8:55 a.m.Introduction and Welcome - Warren Smigo, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality ([email protected])
9:00 a.m.Association of Mid-Atlantic Aquatic Biologists �Incorporated�- Alex Barron, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality ([email protected])
9:20 a.m.Enhancing the Credibility of Taxonomic Data - James Stribling, Tetra Tech ([email protected]
9:40 a.m. Comparison of Multiple and Single Habitat Sampling Approaches for Macroinvertebrates in Piedmont Streams - Karen Blocksom U.S. EPA ORD-NERL, ([email protected])
10:00 a.m. Nutrient Criteria for Streams in the Mid-Atlantic Region - Kent Crawford, U.S Geological Survey & Joe Beaman Maryland Department of the Environment ([email protected], [email protected])
10:20 -10:40 a.m. Break
10:40 a.m. Evaluating Changes in Stream Conditions Using the Maryland Biological Stream Survey - Ann Roseberry Lincoln, Maryland Department of Natural Resources ([email protected])
11:00 a.m. Using Probabilistic Monitoring Data to Validate the Non-Coastal Virginia Stream Condition Index - Jason Hill, Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality ([email protected])
11:20 a.m. Causal Analysis / Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS) - Susan Norton, USEPA ([email protected])
11:40 a.m. Use of Biology to Aid in Formulation of Antidegradation Policy in Maryland Waters - Joe Beaman, Maryland Department of the Environment ([email protected])
Noon-1:30 p.m. Lunch Break
1:30 p.m. New Approaches for Using Benthic Algae as Indicators of Nutrient Conditions - Don Charles, Patrick Center for Environmental Research, Academy of Natural Sciences ([email protected])
1:50 p.m. Sediment-Laden Discharge Impacts to a Perennial Stream: a Case Study - Mary Dail, Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality ([email protected])
2:10 p.m.Pennsylvania DEP�s Multihabitat Bioassessment Protocol - Charles McGarrell, Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection ([email protected])
2:30 p.m. Native Crayfish Displacement Following the Rapid Expansion of the Non-Native Crayfish Orconecties virilis in Maryland - Jay Kilian, Maryland Department of Natural Resources ([email protected])
2:50 p.m. A Case Study Documenting the Decline of Brook Trout as Urbanization Increased - Scott Stranko, Maryland Department of Natural Resources ([email protected])
3:10-3:30 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Riparian Buffers and Wood: The Maryland Biological Stream Survey Story - Dan Boward, Maryland Department of Natural Resources ([email protected])
3:50 p.m. The Periphyton Challenge - Ellen Dickey, Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources & Environmental Control ([email protected])
4:10 p.m. Are They Rare? Finding Benthic Fishes - Tom Proch & Rick Spear, Pennsylvania Dept of Environmental Protection ([email protected])
4:30 p.m. 2005 Ohio River Bioassessment Results - Erich Emery, ORSANCO ([email protected])
4:50 p.m. Use of NOAA Rainfall Data in Application to Shellfish - Patti Wnek, NOAA National Weather Service ([email protected])
5:10 p.m. Adjourn
POSTERS
Distribution and Habitat Associations of the Eastern Mud Salamander in Maryland - Rebecca Chalmers, Maryland DNR ([email protected]
Macroinvertebrate Assemblages of the St. Croix and Wisconsin Rivers: An Initial Application of the Large River Bioassessment Protocol (LR_BP) in EPA Region 5 - Brent Johnson, USEPA, Cincinnati, OH. ([email protected])
The Susquehanna River Fish Assemblage: Surveys, Composition and Changes - Blaine Snyder, Tetra Tech ([email protected])
Exploring the Research Potential of Publicly Owned Data Sets: Case Study in Fairfax County, Virginia - Judith A. Buchino- George Mason University ([email protected])
Delaware Periphyton Community - Ellen Dickey, Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources & Environmental Control ([email protected])
Occurrence and Geospatial Distribution of Toxic Organic Contaminants in a Statewide Stratum - Roger Stewart, Jason Hill, Mary Dail & Larry Willis, Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality ([email protected])
There Goes the Neighborhood: Urbanization and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community Changes - Ginny Eaton, Amy Fowler, Jay Frentress, and Peter Markos. Maryland Department of Natural Resources. ([email protected])
Evolution of Field Indicators to Determine Stream Classification in Southwestern Pennsylvania - Michael Shema, Civil & Environmental Consultants ([email protected])
MINI-WORKSHOPS
1. Advanced Midge Identification Workshop Facilitator: Rhonda Mendel, Mendel Environmental Services Robert Bode, NY State Dept. of Env�l Conservation ([email protected] & [email protected]) The purpose of this workshop is to enhance taxonomic skills in identification of midge larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae). The workshop will focus on ten groups that are perceived to present the most difficulty in identification: Thienemannimyia group; Cricotopus; Orthocladius; Eukiefferiella-Paracricotopus-Cardiocladius-Tvetenia; Chironomus; Dicrotendipes-Glyptotendipes-Einfeldia; Endochironomus-Phaenopsectra-Tribelos; Polypedilum; Constempellina-Stempellina-Stempellinella-Neostempellina; and Micropsectra-Tanytarsus. Each group will be addressed using the following outline: definition of the problem, taxa involved, specimens available, pertinent references, and best solution. The workshop is designed for biologists who have had previous experience in identifying midge larvae, and will involve hands-on identification of mounted specimens to the genus/species level. The primary reference will be John Epler�s on-line key (2001), and additional handouts will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own compound microscopes as well as slides of specimens to identify- particularly in the problem groups. For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact Rhonda Mendel at [email protected].
