Volunteer water monitoring a guide for state managers / U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Regulations and Standards, Assessment and Watershed, Protection Division

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

,EPA VOLUNTEER WATER
MONITORING:

A Guide
For State
Managers

COASTAL ZONE
iNFORMATION CENTER

TDL _
223
V65 A
1 990 Printed on Recycled Paper

CHAPTERI1 VOLUNTEERS IN WATER MONITORING ..................................................11
1.1I Volunteers Monitor a Variety of Parameters .....................12
1.2 Volunteers Monitor All Types of Waters ........................13
1.3 Volunteers Can Collect Useful Data ...........................15

CHAPTER 2 PLANNING A VOLUNTEER MONITORING PROGRAM .......................................21
2.1 Establish General Goals....................................22
2.2 IdentifyT Data Uses and Users................................22
2.3 Establish Quality Assurance and Control.......................23
2.4 Assign Staff Responsibilities ................................24

CHAPTER 3 IMPLEMENTING A VOLUNTEER MONITORING PROGRAM...................................27
3.1 Establish a Pilot Program...................................28
3.2 Expand the Program ......................................34
3.3 Make the Most of the Media .................................35
3.4 Maintain Volunteer Interest and Motivation .....................36

CHAPTER 4 PROVIDING CREDIBLE INFORMATION ...................................................37
4. 1 Prepare a Quality Assurance Project Plan.......................38
4.2 Prepare a Data Documentation File ...........................42
4.3 Analyze and Present Data...................................43

CHAPTEOSSANR U N IG ........................................D.....F.............................4
5.1 Program Expenses ........................................51
5.2 Comparison of Two State Programs ...........................53
5.3 Funding Options .........................................53
5.4 Techniques for Reducing Program Costs........................54

APPENDIX DESCRIPTIONS OF FIVE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS .......................................59
Illinois Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program ........................60
Kentucky Water Watch Volunteer Stream Sampling Project ............65
New York Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program................69
Ohio Scenic River Volunteer Monitoring Program....................73
Chesapeake Bay Citizen Monitoring Program .......................76

Cover Photo: Virginia Lee and Richard Wood take water samples as part of
Rhode Island Sea Grant's successful Pond Watchers project.
Photo by Richard Thrgeon.

All photographs are courtesy of individual or organization listed.
Design by TFW Design, Inc.

low.

I i V~~~~~~~~4

Ir~ ~ ~ ~~~

T~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Citizen volunteers are becomingincreas- ments, and characterize waters by investi-
ingly involved in monitoring the quality of our gating the usefulness of incorporating volun-
Nation's waters. Volunteer monitoring pro- teers into State ambient monitoring activi-
grams-both State-sponsored and private- ties.
are being formed at a rapid rate throughout As a result, EPA began a survey of exist-
the country. Many States that were once ing volunteer monitoring programs, assess-
ing their strengths and drawbacks. It soon
became clear that the experience of several
well-managed, State-sponsored programs
,- !i -could be of value to State water program
managers who might be considering whether
or not to develop their own volunteer efforts
(for detailed information on five such pro-
grams, see Appendix). The recommendations
i~;~ X _of the two national volunteer monitoring con-
ferences confirmed this need.
This guide for State managers was devel-
oped to meet this need. It provides an over-
view of the use of citizen volunteers in envi-
ronmental monitoring. Its basic premise is
that a well organized, properly maintained
volunteer monitoring program can yield cred-
ible water quality data that will be useful to
the State. To help State program managers
launch and manage such a program, this
fak esdocument discusses how to plan and organ-
ize projects, how to involve the media, and
how to prepare quality assurance plans that
Photo courtesy of the New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program will ensure that data of known quality are
will ensure that data of known quality are
Clifton Chandler (sitting) skeptical about using volunteer information produced. In addition, data management
and William Hollenbeck, are becoming increasingly aware of the value considerations and approaches to data analy-
two volunteer monitors, of volunteer programs, both in collecting sis are discussed, as well as costs and fund-
record results while
Jeffrey Schloss,
Jeffrey Schloss, usable water quality information and in ing issues. Examples drawn from successful
coordinator of the New developing an educated and involved con- existing programs are provided throughout
Hampshire Lakes Lay stituency committed to protecting water re- this document.
Monitoring Program, sources. Two national EPA-sponsored volun- The material in this document can be
takes oxygen readings teer monitoring conferences, held in 1988 summarized in seven "basic ingredients for
from different depths of
Lake Winnipesaukee. and 1989, have further spurred these devel- success."
opments; their success is testimony to the I. Develop and articulate a clearpurpose
growing interest in this field.
EPA's involvement in volunteer monitor-i
Data should be collected to meet a specific
ing was sparked by two major developments need or in response to a stated hypothesis.
need or in response to a stated hypothesis.
One was the passage of the Water Quality Act Clear Data Quality Objectives (DQ
Clear Data Q uality Objectives (DQO's) must
of 1987, which provided new impetus and be identified as the first step in planning.
funding for clean lakes and nonpoint source The planning process should be carried
assessment and management programs, and out by a committee of data users, which
which recognized the National Estuary Pro- involves potential as well as identified users,
gram (NEP). The NEP, in particular, encour- and includes members of the scientific
aged public education and public participa-
tion in the identification and management of
oniatong officials who will play a part in policy making
pollution problems. Volunteer monitoring based on the results, and citizen leaders who
was recognized by EPA as an excellent way to
are potential volunteer monitors or represent
help implement these programs. , groups from which volunteers will be
Second was an EPA study of the Agency's recruited.
surface water monitoring activities (USEPA
1987). One of the study's recommendations IH. Produce "data of known quality" that
was to enhance State and EPA capabilities to meet the stated Data Quality Objectives.
identify problems, conduct trend assess- The perception that good quality data cannot

be collected by amateurs is the most common to coincide with the period you can commit to
reason given by professional monitoring supporting the volunteers. When starting a
managers declining to take advantage of this program, be frank about the chances for con-
resource. Prepare a Quality Assurance Pro- tinued support and inform the group if re-
ject Plan (QAPjP) for the project and make sources disappear. Work with the strengths
sure you adhere to its elements, and interests of your volunteers and search
for ways to make the most of your available
III. Be aware that volunteer monitoring resources. Talk with coordinators of similar
is cost-effective but is not free.
A well-coordinated and quality-controlled programs in other States to learn of new ways
A well-coordinated and quality-controlled t adeosals
to handle obstacles.
project requires dedicated professional staff
support. One person should be identified
Planning, implementing, and maintain-
whose priority responsibility is the oversight ing a volunteer monitoring program requires
and anagmentof te vounter prgram ing a volunteer monitoring program requires
and management of the volunteer program. organization, time, resources, and dedica-
Office administration, data management, and tion. However, the payoffs can be very great.
analytical support must be allocated up- By designing this document to discuss both
front and carried through to demonstrable the responsibilities and the payoffs of a well
use of the data.
~use of the data. ~run volunteer monitoring program, EPA is
IV. Thoroughly train and re-train volun- encouraging State water quality managers to
teers. consider how such a program might meet
Make sure that they have the opportunity to their needs. Once managers make a decision
gain an understanding of the ecology of their to proceed, this document can provide them
area. Volunteers should have a realistic with a framework for setting up their own
understanding of the program's objectives programs.
and limits. Keep them informed and answer This document cannot say all there is to
their questions promptly. be said; there are too many variables at work,
too many ways a State might design its
V. Give the volunteers praise and feed- volunteer monitoring program, depending on
back-it's the psychological equivalent its resources and needs. We hope, however,
of a salary! that its message is clear: that States should
Keep a direct line of communication open at draw on the enthusiasm, expertise, and
all times using the telephone, personal commitment of their citizens to monitor and
memos, and/or some form of newsletter. Ask protect the water resources that are so pre-
their advice on general administrative is- cious to us all.
sues, bring them into the proofreading proc-
ess, and help them develop a sense of shared
ownership of the program. Recognize their
accomplishments through awards, letters of
appreciation, publicity, and certificates. If at
all possible, encourage experienced volun-
teers to shoulder increased responsibilities
such as becoming team leaders or coordina-
tors, carrying out more advanced tests, or
helping with data analyses.
VI. Use the data your volunteers collect.
Nothing discourages participating volunteers
more than seeing that their data are not being
used. Simple analyses and attractive dis-
plays of high quality volunteer data should be
presented to volunteers as well as to State
staff. This will foster continued interest in the
program and serve to educate and inform the
public about local water quality issues.

VII. Finally, beflexible, open, and realis-
tic with your volunteers and yourself.
Start with a small program you can easily
handle. Synchronize the monitoring period

r~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~r

This document provides State, regional, 1.1 VOLUNTEERS MONITOR A VARIETY
and Federal program managers with a prac- OF PARAMETERS
tical reference for developing, implementing, The experience of citizen monitoring
and maintaining a surface water volunteer programs throughout the country proves that
monitoring program. A number of states have volunteers can be trained to carry out a wide
successfully expanded ongoing monitoring variety of environmental monitoring tasks,
and assessment activities with the assis- provided they are given the appropriate equip-
tance of competent, trained volunteers (for ment and instruction. Figure 1.1 provides
examples, see the Appendix). These programs examples of the range of monitoring activities
in which volunteers have proven to be suc-
cessful partners. Volunteer monitoring ac-
tivities can be placed into three general cate-
gories: visual observation, physical and
chemical measurements, and assessments
of living resources.

