================================ Minor Ohio River Tributaries and Salt River Watershed Watch Scientific Study Plan (Version 4.0) March 16, 1998 ================================ I.)ABSTRACT: In order to provide for more informed participation in watershed management programs by a wider public, Salt River* Watershed Watch plans to involve volunteers in: 1. a review of current research 2. stream surveys and data collection 3. public discussions of findings 4. establishment of community networks for continued local involvement. An effort will be made to involve volunteers throughout the basin in the process, including, stream side land owners, high school science groups, support agencies such as Agricultural Extension and the NRCS, municipal utilities, college level faculty and students, environmental groups, Industrial Environmental Engineers and other interested stakeholders willing to participate. We will use the information generated in this data collection effort to augment existing data from other studies ongoing in the watershed. By generating original data, participants will have better ownership understanding and interest in current research in the basin. Though this plan delineates only one year of activity, the hope is to create a long term dialog among the stakeholders in water quality in the river basin. This study plan sets forth the guidelines and methodology for the stream surveys and data collection. ============================================================ II.) Data Collection Program ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Volunteers will be involved in seasonal data collection efforts. Where appropriate timing of these measurements will be governed by both climatic and stream-flow conditions. A) April-May Field Surveys: 1. Stream Habitat Assessment (US EPA RBP*) Survey Items: -Riparian zone, in stream Features, bank stability -Riparian and aquatic vegetation, vegetative zone width -Sediment substrate components odors, oils and deposits -Riffle quality, embeddedness, sediment deposition -Flow, Velocity depth combinations. -Photo documentation of riparian conditions (there are specific instructions for this documentation) *EPA Rapid Bioassessement Protocols 2. Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community Structure Level I (group level field identification) by lay volunteers 3. Dissolved Oxygen (Best if done before 6:00 AM) 4. pH 5. Temp Note: Field habitat and biological Surveys will be initiated at the April 25 "Kickoff" but may be continued throughout the monitoring program. Groups will be encouraged to visit as many different sites as time and transportation will allow. B)Herbicide/Pesticide Sampling (May 9-13) These samples must be collected within a window of noon May 9-noon May 13. Teams will conduct water sampling for agricultural chemicals. These samples are for laboratory analysis (Immunoassay) of the more common herbicides applied at that time. These herbicides (and other relevant parameters) are listed below. 1. 2,4-D (amine) Pastures and Lawn chemicals 2. Chlorpyrifos (Dursban, replacing Diazinon) 3. Metolachlor (used on Soybeans) 4. Pendimethalin found in urban streams or areas of concentrated tobacco cultivation 5. Triazine (used as pre-emergent for corn) 6. Field pH 7. Field Dissolved Oxygen (Before 6:00 am) C) Storm Event Sampling Teams: A subset of volunteers will be recruited to serve on "Storm Teams" dedicated to storm event sampling in their watersheds. These teams will be provided with an additional set of herbicide sampling materials to sample streams in their watershed that have gauging stations for determination of specific flow hydrographs. The teams will be instructed to wait for the initial rainfall event that follows spring application of the compounds listed above. The teams will attempt to sample as the stream is rising from the rain. This sampling will be limited to 30 samples at predetermined sites. Collection will be coordinated by a phone tree. D) Biological testing (July-August) 1. Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community Structure Level II (Family Level lab identification) by advanced teams. 