Lake Michigan Monitoring Coordination Council

 

Meeting Summary

 

Spring Meeting

May 21-22, 2001

Indian Oak Resort and Spa

558 Indian Boundary Rd.

Chesterton, IN

 

 

A total of 24 people attended the Spring Meeting of the Lake Michigan Monitoring Coordination Council (the Council).  A list of participants is provided below.

 

Participants List

(See Council Members and Interested Parties List for contact information.)

 

 


Name                                                   Affiliation

Judy Beck                                             U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 – Lake Michigan Team

Sue Brauer                                           U.S. EPA, Region 5 – Waste, Pesticides and Toxics Division

Alex da Silva                                         Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Roger Eberhardt                                    Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Kathy Evans                                         Muskegon Conservation District

Laura Evans                                         U.S. EPA, Region 5 – Water Division

Rich Greenwood                                   U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/GLNPO

Cheryl Guster                                        Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Victoria Harris                                      University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute

John Hummer                                       Great Lakes Commission

Bob Kavetsky                                       U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Gary Kohlhepp                                      Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Ric Lawson                                          Great Lakes Commission

Kathy Luther                                        Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Mike Miller                                           Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Greg Mund                                           Michigan Agricultural Stewardship Association

Roger Nanney                                       USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service

Mark Pearson                                       U.S. EPA, Mid-Continent Ecology Division

Charlie Peters                                       U.S. Geological Survey

Susan Russell                                        S.E. Russell Consulting

Susie Schreiber                                     Waukegan Harbor Citizens Advisory Group

Thomas Sheffy                                      Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Janet Vail                                             GVSU Annis Water Resources Institute

Glenn Warren                                       U.S. EPA, Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO)

Nathan Winkler                                     Grand Traverse Band Ottawa & Chippewa Indians

 

 

Monday, May 21, 2000

 

I.          Welcome and Introductions

 

Lawson opened the meeting and introduced chairs Kohlhepp and Peters.  He then asked all participants to introduce themselves.

 

 

II.         Council Business

 

Charge to Participants

Kohlhepp noted that much time has been spent in organizing the Council and that now it’s time to move ahead and tackle some substantive issues.  Peters mentioned that the National Water Quality Monitoring Council is helping to promote councils similar to LMMCC.  He hopes LMMCC can help meet each member’s needs with an approach that all can benefit from.  Lawson noted that the Council should stay focused on what it can do to be most effective.  There is a strong need to develop products that can show a benefit to monitoring entities and decision makers in the basin.  He asked participants to focus on solidifying a framework that will allow more people to participate and gain benefit from the Council.

 

 

Review of Agenda

Lawson briefly reviewed the meeting agenda, and there were no suggested changes.

 

 

Review Action Items

Action items from the Fall LMMCC meeting were reviewed as follows:

 

1.         Lawson will work with the co-chairs regarding announcing a schedule for staggered terms.

Lawson indicated that nominations were being sought for a two-year term in one of the chair positions.  Both Peters and Kohlhepp have been renominated for the chair positions are interested in continuing in their roles.  No other nominations have been received.

 

Lawson also indicated that there has to this point been no need to formalize the membership of the Council.  There is a formal procedure in place in the Charter that can be implemented if necessary.  He asked if there was need for any further discussion on this.

 

Beck stated that the Council should push for more local participation and noted that it is more of an overall participation issue rather than a formal membership one.

 

2.         Once the online monitoring inventory is completed, Council members will review and correct information.  A form for information updates will be developed.

Lawson stated that the online version of the monitoring inventory should be completed by fall 2001 or the end of the year at the latest.  Its completion will be announced widely.

 

3.         A discussion paper on the minimum requirements for a baseline effort to follow up on the LMMB project will be developed.

Glenn Warren has yet to complete this item.  Beck mentioned that 2004 is the 10-year anniversary of the LMMB project.  Data has been analyzed and models are about to be tested.  Her thought was to have everyone focus on “one year” (2004) to follow up on the 1994 data.  Kohlhepp said would like to continue to make the models useful by developing monitoring programs for segments of the models that could use ongoing data collection.  Beck added she is considering a proposal to the Binational Executive Committee next fall (2002) with the idea of monitoring one Great Lake on a five-year cycle.  A larger network would establish a council (similar to LMMCC) for each great lake.  Kohlhepp added that – for the model – what is coming in from tributaries, air deposition, etc. could build on LMMB data. 

 

Action:  Beck will talk to the states next fall prior to the SOLEC conference.  She will develop a short questionnaire on this topic.  Warren stated that once the results are in on the models, he will examine what on-going or follow-up monitoring is needed.  He would like to get people together to discuss ideas for future sampling. 

 

4.         Laura Evans indicated that she would add the SOLEC numbers to LaMP indicators.

This action item was completed.  SOLEC numbers were added within chapter 3 of the LaMP.

