Number 87 January 1998 ISSN 1062-9149
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Monitoring of both land treatment and water quality is necessary to document the effectiveness of nonpoint source pollution controls in restoring water quality. The Section 319 National Monitoring Program, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is designed to support watershed projects throughout the country that meet a minimum set of project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation requirements. The requirements are designed to lead to successful documentation of project effectiveness with respect to water quality protection or improvement. The National Monitoring Program projects comprise a small subset of nonpoint source control projects funded under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1987. The following article continues a series describing these projects.
New York City Watershed (New York)
Section 319
National Monitoring Program Project
Patricia Longabucco and Michael Rafferty
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Laura Lombardo
NCSU Water Quality Group
Project Synopsis
New York City's three major systems of drinking water supply, the Catskill, Delaware, and Croton, are located to the north and northeast of the City within a 125-mile radius, and provide water for 9 million people. The total watershed area is 1,950 square miles, covering 8 counties and containing 19 surface water reservoirs. A major land use in the Catskill/Delaware portion of the watershed is agriculture; the 550 farms located there are predominantly dairy and livestock enterprises.
The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act requires filtration for most water supply systems that draw water from surface sources. Currently, water yielded from the New York City (NYC) systems is of sufficient quality to meet the filtration avoidance criteria. However, there is a continual threat of waterborne pathogens such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, as well as the pollutants phosphorus and sediment, entering and degrading the unfiltered drinking water supplies from agricultural and other land uses. In order to avoid the need for a costly filtration system, NYC has opted to implement agricultural and urban nonpoint source management measures, together with more stringent point source controls, in its watershed.
The NYC Watershed Agricultural Program (WAP), a voluntary incentive-based program, was established to implement the agricultural nonpoint source portion of the management program and is locally administered by the Watershed Agricultural Council. Whole Farm Planning (WFP) was adopted by the WAP as the primary means of protecting NYC water supplies from farm-related nonpoint source pollution, as well as maintaining a viable agricultural community in the watershed. It combines water quality protection with business strengthening measures to keep agriculture as a preferred land use in the watershed. In Phase I of the WAP, which began in 1993, 10 demonstration farms in 5 counties were selected on which to develop, test, and demonstrate the WFP method. Phase II intended to have 85% of the farms within the watershed participating in WFP by 1997, a goal which has been met.
One of the demonstration farms, owned by Jim and Barbara Robertson, is being studied to help evaluate the WFP approach for water quality protection and improvement. This representative farm is located in the West Branch of the Delaware River (WBDR) watershed, where most of the dairy agriculture of the entire NYC watershed occurs. The WBDR, a class C[T] stream, is the primary tributary of Cannonsville Reservoir, which is used for NYC drinking water and trout fishing. Cannonsville Reservoir has had a long history of eutrophication problems due to excess loading of phosphorus from the WBDR associated primarily with dairy agriculture. Major sources of nonpoint phosphorus include winter spreading of manure, barnyard runoff, and overfertilization of cropland.
The research and monitoring study being performed at the Robertson farm was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for acceptance into the Section 319 National Monitoring Program in June 1997. The primary investigator for the study is the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; collaborators include New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), the Watershed Agricultural Council, Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District, and private landowners. The NYCDEP is the primary funding source for the water quality monitoring efforts and the sole funding source for planning and implementation of land treatment.
Location of the New York City Watershed
Section 319 National Monitoring Project
Project Time Frame
1993-1999
Pre-Project Water Quality
The primary threats to Cannonsville Reservoir from the WBDR watershed are nutrients and pathogens from both nonpoint and point sources. Event-based monitoring of the WBDR in the early 1980s, and again from 1991 to the present, has revealed that nonpoint sources typically contribute 70-80% of the annual load of dissolved phosphorus, which largely drives phytoplankton production in the reservoir. While the designated use of the WBDR, upstream of the reservoir, for trout fishing has not been impaired, the designated uses of Cannonsville itself for trout survival and propagation are precluded due to hypolimnetic oxygen deficiencies related to eutrophication. Additionally, NYC uses Cannonsville infrequently for drinking water due to aesthetics problems and concerns for chlorination by-products associated with high algae levels.