2. Microbiological sampling of Total Coliform (E-Coli) (colonies/100 ml) during prime recreation season. Samples will be collected using EPA standard methods with no more than six hour holding time from sample collection to lab delivery. Sampling date is July 18, 1998 between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM. All samples must be in the lab no later than 1:00PM on that day. Labs will use Membrane filtration method with test volumes of 1 ml and 10 ml from the 100 ml sample. E) September 12-14 (Low Flow Grab Sample Collection) Teams will conduct water sampling during low flow periods for laboratory analysis of a wide range of water quality parameters. Parameters may vary depending on the site and the land use activity in the watershed.Alkalinity mg/l Conductivity µmho TSSolids mg/l TDSolids mg/l Hardness mg/l Nitrate mg/l Nitrite mg/L Ammonia-Nitrogen mg/L Total Kjeldhal Nitrogen mg/L Phosphorus ortho mg/L Phosphorus total mg/L Organic Carbon mg/L Fluoride mg/l Chloride mg/l Bromide mg/l Sulfate mg/L Calcium mg/L Magnesium mg/L Sodium mg/L Potassium mg/L Aluminum mg/L Arsenic mg/L Barium mg/L Cadmium mg/L Chromium mg/L Copper mg/L Iron mg/L Lead mg/L Manganese mg/L Mercury mg/L Zinc mg/L Field Dissolved Oxygen (Before 6:00 am) Field pH Field Temp Silica?F) Standard Methods of Collection and Analysis: Samples are to be gathered using (EPA) Standard Methods of collection, preservation and analysis under full chain-of-custody using scientifically trained volunteers. Sample analysis will performed by a laboratory using standard methods of analysis. Sample splits may be provided to the State Division of Environmental Services Lab. G) Resampling will be conducted on 10% of collection sites for Habitat and Biological Monitoring. A random selection of sites will be revisited by volunteers to check comparability of results. H) Sampling Site Selection Parameters: 1. Habitat Assessment/Biological Monitoring Volunteers will be asked to seek out the highest quality habitat for biological screening sites. We request them to locate sites below any significant discharges or land use features. 2. Grab Sample Sites "Monitoring Stations" 50 sites will be distributed as evenly as possible among the 11 digit hydrologic units in the watershed. Specific sites for grab samples will be as low as possible in the catchment. Once a sample site is selected it will be given a unique "Monitoring Station Code" (S01-S99) that will be used to identify all samples taken at that location. I) Selecting Labs: Bids will be requested from laboratories in the area. These labs will be asked to provide the sample containers and instructions on collection, preservation, and transport. SRWW* Volunteers will be responsible for transport of samples to labs in a coordinated fashion and in compliance with the preservation method and maximum-allowable holding times specified for each type of analysis.MSD Labs, (For samples service area only) 700 West Liberty, Louisville 40203 Beckmar Environmental Lab Inc. 3251 Ruckriegel Parkway Louisville, KY 40299 Paul Barker. 502-266-6533 Ogden Environmental Laboratory C/0 Rose Hullet Western Kentucky University 1 Big Red Way Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576 EKU Geological Chemistry Lab Dr. Melissa Dieckman 103 Roark Bld Dept. of Geology Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY 40475-3129 Kentucky Geological Survey Labs (At UK) Dr. Henry Francis, 606-257-5500 228 Mining and Mineral Resources Bldg University of Kentucky Lexington, KY40506-0107 University of Louisville Dept.of Biology Jan Stevensen, 502-852-5938 Center for Environmental Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292. Kentucky Division of Environmental Services Bill Davis, 502-564-6120 East West Connector Frankfort, KY 40601 (for QAQC, split samples and unknowns)University of Louisville Dept. of Biology Rm. 12 Microbiology Lab Life Science Building University of Louisville Louisville, KY 40292 502-852-6773 J) Reporting: Volunteers will be asked to mail their reports on habitat assessment, stream bank stability measurements, land use verification, and biological surveys to the Salt River* Watershed Watch immediately after completion. The water-sample analysis laboratories will submit a copy of their results to SRWW* staff who will then distribute it to the participants as described below the laboratory. ============================================================ III.) Data Management: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A) Observational data Reports from the stream surveys shall be compiled in flat-record file in MS Excel 97 with photographs referenced by site code. Key photographs may be scanned in JPEG format if resources permit. Fields for observational data should include: Collector's identification Hydrologic Unit Nature of Observation Observation Elements Comments Reference to external material (photo's, maps Etc...) B) Laboratory analysis results shall be compiled in electronic spread sheet Excel and exported to *.WK1 (lotus 123) or *.XLS (MS. Excel) for