National Aquatic Resource Surveys

1. National Aquatic Resource Surveys National Coastal Condition Assessment – 2010 Sarah Lehmann

2. National Aquatic Surveys • EPA and our State, Tribal and Federal Partners are conducting statistical surveys of the condition of the Nation’s waters • Unbiased estimates of condition based on a representative sample of waters • Core indicators using standardized field and lab methods • Surveys cover Rivers/Streams, Lakes/Reservoirs, Wetlands, and Coastal Waters

3. Key Objectives of the Survey • What is the extent of waters that support healthy ecosystems, recreation, and fish consumption? • How widespread are the most significant water quality problems? • Is water quality improving? • Are we investing in restoration and protection wisely?

4. National Aquatic Resource Survey Schedule

5. Monitoring Initiative –Current Allocation of Funds • Provide States $8.45M in 106 grant to participate in statistically-valid surveys of the Nation’s waters • $8000 per site for regional/national scale survey in lower 48 • Provide an additional $9.8M in 106 grant for improved monitoring programs and state priorities • $169,900/State annually for program enhancements outlined in state monitoring strategies

6. EPA Use of the Surveys • The results of the first national surveys -- the National Coastal Assessments and the Wadeable Streams Assessment – are included in EPA’s Report on the Environment • http://www.epa.gov/roe/ • EPA’s strategic plan uses survey results as a key measure of the performance of our protection and restoration programs. • http://www.epa.gov/ocfo/plan/plan.htm

7. National Coastal Condition Report • The National Coastal Assessment was the first national survey using the EMAP survey design. • Three national reports produced since 2001 (one is still in draft). • These National Coastal Condition Reports include statistical assessments of 100% of the nation’s estuaries in the contiguous 48 states, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. • Great Lakes information included but collected from SOLEC indicators. • http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nccr/

8. National Coastal Condition Report • Reports address five key indicators of ecological health: • water quality, • coastal habitat loss, • sediment quality, • benthic community condition, and • fish tissue contaminants.

9. Overall Condition NCCR III

10. NCCRs Planning NCCR II 2005 NCCR III 2008 NCCR IV 2011 NCCR I 2001 NCCR V 2012 1997-2000 1990-1996 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2006 NEP REPORT I 2007 NEP REPORT II 2012 ?? Blue – Data Collected Pink – No Data Collected

11. National Coastal Condition Report - 2010 • First meeting of State/Federal Workgroup planned for June 10-11 2008 • Workgroups will modify and add indicators in 2008 • New Issues: • Add Great Lakes • Section 106 funding • Schedule: • Sampling in 2010 • NCCR V in 2012

12. Draft Agenda for June Meeting • San Antonio, TX June 10-11, 2008 • Discuss funding approach • Present and discuss sample draw – first “throw away draft” for the Great Lakes • Begin discussion of indicators – including focus on appropriate Great Lake indicators • Establish indicator workgroups • Plan future Webinars/meetings

13. Questions?