Environmental Monitoring Commons^™

Lake Mead National Recreation Area Vegetation Monitoring And Management: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending December 31, 2005, Margaret N. Rees

Vegetation Monitoring

Executive Summary

• Required reports on sticky buckwheat (Eriogonum viscidulum) and threecorner milkvetch (Astragalus geyeri var. triquetrus) to be submitted through appropriate protocols by December 30, 2005
• Summary report on several other rare plants to be submitted through appropriate protocols by December 30, 2005
• Invasive perennial pepperweed (also called tall whitetop; Lepidium latifolium) documented and treated by Weed Sentry within Black Canyon, Lake Mojave

Lake Mead National Recreation Area Sensitive Wildlife Species Monitoring And Analysis: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending December 31, 2005, Margaret N. Rees

Wildlife Monitoring

• Topsoil replacement monitored at Willow Beach Wastewater Rehabilitation Project
• Desert tortoise surveys and monitoring conducted for Northshore Road reconstruction projects, and desert tortoise training provided to 9 construction contractors.
• Field work associated with the project to remove desert tortoise radio transmitters from animals on Mormon Mesa completed.
• Weekly data processing for Desert Bighorn Sheep monitoring associated with the Hoover Dam Bypass Project continued.
• Fall field surveys for relict leopard frogs completed (11 sites surveyed); last of this year’s head-started animals released; RLFCT meeting held.
• Work started on a digital database (GIS) of Peregrine falcon observations.
• Monthly shorebird surveys conducted (22 …

Cooperative Conservation: Increasing Capacity Through Community Partnerships -- Interagency Volunteer Program & Cooperative Conservation Program: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending December 31, 2005, Margaret N. Rees

Get Outdoors Nevada

• Database now contains 1,807 records, a 15% increase over the last quarter.
• Website activity increased, recording an average of 38,399 hits per month, with an average of 3,537 pages viewed per month.
• Inaugural interagency volunteer recognition event held October 28, 2005.
• Interagency training program (phase 1) scheduled for February 2006 (four sessions).
• Alternative Workforce Survey completed and delivered to National Park Service.

Preliminary Survey Of Rattlesnake Brook

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Rattlesnake Brook is located in Assonet, MA, passing under Rte 24 near exit #9 and under South Main Street. The stream was accessed at three sites: NSTAR (just upstream from the South Main St. culvert), Rapoza (downstream at 114 South Main St.) and Narrows Road (just upstream from the Narrows Rd culvert prior to the stream’s confluence with the Assonet River). One major change in land use is the addition of the Stop & Shop distribution center on South Main St. behind the Rapoza site.

Initial data for temperature and DO indicate that dissolved oxygen is high at the first …

A Water Quality Study Of Germany Brook, A Tributary Of The Neponset River

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Germany Brook is a first-order stream that originates in Westwood and travels two miles emptying into Ellis Pond in Norwood. Earlier sampling conducted by volunteers affiliated with the Neponset River Watershed Association on the lower reaches of the stream had indicated marginal water quality characterized by high nutrient and bacterial levels. In order to assess the potential impact of surrounding land uses on water quality in the stream, the benthic macroinvertebrate community was sampled at two stations during October, 2005.

It was hypothesized that the upstream station should have better water quality than its downstream counterpart as the upper reaches …

A Comparison Study: Fall Book And A Natural Spring; Focus: Water Chemistry

Watershed Access Lab Projects

The purpose of the study was to compare two fresh water resources in the Freetown Lakeville area. One site found was a natural spring located in Lakeville near Morgan Reserves off Long Pont Road. The Spring is located in the woods and in a remote location. The water from the spring enters into Little Quittacas Pond, a reservoir for New Bedford drinking water. The other freshwater site was a brook called Fall Brook in Freetown located off Gurney Road. The brook is located near Still Water Fastener Factory and flows under Gurney Road.

The focus of the study was on …

Macro Invertebrates Of Kirby Brook

Watershed Access Lab Projects

The purpose of our project was to compare the relative abundance of Macroinvertebrates at two sites on Kirby Brook in Westport MA. One site was in the woods behind our high school approximately 1/4 of a mile along an overgrown trail. These woods are frequented in the winter for hunting purposes. At the time of the study, the water was stagnant due to lack of rain. The second site was across from a farm on Drift Rd. The water was low but flowing.