' 'a . 06 Visual Observation
Volunteers often live near the sites they
monitor, and so may have ready access to
waters inaccessible to State personnel. Their
familiarity with nearby waters also makes
volunteers uniquely qualified to make visual
observations of changes in water color follow-
ing storm events; effects of erosion and sedi-
ment control measures; general impacts of
|Phoo by Lorry LeBeouf earth disturbances during land development
Photo by LarTy LeBeouf
for agricultural or construction purposes;
Save Our Streams have demonstrated that volunteers can suc- weather; land uses; impacts of recreational
Coordinator Karen cessfully deliver high quality data that can be uses; and animal behavior and abundance.
Firehock gives Virginians used for surface water assessment and prob-
a hands-on lesson in
biological monitoring lem identification. Drawing on the collective Physical and Chemical Measurements
using a "kick-seine." experience of these programs, this document Volunteers also often measure a wide
provides information on how to plan, fund, variety of chemical and physical parameters.
and maintain a volunteer monitoring effort Samples are collected using standardized,
that can provide credible, useful water qual- State-approved methods and equipment, and
ity data. may be analyzed in the field using specially
This guide begins by providing an over- designed kits or sent to a laboratory for
view of existing volunteer monitoring efforts analysis. Among the parameters currently
and outlines how to plan a program that will being measured by volunteer groups are:
produce high quality data. It then discusses water and air temperature; water transpar-
steps in implementing a program, from ency; turbidity; suspended solids; salinity;
launching a pilot to maintaining volunteer river height and flow; rain and snow amounts;
interest. Considerable focus is directed to and chemical constituents such as pH, alka-
providing credible, quality-controlled infor- linity, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates,
mation and analyzing and presenting data chlorophyll, sulfates, pesticides, metals, and
provided by volunteers. This guide goes on to hardness.
discuss costs and funding issues. The ap-
pendix describes five successful State-man- Assessments of Living Resources
aged or sponsored programs. For further in- Recognizing the connection between the
formation on additional volunteer monitor- quality of waters and the condition of plants
ing programs refer to the National Directory of and animals in and around them, some vol-
Citizen Volunteer Environmental Monitoring unteer programs recruit and train citizens to
Programs (USEPA 1990). survey living resources. These surveys most
This document does not provide detailed often involve evaluation of benthic macroin-
information on specific monitoring methods vertebrates, fish, birds, and plants. Volun-
that might apply to a volunteer effort. EPA teers may also report on the condition of fish
plans to address methods in separate, com- (noting tumors, growth abnormalities, and
panion handbooks for lakes and rivers. lesions, for example); the incidence of fish

kills and algae blooms; habitat condition and tions, and identify lakes experiencing water
availability; and the presence and concentra- quality problems. A secondary objective was
tion of fecal coliform bacteria. often to educate the public about lake ecology
and lake management and protection.
1.2 VOLUNTEERS MONITORSALL The basic volunteer lake monitoring
program asks monitors to collect Secchi depth
Lake Sampling data at one or two stations on their lake, two
Lakes are often intensively used for rec- to four times a month during the summer
reation, and in many cases are managed by season. Volunteers also record observations
homeowner associations. Therefore, they often on the week's weather, the current uses of the FIGURE 1.1
have a built-in constituency eager to partici- lake (number of fishermen, swimmers, boat- Volunteers monitor a
pate in volunteer monitoring activities. In ers, etc.) and the apparent condition of the variety of parameters in
fact, most successful State-managed volun- lake. Data sheets are provided to list informa- all types of waters. (The
teer monitoring programs were initially de- tion on water color, turbidity, odor, sus- programs listed in this
veloped to enhance State lake monitoring pended algae, other aquatic vegetation in the matrix are provided as
networks. States hoped to use volunteer-col- lake basin and along the shore, and current comphensive list of
comprehensive list of
lected data to extend their monitoring cover- activities that could be affecting lake water existing programs, refer
age, establish baseline lake trophic condi- quality. to USEPA 1990.)

FIGURE 1.1 Volunteers Monitor a Variety of Parameters in All Types of Waters

OBSERVATIONS LAKES STREAMS/RIVERS ESTUARIES NEAR COASTAL WATERS WETLANDS

Physical/Chemical IL Volunteer Lake DE Stream Watch Chesapeake Bay MA Audubon Boston Hudson River National
Measurements in Monitoring KY Water Watch Citizen Montitoring Harbor Estuary Research
Water Column ME Volunteer Lake MA Acid Rain RI Salt Pond Watchers Monitoring Reserve
Monitoring Monitoring NC Albemarle-Pamlico WA Adopt-A-Beach MD Jug Bay Wetlands
VT Lay Monitoring MI Friends of the Citizen Monitoring Sanctuary
NH Lakes Lay Rouge River MD Anne Arundel Co.
Monitoring Watershed
NY Citizens Statewide Management
Lake Assessment FL Tampa Bay SWIM
FL Lake Watcheam
MA Falmouth Pond
Watchers
FL- Friends of Perdido
AL Bay

Microbiological MI Friends of the RI Salt Pond Watchers
Measurements in Rouge River
Water Column

Visual IL Volunteer Lake Save Our Streams Chesapeake Bay Beach Debris MD Jug Bay Wetlands
Ecological Monitoring NJ Water Watch Citizen Monitoring Cleanups Sanctuary
Surveys WI Self-Help Lake NC StreamWatch RI Salt Pond WI Wetlands Watch
Monitoring Watchers MN Wetlands Watch
VT Lay Monitoring FL Tampa Bay SWIM
FL Lake Watch Team

Fish and ME Volunteer Anglers ME Volunteer Anglers NJ Sea Grant
Shellfish NH Lakes Lay American Littoral
Surveys Monitoring Society

Benthic Save Our Streams
Macro-invertebrate OH Scenic River
Surveys Stream Quality
Monitoring
Primary VT Lay Monitoring Cheasapeake Bay NJ Sea Grant MD Jug Bay Wetlands
Producer NY Citizens Statewide Citizens Monitoring Sanctuary
Surveys Lake Assessment RI Salt Pond
NH Lakes Lay Monitoring Watchers
MT Clark Fork Coalition

Approximately 20 years ago, the Izaak
Walton League of America developed a sim-
plified benthic macroinvertebrate sampling
methodology to be used by volunteers to
-~ 4~ 7~ ;Aassess stream water quality (Save Our
Streams). Volunteers are trained to collect
benthic macroinvertebrates and sort them
into gross taxonomic categories. The density
;. . . .. A, and diversity of the organisms can then be
used to make general statements about the
overall water quality of the stream. Vari-
ations on this method have been used by
several States for initial screening of water
quality. If problems are indicated, the State
then follows up with more comprehensive
biological surveys.

Estuarine Sampling
In 1987, Congress created the National
Estuary Program (NEP) to protect and restore
water quality in the Nation's estuaries.The
NEP focuses on the development and im-
Photo by Carolyn Rumery Betz plementation of comprehensive management
plans for individual estuaries, establishing a
Richard Betz prepares to Some States use volunteers to collect ad- working partnership with Federal, State, and
take a Secchi disk ditional water quality parameters that indi- local governments; academic and scientific
reading at Devil's Lakconsin. cate lake trophic status. Volunteers collect communities; industries and businesses;
and filter samples for chlorophyll and nutri- public action groups; and private citizens.
ent analyses. Analytical work is usually per- The NEP recognizes that public education
formed at State or private laboratories, al- and involvement are essential to the success-
though some States provide volunteers with ful restoration of estuarine waters, and
field test kits, allowing them to do the analy- strongly encourages States to incorporate
ses onsite. citizen monitoring programs into their over-
A few States have used their volunteers all control effort. Successful citizen monitor-
during fishery and shoreline vegetation sur- ing programs have been found to enhance es-
veys. They have found that the citizens' inti- tuarine monitoring activities, increase public
mate knowledge of the lake and its watershed understanding of the ecosystem, and build
provided useful information not generally local support for necessary corrective ac-
available during a routine assessment. tions.
Estuarine monitoring programs such as
Stream and River Sampling Chesapeake Bay Citizen Monitoring Program,
Most States maintain a fixed network of Rhode Island Salt Pond Watchers, and Albe-
stream and river stations, sampled regularly marle-Pamlico Citizen Monitoring Program,
for chemical, physical, and biological para- use volunteers to collect physical and chemi-
meters. Special intensive surveys are also cal measurements in estuaries and in tribu-
performed periodically to comprehensively tary streams and inlets. Since estuarine
assess the water quality of a specific stretch drainage systems are large and complex,
of river. Most States with citizen monitoring volunteers can be especially helpful in up-
programs prefer to use State staff for these stream areas not normally covered by the
baseline monitoring activities; volunteers State's monitoring network. Basic water
collect data at secondary water quality sta- quality measurements such as pH, transpar-
tions to complement the State network and ency, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and tem-
may sample regularly for parameters such as perature can provide useful information to a
dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and comprehensive monitoring program. Trained
nutrients. Some States have also relied on volunteers can also be used to assess aquatic
volunteers for comprehensive synoptic sam- vegetation in the estuary, and can provide
pling efforts and to provide spot checks of information on acute problems such as spills,
specific problems in localized areas. fish kills, and algae blooms.

Near Coastal Water Assessments the effectiveness of wetlands mitigation proj-
Historically, most States have focused ects.
their assessment and pollution control ac-
tivities on fresh inland waters, in part be- 1.3 VOLUNTEERS CAN COLLECT USEFUL
cause these are the most stressed and pol- DATA
luted of their waters, but also because inland The experience of a number of State-
waters are the easiest to monitor and man- managed volunteer monitoring programs
age. Many States are only now beginning to proves that volunteer-collected water quality
incorporate near coastal waters into their data can be used in many ways by States.
assessment activities and to draw on the However, it is also evident that volunteer data
assistance of volunteers in these activities. are underutilized in many States. The reason
This new emphasis has been spurred to some State program managers most often cite for
extent by EPA's Near Coastal Waters Pro- not using volunteer data is lack of confidence
gram, part of a long-range initiative by the in data quality.
Agency to restore and protect the water quality The most common use of volunteer data
and natural resources of the nation's coastal may be for screening: potential water quality
areas. problems identified by volunteers are relayed
At this time, volunteer activity in near to the State or other authority, which may
coastal waters focuses on beach cleanups. In follow up with its own assessment or control
cleanup activities sponsored by the Center action. Volunteer data are also commonly
for Marine Conservation (in 25 States), vol- used to provide baseline and trend informa-
unteers maintain records on types and tion on waters or parameters otherwise
amounts of debris collected. Volunteers keep unmonitored by the State. Of all the data
track of23 different kinds of plastic debris, as collected by volunteers, lake water quality
well as certain varieties of metal, glass, pa- data appear to be the most widely used today.
per, and any stranded or entangled wildlife. This is most likely because lake volunteer
This unique monitoring information has been monitoring programs are often the best es-
used to obtain ratification by 42 countries of tablished; a few important measures of lake
a treaty that prohibits the dumping of plas-
tics at sea by cruise ships, fishing vessels,
and merchant and military craft.
Severa beautil and producrive shallow lagoons, locally
Wetlands n as alt ponds, e slad's south shore.
State monitoring and assessment of wet- e Sep er 1985, oer volunte have been monitor-
lands resources is extremely limited. Little, if wing water qul parameters every other week, from May
any, water quality monitoring is conducted; through October, in seven ofLhese ponds. Data collected by the
most assessment activities are limited to Pond Watchersprogramhave been used:
evaluations of changes in wetland area and
(:evaluations of the State's water quality assessment report to
rates of loss.
Volunteer monitoring activities in wet-
:!::~: epOfE nental Management
land areas are in their infancy as well. In
Anne Arundel County, Maryland, the South 0; ([)EM) in deciding on seasonal closure of some of the salt
County Creeks Commission, with technical
assistance from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv- : by local micipal governments in zoning and planning
ice, has helped community groups learn to ba decisions:
recognize and identify inaccuracies and in- *bth Stat Cadndymnicipalities in a cooperative
completeness in the U.S. Department of the ;for to d effrt evelop local harbor management plans and
Interior's National Wetland Inventory maps , tr I n s
and to make recommendations for correc- 1 by theSai toievisetegionalsepticsystems construc-
tions (Mary McHenry 1990). Volunteers have ; tin standards and to pass legislation to develop waste
also been involved in marsh plant and animal
also been involved in marsh plant and animal i wat er management districts for non-sewered areas.
inventories at National Estuarine Research These applcationsofSatondWatchersdatahave spurred
Reserve sites (Gault, et. al. 1988). the State DE agree to establish a position of State Volun-
Volunteers can carry out qualitative ntrgr nt rc rwouldwor kwith
assessments and descriptions of physical ai to ensure at information is
changes in wetlands related to the impacts of useful or Stat e e ental decisionmaking (Lee and Kull-
point and nonpoint source discharges. Vol- berg 1986)i
unteers might also be helpful in monitoring