 

5.         Summarize the objectives from projects in the Lake Michigan Monitoring Inventory.  Distinguish between regulatory and ambient programs.

Lawson stated he developed a paper on the similarities and differences of the objectives in the inventory database (his “Objectives Analysis” paper).  He was limited to those whom responded to his survey request.  Peters noted that the short-term workgroup will get more detailed information for the next draft.  Beck stated we took the inventory as far as we could and that there are still some gaps.  Lawson mentioned more data may be collected through the online version of the inventory, and the Council could update the current inventory with more detailed objectives.  Peters added that objectives drive actions.  Lawson said the objectives could be discussed further in workgroups.  Beck said she would look at the documents before they go out further.  Russell suggested that Superfund data should also be incorporated.

 

6.         A strategic plan should be developed, modeled on the GLFC plan for fisheries, for monitoring in the Lake Michigan basin.  This needs to be a consensus plan that supports the needs of management policies.

Lawson said this is a long-term, ongoing action item that will take additional time to develop.  Elements of the current meeting were designed to address this item.  It should stay on the action item list.

 

7.         Pilot monitoring efforts will be tracked.  Presentations will be scheduled on these pilot efforts at future meetings.

Lawson said the focus of this meeting is on organizational issues and getting the workgroup framework launched.  It was mentioned that such pilot efforts, when in process, could be reported upon in the LMMCC newsletter, as well as at future meetings.

 

The discussion moved to the electronic newsletter.  Lawson stated he needs more responses from members to compile an effective newsletter.  It was suggested the newsletter go out on a quarterly basis.  Kohlhepp stated that EPA headquarters puts out a “Water Monitor” newsletter by region and thought the Council newsletter would be a good opportunity for communicating our efforts.  He suggested that individual members submit “anything” to get the ball rolling.  Eventually it will develop character and focus.  Peters mentioned a Minnesota river newsgroup which is a valuable tool.  Lawson reiterated it would be a good communications device for member updates.  Beck suggested submitting a short paragraph with contact information. 

 

Action:  Lawson will develop an online newsletter template and a system for collecting information.

 

8.         Lawson will coordinate speaker recruitment for the IAGLR session.

Lawson stated that this has been done and final arrangements are being made for IAGLR, as will be discussed later.

 

9.         Lawson will draft a framework for enhancing information sharing between council members and other monitoring interests.

Lawson said a framework for a discussion list has been developed through the new LMMCC listserve.  Beck indicated it is important for those doing research to be able to find information.  Harris noted this item could be part of the strategic plan.  Beck added that we need to “hook people in,” like graduate students, to do research projects.  Harris responded that the Council of Great Lakes Research Managers has graduate students summarizing important findings from Sea Grant programs and collecting information from the heads of other Great Lakes research projects.

 

 

GLC Resolution

Lawson announced that the Great Lakes Comission passed a resolution at their recent semi-annual meeting that encourages the federal and state governments to provide consistent monitoring funding.  He distributed a copy of the final resolution.  The Commission hopes to include this resolution with other regional initiatives in lobbying Congress.  The “be it resolved” section was reviewed.  Harris commented that it was entirely appropriate.  Beck indicated that she thought the Council could support the goals of the resolution, but might not be able to directly support the resolution itself. 

 

Action:  The Council will produce a letter of support stating that the “Council’s goals are aligned with the goals of the resolution” to be signed by Council co-chairs, and forwarded to the GLC.

 

Announcements

Beck stated she attended the D.C. Water Camp meeting – revolving around coordination, collection and assessment.  She spoke about a partnership concept called an “exchange network” and that this would be applicable to the Council.  There is a paper out on the concept.  She also received a short descriptive paper about indicators, put together by Gerald Niemi from the University of Minnesota at Duluth (related to a three-year STAR grant project).   She suggested that LMMCC communicate better with Niemi’s group.  Beck also announced the upcoming Binational Executive Committee (BEC) meeting to discuss SOLEC indicators. 

 

Action:  Beck will circulate the final SOLEC indicator report to LMMCC when it comes out.  

 

Next Beck shared a general observation that monitoring is becoming more visible and is a priority issue for increasing numbers of resource managers.  Beck also discussed the Great Lakes Beaches Conference, where monitoring data was exchanged.  She indicated that beaches project funding – once targeted at $30 million – has been cut back to $2 million currently.  Lawson mentioned that the GLC has a proposal in to GLNPO regarding the communication of beach monitoring information.  Beck emphasized the need for beach coordinators to get together.  Ohio is having its own beaches conference.  Beck mentioned another conference coming up on the topic of bio-accumulative toxics.  Brauer added that the National Routine PBT Monitoring Workshop to be held May 22-23 was an internal EPA workshop, with an external workshop on the same subject tentatively scheduled for much later in 2001.  Beck said that there was a Clean Water Act (CWA) Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) public stakeholders meeting in Indianapolis on May 15, 2001,  including a discussion of the Great Lakes Lakewide Management Planning process and its relation to TMDLs.