At both sites, Oligochaetes made up the majority of Macroinvertebrates (231 at site 1, 71 at site …

The Taunton River's Last Major Tributary: Chemical Analysis Of A Freshwater Dam System In The Upper Assonet River

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

Comparative Study Of Leonard Washburn Brook And Poquoy Brook

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Leonard Washburn Brook is a tributary of Poquoy Brook. It is located in Lakeville, MA and was accessed on Cross Street. We considered this our pristine river environment. Poquoy Brook, also of Lakeville, MA was accessed on Taunton Street. We considered this our river with many land uses as it passes through both a cranberry bog and a golf course.

Initial data for temperature and DO indicate that dissolved oxygen is higher at the Leonard Washburn than Poquoy Brook. Poquoy follows a normal diurnal curve while Leonard Washburn fluctuates with temperature due to lack of vegetation in the water column. …

A Comparison Of Divergent Sites On The Farm River: Wetlands Vs. Industry

Watershed Access Lab Projects

The Fore River Watershed initiates in the Blue Hills of Milton, Massachusetts. The Farm River, which flows through Braintree, Massachusetts, is one of the tributaries. It is a first order river that contributes to Great Pond, the major water supply for Braintree, Randolph and Avon. As the Farm River proceeds beyond Great Pond, it passes within thirty feet of an industrial park and shopping mall for approximately 1km. It also passes under a heavily traveled road, Granite Street. The amount of imperviousness in the area is considerable

The purpose of this study was to determine if a river flows through …

A River With History: Evaluating The Aberjona River

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Autumn Leaf Drop On Water Quality At Turner's Pond Outlet

Watershed Access Lab Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact that the autumn leaf drop associated with the changing seasons has on water quality. Students in the senior elective, Botany, participated in this study of the main outlet of Turner’s Pond in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The students designated two test sites downstream from the dam that holds back Turner’s Pond. Testing was done October 6 and 7, 2005 and October 27 and 28, 2005. The first dates were prior to the leaf drop and the second dates occurred after leaf drop had started but not yet been completed. The macroinvertebrate sampling …

The Runnins Report

Watershed Access Lab Projects

For the past 4 years, students in AP Biology have performed summer Ecology research studies at Burr’s Pond in Seekonk. One goal of the summer research has been to provide the students with a relevant, meaningful inquiry-based learning experience. At the start of the school year, the students measure the dissolved oxygen as part of the required AP Laboratory Exercise 12. A second goal of the summer research has been to sustain an annual evaluation of the dissolved oxygen as well as the diversity and distribution of organisms in and around the pond. Unfortunately, the data is not very accurate …

Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant Nebraska, Bryant Burnett, Karla Asberry

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

The 19-square mile Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant is a former U.S. Army Armament, Munitions, and Chemical Command facility. On standby status since 1973, the operation leases land for agriculture, grazing, and wildlife management activities. The plant was built in 1942 to produce munitions and provide support functions during World War II. It has been in and out of production over the years. The plant consists of five main components: five major production areas where munitions were loaded, assembled, and packed; a fertilizer manufacturer; two major storage facilities; a sanitary landfill; and a burning ground where materials contaminated with explosives were …

Spatial Autocorrelation Of Deer-Vehicle Accidents In Vigo County, J. Scott Horn

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Deer-vehicle accidents (DV As) are a problem in many areas. They cause millions of dollars in property damage, personal injury, and loss of life each year. This thesis examines whether DVAs in Vigo County, Indiana during the year 2000 were spatially autocorrelated; and whether DV As selected by deer habitat were spatially autocorrelated. Specifically using Moran's I to test for spatial autocorrelation this study determined if and to what degree spatial autocorrelation existed among these DVAs. A Moran's I value of .0023 shows that the accidents occurred randomly. These DV A data were then used to plot a map which …

Biomass Estimation Using Statistical And Neural Network Analysis Of Aster Data, Vijay O. Lulla

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study assessed the performance of different biomass estimation methods using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) lll data in a temperate forest. Multiple linear regression statistics of spectral band data and derived indices with biomass values were compared with advanced neural network models created with spectral band data and indices to model biomass values. Biomass for the study area was estimated using both of these methods and the results were discussed. The data were analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis. Correlation analysis and regression analysis were employed to understand the relationship of biomass to the spectral data and …