Project Water Quality Objective
The main objective of the NYC Watershed Section 319 National Monitoring Program Project is to test the ability of the WFP process to correctly identify significant sources of on-farm pollution, and to recommend and implement cost-effective management practices that will substantially reduce pollutant losses from those sources. This will be done by quantifying reductions in nutrient and sediment loadings from the farm due to implementation of the WFP, and associating these reductions with specific changes made in management on the farm. An important secondary objective is to compare levels of Cryptosporidium and Giardia before and after treatment. Results from this study will be used with watershed models to help evaluate the net effect on water quality after those farms in the WBDR watershed participating in the WAP complete best management practice (BMP) implementation. Ultimately, this may allow estimates of changes in pollutant loads delivered to Cannonsville Reservoir.
Nonpoint Source Control Strategy
Responsibility for the protection of its water supply lies with NYC; however, the land area draining to its reservoirs is, for the most part, privately owned and not easily subject to the City's direct control. Resistance from residents in the watershed to NYC's initial regulatory approach to a watershed plan for enabling filtration avoidance led to formation of a task force that explored non-regulatory alternatives. After a year of discussion and negotiation, agreement was reached among all concerned parties that to achieve large-scale participation in a watershed agricultural program, it would have to be voluntary, fully funded by NYC, locally directed, and scientifically based. Four millions dollars was provided by NYC for Phase I of the program, which tested and demonstrated the ability to deliver WFP and initiated research activities such as the water quality monitoring study described here. Upon completion of Phase I, NYC committed an additional $35 million to expand WFP to the targeted 85% of the farms in the watershed.
The highest priority of WFP is protection of the NYC water supply from the parasitic protozoa, Cryptosporidium and Giardia, which are known to emanate from livestock and other sources. Nearly as important is controlling the loss of nutrients, pesticides, sediment, fuel and other toxins from agricultural sources. Whole Farm Planning is conducted by teams of county and state agricultural specialists. Potential sources of pollutants are identified through a systematic audit of each farm's physical and operating conditions. From this audit, water quality priorities are established and solutions to potential environmental risks are developed. Teams then work with farmers to review and select the technical and financial options for improving both the environmental and economic health of the farm.
Location of monitoring sites in the West Branch Delaware River watershed.
Water Quality Monitoring Design
The design of this study is similar to a paired watershed approach but differs from the traditional design in that the two watersheds are not alike in their land use. The "treatment" watershed is the Robertson farm, while the "control" site is mostly forested or reverting to forest with no farms in it. Located in Delaware County within five miles of each other at the headwaters of tributaries that drain to the WBDR, the two watersheds are similar in size, elevation, and soil conditions. The farm watershed is being monitored before and after BMP implementation to assess changes in water quality. The control site is being monitored concurrently and acts as a reference for determining variability in pollutant loads associated with inter-annual and seasonal hydrologic variability as opposed to changes associated with BMPs. This design will also enable an assessment of the degree to which water quality from the farm will approach background water quality after BMP implementation.
The treatment watershed is 396 acres and consists almost entirely of the Robertson farm itself. The farm is situated at the headwaters of a small tributary that drains to Wright Brook, which then drains to the WBDR. Watershed elevation at the farm site ranges between 2,400 ft. and 1,800 ft. above sea level. Land use is approximately two-thirds forest, with the remaining acreage consisting of rotated cropland, permanent hayland and pasture, and the farmstead area. The farm has about 70 dairy animals and 40 replacements. Most of the soils are classified as highly erodible; are severely or very severely limited in their use for cultivation due to stoniness, excessive slope, or wetness; and range from somewhat excessively drained to poorly drained. Pollutant problem areas identified on the farm prior to WFP implementation included manure spreading on snow and frozen ground, barnyard runoff, high soil phosphorus levels on certain crop fields, uncontrolled livestock access to stream, milkhouse waste discharged into the stream, and sediment losses from farm roads and eroding stream banks.
At the control site, the watershed encompasses approximately 222 acres, and is comprised of forest land, abandoned field returning to forest, and shrub land. Several weekend residences and one permanent residence are located within the watershed. Elevation ranges between 2,380 ft. and 1,760 ft. above sea level. Soils are similar to those at the farm site.
Automated monitoring stations were installed on the tributaries of the farm and control sites. Streamflow and precipitation are continuously recorded by data loggers which trigger automatic sample collection during runoff events upon rise in stream stage and/or onset of precipitation. Frequency of sample collection over the course of the event varies, depending on rate of stream rise or fall, up to a maximum of one every 10 minutes. Samples are also collected on a routine basis during low-flow periods at least once per week. All are analyzed for nutrients (3 forms each of phosphorus and nitrogen), organic carbon, and suspended sediment. Streamflow volumes and nutrient and sediment loads are calculated. Pathogen sampling at both sites is conducted at least twice a month, with special attempts made to sample during runoff events. Sampling for macroinverte-brates was conducted in 1995 prior to BMP implementation. Post-implementation bioassessment monitoring will be performed once a year during the summer season.