 

Kavetsky distributed a brochure titled “Protecting Wetlands along the Great Lakes Shoreline” published in April 2001.  Six-thousand copies were printed.  It was a collaborative effort of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) Coastal Program, the U.S. Geological Survey – Great Lakes Science Center, Michigan State University Sea Grant Extension, the Michigan Natural Features Inventory/MSU Extension, and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.  Kavetsky also discussed a local leveraging program as part of the Coastal Program and said they are looking for potential partnerships.  Kavetsky announced that the Corps of Engineers is currently seeking comments on the Nationwide Wetlands Permit.

 

Vail announced the State of Lake Michigan conference for Fall ’01 in Muskegon and circulated a preliminary agenda.  The organizing committee is still searching for a plenary speaker before firming up  agenda.  Send any speaker ideas to Vail.

 

Russell announced that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has completed a basin-wide survey of their resources, and should be better connected to the Council.  She mentioned that her brother works for USFS and she can work to develop some linkages with the Council.  Beck added that she has a contact with the Lake Superior LaMP who may help in this regard as well.

 

Schreiber announced that the Waukegan Harbor group recently signed a partnership agreement with a Russian watershed group working on Lake Biakal.Baikal.  She noted that the two groups are exchanging a lot of information and are learning tremendously from each other.  One of the highlights was a conference call involving students from both the U.S. and Russia.  She also was enthusiastic in that many Russian researchers are “buying into” what we’re doing on the Great Lakes. 

 

Harris announced that there are about 400-450 people registered for the IAGLR conference in June.

 

Peters announced that the USGS is interested in developing a GAP analysis for aquatic resources in the Lake Michigan basin.  He also announced that the Western Lake Michigan Drainages intensive study phase should be conducted according to plans, however the scope of the study is dependent on some questions about funding.

 

da Silva mentioned that he is interested in getting the Grand Calumet on board for a GAP analysis.  He is also looking for monitoring partners for the Grand Calumet Area of Concern.  Send any ideas or help on these matters to da Silva.

 

 

Other Business

There was no other business discussed. 

 

 

III.        Council Workgroups

 

Lawson announced that he, Kohlhepp and Peters would provide some background on the history and progress to date for the Council workgroups and present options for a new, long-term framework.  Copies of their presentation can be obtained from Lawson.

 

A.        Introduction and Background

Lawson introduced the concept and proposed new framework.  He emphasized that it was just a starting point and that it can go anywhere from here.  He pointed to the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission as an example of an established workgroup network.  He indicated that the purpose of the workgroups is to carry out functional tasks between meetings.  They would be based on member interests; with an open membership.  Each would function independently.  Four initial, short-term workgroups were established:  data inventory and analysis, monitoring objectives, benefit analysis and outreach, and watershed pilots.  Their function was to establish clarity on initial start-up issues.  Among the initial issues:

-          What is the range of monitoring in the basin?

-          Are there overlap/conflicts in monitoring objectives?

-          Examining coordination benefits

-          Establishing monitoring network pilot projects

 

 

B.        Progress in Current Workgroups

Kohlhepp noted that the four initial workgroups met several times via conference call, and indicated there was some progress in each group.  The watershed pilots workgroup was merged with the monitoring objectives workgroup at the last Council meeting.  He gave a brief overview of progress in the three workgroups as follows:

 

·         Data Inventory and Analysis

o        Helped produce the monitoring inventory and report

o        Advised on the development of the online inventory database

o        Produced discussion paper on monitoring objectives

·         Monitoring Objectives and Pilots

o        Merged from two workgroups

o        Several discussion papers

§         Continuation of LMMB elements

§         Monitoring network considerations

§         Design for a surface water monitoring network

·         Outreach

o        Developed several communication tools:

§         Website

§         Brochure

§         Discussion list

o        Hosted IAGLR session

o        External presentations (example:  National Water Quality Monitoring Council)

 

 

C.        A New Workgroup Framework

Peters outlined the need for a new workgroup framework.  Many short-term workgroup issues have been addressed.  There is a need for stronger focus on facilitating coordination.  Strategic planning for the basin is also needed.  Finally, increasing the value to Council members would help encourage and retain membership.

 

He then laid out some possible approaches for a new framework, with those listed below as possible stand-alone approaches or possibly linked together in a combined approach (see text in italics):

·         Issue Based [combined approach:  develop considerations/issues within and between resources(s)]

o        Objectives, network design, methods, data management, indicators and interpretation

·         Discipline Based (combined approach:  include in resource as appropriate)

o        Chemistry, biology, physical, social

·         Resource Based (combined approach:  facilitates appropriate coordination)

o        Surface water tributaries, wetlands and lakes, fisheries, in-lake

 

Peters then posed the following questions to the Council:  Is this the appropriate workgroup approach?  Which workgroups should be included?  Who is willing to lead a workgroup?  How should workgroups function?  What should workgroups do?