Coupled Oceanic-Atmospheric Variability And U.S. Streamflow, Glenn A. Tootle, Thomas C. Piechota, Ashok Singh

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

A study of the influence of interdecadal, decadal, and interannual oceanic-atmospheric influences on streamflow in the United States is presented. Unimpaired streamflow was identified for 639 stations in the United States for the period 1951–2002. The phases (cold/negative or warm/positive) of Pacific Ocean (El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)) and Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)) oceanic-atmospheric influences were identified for the year prior to the streamflow year (i.e., long lead time). Statistical significance testing of streamflow, based on the interdecadal, decadal, and interannual oceanic-atmospheric phase (warm/positive or cold/negative), was performed by …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 29 - Western Rock Lobster Fishery Effects Of Fishing On The Ecosystem - Scientific Reference Group (Chairman's Report No. 3, February 2005), Department Of Fisheries, Western Australia

Fisheries Occasional Publications

The Western Rock Lobster Effects of Fishing on the Ecosystem Scientific Reference Group (the SRG) was convened jointly by the Department of Fisheries and the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC). The SRG met on Tuesday 1 February 2005 at the Fremantle Sailing Club, and this document is the official report from that meeting.

Annual Report To The Pastoral Lands Board Of Western Australia: 2004 / 2005 Financial Year, Rod Williams, Philip Thomas

Natural resources published reports

The Department of Agriculture Western Australia has prepared this Annual Report for the financial year 2004 – 2005. The format is consistent with the previous two years, and now encapsulates enhanced detail and a broader range of headings within the report.

The Department of Agriculture’s services to the Board are outlined and environmental indicators are presented at the regional and property scales. New information being presented to the Board in this report includes Pastoral Lease property transfers, an explanation of the emerging Natural Resource Management program in the rangelands, the Australian Collaborative Rangeland Information System (ACRIS), an introduction to Carnarvon …

Take Pride In America, Public Lands Institute

Anti-littering Presentations

• To promote a fundamental, unifying awareness of the importance and relevance of litter and dumping prevention to all Nevadans through use of an original, enduring slogan
• To encourage Nevadans to volunteer through Take Pride in America events to beautify Nevada’s public lands

Maximum Size Of Fish Caught With Standard Gears And Recreational Angling, Kevin L. Pope, Gene R. Wilde, Daryl L. Bauer

Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: Staff Publications

We correlated maximum lengths of freshwater fishes captured during 10 years with standard gears (i.e., gill nets, boat electrofishers and trap nets) and angling from Nebraska water bodies to determine which methodology provided better estimates of maximum size of fishes produced within a given water body. In general, maximum length of fishes captured with standard gears was smaller than maximum length of fishes captured with angling. Although significant (based on sequential Bonferroni adjustment) correlation was found in only one of nine sport fishes assessed, all correlations were positive indicating a general trend between maximum size of fishes captured with these …

Assessment Of Human Health Risks From Chemically Contaminated Lake Fishes In Greece, Eugene G. Maurakis, David V. Grimes, Dimitra Bobori, Rob Hale, Jennifer Jones

Virginia Journal of Science

Objectives were to conduct screening level surveys of locally consumed fish tissues in vicinities of two lakes (Kastoria and Pamvotis) in Greece to determine the presence of halogenated organic compounds and determine carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic human health risks associated with the consumption of sampled fish tissues. Results estimate the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risks (ILCR) and Hazard Index (HI) values for the two local populations using site-specific population data. These results were compared to analyses conducted using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency default values in an effort to determine the applicability of USEPA default values to assessments of risks in non U.S. …

Cooperative Conservation: Increasing Capacity Through Community Partnerships -- Interagency Volunteer Program & Cooperative Conservation Program: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending September 30, 2005, Margaret N. Rees

Get Outdoors Nevada

• 1,573 total volunteer records now loaded into database
• 230 new volunteers recruited through website: www.getoutdoorsnevada.org
• Website recorded an average of 35,000 hits per month for the quarter, with an average of 3,350 pages viewed per month
• Three major interagency volunteer events completed this quarter, at which more than 300 volunteers picked up a total of 128 cubic yards of litter at three separate National Public Lands Day clean-up events: September 17, 2005 - Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area September 24, 2005 - Red Rock National Conservation Area September 24, 2005 - Lake Mead National Recreation Area
• Interagency Volunteer Team selected …