loading due to fertilizers used at a condomin-
ium development and changes were made
that reduced the runoff to the lake. Data
collected by the volunteer monitoring pro-
gram at Baboosic Lake in Amherst helped
reroute a road expansion project that would
have run too close to the lake. Volunteers
provided information on septic sludge buildup
around Merrimack's Naticook Lake, which
resulted in the removal of the material
(Schloss 1988).

The Lake Lucille Property Owners Asso-
I _l Esciation has used three years of the New York
Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment
Program's (CSLAP) data to document the
degradation of water quality in Lake Lucille,
a 12-acre lake in southeastern NewYork. The
analysis of high algae, macrophyte, and
nutrient levels, decreasing water depth, and
effects of stormwater runoff on water quality
has led the association to propose sediment
controls at upstream construction sites and
a large-scale sediment removal (dredging)
Programs." daproject throughout most of the lake floor. The
local town board has passed the lay monitor-
ing results to a consulting firm hired to review
these restoration efforts. The collected data
are thought to be the most up-to-date techni-
cal information available on the water quality
of the lake (Survey 1989, Kishbaugh).

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
staff has used data from its Citizen Lake
Photo by John Strawbridge Monitoring Program, in conjunction with
State-collected chemical data, in a special
Volunteer checks a qualtiy (e.g., transparency) can be easily study resultingin a successful finding against
rain gage on the bank monitored by volunteers; and lakeside home- the J.L. Kraft Co. Phosphorus loads to the
of Letter Kenny Lake, owners are likely to have a strong interest in Sauk River and the downstream chain of
Conodoguinet Creek, seeing that the data are used. lakes were reduced as a result of the finding
Pennsylvania. Examples of how various State-managed (Bostrum 1988).
volunteer programs use their data are
presented below. Some of these examples are Kentucky's Division of Water used the vol-
drawn directly from this document's unteer data to identify two noncomplying dis-
Appendix, "Descriptions of Five Successful chargers and five stream sites where stan-
Programs." dards were exceeded. Although the State
does not use volunteer data alone to imple-
Screening for Problems ment enforcement actions, the citizen moni-
Since it was established in 1978, the New tors have demonstrated that they can reliably
Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program locate water quality problems for further
(LLMP) has been of value in helping protect investigation by State enforcement person-
the State's water quality. Data collected by nel (Appendix, Kentucky).
volunteers were instrumental in limiting
development that would have impaired Bea- Providing Baseline Data
ver Lake in Derry, and supported a success- The Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Of-
ful effort to install a sewer line around the fice of Planning and Zoning sponsors a Vol-
lake. On Lake Winnipesaukee, volunteer data unteer Citizen Monitoring Program as part of
demonstrated the adverse impact of nutrient its Watershed Management Program (WMP).

The data collected by the volunteers are used New York's Citizens Statewide Lake As-
in conjunction with data from two profes- sessment Program (CSLAP) collects baseline
sional monitoring programs within the WMP data for preparation of lake-specific manage-
to provide a more complete picture of overall ment plans, while educating lake residents
water quality. These data are also valuable to and users about lake ecology, management
the residents of the county, since frequently practices, and data collection. The data are
the only documented water quality informa- used to document trends on individual lakes,
tion available for the creeks in these water- identify specific water quality problems, and
sheds comes from volunteers. Volunteer calculate trophic status to support the DEC's
data have also been used to complement data lake management recommendations to indi-
from State and Federal monitoring programs. vidual lake associations (Appendix, NewYork).
These data have also been used to demon-
strate siltation of a creek resulting from a In Illinois' Volunteer Lake Monitoring
highway construction project and to evaluate Program, volunteers collect baseline data
a stormwater management waiver request. (primarily Secchi disk depth) for 150 lakes,
(Survey 1989, Haddon). most of which are not monitored by State per- FIGURE 1.2A-B
sonnel. Federal, State, and local agencies
The Minnesota Citizen Lake Monitoring refer to the data to document water quality Comparison of chlorophyll
Program (CLMP) was initiated to detect and impacts; select priority watersheds for Clean values (a) and Secchi
Disk readings (b) between
evaluate changes in lake water quality. The Lakes funding under Section 314(a) of the data collected by the New
data are used for trend analysis of water Clean Water Act, as well as for cost-share Hampshire Lakes Lay
quality in lakes where 10+ years of data are funding for soil-erosion control from the U.S. Monitoring Program and
available. The State staff has also used data and Illinois Departments of Agriculture; the Freshwater Biology
to help develop water quality standards for evaluate the effectiveness of lake protection Group (FBG) field team at
the University of New
lakes and in preparing trophic status reports and management projects: and determine Hampshire.
(Bostrum 1988). waterbody assessments for the Section 305(b) soURCE: Schloss 1988.

FIGURE 1.2
New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program
Volunteer vs. Professional Results

(a) Chlorophyll a Results (b) Secchi Disk Results
7

a / 0 ftaa 0
-\208 00 rO ' ,
5-
0:~~~~~~~~~~ 0

2 -

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2 4 6 8 10
Lay Monitor Collectors Lay Monitor Collectors
Chlorophyll a (mg/m3) Secchi Disk Depth (m)

FIGURE 1.3 A-B

Comparison of results ssachusetts Acid Rain Monitoring Program
for samples collected Volunr Pros Results
by Massachusetts Acid
Rain Monitoring (ARM)
program volunteers vs. (a) pH
ARM staff for pH (a) and 9
alkalinity (b). /
SOURCE: Godfrey 1988.

R= 0.979

Professional:Collectors
pM Standard Units

~~I(b) Alkalinity (gI)

R2'O.994

Professional Collectors

water quality report. Lakes monitored by vol- Providing High Quality Data
unteers are considered to be "evaluated" in As mentioned above, concern about data
305(b) assessments. Only lakes sampled for quality is a major reason why volunteer data
physical, chemical, or biological data by State are not more widely used. However, many
agency personnel are considered to be programs have demonstrated that volun-
"monitored." teers can collect high quality, credible data.
In addition to supplementing data collec- Three examples comparing volunteer and
tion, the VLMP has acted as a catalyst for professional data are provided.
local lake protection and restoration efforts: Figures 1.2A and B show Secchi disk
virtually all VLMP lakes have had lake protec- readings and chlorophyll values collected by
tion and management measures implemented the New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring
following participation in the program (Ap- Program and the Freshwater Biology Group
pendix, Illinois). field team at the University of New Hamp-

FIGURE 1.4
Chesapeake Bay Citizen Monitoring Program
20 - Dissolved Ogygen vs. Date of Collection A collected by voluteers

* collected by state personnel
18-

16-

14-
A A
12- *A A -A A

t 10- v * - * � *^
AA A A AA
_g * ~A A

5 8- *i o * *- * ^ I. - eAA
6-CD * *A *� * A A

0- I I I I I I
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN
1985 1986 1987
Date

shire. While the samples were taken on the Control Board monitoring station about a FIGURE 1.4
same day for the same site, they were usually mile away. These plots indicate that both
done on different vessels at slightly different data sets represent similar water quality Plotof dissolved oxygen
done-on different vessels at slightly concentrations in the
times in the day. Each point represents the conditions (Wastler 1987). James River over time as
comparison of results from a single measure- These and many other examples from collected by State and
ment at a single lake site (Schloss 1988). other programs document the fact that high citizen volunteers.
Another comparison between volunteer quality data can be expected from well-trained SOURCE: Wastier 1987.
and professional monitoring data is shown in volunteers.
Figures 1.3A and B. The two graphs give re-
sults for samples collected by Massachusetts
Acid Rain Monitoring (ARM) program volun-
teers vs. ARM staff for pH (a) and alkalinity (b)
(Godfrey 1988).
Lastly, Figure 1.4 depicts dissolved oxy-
gen data collected by volunteers in the Che-
sapeake Bay Citizen Monitoring Program
plotted against data from a Virginia Water

* � . :hsL .: :. :�

'I
*
49

0
.0

S uccessful use of volunteers depends on qualified State staff to implement the pro-
understanding that citizens can be a valu- gram. These steps are discussed below.
able resource for many types of monitoring
when they are well-trained and managed. 2.1 ESTABLISH GENERAL GOALS
Citizens should not, however, be viewed as an Citizen monitoring programs are gener-
adjunct voluntary service of an agency; rather, ally developed for three reasons:
they are partners who share in environ- 1. To supplement water quality data
mental protection. What keeps the volun- collected by professional staff in water qual-
teers together is not a single monitoring task, ity agencies and scientific institutions.
but their expanded role as the guardians and 2. To educate the public about water
stewards of their local natural resources. quality issues.
This requires cooperation among regulators, 3. To build a constituency of citizens to
resource trustees, and citizens at the local practice sound water quality management at
level. Making this partnership successful is a a local level and build public support for
central challenge of all volunteer monitoring water quality protection.
programs. All three goals will be achieved with a
This chapter provides details on plan- well-organized program, but priorities should
Volutee moitoingning a volunteer monitoring program to aug- be set so that the program can be designed to
proluntee coodnatorsn ment data gathered by other State and re- meet a clearly stated primary goal. It is im-
from around the country gional surface water monitoring efforts. Plan- portant to specify whether gathering data of
exchange ideas in a ning a State-managed volunteer monitoring known quality takes priority over public
group discussion at the program is a multi-step process. To begin, participation and education. This handbook
First National Workshop State monitoring directors are urged to take is directed to those States that will, in fact,
EnionmCtienta Voniteersing a careful look at their existing programs, stress the collection of credible data as the
Narragansett, Rhode identifyr gaps in the data base, and consider chief goal of their volunteer monitoring pro-
Island. May 1988. where data collected by volunteers can be gram.

