Datagaps, Needs & Opportunities

Philip Trowbridge, P.E.Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership &NH Department of Environmental Services

A presentation for the Southeast Watershed Alliance Science SymposiumMay 11, 2011

Piscataqua Region Monitoring: Perception

vs RealityPerception• Piscataqua

Region data collected through a single, well-funded monitoring program

Reality

• Mosaic of under-funded programs that change yearly

• Time-consuming data synthesis by PREP

• Cannot answer many crucial questions

Scientific Datagaps

• Water quality trends in the Cocheco, Salmon Falls, Bellamy, and Lower P.R.

• Composition of plankton populations• Sediment budgets• Components of Biological Oxygen Demand• Components of light attenuation

Scientific Datagaps

(cont.)

• Changes in oyster bed boundaries

• Impervious surfaces that are disconnected

• Changes in salt marsh and freshwater wetland area

• Lakes and streams that meet standards for swimming, fishing, and aquatic life

Data Needs

• Plan and fund a comprehensive WQ monitoring program for the tidal waters– One program with multiple funders– Add stations in Bellamy, Cocheco,

Salmon Falls, and Piscataqua (and Hampton and Rye Harbors)

– Add more WQ parameters (e.g., phytoplankton, BOD, primary productivity)

– Add winter samples at CML

Current funding level: ~$77k/yr(GBNERR $60k, PREP $17k)

Add’l funding needed: ~$85k/yr

Data Needs

• Upgrade and expand datasonde monitoring– Purchase six new

datasondes– Add chlorophyll-a probes– Add deployments in the

Cocheco and Piscataqua Rivers Current funding level: ~$70k/yr

(GBNERR $60k, PREP $10k)

Add’l funding needed: ~$28k/yrincl ~$55k capital amortized for 7 yr

Data Needs

• Improve watershed load monitoring for nutrients and sediments– Add 10 storm samples per year to

tributary monitoring for nutrients and sediments

– Add monthly wastewater effluent monitoring for nutrients at 14 WWTFs

Current funding level: ~$9k/yr(PREP $9k)

Add’l funding needed: ~$20k/yr

Data Needs

• Plan and fund a comprehensive monitoring program for lakes and rivers– 70-90% of lakes and rivers do not

have data on even basic parameters (pH, DO, etc.)

– Support/expand existing volunteer monitoring programs for lakes and rivers

Current funding level: $3k/yr

Add’l funding needed: ~$30k/yr

Data Needs

• There are many other crucial data needs...

Specific Additions

Map oyster beds

Map connected impervious surfaces

Map salt marsh and wetlands

Test mussel tissue for toxic contaminants

Test estuary sediments for toxic contaminants

Monitor marine invasive species

Bathymetry, land use, etc.

Opportunities

• Engagement and awareness of the estuaries and water quality at all levels

• Agreement that good science can solve problems• Significant capital costs put monitoring costs in

perspective– Increased monitoring costs: $163k/yr

Next Steps

• Prepare QA Project Plans as proposals for comprehensive monitoring programs

• Obtain price quotes• Seek funding from stakeholders, foundations • Sustain the DES Volunteer River Assessment

Program and other low-cost programs

Questions?

Philip Trowbridge, P.E.

Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership &

NH Department of Environmental Services

Philip.Trowbridge@des.nh.gov

603.271.8872