The treatment and control sites were monitored for two years, from June 1993 to June 1995, prior to implementation of the practices recommended in the Robertson WFP. The following practices were then installed at the treatment site: 9-month capacity manure storage for the main dairy barn, a short-term stack storage for the heifer barn, manure spreading schedules, milkhouse waste diversion to the manure storage, a rotational grazing system, barnyard water management, farm road improvements, stream diversion away from the main dairy barn, livestock exclusion from stream and spring development for water supply, calf housing improvements, tile drainage systems, several upland diversions, culvert crossings, heifer lane improvement, stripcropping, and better crop rotation schedules. Practices were completed in the fall of 1996 and totaled nearly $300,000.
Monitoring resumed in November 1996 and will continue for a minimum of 3 years. Comparison of before and after loads from the farm, with reference to the control site to account for natural inter-annual variability, will be used to document effectiveness of WFP practices. Detailed records of farm activities, such as location and amount of manure spreading and fertilizer used, are being kept in order to relate changes in water quality to changes in farm practices.
Findings
More than 1400 samples were collected during the two years of pre-implementation monitoring, 75% of which were taken during runoff events. Concentration ranges and mean event and baseflow concentrations were substantially higher at the farm site, which was not unexpected. Although unit runoff volumes at the study sites were comparable, unit loading rates of nutrients and sediment were much greater at the Robertson farm than at the control site. The bulk of the annual loading of pollutants was delivered during runoff events. Track-down studies revealed that much of the pollution leaving the farm was generated on the most intensively utilized portion of the farm consisting of the farmstead area and corn fields heavily spread with manure. It is anticipated that reductions in loadings from the treatment site, as a result of implementing WFP practices, will be observable in the data.
Results from pathogen sampling indicate the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium at both sites. It is believed that wildlife are the source of pathogens detected at the control site, and possibly to some extent at the farm site as well. Macroinvertebrate sampling prior to implementation showed clear reductions in species richness, diversity, and desired EPT forms at the farm site when compared to the control.
Information, Education, and Publicity
Tours conducted by the Watershed Agricultural Council have included stops at the Robertson farm to view the WFP practices and monitoring station. A technical report on the first two years of water quality monitoring is nearly complete and will likely be available by April 1998. Numerous publications, including newsletters, have been prepared to disseminate information on the WAP. Workshops on WFP plan preparation and in-service training sessions have been held and a printed WFP guide and environmental audit procedure have been developed.
For Further Information
Water Quality Monitoring/Project Administration
Ms. Patricia Longabucco
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
50 Wolf Road, Rm. 398
Albany, NY 12233-3508
518-485-5822; fax 518-485-7786
pxlongab@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Land Treatment/Whole Farm Planning
Mr. Gale Sheradin
Watershed Agricultural Council
RR#1, Box 74
NYS Route 10
Walton, NY 13856
607-865-7790
WWW RESOURCES
A more complete list of World Wide Web sites that relate to nonpoint source pollution and water quality issues can be found at: http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/bae/programs/extension/wqg/issues/resource.html
Agricultural & Silvicultural
Water Conservation Program
Launches Newsletter & Web Site
In order to provide agriculture producers and landowners with information on how to address potential agricultural and silvicultural (forestry) related water pollution problems, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) has established a site on the World Wide Web. The address of the new site is http://waterhome.tamu.edu/tsswcb.
"We are excited about the opportunities that the site offers in broadening our message to agricultural and silvicultural producers about new and innovative techniques designed to control and prevent nonpoint source pollution," said Statewide Management Program Director Bryon Spoonts. "We want producers to know we have a voluntary program designed to assist them in determining which conservation practices will best benefit them, their operations, and their management objectives, while at the same time protecting the state's water quality standards."
The TSSWCB also publishes a semiannual newsletter called The Water Quality Connection in order to help producers and others associated with land management keep abreast of the latest developments in protecting the state's natural resources through conservation practices. The publication provides information on where to seek technical assistance as well as on how to develop a voluntary water quality management plan.
The Water Quality Connection newsletter and the web site are funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act to implement activities that demonstrate ways to control and prevent nonpoint source pollution. Funds for this project are administered by the TSSWCB, which is the lead agency for the state's agricultural/silvicultural nonpoint source management program.