 

 

IV.       Workgroup Discussion

 

This session took the form of a general in-depth discussion of the new LMMCC workgroup framework proposed in the discussion paper.  Kavetsky asked how the new workgroups were arrived at, and about the LaMP being part of this.  Kohlhepp responded that it was a process of brainstorming by the LMMCC steering committee that came up with the proposed framework.  Eberhardt said he thought the habitat-related resource-based connections were good to have built in.  Beck added that the LaMP was the driving force behind this.  Lawson said that LaMP indicators are common among various agencies.  Kavetsky brought up the issue of costs for the purposes of a workplan.  Luther suggested that aquatic nuisance species should be another workgroup.  Peters said that the Council should not try and form new groups per se, but should connect to already existing monitoring networks where possible.  Beck commented that it’s easier to talk about coordination than to actually do it.  Peters suggested that workgroups can make technical recommendations in terms of monitoring protocols, etc.  Harris said it seems like more is done on an ecosystem approach.  Lawson mentioned the Great Lakes Wetlands Consortium as an example.  Luther suggested the possibility of even more specific workgroups – like a bird group. 

 

Harris asked how this structure fits with SOLEC.  Beck responded that it’s in Chapter 3 of the Lake Michigan LaMP, which follows the SOLEC approach.  Warren said the structure should be no problem if indicators are included.  Harris added that, in addition to indicators, it is important that objectives be a focus.  Lawson said it is the Council’s job to make sense of salient themes that cut across agencies.  Kohlhepp suggested that the Council identify common themes, and the workgroups get to the nuts and bolts.  Lawson recommended a summary for each workgroup and combine them into an overall strategic plan for the full Council.  Peters stressed that the Council get as many workgroups going in a positive direction as possible now.  Kohlhepp emphasized an adaptive approach.  Changes can be made or more workgroups can be added later. 

 

Evans asked if SOLEC and LaMP indicators are the same.  Kavetsky said there is a subset of SOLEC indicators for Lake Michigan.  Nanney suggested that – for the short-term – the Council find out which networks exist and pull out Lake Michigan data.  Kavetsky noted that SOLEC seems more divided by states and categories; they multiply indicators and get super-indicators.  Luther suggested we list indicators and organizations for each box.  Peters recommended that we start with what is currently being monitored – like fisheries and tributaries.  Beck re-emphasized that no system will be perfect – it is okay to adapt later.  She added that some monitoring information is more important for agencies, while some is more important for communication with the public in general.

 

With the above discussion coming to a close, the group decided to brainstorm and list all potential workgroups.  Following is the initial list (in no particular order):

 


-          wetlands

-          groundwater

-          tributaries

-          air

-          open lake

-          amphibians

-          aquatic nuisance species (ANS)

-          wildlife

-          beaches

-          forests

-          land use

-          macroinvertebrates

-          fish

-          terrestrial nuisance species

-          pathogens

-          wildlife contamination

-          sediments

-          human health

-          air deposition

-          TMDLs

-          GIS

-          birds

-          modeling

-          nearshore

-          lake levels

-          dunes

-          reptiles

-          habitat (aquatic/terrestrial)

-          plants (aquatic/terrestrial


 

Following a break, Lawson led participants through an exercise of grouping the items in the initial brainstorming list above into workgroup categories.  The Council agreed on ten workgroups.  They discussed existing networks under these workgroup headings as well as some potential data sources and timelines.  Note: This is not a comprehensive list and is subject to change.

 


Air

National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP)

International Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN)

Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium (LADCO)

Regional Emission Inventory of Toxic Air Contaminants Steering Committee

Mercury Deposition Network (MDN)

 

Aquatic Nuisance Species

ANS Task Force

Panel on ANS

 

Fisheries

Great Lakes Fisheries Commission – annual reporting with Lake Michigan focus in 2006

 

Groundwater

Source water

 

Land Use

Planning commissions

Wisconsin Lands

Remote sensing

GIS

USGS (data analysis)

Performance and Results Measurement System (PRMS – NRCS)

Forests

Agriculture

Urban – 10 year census transport plans

Open Lake

Contaminants

Nutrients

Benthos

Plankton

Lake levels

Sediments

Physical characteristics

 

Recreational Waters

Beaches – hourly, daily and annual reporting needed

Coastal lakes

 

Tributaries

Surface Water Quality Division – 2-year reports

Ground Water Quality Division

National Water Quality Assessments – 2002 –2005 high phase

Source water

Sediments

Macroinvertebrates

Fish

Aquatic plants

Aquatic habitat

 

