Grantee Research Project Results

2007 Progress Report: Texas Tech University Center for Water Law and Policy

EPA Grant Number: EM833085
Title: Texas Tech University Center for Water Law and Policy
Investigators: Eckstein, Gabriel , Anderson, Todd A. , Morse, Audra N. , Jeffery, William
Current Investigators: Eckstein, Gabriel , Anderson, Todd A. , Jeffery, William , Morse, Audra N.
Institution: Towson University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Project Period: June 1, 2007 through May 31, 2010 (Extended to May 31, 2011)
Project Period Covered by this Report: June 1, 2007 through May 31,2008
Project Amount: $432,300
RFA: Targeted Research Grant (2007) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Targeted Research

Objective:

This study will undertake three distinct but interdependent projects. Project 1: development of a Clearinghouse containing relevant studies and background material; Project 2: conducting a field study to improve understanding into the fates and presence of mixtures of micropollutants in the environment; and Project 3: analyzing alternative legal and regulatory strategies for addressing the presence and effects of micropollutants in freshwater systems.

Progress Summary:

The work performed to date focused on developing and revising the Project Work Plan (“Work Plan”) for Projects I, II, and II, and the Quality Assurance Project Plan (“QAPP”) for Projects I and II. In particular, considerable time was required for responding to Peer Review comments. Accordingly, no research or collection of information was conducted in the first year of the study, and there are no results to document at this time. In addition, no changes were made to personnel or quality assurance requirements. The work plans for Projects I, II, and III were approved on May 5, 2008, while the QAPP for Project I was approved on July 25, 2008. A revised QAPP for Project II was re-submitted to EPA on May 30, 2008, and again on August 19, 2008, and is pending. Because of its relation to and dependence on information generated in Projects I and II, the QAPP for Project III is not due until December 31, 2008.

Future Activities:

Project 1: EPA’s recent approval of the QAPP for Project I will now allow the project to commence. Researchers will begin searching for articles, reports, and other relevant material that will serve as the basis for the clearinghouse, as well as provide information for Project III. They also will begin categorizing the material and conceptualizing the internet-based clearinghouse that will make the material publically available to researchers and the general public. Once a substantial amount of material is identified and categorized, the researchers will begin developing and designing the clearinghouse and, thereafter, entering the material into the clearinghouse.

Project 2: The planned activity for the next reporting period requires the revised QAPP to be approved. We believe the QAPP will be approved in the current review process. If approval is obtained, we plan to begin the field work for Phases 1 and 2 in the fall of 2008. Researchers will evaluate the presence of micropollutants at field scale at a location in Lubbock, TX to determine their long-term persistence in the environment. The field site research data will be used in the development of publishable scientific papers detailing the processes and results of the field study. It also may be used as a case study for Project III.

Project 3: Once the QAPP for Projects II is approved by the EPA, preparation of the QAPP for Project III will begin. This Project will entail analyzing information from multiple sources, including the results of Projects 1 and 2, for use in the development of alternative legal and policy responses related to the presence and management of micropollutants in the environment.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 9 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

biodegradation, partitioning of solids, water quality, drinking water source, regulatory water issues, ecological effects, innovative technology, environmental assets

Relevant Websites:

http://www.law.ttu.edu/acp/centers/water/

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.