CICEET Progress Report for the period 9/01/04 Through 3/15/05

Project Title: Presentation of Nutrient Pollutant Load and Source Estimation Model Results for Enhanced Nutrient Loading Analyses of New England Coastal Watersheds
Principal Investigator(s): Laura Blake
Additional Investigator(s): Keith Robinson, Rich Moore, and Craig Johnston
Project Start Date: 9/01/04

Tables

Table 1

Tasks to meet objectives
Task 1. National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) SPARROW Integration
Task 2. Compile Catchments for SPARROW NHD Stream Network
Task 3. Develop and Link Tabular Databases to GIS Spatial Datasets
Task 4. Package SPARROW Model Data

Progress on Tasks
Task 1. National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) SPARROW Integration. This task is complete. The NHD coverage for New England have been properly formatted, documented, and reviewed, and are now ready for use in the New England SPARROW Model.

The SPARROW NHD will be documented and made compliant with the Federal Geographic Data Committee Standards. The possibility of having the New England SPARROW NHD replace the original 1:100,000 scale NHD for New England is being considered by EPA and USGS, who are the gatekeepers to the official NHD.

Task 2. Compile Catchments for SPARROW NHD Stream Network. This task is complete. Instead of dividing all the coverages and databases into 10 major basins, the coverages and data tables have been combined for the entire (New England) study area. This will enable for a quicker and more efficient query of data throughout the entire study area. This will make the process more efficient for end users. Although this task is complete, if errors are found (from here on), steps will be taken to correct them.

Task 3. Develop and Link Tabular Databases to GIS Spatial Datasets. This task is complete. All of the model’s databases have been properly formatted and linked.

Task 4. Package SPARROW Model Data. This work is close to completion. Rather than using the NHD Viewer Toolkit, a more efficient (and very user-friendly) graphical user interface (New England SPARROW Data Viewer) has been customized; the New England SPARROW Data Viewer operates (as an add-on tool) within the ArcView 3.x environment. The only sub-task that needs to be done (in order to consider this task fully complete) is the reproduction of the New England SPARROW Data Viewer on CDs (for distribution). However, prior to finalizing the New England SPARROW Data Viewer, NEIWPCC is first going to conduct a testing of the model with the end user advisors identified for this project; this meeting will take place in March 2005. Once confident that the New England SPARROW Data Viewer is error-free, CDs of the final model will be made.

Difficulties
Final contract and funding began slightly later than expected; however, we are nearly caught up to where we want to be (in terms of the timeline).

Project Objectives for Next Reporting Period

Objectives
Specific objectives for the next reporting period are:
1. Package the New England SPARROW Model (and data viewer) on CDs, for distribution.
2. Develop instructional materials for retrieving and understanding New England SPARROW Model input and output data.
3. Conduct a series of hands-on technical workshops (on the New England SPARROW Model) for the New England States Water Quality and Coastal Programs

Tasks to Meet Objectives
Task 4. Package SPARROW Model Data
Task 5. SPARROW Workshops

Work Plan for Next Reporting Period
Shortly after the beta-model test meeting with the end user advisors, the final model will be packed (on CDs) in preparation for distribution. Model documentation will also be finalized for inclusion on the CDs.

NEIWPCC and USGS will conduct a series of technical workshops for the New England State Water Quality Programs and Coastal Programs, as well as for other coastal resource managers, via the New England National Estuarine Research Reserve’s (NERR) Coastal Training Programs. The workshops will include an overview of the model, as well as training sessions for displaying and querying data using ArcView and the New England SPARROW Data Viewer. Example uses of the SPARROW Model input and output data will be also be presented and discussed.

NEIWPCC and USGS will develop workshop format and agenda, as well as all workshop material, including power point presentations, model documentation, and instructional material. NEIWPCC will coordinate all workshop logistics, including dates, locations, workshop announcements, registration, catering, supplies, and binders for course participants.

Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives
Yes. Unless substantial errors or problems are encountered with the model, NEIWPCC does not foresee problems in meeting all project objectives.

Overall Project Timeline Update
See Table 1.

Preliminary Data
All GIS coverages, associated databases, and all metadata are complete. The metadata are currently undergoing a review. The new data viewer has resulted in a more efficient handling and displaying of the model’s data. The data viewer can easily handle regional datasets, resulting in easier access (to data) for targeted end users.

Dissemination
Publications
None

Workshops
Model training workshops currently in planning process.

Conferences
Laura Blake (the PI) and Keith Robinson (Co-PI) participated in a Congressional Briefing titled “Moving from Monitoring to Prediction: The Quality of the Nation’s Streams” sponsored by the Water Environment Federation, in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. During the briefing, Laura and Keith highlighted the potential applications of the New England SPARROW Model, including its utility for investigating nutrient loading to New England coastal waters.

Manuals, Protocols
Model documentation currently under development.

Outreach Activities
None

Contact with End Users
Project presented to and discussed with water agency staff in the New England States.

Patent, Copyright, Invention Disclosure Activity:
None

Expenditures
Expenditures are on track relative to task progress.

End User Advisor Feedback
There are a total of five end user advisors for this project (Gregg Comstock, NH DES; Mark Mattson, MA DEP; Paul Mitnik, ME DEP; Paul Stacey, CT DEP; and Henry Walker, EPA); however, due to bust schedules, only one was able to provide me with substantial feedback (see below).
Name: Mark D. Mattson, PhD
Organization: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Location: 627 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Worcester, MA 01608
Phone number: (508) 767 - 2868
E-mail: Mark.Mattson@state.ma.us

1) At this stage, what are the potential applications for this research? Please discuss how you and others could potentially use the technology.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has numerous nutrient related TMDLs to be developed for rivers, impoundments, lakes and estuaries. In many cases we do not have the resources to model nutrient inputs and identify sources. This SPARROW Model has the potential to provide estimates of known accuracy for many of these TMDLs.

2) Do you see any key challenges that the researchers may want to address or keep in mind?
As I understand it, the SPARROW Model may be somewhat out of date on the point source discharges, which are in a state of flux. It would be helpful to have some way to estimate nutrient fluxes with the current point sources, or at least provide estimates with no point sources so we can bracket the current conditions.

3) Does this report offer you enough information to adequately address the above questions?
No, It provides an overview of the schedule etc, but I don't think the progress report can deal with the level of technical questions that I am likely to have once I test run the GUI.

4) Other feedback?
None at this time.