use by participants. C) Monitoring station results will be plotted and displayed in Arcview 3.0 for GIS applications. Copies of the maps will be made available on the World Wide Web. IV) Review of Literature A) Where possible, electronic copies of current professional research studies shall be obtained for inclusion in Salt River* Watershed Watch Summary Reports. Executive Summary level information will be obtained where possible for all reports available. Reports shall be maintained in MS Word Format exported to Word Perfect 5.1 for distribution. B) Reports, data and information shall be made available to volunteer participants in hard copy, with electronic archives available via World Wide Web at this web address: /watch/salt.htm ============================================================ V.) Conclusions and Data Analysis: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A) Preliminary reports will simply include the raw data with sufficient background for interpretation. Users will be cautioned not to draw hasty conclusions from single data points that may lie outside the norm. Further review and discussion will be warranted before specific conclusions and calls for action are made. Though we do want the volunteers to have access to the raw data as soon as it is available. B) Roundtable meetings will allow for professionals and lay participants to discuss findings and conclusions. An effort to involve all the members of a community interested in water quality will be made. Including representatives from industry, the scientific community, agricultural businesses and local officials. The conclusions from these meetings will then be turned over to the agencies active in the basin, such as the Kentucky Division of Water, The United States Geological Survey, The United States Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville Jefferson County MSD. The United States Department of Agriculture, NRCS, The Kentucky agriculture Water Quality Authority and any other organization that offers to comment and respond to the reports. C) The raw data will be available to any party that wishes to review and comment on the information via the Web Site. ============================================================ VI.) Volunteer Organization: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A) Committee Structure: 1. The Steering Committee: consisting of volunteers and advisors for the program. 2. The Scientific Advisory Team is responsible for the development of the scientific study plan, quality assurance, quality control provisions. 3. The Volunteer Trainers are responsible for planning and conducting the training workshops in the watershed. 4. The Volunteer Support Coordinators are responsible for recruitment, coordinating, distributing sampling materials and coordinating delivery of collected samples to the labs. 5. Watershed Roundtables: Interested parties working to coordinate specific activities within a particular watershed. 6. Hydrologic Unit Monitoring Teams. Groups of about five folks responsible for conducting the field surveys, sample collection and other observations on the watershed B) Contacts: 1. Lauri Holder Steering Committee Chair <holderl@win.net 502-568-5387 2. Hank Graddy, Staff, <HGraddy@aol.com 606-846-4905 3. Ken Cooke, Volunteer Support Advisor, KY Water Watch, DOW <kywwp@igc.org 800-928-0045 Ext. 473 (V) C) Scientific Advisory Team Members:Lynne Jarrett (502)852-6276 (502)899-1307 UofL Civil and Environmental Engineering gljarr01@homer.louisville.edu Dr. Art Parola 502-852-4599 acparo01@ulkyvm.louisville.edu Civil and Environmental Engineering Speed Scientific School 101 W.S. Speed Hall, Louisville, Kentucky 40292 Kevin Brent Smith (502) 852-6773 FAX(502) 852-0725 kbsmit01@HOMER.LOUISVILLE.EDU University of Louisville Biology Dept. 139 Life Sciences Bldg, Louisville, Kentucky 40292 Tina Montgomery (502) 852-6773 jkmont01@homer.louisville.edu Brown-Forman Corporation Labs 800 Dixie Highway Louisville, KY 40210 Dr. Jerry Terhune (502)540-6990 terhune@msdlouky.org MSD Stream Program 1825 S. 7th Street, Louisville, KY 40208 Barry Nichols (502) 540-6922 nichols@msdlouky.org (502)478-5872 MSD Stream Program 1825 S. 7th Street, Louisville, KY 40208 Patti Grace-Jarrett (502) 540-6145 grace@msdlouky.org MSD 700 West Liberty Louisville 40203 Dr. Jan Stevenson (502)-852-5938 rjstev01@ulkyvm.louisville.edu U of L Center for Environmental Sciences Dr. Jeff Jack (502)-745-5995 Jeff.jack@wku.edu FAX 502-745-6856 Department of Biology Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576 Mike Mills (502)-564-3410 mills@nrdep.nr.state.ky.us KY DOW Ecological Support section============================================================ VII.)Volunteer Training: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A) Training Workshops 1. Printed materials and training videos. 