The National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC)

1. The National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC) is presenting its5th National Monitoring ConferenceMonitoring Networks: Connecting for Clean Waterin San José, California, May 7-11, 2006

2. Convention Center Contract Secured • Deposit Paid by NALMS • Currently Negotiating A/V and Exhibition (All hotels at Gov Rate)

3. 2006 Conference Sponsors San Francisco Estuary Institute

4. Conference Rate Schedule • Early Bird- $350 • After March 1, 2006 - $400 • Presenter/Poster- $300 • Single (10x10) booth - US $1,250.00 • Double (10x20) booth - US $1,750.00 (includes 2 registrations) • Additional Exhibitor $200

5. Listserves Web Sites • USGS • EPA • National Volunteer Monitoring • USDA Volunteer Monitoring • Conference (TT) • NALMS • USGS ? • EPA? • NOAA? • National Volunteer Monitoring? • USDA Volunteer Monitoring? Abstracts must be received no later than September 16, 2005

6. The National Water Quality Monitoring Council seeks abstracts for oral and poster presentations that are directly relevant to one or more of the seven conference themes. Keep in mind that this conference covers topics applicable to monitoring of all waterbody types, including streams, large rivers, lakes, groundwater, wetlands, estuaries, and oceans. Similarly, this conference is not limited geographically. The Council prides itself on attracting presenters from across the globe to share their unique experiencesand perspectives on issues we currently are facing. The Council is also interested in hearing lessons learned, which includes discussion of significant challenges, obstacles, and things that just did not work.

7. Assessing methods & data comparability • Applying new methods & innovative techniques • Addressing different scales & multiple objectives • Synthesizing & sharing data • Improving communication among all stakeholders • Integrating monitoring & prediction • Large-scale programs: Results, lessons learned, & future directions

8. Strengthening the role of State/regional monitoring councils and partnerships • Characterizing watersheds (e.g., stressor identification, reference condition, biointegrity) • Building the capacity of Tribal water monitoring programs • Advances in analytical methods—more compounds at lower levels • Applying targeted and probability-based designs • Developing and implementing QA/QC protocols

9. The importance of data and measurement quality objectives (DQOs & MQOs) • Trans-boundary and multi-jurisdictional water issues • Lessons and innovations from state monitoring strategies (e.g., how to assess all uses, all waters) • Integrating physical, chemical, and biological monitoring approaches • Stormwater and wastewater monitoring • Predictive assessment tools (e.g., water quality models, georeferencing, remote sensing, GIS analysis)

10. TMDL tools • Monitoring for trends • Contaminants of emerging concern • Translating monitoring data into action • Capitalizing on advances in information technology • Evaluating urban, agricultural, and mining effects on water quality • Evolving approaches to biological assessment

11.    • Challenges of data aggregation (e.g., distributed networks, large-scale reporting) • Uses of real time data (e.g., capabilities, limitations, applications) • Assessing groundwater quality and vulnerability • Using ancillary data and GIS tools to interpret water quality • Managing your data (e.g., WQDE, metadata, spreadsheets and relational databases, web-based systems)

12. Sustaining long-term programs (e.g., funding, participation) • Securing our waters • Monitoring ecosystem stressors (e.g., invasives, sediment, nutrients) • Communicating the same data to different audiences • Evaluating the effectiveness of water quality protection efforts (e.g., BMPs, restoration)

13. Elizabeth Jester Fellows Award 2006 Solicitation for Nominations • Provided program leadership or technical insight to champion and support water quality aspects of natural resources management and environmental protection. • Fostered effective collaboration in planning, executing and reporting water quality monitoring results. • Stimulated significant improvements in monitoring that used comparable and scientifically defensible information aiding the interpretation and evaluation of water quality conditions. • Documented significant watershed component interactions important to water quality. • Promoted water information strategies that reduce uncertainty or lower the costs of monitoring. • Advanced the standardization and practice of methods evaluation and validation and data comparability. • Advanced the practices of data management and the public's access to water quality data. • Provided leadership in developing a framework, network and/or forum for gathering and/or communicating water quality monitoring information and results.

14. Workshops Definite: • Stream Modeling (NAWQA) • Quality of Nation’s Groundwater (regression analysis, etc.) (NAWQA) • Uses of real-time data (NAWQA) • Assessing groundwater vulnerability (NAWQA) • Use of ancillary data and GIS tools (NAWQA) • Wetlands Monitoring – Classroom & field components (EPA – Chris Faulkner) • Statistics for Everyone (Trends) (Tt – Michael Paul)

15. Potential Workshops* • DQO Workshop (Methods Board?) • Program Sustainability (Vol Mon) • Probability Based Study Design • Participant Education & Empowerment vs Data Needs (Vol Mon - Candie Wilderman) • Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Techniques for Vol Mon (Jim Harrington and Clean Water Team?) • Program Design Considerations • Sampling Protocols • Use of Metrics • National Protocols? • Getting in Step with Your Watershed (EPA - Charlie MacPherson) • Volunteer Monitoring 101 • Community Culture & the Environment (EPA - Theresa Trainor) • Tiered Aquatic Life Uses (EPA - Susan Jackson, Jeroen Gerritsen) • Tribal WQ Programs (Ft. Peck & Pyramid Lake Tribes?) • State & Regional Council Support (content to be determined after inquiry)

16. Technical field trips: 1. Stream Geomorphology (Guadalupe River urban park & flood protection plan?) 2. Volunteer monitoring field methods macroinvertebrate & habitat? (Val Connor) 3. San Francisco Bay “cruise” NAWQA (Gary Rowe)

17. Field trips/Activities: 1. Monterey Aquarium 2. Vineyard Tours • Scuba Diving • Roaring Camp Railroad

18. Reception at the Tech Museum of Innovation*

19. NH Agenda: • Plenary Planning (Opening and Closing) • Conference Format • Field Trips • Scholarships • Program Committee? • Workshop “Facilitators” • Vendor Solicitations and Exhibition Design • Poster Incentives