 

 

 

 




Wetlands

Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Consortium – plan in 3 years

Natural Resources Inventory – 5-year reports

National Wetlands Inventory – 10-year reports

PRMS – 1-year reports

STAR grant – Year 1-2001

Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (REMAP) – Year 2-2002

Wildlife

Birds

Amphibians

Mammals

Endangered/sensitive species

The Nature Conservancy

GAP program (USGS)


 


 

 

Tuesday, May 22, 2001

 

I.          Charge to Workgroups

 

Lawson reviewed the previous day’s accomplishments.  He then directed participants’ attention to a Workgroup Questionnaire developed to organize discussions about monitoring network workgroups.  The goal was to have each workgroup discuss the questionnaire topics and develop a summary or plan for workgroup components.  The plans will later be combined into a draft strategic plan for the Council.  Where possible, groups were asked to comment on specific tasks, resource needs and schedules for development of each section.  Based on interest and the number of members in attendance, participants broke into two groups:  one to discuss tributaries and the other to look at wetlands.

 

 

II.         Workgroup Discussions II

 

Tributaries Workgroup

 

Goals/Objectives

The tributary group first discussed what it thought would be viable goals and objectives:

·         Develop a coordinated tributary monitoring network

·         Improve methodology/come to agreement on some common parameters

o        Develop system ties; offer guidance to those collecting data

·         Overcome budget/scheduling barriers

·         Improve data sharing and reporting

o        Are there substantial differences in our methods/can we change?

o        Have flexibility to add/change parameters

o        Have more frequent conference calls between meetings

o        Expand to watershed basis (RAP-driven data needs)

 

Some possible data elements discussed included:


-          fish

-          habitat

-          sediment

-          algae

-          macroinvertebrates

-          chemistry

-          physical parameters

-          temperature

-          flow rates

-          pH


-           

 

o        It was suggested that a key list of constituents should be identified for each of the above categories.

o        Establish credibility of data sets

o        Respect differences – different groups have different foci and may have good reason to employ different tools, i.e., metadata, site selection, methodological variations

·         Flag volunteer-collected data (it comes in all ranges, i.e., student-collected) – incorporate into work where possible and appropriate

·         Common data set that allows queries

·         Establish levels of quality assurance – provide guidance for agency standards

 

The group acknowledged it would eventually look at SOLEC indicators to see which ones this workgroup would cover.

 

Membership

The group then addressed membership.  One of the goals from the above discussion relating to membership is:  Improve the inventory of “who are the players?” 

 

Action:  Establish and circulate an email list (listserve) of tributary monitoring people.

 

The group brainstormed for who the key organizations/agencies were to help accomplish the goals of the workgroup.  The following list was derived from the discussion (not an all-inclusive list):

 


-          The four states DEQ/DNR (water quality) agencies

-          USGS

-          EPA

-          USACE

-          Metro sewer districts

-          Health departments

-          Universities

-          USFWS

-          Volunteer/watershed groups

-          NRCS

-          RAP groups

-          National Park Service

-          Industry/consultants


-     Regional Planning Commisions

 

The group then listed key contact persons that should be actively engaged in the workgroup.  They are (not a comprehensive list):

 


-          Gary Kohlhepp – MI DEQ

-          Charlie Peters - USGS

-          Mike Miller – WI DNR

-          Kathy Luther – IN DEM

-          Alex da Silva – IN DEM

-          Cheryl Guster – IN Dune Nat’l Lakeshore (Nat’l Park Service)

-          Glenn Warren – US EPA, GLNPO

-          Paul Horvatin -

-          Art Garceau – Indiana

-          Bob Daum – Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

-          Jim Nicholas – MI USGS

-          Lee Bridges –

-          Susie Schreiber – Waukegan Harbor

-          Richard Whitman – BRD-USGS

-          Jan Miller - USACE

-          Bob Kavetsky - USFWS

-          Roger Nanney - NRCS

-          Janet Vail – GVSU Water Resources Institute

-          Vickie Harris – UW Sea Grant

-          Dave Long – MSU

-          Jim Snitgen – Oneida Tribe

-          Michigan’s Water Quality Monitoring Advisory Board

-          Great Lakes TMDL industry representatives

 

 


 

Network Design

All agreed that there is little to no coordination currently on the topic of tributary monitoring.  Kohlhepp acknowledged that Michigan is not coordinating with others. 

 

Action:  It was agreed that monitoring inventory information needs to get out.  (The first inventory, and then a more detailed inventory.)

 

There needs to be definition and coordination between enforcement monitoring and trend monitoring.

