[DEQ] Request for Water Quality Monitoring Recommendations

October 10, 2013
13-1010

For More Information:
Brad Wurfel, 517-284-6713, wurfelb@michigan.gov
Jeff Varricchione, 517-284-5557, varricchionej@michigan.gov
                        
Request for Water Quality Monitoring Recommendations

The MDEQ, Water Resources Division, is soliciting water quality monitoring recommendations for fiscal year 2014 to support implementation of the watershed-specific component of its Strategic Environmental Quality Monitoring Program for Michigan’s Surface Waters. Primary goals of the Strategy are to:

• Assess the current status and condition of individual waters of the state and determine whether water quality standards are being met.
• Provide data to support the MDEQ's water quality protection programs (i.e., National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, nonpoint sources, areas of concern, and site remediation) and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Detect new and emerging water quality problems.

In fiscal year 2014, the Water Resources Division intends to target the majority of our monitoring resources to those watersheds highlighted on the 2014 Targeted Monitoring Watershed map (http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3313_3686_3728-12735--,00.html) to remain consistent with the strategy. However, we will consider recommendations for other Michigan watersheds, including the Great Lakes and their connecting channels. We are particularly interested in designing and conducting monitoring studies to identify problems, evaluate the effectiveness of nonpoint source water quality improvement projects, and assess beneficial use restoration in Great Lakes Areas of Concern.

The Water Quality Monitoring Request form is available online at http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3313_3686_3728-12735--,00.html and may be submitted electronically to varricchionej@michigan.gov or mailed to Mr. Jeff Varricchione, MDEQ, Water Resources Division, P.O. Box 30458, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7958, by November 15, 2013.

A separate form should be submitted for each monitoring recommendation. Please answer each question on the form completely. All requested information is important to help prioritize among the many recommendations that are received.

Please note that submission of a request does not guarantee that the Water Resources Division will be able to conduct the monitoring. Many factors, including budget, staff availability, and division priorities, are taken into consideration during the decision-making process.

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