For more information on the TSSWCB programs or to receive a free subscription to the The Water Quality Connection newsletter, contact Melissa Burns or Bryon Spoonts at (254) 733-2250.
Better Assessment Science Integrating
Point and Nonpoint Sources
(BASINS) 2.0
A beta test version of BASINS 2.0 is now available for downloading from http://www.epa.gov/OST/BASINS/. The final version is expected to be released in the Spring of 1998. BASINS is a watershed scale modeling tool that runs in a geographic information system for the purpose of TMDL assessment, nonpoint source and point source modeling, watershed characterizations, and simple water quality data analyses. BASINS 2.0 is fully integrated into ArcView 3.0a. Along with other new functions, BASINS 2.0 comes with the following enhancements over version 1.0:
- Watershed Delineation Tool — Allows a user to select and delineate a sub-watershed from within an 8-digit catalog unit.
- Implementation of the Hydrology Simulation Program — FORTRAN (HSPF) Routing or Reaches and Reservoirs (RCHRES) module via the Nonpoint Source Model (NPSM).
- Simulate Point Source Contributions in HSPF via the NPSM — The NPSM can create a HSPF input file that can simulate point and nonpoint critical areas.
- Watershed Characterization Report — An automated reporting component is provided to produce hard copy maps and summary tables.
- New and Updated Data — Many of the data layers in BASINS 1.0 are updated and have been expanded. In addition, an expanded weather station data set is included along with the following new data layers: STATGO soils, USEPA Reach File Version 3 Alpha (RF3 Alpha), and digital elevation model (DEM) data. BASINS 2.0 will also allow the import and use of various data sets.
- Land Use Reclassification Tool — Allows users to reclassify land use polygons from one land use category into another.
- For more information about BASINS 2.0, check out the BASINS homepage URL listed above.
EPA Publications Available on the Web
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that over 6,000 EPA publications are now available on the Internet. From the National Environmental Publication Information (NEPI) site, you can perform full text searches, displaying ranked results, and view these full image scanned publications and OCR text from the EPA publication access server at http://www.epa.gov/cincl/.
Questions may be directed to Shannon McFarland, Project Manager, by phone at 513-569-7762 or by email at wright.ed@epamail.epa.gov.
INFORMATION
1997 Summary of Section 319 National Monitoring Program Projects
Osmond, D.L., S.W. Coffey, D.E. Line, and J. Spooner. 1997. 1997 Summary Report: Section 319 National Monitoring Program Projects, NCSU Water Quality Group, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dept., NC State University, Raleigh, NC. EPA-841-S-97-004. 274p.
The annual report of the Section 319 National Monitoring Program Projects is now available. This report provides project profiles for 20 watershed projects, selected under the Section 319 National Monitoring Program, that are being monitored over a 6- to 10-year period to evaluate how improved land management reduces water pollution. These projects will help communities and citizens protect their local water resources by providing information on the effectiveness of tools and techniques for solving nonpoint source problems.
Copies of the report may be ordered (free) from NCEPI, P.O. Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 45242, Tel: 800-490-9198, Fax: 513-489-8695, or through the NCEPI home page at http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom/index.html. The report may also be ordered using the enclosed publications order form or by writing to Publications Coordinator, NCSU Water Quality Group, Campus Box 7637, Raleigh, NC 27695-7637, Tel: 919-515-3723, Fax: 919-515-7448, email: wq_puborder@ncsu.edu (please refer to WQ-115).
This report will soon be accessible on the Section 319 National Monitoring Program Projects home page at http: //h2osparc.wq.ncsu.edu/319index.html.
MEETINGS
Call for Papers
SENVIROSOFT `98 - Development & Application of Computer Techniques to Environmental Studies: Nov 10-12, 1998, Las Vegas, NV. Abstract deadline: March 17, 1998. Sue Owen, Conference Secretariat, ENVIROSOFT `98, Wessex Institute of Technology, Ashurst Lodge, Ashurst, Southampton, S0407AA, UK, Tel: 44(0)170-329-3223, Fax: 44(0)170-329-2853, email: sue@wessex.ac.uk
Meeting Announcements - 1998
Retrofit Opportunities for Water Resource Protection Strategies in Urban Environments: Feb 9-12, Chicago, IL. Bob Kirschner, Northeast Illinois Planning Commission, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60606; Tel: 312-454-0400 x303, Fax: 312-454-0411, email: bobkirs@nipc.org.
