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EVALUATION OF THE BIOLOGICAL INTEGRITY OF FLOODPLAIN WETLANDS IN THE UPPER MISSOURI RIVER BASIN (REMAP)
Impact/Purpose:
The product will apply to the Upper Missouri River states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana) and tribes.
The Missouri River basin encompasses one-sixth of the United States and provides water for multiple human uses, one of which is drinking water for thousands of people. The ten states in the basin are responsible for water quality and in the past five years have begun to comply with Clean Water Act requirements under sections 303(c) and (d). Problems are arising because the states assess the water quality differently so that TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) listings are inconsistent. This is causing lawsuits and potential problems with conflicting river management strategies.
The Project goal is to provide a foundation of information that states and Tribes can use in determining how to coordinate their water quality monitoring and assessment activities. The Project is designed to gain a basic understanding of what is available for water quality data and how state TMDL programs differ. It initiates a process of coordination between states. In the long term, when the Missouri River Environmental Assessment Program receives authorization and funding from Congress, this baseline information an serve as the foundation for developing a coordinated water quality monitoring program.
Description:
Research and record sources of water quality information from the Upper Missouri River states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana) and Tribes will be prepared to include details about water quality testing sites, parameters monitored, and methods used for testing and analysis. - Compare water quality information between states and differences in 305(b) assessments, 303(d) listings, water quality standards, and other TMDL activities. - Conduct an introductory meeting for water quality coordination. Products: Chipps, S.R., D.E. Hubbard, K.B. Werlin, N.J. Haugerud, and K.A. Powell. 2002. Development and application of biomonitoring indicators for floodplain wetlands of the Upper Missouri River Basin, North Dakota. Final report to the U.S. EPA. Region 8. USGS South Dakota Copperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD. December 2002. Werlin, K.B. 2002. Development and application of vegetation-based biomonitoring criteria for floodplain wetlands. Master's Thesis. South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D. Haugerud, N.J. 2003. Macroinvertebrate biomonitoring critieria and community composition in seasonal floodplain wetlands of the Upper Missouri River. Master's Thesis. South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D.