I ~~ 2.2 IDENTIFY DATA USES AND USERS
Another initial step in planning a suc-
cessful volunteer monitoring project that will
provide credible information is to clearly
identify the use to be made of the data.
Environmental data are commonly used:
� to establish baseline conditions (where
no prior data exist);
� to determine water quality trends; and
� to identify' current and emerging prob-
lems.
All prospective data users and their data
needs should be identified during the plan-
ning stages of the program. Within a State
agency, individuals potentially interested in
the citizen data can include water quality
analysts, planners, environmental engineers,
~~~~~ ~~~~ fisheries biologists and game wardens, and/
or parks and recreation staff. Outside the
State agency, the data may be used by uni-
Photo b~~~j Steuen SI~~~~v~a versity researchers, local government plan-
Photo by Steven Silvia nin~~~ng and zoning agencies, Soil and Water
used to fill these gaps. This approach will Conservation Districts, lake associations, or
help establish general goals for the program Federal agencies, such as the US Geological
and identifyr uses and potential users of the Survey, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US En-
data (i.e., State, local, or Federal agencies, vironmental Protection Agency, and the US
lake associations, etc.). Next steps include Department of Agriculture's Soil Conserva-
developing a Quality Assurance Project Plan tion Service.
(QAPJP) to establish effective quality assur- A committee made up of representatives
ance and control procedures and assigning from the identified user groups-including

volunteers-should be convened early in the implement the prescribed procedures to
planning stage to refine the program objec- ensure that precision, accuracy, complete-
tives and determine if volunteers can provide ness, comparability, and representativeness
the level of expertise required. This early are known and documented.
involvement of all potential user groups is
key to ensuring the success of the volunteer Determine the Data Quality Objectives
program. If State personnel have helped plan A full assessment of the data quality
a volunteer monitoring program, they will needed to meet the intended use should be
support it more enthusiastically, and if vol- made before QA/QC controls are specified.
unteers are represented in the planning This can be done through the development of
process, their needs and those of the State data quality objectives (DQO's). DQO's are
agency will be better integrated. qualitative and quantitative statements de-
In addition, to ensure continued and veloped by data users that establish the
careful data collection, it is important that variability that can be tolerated by the user
participants see the end use of the data: and still meet the needs of the program.
"An agency is better served by volun- Establishment of DQO's involves interaction
teers who have a direct stake in what is of program managers and their technical
being monitored, when they see them- staff in deciding what information is needed,
selves as stewards of their particular
area and when they benefit from their
monitoring efforts. One of the more
successful monitoring projects in Puget
Sound is the collection of shellfish
(which are then examined) for red tide Although the terms quality assurance (QA) and qual-
contamination. The monitors are rec- ity control (QC) are frequentlused interchangeably or to-
reational clam diggers who are anxious gther, in fact, they have di fferent meanings.
to hear the results of their monitor-
ing-for obvious reasons!" (Pritchard QUALITY ASSU CE is the whole system of activi-
1988) ties that is caed out to provide users with data thatmeet
defined stadards of qual with a stated level of confi-
2.3 ESTABLISH QUALITY ASSURANCE dence.The QA system includes the coordinated activities
AND CONTROL of quality control and assessment. It is management's
Data users and water quality analysts and oversight a he planning, implementation,
must have confidence in the representative- and completion stages of an environmental data collection
ness, consistency, and accuracy of data col- activity that assresd t data users are
lected by volunteers. Effective quality assur- of the quality needed and claimed.
ance and quality control (QA/QC) proce-
dures and a clear delineation of QA/QC UALITY CONTROL refers to those activities per-
responsibilities are therefore essential to formed during envi ronmental data collection to produce
ensure the utility of environmental monitor- data of desired quality to document that quality. It in-
ing data. udes acttes designed to ensure that no systematic
The USEPA QA/QC program requires bias devel in te analysis system (beyond what is nor-
that all EPA national program offices, EPA mally present) that would exceed the accepted accuracy
regional offices, and EPA laboratories partici- and precision limits of the analysis Therefore, this proc-
pate in a centrally planned, directed, and ess involves determining the "precision and accuracy" of
coordinated Agencywide QA/QC program. the numbers. Italso involvesplanning control procedures
This requirement also applies to efforts car- to ensure that the analysis stays "in control" and that data
ried out by the States and interstate agencies of known quality are produced.
that are supported by EPA through grants,
contracts, or other formalized agreements. A third term, QUALITY ASSESSMENT involves a
The EPA QA program is based upon EPA 0ontinuing e valuation of the performance of the people
order 5360. 1, "Policy and Program Require- collecting and analyzing the data. Technicians and labo-
ments to Implement the Quality Assurance ratory chemists undergo periodic inspections and "au-
Program" (USEPA 1984a), which describes dits" to check their performance They exchange samples
the policy, objectives, and responsibilities of as well as analyze split sampls to make sure no errors are
all EPA program and regional offices. developi g.
Each office or laboratory which gener-
ates data under EPA's QA/QC program must

? ............... . 2.4 ASSIGN STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
DEFINITIONS It is essential to the success of a volun-
teer monitoring program that a qualified staff
ACCURACY-DeDgree~of agr eementwthtruvalu, ameas- person be chosen to coordinate it. That per-
ure of bias in a system (refers to e quipmentr prcedure) son should, ideally, have a technical back-
ground and experience in recruiting, train-
PRECISION -Measur e of mutual a greement among in- ing, and managing volunteers. The State
vidual measurements, reproducibilty (refers to ierson coordinator should also enjoy working with
using the equipment).. the public and have a strong commitment to
the program. Without a coordinator with
REPRESENTATIVENESS-Degrese qualifications, the program may en-
rately and precise ly represent a environmental condition. counter problems.
The Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring
COMPARABILITY-A measure of confidence with whi Program, for example, began its efforts using
one data set can be compared to another. staff from different State agencies to coordi-
MP0 \t; \i;0in0; 0t 0~i nate monitors; lack of central coordination
COMPLETENESS-A measure ofamount of alid data ob- proved to be a serious obstacle to the pro-
tained compared to the amount expected to be o;btained gram. An attempt was made to give the
program's coordination activities to a con-
tractor. This also failed because of insuffi-
cient commitment by the contracting organi-
why it is needed, how it will be used, how it zation. The Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring
will be collected, and any time/resource Program concluded that one central coordi-
constraints affecting data collection. It is nator with technical expertise and personal
especially important to get the formal in- commitment was necessary to maintain the
volvement and support of your Quality As- program.
surance Officer during the development of Planning and implementing a successful
DQO's. By involving everyone who plans to volunteer monitoring program is a full time
use the data, as well as the groups assigned job and it should be the coordinator's top
to collect it, one can increase the likelihood priority at all times (see sample job descrip-
that it will meet the needs of the user(s). tion on p. 25). Although exact duties may
USEPA (1984b) describes the process for vary between programs, in general the coor-
developing DQO's in more detail. dinator will:
* serve as administrator of the project;
Develop a Quality Assurance Plan
USEPA order 5360.1 also requires State � recruit and train volunteer monitors;
monitoring programs supported by EPA � receive, store, and analyze data:
grants to prepare Quality Assurance Project * produce reports that summarize the
Plans (QAPjP). A QAPjP documents the relia- data; and
bility of monitoring data by formally stating
the program objectives, organization, moni- carry out quality control activities
toring procedures, and specific QA and QC The coordinator must maintain close
activities designed to achieve the data quality contact with the volunteers to ensure that the
goals of the program. The QAPjP must de- stated QC standards of the data are met and
scribe the procedures that document preci- to be available to answer questions promptly.
sion, accuracy, and completeness of environ- After all, a large part of the volunteers' reward
mental measurements and specify the re- for services rendered is access to the knowl-
sulting level of confidence. edge of experts in the field, as well as the
Information on preparing a QAPjP is perceptionthattheirconcernsarebeingheard
included in Chapter 4.1. In addition, three by people with the ability and authority to
EPA guidance documents are available to respond to these concerns.
assist in preparation of the Quality Assur- Some States have enlisted the support
ance Project Plan: a general guidance docu- and cooperation of regional and local govern-
ment (USEPA 1980), a guidance document ments to help with training volunteers and in
that combines a work plan with the QAPjP the coordination of the program. Illinois uses
(USEPA 1984c), and a guide for preparing its Regional Planning Commissions for this
plans for the National Estuary Program purpose. Anne Arundel County, Maryland
(USEPA 1988). recruits a volunteer team leader for each wa-

SAMPLE JOB DESCRIPTION
VOLUNTEER MONITORING COORDINATOR

The Volunteer Monitoring Coordinator has the following
responsibilities:

In consultation with state agency personnel and other interested
parties, determine which watersheds and which parameters in these
watersheds will be monitored.

Recruit volunteers for each project. This will involve contacting
interested groups, elected officials, and possibly businesses and indus-
tries in the area.

Make arrangements for a place to conduct a training session and
arrange a time to suit a majority of volunteer monitors. Train any vol-
unteers who are unable to attend the training session.

Keep in close touch with individuals at beginning of project. Answer
any questions volunteers may have. Read over each data sheet as it
comes in and contact any monitors who seem to be having trouble.
Send refill reagents and replacement equipment upon request.

If required, enter all data in a suitable computer filing system.
Carry out documentation and verification on the data. Provide plots of
data to monitors and to data users. Carry out preliminary data inter-
pretation. (These data management activities may be carried out by
other State staff or volunteers. If so, the volunteer monitoring coordina-
tor will assume an advisory role.)

Provide feedback to participants and data to users. This will involve
writing progress reports and articles for publication in the program
newsletter.

Plan for and carry out quality control sessions. There should be one
about three months after start-up of any new project and at six month
intervals thereafter.

Prepare quarterly reports for the sponsoring agency.

tershed. This volunteer is responsible for the manager to the volunteer in the field-under-
collection and initial proofreading of data stand and agree on the goals, limits, and
forms and for dispensing replacement rea- needs of the program they are launching.
gents and equipment as needed. In NewYork, Only when the basic planning groundwork is
some county planning offices and regional laid should the State move on to implement
soil and water conservation districts coordi- its volunteer monitoring program.
nate with local lake associations.
In summary, it is clear that many people
from a variety of agencies and backgrounds
should be involved during the planning phase
of a State-coordinated volunteer monitoring
program. The most important planning task
they face is to ensure that all interested
parties-from the State agency program

* ~~* ~ ~ � n,.I~ *~,� C,

w ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

le -, ~,~~N

~~~~ -~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
BY O, 11 4
,~ 4 14

1w~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~IIi

'01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.

