Conference call attendees introduced themselves and the agenda was reviewed.

Report on Web Site Progress: How it will work http://wi.water.usgs.gov/lmmcc/

Charlie Peters from the USGS Wisconsin Region provided the web site address and described page by page what the web site would look like and its purposes. The web site structure includes pages for:

• Mission: This page would contain the LMMCC mission statement (alternatives need to be discussed and a final version approved; three are given on this page)
• Upcoming Meetings: Place to find information on upcoming meetings (includes lodging information)
• Membership: Place to list LMMCC members including organization, mailing address, phone/fax and email. After discussion decided that this would be public information.
• Agendas: Agendas for meetings past, present and future
• Minutes: Minutes for meetings
• Workgroups: Page to identify the different workgroups that could be created under the LMMCC mantle that will list specific information for those workgroups.
• Reference Materials: Page to list and hopefully link downloadable references and information on different monitoring issues (right now includes references to the National Water Quality Monitoring Council, NWQMC).
• Glossary of Terms: Self explanatory.
• Related Links: Page will include links to agencies and other monitoring web pages.

Judy Beck of the U.S. EPA Region 5 discussed the need for eventually getting agency sign on to the mission and membership of relevant personnel to the LMMCC. It was suggested that a heading on the membership page be included that explains that the LMMCC is working toward formality and that those listed as members should be considered participants until there is agency agreement. Along with this verbiage, language connecting the LMMCC to the NWQMC is needed.

There was some discussion on making sure that the web page will include information that would be printable for groups/people with the lowest level of computer technology. Tom Crane of the GLC and Peters will work together to ensure this. Paul Horvatin of U.S. EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) reiterated that he would like to see the LMMCC use the web page and the Internet to reduce to a minimum the use of hard copy materials.

Attention was given to the importance of linking data/research to the web site and making a formalized page for data and research. Peters said he would look into possible components for such a page.

Beck and Peters discussed the importance of incorporating the Chicago area into the LMMCC. Issues included Chicago as a major source of air pollution to the Lake and periodic water discharge into the Lake.

Peters suggested that the front web page guest book could be used to submit information.

Peters asked the Council Members to send to him the following information:

• Any links, references or other information that Members would like to see on the web page
• Mail, phone/fax and email addresses for members (this information can also be sent to Beck or Matt Doss of the GLC)

National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC): http://water.usgs.gov/public/wicp/

Peters reported out on his involvement on the NWQMC, its work and a summary of their most recent meeting. For more information on the NWQMC links are given on the references page and the links page of the LMMCC web site. One of the goals of the NWQMC is to promote the establishment of local state and regional monitoring councils. At the last NWQMC meeting seven established councils were identified. These were: Colorado headed by Bob Ward; Connecticut headed by Fred Banik, CDNR; Maryland, which is linked on the LMMCC web site; Virginia which is just starting one; Wisconsin, which has produced a ‘96-‘97 report that lists the monitoring inadequacies and Peters will put this on the web site; U.S./Mexico border group which was set up to organize cooperation and coordination in the drainage basin; and our own LMMCC.

There was some discussion that the LMMCC could be the first regional watershed monitoring council in the country.

Other NWQMC meeting issues included: unified watershed assessments; national ground water quality report; TMDLs; Section 106 grants; biological monitoring project; national monitoring conference (2^nd scheduled for the spring of 2000 with a planned attendance over 1,000).

The regional representatives on the NWQMC are both from Wisconsin (Mike Tolbert and Mike Miller).

Peters also discussed funding (or lack there of) of the NWQMC. Basically, no new funding sources have been identified for NWQMC work and the funding Beck secured is very helpful in getting the LMMCC started. Other sources of money could include 319 state money. It is important to let the states know that their 319 money can go to monitoring efforts. Judy Beck mentioned the U.S. EPA EMPACT Grants (proposals due by April 8^th) that could be used for monitoring efforts in the basin (Chicago and Southwest Michigan were identified), web site: www.epa.gov/empact

Tom Crane of the GLC reported out on the Lake Michigan Tributary Project. On January 26^th a two-page letter, project summary, and a project application form were sent out to 13 tributary groups (including the 10 Lake Michigan AOCs). By February 26^th the interested groups will have submitted the application form. The next step is to send a formal contractual letter to the interested groups. The groups will get some funding up front and the rest at the end of the project. The GLC is planning on having an April 13^th and 14^th training session in Chicago (24-30 people), which will coincide with the first LMMCC meeting.

Beck and the Crane proposed, and the group accepted, that the LMMCC and the Tributary Monitoring training workshop be held on April 12^th, 13^th and 14^th. Beck has reserved the large third-floor conference room in the 77 W. Jackson Blvd. building for the 12^th and 13^th, and will look into reserving a smaller room for the 14^th. The LMMCC will be held from noon to noon on the 12^th and 13^th and the Tributary Monitoring training will be noon to noon on the 13^th and 14^th.

Materials for the LMMCC meeting will be compiled by March 22 to be sent out to meeting attendees. Beck discussed a press release.

The Steering Committee will be meeting to formalize the mission statement, strategize on outreach, create a draft agenda for April, and discuss funding/resource relationships.

The next conference call of the whole council will be on March 8^th at 9:30 a.m. CT, 10:30 a.m. EST.

**imbedded in minutes**

Name             Affiliation                                 Phone


Judy Beck        U.S. EPA, Region 5, Water Division          312-353-3849
Tom Crane        Great Lakes Commission                      734-665-9135
Gary Kohlhepp    U.S. EPA/MI DEQ                             517-335-1289
Steve Blummer    USGS, Michigan                              517-887-8922
Andre Gaither    National Park Service  
Paul Horvatin    U.S. EPA-GLNPO                              312-353-3612
Kathy Luther     Indiana DEM      
Percy Magee      NRCS                                        419-245-2514
Brian Miller     Sea Grant
Charlie Peters   USGS, Wisconsin                             608-821-3810
Peter Murchie    U.S. EPA/Great Lakes Commission             734-665-9135
Anita Arends     Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore            219-926-7561, x335
Brad Brogren     MI DEQ                                      517-335-4232
Terry Lohr       WI DNR                                      608-267-2375
Glenn Warren     U.S. EPA-GLNPO                              312-886-2405 
Bill Spaulding   U.S. EPA                                    312-886-9262
Sarah Lehmann    U.S. EPA, Region 5, Water Division          312-353-4328
Danielle Tillman U.S. EPA, Region 5, Water Division          312-886-6056
Pete Kelly       Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewas 616-271-7368
Mardi Klevs      U.S. EPA Region 5                           312-353-5490
Joe Janczy       U.S. EPA                                    608-267-2763
Jeff Gagler      U.S. EPA Region 5, Water Division           312-886-6679

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