The Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund: The Challenges of Collecting, Analyzing, and Displaying Monitoring Data.

Transcription

1 The Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund: The Challenges of Collecting, Analyzing, and Displaying Monitoring Data. Luke Roberson, Maryland DNR September 24 th, 2015

2 Background of the Trust Fund Started in 2007 Goal Accelerate funding towards restoration of the Bay Focuses financial resources on the most effective nonpoint source pollution control projects Source Rental car fees and fuel taxes FY15 61M Special and Capital Funds FY M, Special Only Budd s Landing Stream Restoration in Cecil County (Sassafras River Association)

3 Role of the Resource Assessment Service Act as point of contact for monitoring efforts Collect and analyze monitoring data gathered from BMPs across the State Interface with the TF Evaluation Committee Collect data where needed Currently 30 sites for bio 5 sites for flow

4 People and Techniques Variety of stakeholders County Municipal Private Programs Living Shorelines Natural Filters Shoreline Conservation Stormwater Nutrient Abatement Program (SNAP) Community Outreach

5 Examples of the Trust Fund in action -

6 How to Measure Efficiency? Estimated Values from CBP Watershed Model Best Management Practices (BMPs) removal rates Used for project evaluation Dollars/Pound Urban and Ag/Forested types Compare real-world data to estimates Improves Model Evaluate novel approaches Assist in future project selection

7 Challenges with Collection of Data Study design Impact site? Control site? Reference site? Different protocols How to compare load data from one BMP to another? Possible equipment needed for proper load data ISCO Lab equipment Flowmeter Pressure transducer Manpower, timing and funding

8 Progress Towards Solutions Making contact with stakeholders Personal visits Advice and questions What are the goals? What are the resources? When/where to monitor? Touring possible restoration site with representatives from Anne Arundel Co.

9 Physical and Nutrient Monitoring Third annual Protocols devised for small urban streams WQ Flow Geomorphology Explanation of how to collect basic data Training

10 MBSS Biological Training Sessions Spring (benthic macroinvertebrates) Summer (fish, herps, crayfish, habitat) If biological lift is part of your goals Well-established protocols with reference sites

11 RFP updates to make data compilation easier requirement of reporting data protocols recommended Relies on calling, ing, and personal visits Gathering Data

12 Challenges of Analyzing Data How to compare data from different sources? Time needed postconstruction Responsiveness of data collectors All these data - now what?

13 Communicating Results Trust Fund Mapper/Tracker Good methods of locating and tracking progress of construction/use of funds Searching for better ways to show data (interactive maps) Monitoring Summaries Audience-dependent Public Legislators Scientists

14 Monitoring Summary

15 Pooled Monitoring Program Restoration Research Grant Program Through CBT, DNR, EPA, USFWS and others Meant to help with permitting issues (EPA, MDE, USACOE and other regulatory partners) The Smithsonian, VTech UMCES, and Straughan Environmental were 2015 awardees

16 Continue with communication with each monitoring group Stress that nutrient/sediment loads are the target data Look to improve QA/QC methods Pounds reduced/dollars spent Looking Forward