Ift ~~~~~~~~~~~~II I' I~~~~~~~~~~~~~4

The experience of several State-managed known to be successfully tested by volun-
volunteer monitoring programs has shown teers; 3) an available pool of people willing to
that implementation should begin with a participate; 4) physical and legal access to
pilot project. A pilot project allows the State the water.
to test its chosen approach-its recruitment
and training procedures, its equipment and Select Sampling Equipment
parameters for testing, and its data manage- The first step in selecting the best equip-
ment and analysis procedures-on a limited ment for the pilot project is to test existing
scale before moving on to an expanded pro- kits and equipment, picking those which
gram. appear to meet program needs. These kits
This chapter will focus on setting up a and equipment should then be tested on
pilot project that can serve as the starting water samples of known quality to determine
point for the State's volunteer monitoring accuracy, precision, and ease of use. Consid-
program. Procedures outlined in this section erations in selecting a piece of equipment or
apply as well to the implementation of the kit include the level of skill required to use it;
post-pilot program. This chapter will go on to the cost of the kit; and any limitations the kit
discuss how to expand the pilot project, and may place on the data that are collected. A
provides advice on maintaining the interest partial list of chemical and equipment com-
of participating volunteer monitors. panies that currently supply volunteer pro-
grams is presented in Table 3-1.
3.1 ESTABLISHING A PILOT PROGRAM Once volunteers have been recruited, ex-
The pilot project provides an opportunity tra equipment and reagents should be or-
for the coordinator and supporting personnel dered to allow for breakage in transit and
to encounter on a small scale the types of addition of sites or monitors during the re-
problems they will face in setting up a state- cruitment process. Extra equipment may
wide program. The average pilot project will also be needed to train assistants and to
probably be limited in scope to one large allow for possible loss or breakage by the
watershed or several smaller ones. volunteers. Establish a policy to identify who
will be responsible for paying for lost or bro-
Pick a Location ken equipment (free replacements are prefer-
The pilot project should begin in an area able in most circumstances).
Table 3.1 that can be successfully monitored by volun- When the sampling equipment has been
i teers. Factors to consider include: 1) a real selected and the sampling protocol has been
Scientific Supply Houses. need for water quality information from this established, an instruction manual should
A partial list of chemical area, thereby ensuring the immediate use of be prepared. Manuals that have been pub-
and scientific equipment
companies that currently the data collected: 2) a need for the type of lished by other volunteer monitoring pro-
supply volunteer programs. data that can be obtained with methods grams may be suitable. However, it is helpful

TABLE 3-1
SCIENTIFIC SUPPLY HOUSES
PRODUCT NAME ADDRESS/PHONE NO. DESCRIPTION
LaMotte Chemical Products, Inc. PO Box 329, Chestertown, MD 21620, 1-800-344-3100. Chemical test kits for field and lab.

VWR Scientific. PO Box 2643, Irving TX 75061,1-800-527-1576. Scientific instruments and chemicals.

Thomas Scientific Main Office, 609-467-2000. Scientific instruments and chemicals.

Millipore Corporation Technical Services, 1-800-225-1380. Specializing in bacterial testing.

HACH Company PO Box 389, Loveland, CO 80539,1-800-525-5940. Chemical test kits for field and lab.

Fisher Scientific 711 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15219,1-800-225-4040 Scientific instruments and chemicals.

This is only a partial list of potential suppliers and does not imply endorsement by USEPA.

to provide specific written information about Figure 3.1
the particular project. The manual should in-SaeOrtemstem
clude background information on what para- SAVE OUR STREAMS S utiySrveam Foremh
meters are being measured and how the dat Streamn Quality-Survey Q u ak aliton Leagu ForTh
ThePh. p Vssthi~ Fee is it Ydys fK9heJtgeead Mssdieg i adaredataabetatnehaalth of Y.., America.
to be obtained relate to local water qualitstemereydi craesesttdeeesayaoerstasaidt tmarss et
problems. It can also include step-by-step r1. 5eahtedater~aadty.Rtdth. Ogeetsesndidt
instructions, with illustrations, on the use of sra ______
the sampling equipment. est- ______

Design a Data Collection FornYa mis etettrtrrstesntartttatttteaeha 3Z-6irestrst. adtha bed
Most monitoring data, including data metseeeeseeetee
collected by volunteer programs, are stored
and managed by computer. Data users anid S abr____ aelm_____
the data base manager should be involved in Tpotsl msiadbaeas. eeeetet~. .te
the development of the Data Collection Form
Watsyper tatttd Deb SM1,111ry,0f ntream W.,
to be sure that its inform-ation can be easily barhm:ld sifleeeeethsa
and accurately computerized. Consideration =S4%edshetse seedl
should also be given to the ease with which mua~eaJdo _tassaal
the formn can be filled out and understood by _0~ OaW
the volunteers. Examples of Data Collection
Forms used by existing programs are shown %tk~~es5Yasa a
in Figures 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4.(See Appen-Towk
dix: for more examples.) Duplicate formis,
such as carbonless copies, make it possible si lighs 'tg egb
for volunteers to maintain their own records. % r1(10 ~e.S brswheated -1.bed eae
- 4 Dubbts Wt2 1W Ottr' vo .* ... fted set strea bed
Recording the "raw" numbers actually daseab5t5) bir
measured by the monitor minimizes later 6 gmaewhhh"e fbes then)
questions and confusion about the observed hiiikCwaeafeagae e ats steet ~sts trs e (7001528-1etd
value reported. Any arithmetic should be
carried out by the coordinator, preferably
using a computer. As an example, see Figure
3.3, the Severn River Data Collection Form. MACROINVgRTEBRATE COUNT
The monitor records the observed hydrome- tteeae 15..h-bC.deeeetseedevbeetsaittedia
ter reading and the temperature of the water V55 stea headtestaee etesldc isssamtedyteneetedoas
in thejar at time of measurement. The correc- 00QOD PAIR, POOR
ca2deddiety teese hmeate tesa 3aasiaemm
tion for temperature and the subsequent d11 mtn
meytt etmp easetytaae-eets
conversion from density to salinity are car- atyrenah Idg lalyr ~ e
'Ite penhlaee vd
ried out using look-up tables or by computer. ftstyyye aasttasmqvhs
Potential errors made in the correction and saey
conversion process are minimized.- eeeen settmetetm
fw vai timesy2" I N tre"= iet

Recruit 'Volunteers G psediemD
As soon as the State coordinator has reethaesasysniaebaateetiteekestsyneemteskedrtrnphm~r
decided where the pilot project will be ~ ev~z sdI-2
launched and what equipment will be used, ~ taaedi~ Pstse
Nate, Yea iNtedt teat at teat a ditteettttle e 01 vithts a 4d-ts area, a. esae hit eas have a tait
volunteers can be recruited. The first step is tpearaieapehvisaeatrytsim.Yeeyiasntsmlsmetessi
to identify all organizations and individuals esstmasmte etehhnseasmyleeatetiersmtetadierta
in the area who might want to participate in _1eed WUf mersth~itt reratses etrst
the project. Likely groups include civic asso- ~ e..1 d hilte ~ beme dae,"%
ciations, watershed associations, environ- Lba~t gody, ~ ataai
mental advocacy groups, commercial and atdntes
recreational users of the waterbody, govern- rsteewtmsc tsrs tms-sae _ ed
inent officials and agencies, waterfront prop- Aeheesddhitpei em eeta.veree
erty owners, and public schools, community Dats etbaadeatstetdtrieayhreesss'ahysmmhse
colleges, and universities. State employees %tdeetisme tadth
and advisors may know people who would
like to be involved or may wish to volunteer if
they live in the chosen watershed.