Managing Manure in Harmony with the Environment & Society: Feb 10-12, Ames, IA. Bob Ball, NRCS, Parkade Ctr, Ste 250, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Columbia, MO 65203, Tel: 573-876-0900, Fax: 573-876-0913, email: bobb@mo.nrcs.usda.gov
WATER: Source of Life - Source of Danger: Mar 4-6, Cracow, Poland. Philippe Loward, Wiedner Hauptstrasse 76, A-1040 Vienna, email: loward@bit.ac.at, web site: http://www.bit.ac.at/bit/programs/cees/cracow.htm
8th National Symposium on Individual & Small Community Sewage Systems: Mar 8-10, Orlando, FL. Susan Buntjer, ASAE Meetings & Confs, 2950 Niles Rd, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, Tel: 616-429-0300, Fax: 616-429-3852, email: buntjer@asae.org
7th International Drainage Symposium: A Technology Update in Drainage & Water Table Control: Mar 8-11, Orlando, FL. Susan Buntjer, ASAE Meetings & Confs, 2950 Niles Rd, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, Tel: 616-429-0300, Fax: 616-429-3852, email: buntjer@asae.org
WEFTEC Asia `98: Mar 8-11, Singapore. Water Environment Federation, Attn: Member Services Center, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1994, Tel: 703-684-2452 or 1-800-666-0206, Fax: 703-684-2471, WEF Fax on Demand: 1-800-444-2933 (doc #45), email: confinfo@wef.org, web site: http://www.wef.org
Wetlands Engineering & River Restoration Conference 1988: Mar 23-29, Denver, CO. American Society of Civil Engineers, Conference & Exposition Dept, 1801 Alexander Bell Dr, Reston, VA 20191-4400, Tel: 800-548-2723 (ASCE) or 703-295-6029, Fax: 703-295-6144, web site: http://www.asce.org
2nd American Wetlands Month Conference - Team Wetlands: 101 Ways to Win the Game: April 15-17, Arlington, VA. Terrene Inst, 4 Herbert St, Arlington, VA 22305, Tel: 703-548-5473, Fax: 703-548-6299, email: terrinst@aol.com, web site: http://www.terrene.org
Bridging the Gap Between Technology & Implementation of Surface Water Quantity & Quality Models in the Next Century, April 19-23, Las Vegas, NV. First Federal Interagency Hydrologic Modeling Conference. Don Frevert, Tel: 303-236-0123, or Don Woodward, Ph: 202-720-0772, web site: http://h2o.usgs.gov/public/wicp
Watershed Management - Moving from Theory to Implementation: May 3-6, Denver, CO. Technical Programs, Water Environment Federation, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1994, Tel: 703-684-2400 or 1-800-666-0206, Fax: 703-684-2471, email: confinfo@wef.org, web site: http://www.wef.org
Second International Conference on Advances in Fluid Mechanics: May 13-15, Palazzo Kechler, Udine, Italy. Paula Doughty-Young, Conference Secretariat, AFM 98, Wessex Inst of Technology, Ashurst Lodge, Ashurst, Southampton, S040 7AA, UK, Tel: 44 (0) 1703-293223, Fax: 44 (0) 1703-292853, email: paula@wessex.ac.uk, web site: http://www.wessex.ac.uk
Extension Natural Resources Conference: May 17-20, Deerwood, MN. Elaine Andrews, UWEX Environmental Resources Center, 216 Agriculture Hall, Madison, WI 53706, Tel: 608-262-0142, Fax: 608-262-2031, email: eandrews@facstaff.wisc.edu, web site: http://www.uwex.edu/erc/ywc and http://www.uwex.edu/erc
Specialty Conference on Rangeland Management & Water Resources: May 26-30, Reno, NV. AWRA, Attn: Rangeland Mgt & Water Resources Conference Committee, 950 Herndon Pkwy, Ste 300, Herndon, VA 20170-5531, Tel: 703-904-1225, Fax: 703-904-1228
Soil & Water Conservation Society 53rd Annual Conference - Balancing Land, Resources, & People: July 5-9, San Diego, CA. SWCS, 7515 NE Ankeny Rd, Ankeny, IA 50021-9764, Tel: 515-289-2331x16, email: sueb@swcs.org, general questions to: Tel: 515-289-2331x12, email: charliep@swcs.org
4th International Conference on Precision Agriculture: July 19-22, St. Paul, MN. Precision Ag Ctr, Attn: 1998 Precision Ag Conf, U of M, 439 Borlaug Hall, 1991 Upper Buford Cir, St. Paul, MN 55108-6028, Tel: 800-367-5363, Fax: 612-625-2207, email: tsvee@mes.umn.edu
Animal Production Systems & the Environment - An International Conference on Odor, Water Quality, Nutrient Management & Socioeconomic Issues: July 19-22, Des Moines, IA. Kay Snyder, Extended & Continuing Ed, Iowa State Univ, Ames, IA 50011-1112, Tel: 515-294-4202, email: kjsnyder@iastate.edu, web site: http://www.agconf.iastate.edu