Discover Mojave Outdoor World ~ Forever Earth, Public Lands Institute

Presentations (DM)

Program goals:

• Introduce economically disadvantaged urban youth, ages 8-12, to outdoor recreation and education
• Foster a belief that outdoor recreation plays an important and positive role in the health and fitness of America’s youth

Assessing The Health Of Fringing Salt Marshes Along The Fore River And Its Tributaries, Pamela A. Morgan, Lucas Curci, Cayce Dalton, Jeremy Miller

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

Casco Bay has experienced two significant oil spills in recent history - the Tamano Tanker spill in 1972 and the Julie N spill in 1996. In addition, the Fore River and its tributaries have experienced numerous small spills over the years, including the August 2002 fuel oil spill (2,900 gallons) and the April 2003 jet fuel spill (6,000 gallons). The impacts of these spills on the fringing salt marshes that line the edges of the Fore River and its tributaries are not well understood. Are these salt marshes resilient enough to withstand these impacts and still act as healthy marshes …

Benthic Biological Monitoring Program Of The Elizabeth River Watershed (2004), Daniel M. Dauer

Elizabeth River Reports

Executive Summary

Macrobenthic communities of the Elizabeth River watershed have been quantitatively sampled since summer 1999. This report presents the data from the sixth year of sampling in 2004. The three objectives of the Benthic Biological Monitoring Program of the Elizabeth River watershed are: (1) To characterize the health of the tidal waters of the Elizabeth River watershed as indicated by the structure of the benthic communities. ( 2) To conduct trend analyses on long-term data at 14 fixed-point stations to relate temporal trends in the benthic communities to changes in water and/or sediment quality. Trend analyses will be updated …

Mass Loading Measurements In Amargosa Valley, John C. Sagebiel, Alan W. Gertler, Amy J. Smiecinski, David Shafer

Publications (YM)

This work will be conducted under Task DRI-FI-001, “Mass Loading Measurements in Amargosa Valley.” The objective of this task is to measure, with known accuracy, the levels of atmospheric mass loading (mass concentration of suspended particulates) accompanying soil surface disturbing activities in Amargosa Valley. Mass loading is used in the biosphere model to calculate inhalation exposure for the human receptor, the maximally reasonably exposed individual (RMEI). The mass loading currently used in the biosphere model is based on literature data from the analog sites rather than on site-specific conditions. This work is subject to the Nevada System of Higher Education …

Water Quality Trading: What Can We Learn From 10 Years Of Wetland Mitigation Banking?, Eric Raffini, Morgan Robertson

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

In 2003 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued its Water Quality Trading Policy. Water quality trading allows facilities facing high pollution-control costs to meet their regulatory requirements by purchasing environmentally equivalent or superior pollution reductions from another source, often at a lower cost. The policy, which hopes to achieve "water quality and environmental benefits greater than would otherwise be achieved under more traditional regulatory approaches," established the ground rules for trading and encourages states, interstate agencies, and tribes to develop and implement water quality trading programs for nutrients, sediments, and other pollutants. The policy generated controversy among some stakeholder groups; …

Risk And Consequence Analysis Focused On Biota Transfers Potentially Associated With Surface Water Diversions Between The Missouri River And Red River Basins, Greg Linder, Ed Little, Lynne Johnson, Chad Vishy, Bruce Peacock, Heather Goeddecke

United States Geological Survey: Publications

Section 1 provides a brief overview of the project, including a cursory summary of the history of the “Garrison Diversion” and how that history relates to this work focused on the analysis of risks and consequences potentially associated with interbasin biota transfers. The present study was initiated under the auspices of the Dakota Water Resources Act (DWRA) of 2000, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a comprehensive study of the water quality and quantity needs of the Red River Valley and the options for meeting those needs. As such, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) requested technical support …

State Of The Fisheries Report 2004/2005, Jim W. Penn, W J. Fletcher, F Head

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The State of the Fisheries Report is published annually to provide a detailed level of reporting of the management of fish stocks and their environment undertaken by the Department of Fisheries. A summary report from this document is included in the Department's Annual Report to Parliament, which includes the Department's non-financial (fishery) performance indicators. The Annual Report is not printed but is available through the Department's website (www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/ar). The State of the Fisheries Report summarises the outcomes of many Departmental activities including management changes, compliance work and research to assess stock levels, monitor breeding stocks and undertake environmental assessments. This …