2. An initial six hour in field workshop* will be provided to volunteers in the project. 3. Follow up training will be conducted for teams conducting sample collection in July and September. 4. materials provided -Field guide to streams and rivers -Sample parameters list and description -General map and basin description -Guidance document on habitat assessment -Survey instructions benthic macroinvertebrate collection -Instructions for field testing equipment B). Volunteer Equipment 1. Volunteers will provide their own 35mm cameras and video cameras where used. 2. Lamotte Field dissolved oxygen and pH testing kits (many locally provided, some loaned by the project) -EDO modified Winkler titration method, -Color metric wide-range indicator for pH. 3. Sample containers for advanced teams, (provided by labs) 4. #10 Softnet Collection net 5. Coolers for sample preservation and transport will be provided by the volunteers 6. Reporting Forms for Watershed Survey, Habitat Assessment, Discharge Survey, Dump Survey, Pristine Site Survey, and Chain of Custody Record for sample Collection. C) Workshop Agenda: 1. Project goals and timetable 2. Survey of existing research 3. Map exercise, finding watersheds and sample sites 4. Why and how of data collection 5. Habitat Assessment/Biological Monitoring 6. Lunch 7. Sample Collection Field Test Chemistry 8. Biological Monitoring Practice 9. Habitat Assessment Practice 10. Logistical planning D) Training Workshop Times and Places (TBA) =================================== 1. Bernheim Forest 3/28/98 2. Louisville Nature Center 4/4/98 3. Blackacre, Louisville 4/11/98 4. Springfield, KY 4/23/98 5. Otter Creek Park 4/26/98 6. Oldham Co. Nature Center 5/9/98 7. UofL Biology Dept. Time TBA E) Advanced Workshops: In addition to the standard workshop for all volunteers, advanced training will be made available in specific topics. 1. Level II Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring: Participants will be introduced to collection methods and identification procedures that allow identification to the family level. The day long course will also cover advanced statistical analysis of collection results. A pilot program held at the University of Louisville under the supervision of Barry Nichols, MSD and Kevin Smith, University of Louisville will be conducted this spring with the general offering scheduled in late June. The pilot program will be coordinated with a similar effort at Lexington Community College under the Supervision of Gene Watts, LCC Biology Dept. 2. Algal Assessment Metrics: Supervised by Jan Stevenson at the University of Louisville, Participants will work on identification and quantification of Algal communities. A two day training class with two lab days will allow volunteers to perform species counts on samples collected from their watersheds. The program will be piloted in the summer of 1998 with a small volunteer group from the Salt River Basin. F) Volunteer Organization: 1. Each watershed will have a Volunteer for collection and transport of lab samples. 2. Lay volunteers will be involved in Habitat/biological surveys and field analysis of Dissolved Oxygen and pH (team size will vary) 3. Hydrologic Unit Monitoring Teams in selected 11 digit HUCs will include both advanced and lay members 4. Advanced Biological Assessment Teams. for conducting "Level II" Benthic Macroinvertebrate surveys. ============================================================ VIII.) Continuing Process ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A) Organization of Watershed Networks Volunteers that participate in this project will be encouraged to form community watershed networks or formal watershed councils or alliances. Assistance will be provided by the Kentucky Waterways Alliance and other groups on establishing these organizations. B) Continued Surveys and Lab Analysis. if funding can be sustained, additional field days and lab sample runs will take place on a quarterly basis throughout the basin. ============================================================ IX) Changes to this plan ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This is still a draft. Parameter list may be modified based on lab bids and cost. Send Comments Via E-mail to both of these addresses kywwp@igc.org (Ken Cooke) hgraddy@aol.com (Hank Graddy) +++ End Study Plan (Version 4.0)