1998 International Water Resources Engineering Conference: Aug 3-7, Memphis, TN. Amer Soc of Civil Eng, Conference & Expositions Dept, 1801 Alexander Bell Dr, Reston, VA 20191-4400, Tel: 800-548-2723x6009, Fax: 703-295-6144
Cross Currents in Water Policy - UCOWR `98: Aug 4-7, Hood River, OR. Dr. Tamim Younos, UCOWR `98 Technical Program Chair, Virginia Water Resources Research Ctr, 10 Sandy Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0444, Tel: 540-231-8039, Fax: 540-231-6673, email: tyounos@vt.edu
Third International IAWQ Conference on Diffuse Pollution: Aug 31-Sept 4, Edinburgh, Scotland. Brian D'Arcy, SEPA, Clearwater House, Heriot-Watt Research Park, Riccaiton, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, Scotland, Fax: 44-131-449-7277; or Dr. Vladimir Novotny, Dept. Civil & Environ Eng, Marquette Univ, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881, Fax: 414-288-7521, email: novotny@execpc.com, web site: http://www.sepa.org.uk/iawq/iawqconf.htm
Sixth National Nonpoint Source Monitoring Workshop - Interpreting Water Quality Responses to Land Treatment: Sept 21-24, Cedar Rapids, IA. Lynette Seigley or Carol Thompson, Iowa Department of National Resources - Geological Survey Bureau, 109 Trowbridge Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1319, Tel: 319-335-1575, Fax: 319-335-2754, email: lseigley@igsb.uiowa.edu or cthompson@igsb.uiowa.edu
WEFTEC `98 - 71st Annual Conf & Expo: Oct 3-7, Orlando, FL. Water Env Federation, Attn: WEFTEC `98 Program Coordinator, 601 Wythe St, Alexandria, VA 22314-1994, Tel: 800-666-0206, Fax: 703-684-2471, email: confinfo@wef.org, web site: http://www.wef.org
Agriculture & Water Quality in the Pacific Northwest - Understanding Each Other & Working Together for a Better Future: Oct 20-21, Yakima, WA. Agriculture & Water Quality Committee, PO Box 1462, Spokane, WA 99210, Tel: 509-838-6653, Fax: 509-838-6685, email: farwest@ior.com, web site: http://wwwdwatcm.wr.usgs.gov/ccpt/ag_wq_conf98/call4present98.htm
7th International Conference on Computers in Agriculture: Oct 26-30, Orlando, FL. ASAE Meetings & Confs, 2950 Niles Rd, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, Tel: 616-429-0300, Fax: 616-429-3852, email: hq@asae.org, web site: http://www.agen.ufl.edu/~compconf/
18th International Symposium of NALMS: Cooperative Lake & Watershed Mgt - Linking Communities, Industry & Government: Nov 11-13, Banff, Alberta, Canada. Alberta Lake Mgt Society, c/o Dept of Biological Science, Univ of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9, web site: http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/alms/1998.htm
EDITOR'S NOTE
Hello. I'd like to introduce myself as the new co-editor of NWQEP NOTES. I look forward to working with Janet Young to bring you the latest information on nonpoint source pollution control and watershed management. We hope to continue to use this newsletter as a forum for discussing issues of concern to our readers and contributors.
We are introducing a new feature in NWQEP NOTES, The Reader's Forum. After this issue, all of the current Section 319 National Monitoring Program projects will have been spotlighted. We would like to use this space for those managing nonpoint source pollution control projects to share with others your progress and good ideas, as well as your difficulties and concerns regarding any phase of project management including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. This will be a regular feature in NWQEP NOTES, so please contribute!
We will continue to include articles on technical and policy issues, as well as highlight new publications and announce upcoming meetings and workshops. As always, we welcome your ideas and suggestions. Please feel free to contact us.
Laura Lombardo
Co-Editor, NWQEP NOTES
Water Quality Extension Associate
NCSU Water Quality Group
Campus Box 7637, NCSU
Raleigh, NC 27695-7637
Tel: 9195153723, Fax: 9195157448
email: notes_editor@ncsu.edu