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RED RIVER BASIN BIOLOGICAL MONITORING WORKGROUP
Impact/Purpose:
In an attempt to foster greater cooperation and share information among the various stakeholders involved in biological monitoring in the basin, the Red River Water Management Consortium (RRWMC) at the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) established the Red River Basin Biological Monitoring Workgroup (RRBBMW) in early 2000. Members include the following:
Concordia College, Biology - Moorhead, MN
EERC, Red River Geoscience Education Project - Grand Forks, ND
Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division - Detroit Lakes, MN
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Detroit Lakes, MN
Minnesota State University Moorhead Regional Science Center - Glyndon, MN
North Dakota Game & Fish Dept. - Fargo, ND
North Dakota Department of Health, Surface Waters - Bismarck, ND
North Dakota State University, Botany - Fargo, ND
Red River Basin Riparian Project - Grafton, ND
Red River Valley River Watch - Fertile, MN
River Keepers - Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN
River Watch of Fargo/Moorhead - Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN
Rivers Council of Minnesota - Minnesota
Valley City State University - Valley City, ND
The group recognized the need to develop a standardized macroinvertebrate sampling and analysis protocol for the basin and a mechanism to disseminate this and related resource information to the public via a web site.
Description:
The goal of this project is to improve coordination of biological monitoring efforts in the Red River Basin. This is to be accomplished through coordination of a study to develop sampling protocols for macroinvertebrates in the main stream and lower tributaries of the Red River. Steps include: 1) Coordination of multiple sampling efforts within the Red River Basin; 2) Determination of sampling protocols for evaluation; 3) Coordination of sampling protocol testing and data collection 4) Evaluation of sampling protocols for macroinvertibrate sampling; and 5) Dissemination of recommended sampling protocols. Project Deliverables and accomplishments include: a) Enhanced communication and coordination of monitoring efforts between state agencies and regional stakeholders. b) Draft protocols for macroinvertibrate sampling of deep, slow-moving, mud-bottom rivers such as the Red River. c) A web site maintained by the Red River Water Management Consortium (RRWMC) containing descriptions of Red River Basin Biological Monitoring Workgroup (RRBBMW) efforts, draft sampling protocols, and links to web sites of the work group stakeholders. d) A publishable description of the recommeded protocol for dissemination as a fact sheet and through the RRBBMW web site. e) An annual report to EPA outlining the progress of the coordinated protocol study, future activities, and adjustments to project completion date. f) A final report to EPA explaining in detail the activities and accomplishments of the project, lessons learned, and plans for transfer of project methodology to other projects.