 

The group next thought of similar networks in other geographic areas that could potentially serve as models for the one here:


-          LMMB

-          Green Bay

-          Chesapeake Bay

-          Upper Mississippi

-          Maryland

-          Colorado (Big Thompson watershed, in particular)

-          Texas (TNRCC, gulf coast)


 

Methods

The group agreed that currently data collection, analysis and reporting standards are variable in the tributary circles. It then listed some comparability standards that should be brought to the table for further discussion:

-          Analytical:  detection, precision levels

-          EPA or state-regulatory driven

-          EPA performance-based

-          Where to conduct comparison sampling

-          Implement metadata standards:  How and where to report metadata

-          Examples:

§         Illinois DNR grant to bring data sets together

§         Indiana/Ohio method sharing

 

The group concluded that currently tributary parameters collected across the basin were variable and should be compared to SOLEC and LaMP parameters.

 

Group consensus was that quality assurance and control protocols were available and necessary across the basin.  A minimum of metadata is essential.  Guidance should be provided to academia and other stakeholders.

 

Data Sharing

The group thought that there should be standards for data sharing between organizations.  In terms of metadata, minimal compliance should be required. The recently developed NWQMC Water Quality Data Element lists for chemical and microbiological parameters should be distributed for discussion.

 

In Michigan, according to Kohlhepp, data is collected and stored in STORET.  It was consensus that data be centrally stored and collected via web pages.

 

Funding

Due to time constraints, the group elected to skip the funding portion of the questionnaire.

 

Barriers

The barriers the group found relevant to the coordination of monitoring efforts are:

-          Agreement on objectives

-          Time/coordination issues

-          Budgets

-          Entrenchment, fear of the new (“Always been done this way.”)

 

The group concluded that barriers could be addressed by getting the right people together, establishing a good monitoring inventory, and coordinating processes and methods where necessary.

 

 

Wetlands Workgroup

The wetlands group decided not to strictly follow the questionnaire and instead had a discussion about current wetland monitoring initiatives.  The three major coastal wetlands initiatives in the Great Lakes basin include:

 

 

 

Project

Membership

Lead

Mission

Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Consortium

Consortium of governmental and academic wetland scientists and managers

GLC and U.S. EPA – GLNPO; Tom Burton, Michigan State University, chair

To develop an implementable and sustainable monitoring plan, addressing SOLEC indicators.

U.S. EPA STAR grant project

Group of academic researchers working with U.S EPA scientists

Gerald Niemi, University of Minnesota at Duluth

To test effectiveness of SOLEC and new coastal indicators (not limited to wetlands).

REMAP

Select monitoring personnel from each lake basin

Tom Simon, US FWS

Part of a national project to monitor environmental variables using generalized methodologies.

 

The group discussed the goals of the above efforts and the indicators they are testing.   These indicators include:


-          wetland area by type

-          gain in restored wetlands

-          extent of invasive species

-          habitat adjacent to wetlands

-          invertebrate community health

-          fish community health

-          fish deformities, erosions, lesions and tumors (DELT)

-          sediment flow

-          sediment available for coastal nourishment

-          phosphorus and nitrogen levels

-          amphibian abundance and diversity

-          bird abundance and diversity


 

Reporting

Beck suggested that there was a need for reporting consistency.  Wetland data should be reported consistently by lake basin or by county.  There was also some discussion about the frequency of reporting and ownership of data.  This is not clear in the above projects.  The National Wetlands Inventory reports every 10 years.  Other data sets are more frequent.

 

Funding

Most projects have annual or biannual budgets.  It would help to push for longer term, secure funding for wetlands monitoring.  Beck suggested that projects be tied in more closely with air deposition projects.  The funding also comes from multiple sources, which can make things difficult.  Nanney emphasized that the Council should help groups to institutionalize a process, rather than the product.

 

Coordination

Overall, there seems to be little coordination between the three prominent projects in this area.

 

Action:  Lawson volunteered to draft a document summarizing the workplans of the “Big Three”.  He also will explore a possible workshop involving all of them.

 

 

III.  Workgroup Discussions II (plenary)

 

A brief plenary summary discussion followed the break-out discussions.  Beck proposed a sample chart for workgroups to report out data with a listing of groups on the vertical axis and the dates when they would report out on the horizontal axis.  Kohlhepp mentioned that Michigan’s reporting out system is generally tied to the NPDES permit year.  Kavetsky stated the SOLEC cycle is every two years, but that we need to find out what the timeframe is/will be for specific indicators.  He added the LaMP cycle is the same as SOLEC’s.  Beck mentioned the 2020 Transportation Plan.  Lawson added that any reporting done by municipalities would vary.  (Note:  Reporting frequencies were included under the initial list of workgroups on day one of the meeting.)  Lawson questioned how other groups assess the status of their work. 

 

Next, the discussed workgroup leaders and membership.  Potential chairs and members for the workgroups are listed below.