Figure 3.2 now to6FiI Out the Data Ptciard

(Top left) Data Postcard II 2140topot:lyPoga

used by the Wisconsin BA
Self-Help Lake MonitoringCll0 rItP ltffi
Program. DT i~ri o

~~~~~~~~soit.o 510
SoofA~~~a~imoonoi =fttrobb A ei io . ti ________
Depot tofitoal On 119, 'Fia~~~~~~~~~~.Pot chrwiL,,o _________

t~~tfci~n0.f. Monitor 195.10 Monitor MonGbOr-
Wo.Jqd(_ntoa Cvnh ~ o ine ieiat.e I ___________V50dtobew ____
piron,~~~5oe090c00~~~acr~~th Aibukpot)rt___

-1 lfif .-I. Pn00.ldtn no0o quirh Do-h Ai 1'. dwte
11 - c -1 .1 .-1 .0O cnfaroo-f0*on, bbit.,.1 Ab , 1w-Ir Dpit

(Top right)~~~~~~~~ Allane 0rflh.-cp d . nk(i-ikythtit W t P . Cao
tti~on00iitl0rt1Apfnno~nnfetottY.~ , *I.f- p. ____ St, (tiador 0.. thittly
fo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~irobhe Ceaek Bayof Tro lt .1 lbi . Arr5o . tl h flb
1.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~' to .001 b.0. no.000dt lot ., enbfli ein. oc ra 0re 1 Fit 2 Rippl P ae 4tin. v.d Capt

FiueP3roegooramn teaf, ta Collte~cm n ti re~ 0 . 0,on inertlo o Condlr- 2 l- rrly Ciady d Pcrer A b.)o
_______________ort mItnoc. 0O 1.6dOl. b ef .-Olk 1 o,.rf oe,,eCf tob noeeetlf 100 510
ir. (eo.000. , tO tin. comef0sks0t.O.tyo I
(Toprigt) llincea. ncottiff~ntenr det eC~l'no00 e nyll . n (Iroby anneilnt nuentr 0 iton airofl
noh.Ib-- 4. t 00 n-lb ld ,tyte I w

I.ote rfO, 000 001 Pef Lb ct I. 0 . 9 Psle: itpbte i Oo
Program~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~b, Dat ColcIo I . ftt 10~t taehbi000a lof 11,tifd ot
olellf C rde tf tclnOo n oaMnrClo: (ioecnoo eerbl arn iooe

Form. Of 00. fete. OC~~~~~~~~~ore 00 of rote 000 of~~~~~~~~~t~tf 0. Ifof in eq nerfe .0000 eta 0.ct~~~~~~' ... . ... ..t.te..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~0500:otlFtr 00 an ootrffoei g Ce~tf (hennntooryure 3if4

f~~~~~~~~~ottom~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ie r1ffhte and lntstefet)O
B~~~~~~~~~~~.t~ea~~~dffoeoerchff C leanup tcneDerrataoofo
Aore foe cf~tf an.. .000, fete. oar 00.01000, info to tin t'et n, t
Card, Center for~~~~~~~~~le o r a. p . 0 f e tf t r o te i c nr o _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ a ~ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _
E~~~~~~~~~~~~~nviro.,nmtrf ene~tatl,, fnOoi Edu~c a eele otiOoe n. PLASM fc f

CO f~le.Octr 0.000eef dtro Wut cinlaf ff8.

O~~e rote, no Ofeclee ode,. ton 0.te ad

Figue 34 BACHCLENUPDAT.CAR r(MSky.ur.r
fnwofntfrotoamycdttnontnlo~rgoremoonoton-e

(Bottom righ and left) ~inr0:Ocrnoot~r~inonO~cinten'nififrn0totstffiroatnoenccrGfASS

Beach Cleanup Data c~~~traoeocein0*nnini * A Oct.
CadCntrfo 1010.fttrncoe0*lAL. ;EP A/f/A
Env~~~~~~~~~~~~~Irnmna Edcto.o a..r 0r0 Ob-C~

Strive to recruit volunteers from a wide tions can be answered, the degree of volun-
range of backgrounds. This helps establish teer interest can be gauged, and arrange-
the program's credibility and ensures coop- ments can be made for training.
eration within the community. Participant The State may wish to develop a one year,
diversity provides the bonus of educating a performance-based "contract" as one way to
greater variety of citizens in the community. ensure that those who agree to participate in
Certain types of individuals or groups the program are fully committed.
may be more suitable than others for your
particular project. Both the Chesapeake Bay Train Volunteers
Citizen Monitoring Program and the New The initial training of the volunteers is
Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program crucial. Without such training, usable, high
report failure in integrating students and quality data cannot be obtained, and volun-
youth groups into long-term monitoring teers will soon grow frustrated. A few practi-
programs because of the commitment re- cal considerations should be noted here:
quired and the need for summertime sam- 1. The coordinator should be sure to
pling. schedule the training session for a time
An attractive brochure or flier describing when most volunteers can attend-most
the overall volunteer monitoring program often an evening or a weekend. Figure 3.5
can be an effective recruitment tool. This 2. Potential monitors should be told Sample Language
brochure should include information on the beforehand how long the training will for Liability Waiver.
objectives of the program-describing the
benefit to the volunteer and to the resource--
and should explain what will be expected of FIGURE 3.5
recruits.
A letter giving more details about the
pilot project should also be developed and WAIVER
include information on: In consideration of the foregoing, I, myself, my heirs, and executors do
hereby release and discharge all Boston Harbor Monitoring Program
proposed monitoring site locations: supporting organizations for all claims, damages demands, actions, and
* project duration and length of commit- whatsoever in any manner arising or growing out of my participation in
ment required of volunteers; said monitoring program.
* sampling frequency; Signature:
* required equipment for volunteers (car
or boat); Dat
* volunteer qualifications, if any (back-
ground in laboratory techniques or Ifa volunteer is under 18years of age, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver
knowledge of aquatic biology are ideal. SRCE: Massachusetts Audubon Society 1986
However, it should be kept in mind
that setting specific volunteer qualifi-
cations will limit participation in the IMPORFNTNOTE-LIABILITY
program, possibly below an effective The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (Water Quality Bureau
minimum level). of the Division of Environmental Quality) intends that citizen volunteers
participating in this program are not acting on behalf of the Department
The letter and brochure should be sent to of Health and We any ficial capacity. As such, it is the Depart-
all identified interest groups. A short time ment's intent that citizen volunteers are not authorized to be considered
later, the State volunteer coordinator should agents, employees, or authorized representatives of the Department for
call the leaders of those groups and offer to any purpose, and that citizen volunteers are not entitled to the same
benefits enjoyed by Department employees.
Citizen volunteers must recognize the potential for injury to them-
tions about the project. If possible, the coor- selves and theirreal and personal property, and to other persons and their
dinator should develop a short slide presen- real and personal property, which may result from citizen volunteer
tation that describes the program and shows activities conducted under the Citizens Volunteer Monitoring Program.
some of the sampling equipment and tech- The Department intends that citizen volunteers expressly assume all
risks and liabilit for any injuries to, or caused by, citizen volunteers
niques. This will make it easier for potential under this Program
volunteers to determine whether or not they Citizen volunteer will be instructed in proper sampling techniques
would be interested in volunteering and are and handling of sample preservative acids. They will also be cautioned
capable of carrying out the tests. that if there is ever any doubt, they sould give safety priority over
Followup calls to the organizations that sampling. Every participant will also recive a copy of this study plan and
sampling procedures.
have been visited are essential in enlistingatty 198
volunteers. During the call, personal ques-

Figure 3.6
Figure 3.6
Example Quality Control
Exercise. The volunteers DIRECTIONS/FLOW DIAGRAM FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE EXERCISE
were divided into two
groups to avoid
congestion at any one
station. Test solutions Place thermometer in room temperature water bath
were: A - Bay water, 4
B - vinegar and water with Collect and fix 2 DO samples of Solution E
pH of 4.0, C - pH 7.0 buffer X
solution, D-ammonia and Read room temperature thermometer
water with pH of 10. X
E - container of Bay water Place thermometer in ice bath
for testing dissolved
oxygen (00). F - container
of water having no
dissolved oxygen.
diss - cooler with roomd oxygen. GROUP ApH GROUP B-Hyvdrometers
temperature water and Test and record pH units on solutions Place hydrometer in Solutions J, K, L, &
tempice ath. JKer and A, B, C, D. M: Record Specific Gravity and
H - ice bath. J, K, L, M -
hydrometer jars containing Temperature.
water of different salinity
values.
SOURCE: Chesapeake Bay Complete DO test on Solution E
Citizen Monitoring Record value and Clean up
Program. Collect and fix DO samples of Solution F

Group B- Do pH as above GROUP A-Take Hvdrometer
readings as above

Complete DO test on Solution F
Record and Clean up

BREAK

Compare data/discuss results

last and that they must plan to stay for information on the watershed, the problems
the entire session. The training session that led to the decision to undertake this
should last no longer than four hours. project, what the data will be used for, and
3. The program coordinator must have how the project will benefit the volunteers,
adequate assistance. Nothing will dis- the community and the State. More detailed
courage volunteers more than a poorly- background information can be included in
run initial training session. Generally, a the instruction manual or other written
1:5 trainer to volunteer ratio is needed to materials.
ensure that volunteers can be closely 2. A restatement of what will be expected
observed and corrected as they begin of the participants-how long the training
learning sampling techniques. Groups of session will last and how long the project is
more than 20 people are difficult to expected to continue.
manage. 3. Distribution of all equipment and an
explanation, in general terms, of its use; what
4. Any onsite (water's edge) activities
should be carried out at a location similar would constitute abuse; what items are par-
to that which the monitors will encounter ticularly fragile; replacement policy and cost;
and policy on returning the equipment at the
at their assigned sites.
end of the project.
A training session agenda should include 4. An overview of all necessary safety
the following activities: requirements. Safety measures should be
1. Presentation on the goals and objectives carefully explained in the written materials
of the project, preferably by a representative and should be brought to the attention of
of the user agency or group. This presentation volunteers at this point, emphasizing chemi-
can include why people monitor, historical cal emergency information. If boats are being

used for sampling, volunteers should be a site visit and evaluate the monitor's sam-
reminded about basic safety practices. If it is pling procedures.
necessary to collect liability waivers (see Quality control exercises should be as
Figure 3.5), pass these out and discuss the interesting as possible. There are two basic
approach the sponsoring group or agency is approaches:
taking. 1. All attendees carry out the tests on the
5. An overview of the actual monitoring same water sample with their own equipment
procedures. A slide show of step-by-step the way they do it at their site. They fill out
procedures is very helpful. and submit a data collection form with their
6. A trial run-through of the procedures. results; or Figure 3.7
Trainers should first demonstrate proper 2. All attendees read and record results
methods, then circulate among the volun- from previously set up laboratory equipment Example Quality Control
Exercise. The volunteers
teers as they practice what they have learned. and kits similar to a classroom laboratory took readings from
7. Question and answer session. practical exam. samples that were set up
The Ohio Scenic River Volunteer Moni- Data collection forms with the results around the room. The
toring Program Coordinator recommends that recorded are submitted independently. The temperature, pH, and
hydrometer samples had
participants be given a week or so to consider results can than be compared to determine hydrometer samples. The
their level of commitment after the initial bias. (See Figures 3.6 and 3.7 for examples of dissolved oxygen sample
workshop. This will screen out those who protocol and instruction sheets for QC exer- was taken from a bucket
may simply be "caught up in the moment," cises.) of water collected from a
and not actually willing to make a long-term, The results from these sessions provide a nearby tidal river.
SOURCE: Chesapeake
serious commitment to the program (Kopec measure of how well the members of the Bay Citizen Monitoring
1990). group perform and how precisely they meas- Program.

Conduct Ongoing Quality Control
Figure 3.7
Quality control (QC) is extremely impor-
tant in all monitoring programs and can be a CONTRO ADIT FORM
source of criticism in programs that use DIRECTIONS: You may take readings of the various samples in any order. This
volunteers in monitoring. The challenge for should minimize waiting.
volunteer program managers is to carry out
TEMPERATUREeepthe bulb of the thermometer in the water at all times so that the
QC exercises that assess the precision of the readings will be consistent from one person to the next. Record
data being collected but are also fun and temperature to the nearest 0.5 C.
interesting for the volunteers. Experienced
volunteer coordinators recommend turning HYDROMETER: Record four (4) decimal places on the hydrometer readings and the
these quality control sessions into educa- tempaturetothenearest50C.
tional and social opportunities for the volun- pH: cord pHto Ihnearest 0.5 unit
teers, while making sure that volunteers
understand why QC is important. Quality bDISSOLVED Do one titration using your own kit. When you rinse the sample
