Water Quality Analysis--Stemple Creek Watershed

The summary for the Water Quality Analysis--Stemple Creek Watershed grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the California State Office, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Water Quality Analysis--Stemple Creek Watershed: PURPOSE: The purpose of this agreement is to collect and evaluate water quality data to evaluate the environmental benefits and effects of USDA conservation programs that include Best Management Practices (BMPs) implemented to enhance water quality and upland erosion to reduce sediment yield. Specific BMPs to be addressed include Dairy Waste Management Systems and Riparian Restoration. SCOPE: A Watershed Monitoring Plan will be prepared to measure suspended sediment (inorganic and organic), turbidity, TKN, un-ionized ammonia (NH3, NH4OH), nitrate-N, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. Deployed automated samplers, triggered by water level, will sample storm events on an hourly frequency. In addition, monthly diurnal samples will be collected by the automated samplers on an hourly basis. The following data collected by the continuous data recorders will be temporarily stored on the automated samplers: un-ionized ammonia (NH3, NH4OH), nitrate-N, turbidity, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen. This data will be correlated with the laboratory sample analysis done on samples collected from the automated samplers. Water quality testing will be supplemented with photo monitoring for habitat improvement and rapid stream assessments. The Watershed Models AnnAGNPS and CONCEPTS will be validated and applied to assess Contaminant Watershed Trends. Conservation management practices applied on the watershed will be evaluated using AnnAGNPS for the impact on water quality. BMPs will be implemented as designated within the model. Additional chemical processes not currently supported by AnnAGNPS will be developed and incorporated into the model. Monitoring is essential to validate model runs and to establish linkages between on- site treatments and off-site effects. An example: Sediment transport equations in existing watershed models commonly compensate for absence of actual erosion process modeling. Sheet and rill erosion is commonly modeled as a surrogate for erosion processes. Compounding the uncertainties of failing to capture accurately erosion processes is the difficulty in relating major influences such as climate, geology (including soil type), relief, and land use (including vegetation) to sediment yield (Meade, 1990). Collected data will be analyzed and Progress Reports, Technical Papers, and a Final Report prepared discussing data variability and contaminants fate. Contaminant Watershed Trends will also be discussed. The California Department of Transportation Guidance Manual (Stormwater Monitoring Protocols, CTSW-RT-00-05, May 2000)will be followed in Site Selection, Sample Collection Methods, Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC), and Laboratory Sample Preparation and Analytical Methods. STATEMENT OF WORK: The successful applicant will be responsible for collection of water quality samples from automated samplers, downloading stored data from automated samplers including data recorded from continuous data recorders, transporting samples to the lab and analyzing sample for suspended sediment (inorganic and organic), turbidity, TKN, un-ionized ammonia (NH3, NH4OH), and nitrate-N. The successful applicant will also be responsible for calibrating continuous data recorders for un-ionized ammonia (NH3, NH4OH), nitrate-N, turbidity, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen; correlating laboratory analysis with data collected from continuous data recorders; writing annual interpretative reports; and discussing collected data at a watershed scale. Technical reports are due at the end of the three year period but encouraged annually. The first year will commence in August 2004 with a special interest group meeting, including landowners, to develop a monitoring plan and select four sites for deployment of automated water collection samplers. In September 2004, automated samplers and connected continuous data recorders will be installed at the selected sites. Collection of automated water samplers for laboratory analysis will commence in October 2004 and continue through December 2004. Stream walks will be scheduled with landowners commencing in September 2004 and continuing through December 2004 to collect water quality data with a continuous data recorder. A progress report of the 2004 work will be prepared by the selected applicant responsible under a cooperative agreement for this portion of the study. EVALUATION CRITERIA ? Listed in Descending Order of Importance: 1. Background and Experience. Ability to demonstrate past history and credibility in water quality evaluations. 2. Organizational Capabilities. The adequacy of organizational resources and experience to successfully manage, perform, and complete the project. 3. Scope and Effect of Project. The ability to interpret the results of collected data and assess trends caused by implemented Dairy Waste Management Systems and Riparian BMPs. 4. Project Personnel. Ability to provide and maintain qualified staff to work on the project.