 


Air

Thomas Sheffy, WDNR

 

Aquatic Nuisance Species

Ron Martin, WDNR

 

Fisheries

Tom Trudeau, Illinois EPA

 

Groundwater

Norm Granaman (Michigan)

Jim Nicholas, USGS - Michigan

Tom Geishinger, US EPA – Superfund, Michigan

Bill Spaulding, US EPA - Sourcewater

 

Land Use

Judy Beck, US EPA

Jenna Stewart

MSU Land Use Forum leaders

Coastal Zone Management people

 

Open Lake

Nathan Winkler, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa/Chippewa

Glenn Warren, US EPA - GLNPO

Paul Horvatin, US EPA - GLNPO

Brian Eddie, NOAA/GLERL

 

Recreational Waters

Kathy Luther, IDEM

Holly Wyrick,  US EPA, Region 5 - Water Division

 

Tributaries

Charlie Peters, USGS - Wisconsin

 

Wetlands

Doug Wilcox , USGS – Great Lakes Science Center

Tom Burton, MSU

Tom Simon, US FWS

Gerald Neimi, U Mn - Duluth

 

Wildlife

Laurie Rounds, IN DNR

Rich Greenwood, US FWS

Eddy Myers

Brad Johnson

Mike Donovan, MDNR/MNFI/GAP

Steve Schwabon,Schlobohm, U.S. Forest Service

Heather Potter, The Nature Conservancy – Great Lakes Office

Rep. from American Outdoors - Milwaukee office

 

 

 

 


Action:  Several LMMCC members agreed to contact many of those listed above who were not present at the meeting.  Lawson will initiate a call for workgroup conference calls.  A status report from each of the workgroups will be due to Ric Lawson within the next three months.

 

 

IV.       Workgroup Discussions II – General Collaboration and Outreach

 

The discussion moved to various collaboration and outreach items the LMMCC is currently undertaking as well as ideas for coming months.  Here is a summary:

 

·         IAGLR Conference – June 14 – Peters, Brauer and Knauer are presenters, along with six others.  There will be a panel discussion following the presentations and an informal lunch after the session.  Lawson will line up speakers for the panel and formulate a set of questions for the discussion.  He asked members to send ideas to him.

§         Beck mentioned that Larry Libby can distribute a published booklet he has written related to the monitoring/research issues.

 

·         LMMCC website:  Peters recently updated and will continue to do so.  He will track and analyze website hits.

 

·         Peters mentioned that discussion papers have been updated on the website.

 

·         Peters suggested that a new LMMCC brochure be drafted.  It will include the new workgroup framework as well as the new chairs of each group.  Hummer suggested it be done before the State of Lake Michigan Conference in November.  Beck thought that maybe it should be ready prior to the IJC meeting in mid-September.  Action:  After Peters reviews these minutes, he will update brochure and send draft out to the Council for review.

 

·         Hummer suggested that the LMMCC online newsletter be used as a tool to get information out, especially relating workgroup updates.

 

The discussion then turned to funding for LMMCC:

 

·         Beck stated there is no guarantee of a budget for the next fiscal year (’02).  She suggested funding should be an important item for the next agenda.

 

·         Peters suggested that everyone keep their eyes open for RFPs that fit LMMCC.  He mentioned that the USGSmay have some strategic planning funds that could possibly be used by the Council.  Action:  Peters will talk to Donna Myers, Great Lakes Coordinator, USGS about funding opportunities.

 

·         Kavetsky suggested going to senior managers of agencies, such as the Midwest Natural Resource Managers and put the logo of any sponsors on the new brochure.

 

·         Kohlhepp suggested establishing a sponsorship panel on the brochure.

 

·         Luther mentioned that US Army Corps of Engineers has funds that could be tapped.

 

·         Kohlhepp indicated he will keep trying to get Michigan CMI bond money.

 

·         da Silva suggested that monitoring equipment companies, such as Hach, should be approached for funds.

 

·         Lawson brought up the idea of LMMCC dues.  He also mentioned being able to come up with fundable deliverables for the Great Lakes Protection Fund or GLNPO grants.

 

·         Russell mentioned trying to get more consulting firms on board.  This could be accomplished by LMMCC linking with more professional organizations like the Society of Professional Engineers.

 

·         Beck suggested planning our meetings further in advance and finding meeting sponsors.  She added that LMMCC should try to get meeting space donated.

 

·         Peters recommended getting workgroup folks, and others, like Councils of Governments as potential sources of funds.  The Council could also use conferences as advertising space to bring in revenue.

 

·         Lawson suggested coming up with some types of incentives to lure funds.  Sponsors will need to see some benefit for their support.  Advertising is good, but there may be other incentives.

 

·         Peters said LMMCC should have a booth at as many conferences as possible for additional exposure.