control sessions can be held anywhere there OXYGEN: bottle, pour the rinsewater into the jar beside the bucket and be very
is sufficient space, light, and access to a sink . m :gentle when filling theosample bottle to avoid aerating the water in
the bucket.
(for cleanup) and facility for safe waste dis-
posal. SECCHI DEPTH: (Weather Permitting) Go to the place marked on pier and take reading
The first QC session should be held
about 3-4 months after sampling begins to RESULTS
make sure that all monitors are sampling Temperature: Reading �C Thermometer#
and analyzing in a consistent fashion, and to Reading C Thermometer #
answer any questions. Thereafter, two QC Reading �C Thermometer#
sessions should be held each year if sam-
pling goes on throughout the year. If sam- : J1 reading_ Temperature___
pling is carried out on a seasonal basis, Jar #3: Hydrometerreading Temperature_ C
retraining and training sessions for new
monitors can be held at the beginning of the pH: Comparator #1 Standard Units (SU)
sampling period and a QC check session can Comparator #2 Standard Units (SU)
be scheduled for the middle of the season. : :;t;;: Standard Units SU)
Volunteers should be expected to attend Dissolved Oxygen Titration: mg/l or ppm
all scheduled sessions. If a volunteer cannot Secehi depth: m
attend at least one session a year, the coor-
dinator (or a trained assistant) should make

ure the characteristics and constituents equipment, and other materials used in the
required. pilot project. To get such feedback, coordina-
Volunteers should be expected to sample tors should prepare questionnaires to be
on a schedule agreed to when they committed distributed at the initial training session and
to participate in the program. Sampling at the end of the pilot phase.
schedules are usually missed for very basic At the end of the pilot phase, participants
reasons-sampling equipment breaks or the can be asked to critique the entire program.
Questions that may be included are:
* Did you find the instruction manual
adequate? Any suggestions for improve-
ment?
Did you have any trouble carrying out
the tests? If yes, which ones and in
what way?
What have you enjoyed most about
your involvement in this project?
- What have you enjoyed least? Sugges-
tions for improvement?
� Would you be willing to continue and
for how long?
� Did you receive enough information
about the program to allow you to get
maximum benefit from your participa-
tion? What would you like to see added?
c General suggestions for improving the
_:~. .- ----- program?
A complete report should be prepared for
the data users and the advisory committee.
Photo by Cynthia Dunn. This should include the results of the pro-
gram evaluation questionnaires, a complete
Volunteers will count monitor runs out of reagent, for example. The listing of the data collected,time-series plots
the fish caught in a coordinator should therefore keep replace- or graphs of the data, and recommendations
seine net in a marsh ment equipment and reagents on hand at all for program continuance and improvement.
creek on Port Isobel
Island, Virginia. times and send requested replacements by
return mail. The amount of reagent needed 3.2 EXPAND THE PROGRAM
for most tests can be anticipated and replace- An effective strategy for program expan-
ments can be sent before the current sup- sion will rest on the foundation laid at the
plies are depleted. The amount of a given beginning of the program. Assuming the pilot
reagent supplied at one time and the fre- project has been successful, the expansion
quency of its replacement will depend on the will consist of branching out to more sites,
reagent's shelf life. other watersheds or additional analyses. Any
Inclement weather, vacations, and other problems that have been encountered during
personal considerations may also cause the pilot project can be corrected before and
volunteers to occasionally miss sampling during program expansion.
schedules during the year. If the project's Planning for expansion should be based
data quality objectives require absolute on the results of the evaluation of the pilot
adherence to the sampling schedule, reliable project and in consultation with the advisory
substitutes should be recruited. Neighbors committee and data users.
can plan to share a site, for instance. These It will be necessary to identify sources of
substitutes should receive the same rigorous funding and to make certain that volunteers
training as the regular volunteers and should are available in the new locations. Essen-
carry out the sampling procedures every 4-6 tially, all the initial planning steps need to be
weeks. repeated to ensure an orderly and timely
expansion.
Refine Program Materials Remember that program expansion will
Volunteers can provide invaluable feed- increase the need for coordination, data
back on the effectiveness of the training, management, and analysis at the project's

central office. It may require additional staff Here are some hints on getting media
or more of the principal staff person's time. coverage:
Experienced volunteers may be recruited to Metropolitan newspapers. Mass-circu-
assume tasks connected with the coordina- lation dailies are not strong on commu-
tion of the ongoing project (including recruit- nity news but they are always interested
ment of new volunteers) and summer interns in good feature stories. If you know a
may be helpful, particularly for projects that member of the newsroom staff, that's a
sample only in the summer months. It is good place to start. If you don't have a
important to bear in mind that program personalcontact, ask for the "news desk."
expansion brings with it the responsibility to Present the monitoring program as a do-
maintain program continuation at the in- it-yourself environmental project or offer
creased level. Volunteers are just that- vol- another element of interest that may be
unteers. They can't always be relied upon to the "hook" for a feature story. Large
carry the burden of program expansion. papers use their own staff to write fea-
Contingency plans must be developed to tures and take pictures, but they will
provide personnel backups. need basic background information, other
contacts, and promising locations for
3.3 MAKE THE MOST OF THE MEDIA photos. Gasper River Water
Watch Group after stream
There's "news" in citizen monitoring. Television news. The "news desk" is an cleanup, Bowling Green,
These volunteer programs may not generate appropriate contact at television stations, Kentucky.
stories that play on page one or lead off the
evening news broadcast, but sponsoring i 1
organizations can still put the media to prac- .
tical use in furthering project goals.
Publicity may be helpful in recruiting
volunteers needed to start or expand a moni-
toring program. News or feature stories about
citizen monitoring also draw public attention
to water quality issues and help get across
the idea that environmental protection is s i by
everybody's job.
It is not necessary to be a polished public
relations professional to be successful in
working with the media, but it is necessary to
take the initiative. Reporters are not likely to Photo courtesy of Kentucky Water Watch Project
come looking for a story; a program spokes-
person probably will have to make the first tthe visual side of the story as
move. That spokesperson may be either the t io ns atua ni oa-
State coordinator or a dedicated volunteer. tions, actual monitoring operations, ar-
Before making the first move, it is impor- ticulate volunteers to explain what they
tant to take a look at the media serving the are doing. Be willing to make arrange-
community. News outlets will probably in- m en t s that fit the schedule of a camera
clude a large metropolitan daily newspaper, crew.
smaller dailies, television stations, rural or Smaller daily or weekly newspapers.
suburban weeklies and newsletters distrib- Smaller papers, with fewer reporters, are
uted by companies or community groups. more receptive to articles submitted by
These news organizations differ in their needs community groups. Remember that local
and interests, but have many similarities, papers want local news. Include as many
No matter which news organization you names as reasonable. Stress the "grass
are approaching, be prepared before you call roots" elements of the monitoring proj-
or visit. Be able to provide concrete details ect. Provide photographs if available.
about what citizen monitors do and where Newsletters. Organizational or corpo-
they are doing it. Be able to supply volun- rate newsletters can be the channel of
teers' names (be sure about the spelling) and choice when you want to reach a specific
addresses. Ages and occupations can be of audience with a specific message, i.e., to
interest, too. Have phone numbers handy in entice additional volunteers into a moni-
case a reporter wants to follow up with other toring program. Tell the newsletter editor
participants. why his or her help is needed, and pro-

U *IIII Eli I ll :* * OII l

vide the item you'd like printed. Keep it or sections pertinent to their waterbody.
short unless the editor invites a longer 3. Prepare a regular newsletter. Volun-
submission. Include a name and phone teers need to be contacted regularly, so it is
number where readers can call for more better to prepare an informal newsletter that
information. can be sent out often, rather than a more time
consuming, slick publication. The newsletter
3.4 MAINTAIN VOLUNTEER INTEREST AND should contain information on new or changed
MOTIVATION sampling techniques, articles on the ecology
Once good volunteers are recruited and of the study area, and particularly interesting
trained, the program manager must work interim results. The volunteers should be
hard to keep the volunteers interested and encouraged to submit articles, and can be
enthusiastic about their sampling efforts. An recruited for editing and layout.
example provided by the Kentucky Water 4. Be easily accessible for questions and
Watch illustrates this point. requests. Give volunteers a phone number
In a 1986 pilot study, the Kentucky where they can always leave a message (use
program compared the performance of two the State "Hot-line" if one exists, or install an
groups, one which had actively requested answering machine on a local line). Respond
monitoring duties and one which had been to calls promptly: provide volunteers with the
asked to participate. The groups were pro- information they request. Do not give the
vided with varying levels of support based on volunteers the bureaucratic run-around
their initial interest in monitoring. The group ("Who you really need to talk to is .....").
that had requested monitoring duties re- 5. Provide volunteers with educational
ceived little contact following training, lost opportunities. Be available to speak at civic
interest rapidly, and did not submit data. In organizations when requested. Provide vol-
contrast, the group that had been recruited unteers with meetings and regular work-
was telephoned at least once each month to shops where guest speakers can explain
acknowledge receipt of sampling results and environmental sampling techniques or pro-
to discuss the data; this goup submitted data vide information on environmental policies
for ten of the twelve sampling periods. pertinent to the sampling effort. Potluck
Successful monitoring programs devote dinners and picnics are nice ways to get
significant resources to activities designed to volunteers to meet and interact with each
motivate their volunteers. For example: other.
1. Send volunteers regular data reports. 6. Keep the local media informed of the
Data received from volunteers should be goals and findings of the monitoring effort.
reviewed and entered into a data base as Prepare news releases covering major pro-
quickly as possible. At least twice a year, gram activities such as annual meetings,
volunteers should be sent data summaries annual training retreats, or the expansion of
and time series plots showing their data and the program to a new watershed. Encourage
data collected by nearby volunteers. The data media coverage of all activities but be sure to
should be checked for errors and volunteers keep the tone of the articles upbeat and
should provide the manager with informa- positive. The media provide visibility for re-
tion on missing data points or misrepre- cruiting new volunteers and lobbying for
sented data. increased funding. Volunteers also like to
2. Keep volunteers informed about all see their efforts appreciated by the local com-
uses of their data. Volunteers should know munity.
ahead of time how their data will be used. If 7. Recognize the volunteers' efforts. Define
they are contributing to a long-term data the most appropriate recognition techniques
base, prepare annual data summaries show- for your volunteers and your program. Some
ing the current condition of the waterbody programs provide volunteers with awards for
compared to its previous condition. If the continued dedication to the sampling effort,
data are used for acute problem identifica- while other programs find that awards and
tion, send the volunteers information on areas souvenirs are not appropriate to their
where problems have been found. Explain participants.
how the volunteer data helped identify the 8. Provide volunteers opportunities to
water quality issue. If the data are being used "grow" with the program through additional
to supplement the State 305(b) report (as, for training, learning opportunities, and chang-
example, in Rhode Island, Minnesota and I1- ing responsibilities.
linois), send volunteers copies of the report,

51:
~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~o

Pil ~ IIN

