• Plan and fund a comprehensive WQ monitoring program for the tidal waters– One program with multiple funders– Add stations in Bellamy, Cocheco,
Salmon Falls, and Piscataqua (and Hampton and Rye Harbors)
– Add more WQ parameters (e.g., phytoplankton, BOD, primary productivity)
– Add winter samples at CML
Current funding level: ~$77k/yr(GBNERR $60k, PREP $17k)
Add’l funding needed: ~$85k/yr
Data Needs
• Upgrade and expand datasonde monitoring– Purchase six new
datasondes– Add chlorophyll-a probes– Add deployments in the
Cocheco and Piscataqua Rivers Current funding level: ~$70k/yr
(GBNERR $60k, PREP $10k)
Add’l funding needed: ~$28k/yrincl ~$55k capital amortized for 7 yr
Data Needs
• Improve watershed load monitoring for nutrients and sediments– Add 10 storm samples per year to
tributary monitoring for nutrients and sediments
– Add monthly wastewater effluent monitoring for nutrients at 14 WWTFs
Current funding level: ~$9k/yr(PREP $9k)
Add’l funding needed: ~$20k/yr
Data Needs
• Plan and fund a comprehensive monitoring program for lakes and rivers– 70-90% of lakes and rivers do not
have data on even basic parameters (pH, DO, etc.)
– Support/expand existing volunteer monitoring programs for lakes and rivers
Current funding level: $3k/yr
Add’l funding needed: ~$30k/yr
Data Needs
• There are many other crucial data needs...
Specific Additions
Map oyster beds
Map connected impervious surfaces
Map salt marsh and wetlands
Test mussel tissue for toxic contaminants
Test estuary sediments for toxic contaminants
Monitor marine invasive species
Bathymetry, land use, etc.
Opportunities
• Engagement and awareness of the estuaries and water quality at all levels
• Agreement that good science can solve problems• Significant capital costs put monitoring costs in
perspective– Increased monitoring costs: $163k/yr
Next Steps
• Prepare QA Project Plans as proposals for comprehensive monitoring programs
• Obtain price quotes• Seek funding from stakeholders, foundations • Sustain the DES Volunteer River Assessment
Program and other low-cost programs
Questions?
Philip Trowbridge, P.E.
Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership &
NH Department of Environmental Services
603.271.8872