 

 

V.        Recommendations for Strategic Plan and Next Steps

 

·         Strategic Plan:  It was generally agreed that a strategic plan would be drafted based on input from the new workgroups.  This product would be developed gradually in the coming months by Lawson and the steering committee.  Lawson indicated that the plan should be viewed as a dynamic document to be continually adapted and updated.

 

·         Next Meeting:  It was agreed that it would be most appropriate to hold the next LMMCC meeting in conjunction with the State of Lake Michigan conference in November.  (Nov. 6-7) 

 

Action:  Lawson will work with Janet Vail to coordinate the scheduling.

 

·         It was also agreed that the LMMCC should work with the following upcoming events for scheduling future Council meetings:

 

o        State of Lake Michigan Conference (Muskegon -- Nov. ’01)

o        NWQMC Conference (Madison -- May ’02)

o        SOLEC Conference (Cleveland – mid-Oct. ’02)

 

Beck suggested that the Council draft a condensed one-page summary of the new Council structure.  Lawson agreed to do this.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

 


Lake Michigan Monitoring Coordination Council

 

Action Items – Draft

 

Spring Meeting

May 21-22, 2001

Indian Oak Resort and Spa

558 Indian Boundary Rd.

Chesterton, IN

 

 

1.      Beck will talk to state representatives next fall prior to the SOLEC conference.  She will develop a short questionnaire on LMMB follow-up possibilities.  Warren stated that once the results are in on the models, he will assess what level of follow-up monitoring would be useful.  He will then solicit feedback for ideas for future sampling.

 

2.      A strategic plan should be developed, modeled on the GLFC plan for fisheries, for monitoring in the Lake Michigan basin.  This needs to be a consensus plan that supports the needs of management policies.

 

3.      Lawson will develop an online newsletter template and a system for collecting information. 

 

4.      The Council will produce a letter of support for the GLC resolution, stating that the “Council’s goals are aligned with the goals of the resolution” to be signed by Council co-chairs, and forwarded to the GLC.

 

5.      Beck will circulate final SOLEC indicator report to the LMMCC when it comes out.

 

6.      The Council agreed to reformulate workgroups into two types: Monitoring Networks, and Collaboration and Outreach.  Ten Monitoring Network workgroups were specified including: Air, Aquatic Nuisance Species, Fisheries, Groundwater, Land Use, Open Lake, Recreational Waters, Tributaries, Wetlands, and Wildlife.  Collaboration and Outreach workgroups will include:  Communication, Conference Planning and Technical Coordination.

 

7.      It was agreed that Monitoring Network workgroups should begin summarizing monitoring collaboration in each network using the workgroup questionnaire.  Conference calls will be conducted for each network, to include key representatives from each network field.  Potential conveners or participants in these conference calls were suggested as follows:

·        Air – Thomas Sheffy

·        Aquatic Nuisance Species – Ron Martin (WDNR)

·        Fisheries – Tom Trudeau (Illinois DNR)

·        Groundwater – *Norm Granaman (Michigan), Jim Nicholas (USGS-MI), *Tom GeishingerGeishecker (MI Superfund), and *Bill Spaulding (EPA Sourcewater)

·        Land Use – Judy Beck (U.S. EPA); to include *Janice Stewart, *MSU Land Use Forum leaders, and *Coastal Zone Management coordinators

·        Open Lake – Nathan Winkler, Glenn Warren, Paul Horvatin, and *Brian Eddie (NOAA/GLERL)

·        Recreational Waters – Kathy Luther; to include *Holly Wyrick (EPA Region 5 Water Division)

·        Tributaries – Charlie Peters (USGS)

·        Wetlands – Tom Burton (MSU, Consortium Chair), Doug Wilcox (USGS), Gerald Niemi (U of Mn), and Tom Simon (USFWS)

·        Wildlife – Laurie Rounds (IN DNR), Rich Greenwood, *Eddy Myers, *Brad Johnson, *Mike Donovan (MDNR/MNFI/GAP), *Steve Schwabon (U.S. Forest Service), Heather Potter (Chicago TNC), *Rep. from American Outdoors (Milwaukee office)

 

Contact information is needed for all those highlighted with a *.

 

8.      A status summary for each network should be forwarded to Lawson within the next three months.

 

9.      Lawson will line up speakers for the IAGLR panel and formulate a set of questions for discussion.  Suggestions should be forwarded to Lawson as soon as possible.

 

10.  After reviewing the minutes, Peters with update the Council brochure and circulate to the LMMCC list for review.

 

11.  Peters will talk to Donna Myers, Great Lakes Coordinator, USGS about funding opportunities.

 

12.  Lawson will work with Janet Vail to coordinate the scheduling of the next Council meeting in conjunction with the State of the Lake Michigan Conference, November 6-7.

 

13.  Lawson agreed to condense the new Council workgroup framework into a one-page summary for general distribution.