You are here:
SURFACE WATER EMAP PROJECT
Impact/Purpose:
Assess the ecological condition of rivers and streams across 12 states in the western United States
Description:
The surface water component of the EPA Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) Western Pilot is a five-year effort to assess the ecological condition of rivers and streams across 12 states in the western United States. EMAP is designed to monitor indicators of pollutant exposure and habitat condition and seek associations between human-related stressors and ecological condition. A probability-based survey design is employed in which sites are randomly selected to eliminate potential bias and to make estimates of condition over defined geographical areas. In EPA Region 9, EMAP will sample streams in Arizona, California, Nevada and selected tribal areas for four years to produce statewide estimates of condition. In this period, a total of 50 sites/state will be monitored for both Arizona and Nevada. Two intensive study areas in California will also be sampled to address more specific issues of impairment and condition. These two intensive study areas are the coastal watersheds in northern California, from the Oregon border to Tomales Bay, and in southern California, from Point Conception to the Mexican border. Each intensive study will have a total of 80 sites over the four-year period. Another 50 sites will be distributed among the remaining area of California over the four years. Only perennial streams will be monitored. Surface Waters Indicators Biological, physical habitat, and water chemistry indicators provide measurements of the environment by characterizing the habitat attribute and/or quantifying the level of stress. Indicators to be measured are divided into three tiers: Tier 1 are the core indicators, which will be completed at all sites; Tier 2 and 3 indicators may be added depending on local importance and resource availability. Tier 1 (Core) Tier 2 Tier 3 Conventional water quality parameters Fish tissue chemistry/toxics Amphibians Fish assemblage Sediment metabolism Bacteria Macroinvertebrate assemblage Sediment chemistry Biomarkers Periphyton assemblage Sediment toxicity Riparian birds Physical habitat structure Water column toxicity Riparian vegetation Schedule Site evaluations took place in fall 1999 in preparation for field sampling that will begin in spring/summer 2000 and continue through 2004. Prior to each year's field sampling, sites will be reviewed for sampleability, ownership and physical access status. Products Estimates of condition for wadeable streams on a state level and for intensive study areas Estimates of the % stream miles having desirable/good condition Support biocriteria development (using biological indicators for standards development) Strengthening of statewide water-quality and biological assessments Identification of potential reference conditions EPA strongly supports partnerships with public and private stakeholders. Partners are encouraged to participate by providing site access information, supplementing the monitoring effort (i.e., add other indicators or sample analyses), contributing financial or staff resources, and supplying input and feedback during data analysis. Further Information For further information, please contact Cindy Lin at (213) 452-3380 or lin.cindy@epa.gov.