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.
(See
Council Members and Interested Parties List for contact information.)
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
Lawson opened the meeting and introduced chairs
Kohlhepp and Peters. He then asked all
participants to introduce themselves.
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.
Lawson briefly reviewed the
meeting agenda, and there were no suggested changes.
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.
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.
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.
There was no other business discussed.
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.
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
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)
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?
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
·
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.