2. Building Consensus on the Assessment of Large, Non-Wadeable Rivers: Technical Issues Facilitator: Joe Flotemersch, USEPA-Cincinnati, OH , Karen Blocksom, USEPA-Cincinnati, OH , James Stribling, Tetra Tech, Michael Paul, Howard University, Blaine Snyder, Tetra Tech ([email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]) Bioassessment experience and programmatic infrastructure within Region 3 States are well-suited for wadeable streams, but this is not generally true for larger systems. Aside from safety and logistics, and in spite of ongoing experience within ORSANCO, USEPA/EMAP, and several states (e.g., Idaho, Michigan, and Ohio), national consensus is sparse on a number of important technical issues related to monitoring in non-wadeable streams and rivers. The USEPA Office of Research and Development (Cincinnati) is in the process of developing a technical document intended to provide assistance in establishing routine large river monitoring programs. The document presents information on establishing goals and objectives, specifying data quality objectives, sampling and sampling site network design, developing performance-based methods systems, and developing algal, benthic macroinvertebrate, and fish indicators. This workshop will be a discussion forum with ideas and input generated that are pertinent to Region 3, as well as the nationally-focused technical document. Discussion leaders in this workshop will highlight several areas where there are outstanding technical issues, and will specifically seek input from attendees on topics like monitoring questions, reference conditions, stressor gradients, appropriate reach lengths and watershed segmentation schemes, simultaneous use of multiple biological indicators, appropriate/adequate fish sampling methods, and transferability of protocols across different river types. Input from attendees will be solicited along the lines of pre-formulated questions, such as: What is an appropriate sampling reach length for large rivers? How would the data be used, specifically? What are the most appropriate biological indicators for large rivers? What is a reasonable approach for developing reference conditions in large river systems? How much change (%) do you want to be able to detect with biological indicators in large rivers? What are the critical physical habitat measures that should be characterized in routine monitoring programs?
3. Using Biological Data in the TMDL Process Facilitator: Jerroen Gerritsen, Tetra Tech , Clint Boschen, Tetra Tech, June Burton, Tetra Tech, Sam Wilkes, Tetra Tech, Lei Zheng, Tetra Tech State Presenters ([email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]) The use of biological data has traditionally been limited to aquatic life use determinations and other biological assessments. Recently, however, biological data have been used in new ways to help determine the causes of biological impairment and identify pollution sources in the watershed. The successful application of biological data to the Stressor Identification process and TMDL development has grown over the years. A variety of methods have been developed in order to make better use of the wealth of information that biological data can provide to TMDL developers and water resource managers. This workshop will provide information on recent developments in the use of biological data and other information in the TMDL process. Several states have begun to develop innovative data analysis tools, such as �Dirty Reference� models, the use of tolerance values, regression analyses, and other methods that can be used to help predict biological stressors. Success stories, case studies, data use concerns/issues, and future directions in biological data analysis will be presented to foster group discussion. In addition, recent developments in Stressor Identification, bioassessment indices, tiered aquatic life uses, and other related issues will be discussed.
4. Fish Identification Workshop � Module II: Taxonomy and Identification of the Minnows (Cyprinidae) Facilitators: Dan Cincotta, WV Department of Natural Resources, Stuart Welsh, WV University, Rich Raesly, Frostburg State University, Rick Spear, PA Department of Environmental Protection , Lou Reynolds, USEPA, Frank Borsuk, USEPA ( [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] ) This is the second workshop of a series that focuses on the identification of the freshwater fishes of the Mid-Atlantic Region. This workshop emphasizes the identification of cyprinids (minnows) to the genus level. Workshop participants will learn to recognize characters that are diagnostic (e.g., fin rays, mouth shapes, barbel types, scale counts, and pharyngeal tooth counts) at the generic level. Participants will be separated into groups that will study the fauna of particular drainage basins.
5. Fish Necropsy and Health Assessment Procedures Facilitators: Vicki Blazer, US Geological Survey, John Coll, US Fish & Wildlife Service ([email protected]; [email protected]) This workshop will provide hand-on demonstrations and practice of fish necropsy and health assessment methodology. It will include the assessment, descriptions and terminology for external and internal abnormalities; methods for obtaining blood and plasma samples; aseptic technique for obtaining samples for viral and bacterial isolations and immunological functional assays; and methods for obtaining proper samples for histological evaluation. Lectures will include discussion of the various types of gross abnormalities commonly encountered in field assessments, types of useful information that can be obtained from these observations, types of infectious agents that can be diagnosed and the lesions/problems they cause and a brief overview of the laboratory analyses that can be performed on the blood, plasma and tissues. In addition, types of media and fixatives, the proper handling of various types of samples, sources of error and sources of additional information will be discussed.