~~~~ . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ w

Despite the performance of many success- sampling schemes, study designs, and ana-
ful volunteer monitoring programs, there is lytical schemes to establish their relevance to
still some skepticism in the scientific and the quality required by these users? How
technical community that volunteers can have the needs of the data users been trans-
make positive contributions to environmental lated into the study design in the broadest
data bases. An important element in over- sense?"
coming this skepticism is to demonstrate A general description of the project should
that volunteer monitors can provide credible be provided in this section, including the
information. experimental design. Describe exactly what
To ensure that credible data are collected will be sampled with an explanation of how
and used, it is necessary that data be quality the decision was made. Site locations should
assured and adequately documented. This be identified by latitude and longitude. It may
chapter provides "how-to" information for be difficult to predetermine site locations
preparing a Quality Assurance Project Plan until all volunteers are recruited. In that
(QAPjP) and for providing data documenta- case, state any site selection criteria that will
tion. A QAPjP states the program objectives, be used and explain the general type of site
organization, monitoring procedures, and that will be sought.
specific quality assurance and quality control 4. Project Organization and Responsibil-
activities designed to achieve the data quality ity . State the identified structure or organi-
goals of the program. zation responsible for the implementation of
A Data Documentation Form should be the program. A flow chart may be helpful
filed with the data base. This form provides here. Identify individuals responsible for the
details about why, where, how and under following as appropriate to the project's stated
what circumstances the data were collected. objectives:
Elements that should be included in such a * Overall QA/QC
form are discussed in Section 4.2.
This chapter also includes a discussion * Sampling and sampling QC
of data analysis and presentation methods * Analytical work and analytical QC
that have been successfully used by existing * Data processing and data processing
volunteer monitoring programs. QC
* Data review
4.1 PREPARE A QUALITY ASSURANCE * Program reviews
PROJECT PLAN Determine what qualifications are re-
Careful thought given to preparing and quired for participants, if any, and what
implementing a thorough Quality Assurance provisions will be made for initial and routine
Project Plan (QAPjP) will ensure that quality training
data are provided by the volunteer monitor-
ing program. The QAPjP format includes 16 5. QA Objectives. For each major measure-
elements, discussed below. If a particular ment parameter, list the QA objectives (de-
element is not relevant to the project, a brief rived from the Data Quality Objectives) for
explanation of why it is not relevant should be precision, accuracy, representativeness, com-
included. (For detailed guidance on QAPJP pleteness, and comparability. The program
preparation, refer to USEPA 1980b and USEPA should be set up to produce data that are "in
1988.) control" and "of known quality," i.e. data for
which the accuracy, bias and precision have
1. Title Page. The title page should include been determined.
names of the project officer, the immediate objectives summarized
supervisor, the funding organization and a table as shown in Table 4-1.
anyone else who has major responsibility for
the project. 6. Sampling Procedures. Decide which
parameters can be monitored by volunteers.
2. Table of Contents is a listing of the in- Existing programs have monstrated that
Existing programs have demonstrated that
most parameters, including those requiring
3. Project Description. The purpose of the complicated sampling procedures, can be
project should be clearly stated. This identi- accurately monitored by volunteers if the
fled purpose, which sets the pace for all that recruitment process targets citizens with the
follows, should address questions such as: appropriate level of expertise (see New York
"Will these data be used and, if so, by whom? program profile in the Appendix). The overall
Have the data users evaluated the proposed program goal will determine whether

...............; .. L _-mTABLE 4.1 ....

PRECISION AND ACCURACY OBJECTIVES
PARAMETER METHODI/RANGE UNITS SENSITIVITY* PRECISION ACCURACY CALIBRATION

Temperature Thermometer 0C 0.5C 1.0 +0.5 with NBS Certified
-5.0� to +45� Thermometers

pH Color Comparator Standard Orion Field
Wide-Range pH units 0.5 units 0.6 A0.4 pH Meter
Narrow-Range 0.1 ?** �0.2 Beckman
pH Meter

Salinity Hydrometer parts per 0.1 0/00 +1.0 +0.82 Certified Salinity
thousand 0/00 Hydrometer Set

Dissolved Micro Winkler mg/I 0.1 mg/l �0.9 �0.3*** Standard
Oxygen Titration Winkler & Y.S.I. DO
Meter

Limit of Secchi meters 0.05m NA NA NA
Visibility Disk Depth

Note: The criteria used to judge completeness of data are addressed in Section 5.
*Determined by the increments measurable with the stated method reflecting estimation where allowed.
**Lack of sufficient data at present.
Source: Chesapeake Bay Citizen
*Paired t analysis (.=0.05, 3 d.f.) of the standard deviation of the mean difference between 4 paired determinations. Monitoring Program

parameters that can be measured accurately b. Procedures and forms for recording TABLE 4.1
and precisely are favored over less the exact location and specific consid-
sophisticated parameters that can be erations associated with sample acquisi- Objectives. A volunteer
monitored by a larger constituency of tion. monitoring program
volunteers. Consider the level of expertise c. Documentation of specific sample pres- should be set up to
needed to perform sampling, the time ervation methproduce data that are
requirements, cost of sampling equipment, of known quality and
d, Pre-prepared sample labels contain- for which the accuracy,
and the level of public interest associated ing all infoation necessary for effective bias, and precision have
ing all information necessary for effective bias, and precision have
with a parameter. In general, it is better totracking. been determined. This
start with parameters that require simple table shows an example
monitoring procedures. After successful e. Standardized field tracking reporting of the quality assurance
completion of a sampling season, experienced forms to establish sample custody in the objectives determined for
volunteers can be trained to carry out more field prior to shipment or delivery. monitoring program.
complex tests. This also helps maintain B. Laboratory Operations including:
volunteer interest. a. Identification of who will be sample
7. Sample Custody. Sample custody is a custodian at the laboratory facility and
critical part of any good laboratory or field op- will be authorized to sign for incoming
eration. Where samples may be needed for field samples.
legal purposes, "chain-of-custody" procedures b. Provision for a laboratory sample cus-
must be used. As a minimum, the following tody log consisting of serially numbered
sample custody procedures should be ad- standard lab-tracking report sheets.
dressed in QA planning: c. Specification of laboratory sample
A. Field Sampling Operations including: custody procedures for sample handling,
a. Documentation of procedures for storage, and dispersal for analysis.
preparation of reagents or supplies that 8. Calibration Procedures and Frequency
become an integral part of the sample Test all proposed procedures and sampling
(i.e., filters and absorbing reagents). protocols in the field. Determine the accuracy

and precision of monitoring equipment and lab; which days of the week to sample (to
protocol by comparing the results obtained enable the samples to arrive at the lab before
with volunteer equipment to the data gener- ice packs lose their effectiveness); and labo-
ated by standard laboratory equipment. De- ratory procedures for labeling and storing
termine what calibration needs to be done on samples, and for recording data. Existing
the lab and field equipment. Maintain log programs (New York and Illinois) provide
books or data sheets of calibration activities. volunteers with pre-labeled sample vials
Keep a good record of equipment mainte- containing preservatives and rely upon ice
nance and repairs. State what standards or packs to refrigerate samples in the mail dur-
reference materials will be used in the project's ing transport to the lab. Laboratory analysis
quality control program. procedures should follow standard, EPA-
approved methodologies such as Standard
9. Analytical Procedures. Be sure to docu Methods for Water and Wastewater 7Teat-
ment any analytical procedures. Describe the ment (APHA AWWA & WPCF 1985) or Hand-
chemistry of non-standard methods used
chemistry of non-standard methods used book for Analytical Quality Control in Water
and reference the method number and book andWastewaterLaboratories (USEPA 1979).
and WastewaterLaboratories (USEPA 1979).
for accepted standard methods used.
If samples are sent to a State laboratory 10. Data Reduction, Validation, and
for analysis, a processing protocol must be Reporting. This element addresses the ac-
designed to avoid contamination and delays tivities involved in an overall data manage-
which could alter laboratory results. The ment plan.
protocol should specify how samples will be Prepare standard data sheets that can be
preserved and packaged for transport to the folded into thirds and mailed without an
envelope, or on self-addressed post cards.
The following data management recommendations were Include the mailing address of the program
made by Illinois Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program staff coordinator on the data sheet, and decide if
based on seven years of experience refiningtheir data man- the data should be mailed into the central
agement system: office as soon as it is collected, or all together
at the end of the sampling season. Proce-
* Organize data by waterbody identification numbers as- dures for logging-in the data as it arrives at
signed for 305(b) assessments rather than by inconsistent lake the central office must also be developed, so
names. that delinquent volunteers can be identified
and contacted to improve performance.
* Avoid the use of separate data coding procedures by de- Data management software must be
veloping PC software with data entry screens similarto the data installed and tested prior to program
forms submitted by volunteers. implementation to avoid the time-consuming
process of switching from a manual to a
* Enter the data into a PC system with editing capabilities computerized data management system. The
to facilitate corrections. software should be capable of performing the
selected statistical analyses, and of producing
* Develop a program to upload the data from the PC file graphs, charts, and tables to ease report
into STORET. Within STORET, statistical analysis can be per- writing and reduce staff workloads. Most
formed with packages such as SAS (Statistic Analysis Sys- State-managedvolunteerprograms use some
tern). type of spreadsheet (e.g.Lotus) or a data base
manager (e.g. dBASE) to store and manipulate
* Store the data under a unique STORE agency code to their data.
distinguish the data collected byvluneers fro the data col- When the coordinator (or other person
lected by STATE personnel. responsible for data management) receives a
data report from the volunteer monitor, the
* Two phases to data verification are recommended. First, data should be processed using procedures
the entered data must be checked against the volunteer data developed and agreed upon during the plan-
sheets. Then the data should be plotted to detect outliers, ning stages of the project. Critical steps in-
which often indicate recording errors such as reporting meis- elude the following:
urements in incorrect units, orassigning a to the a. As soon as possible after receipt, screen
wrong sampling site. Volunteers should keep separate log the data sheet thoroughly, checking for er-
sheets for reference to resolve questions about data. rors in identification numbers, decimal place-
(Survey 1989, Bums) ment, dates, time, units reported, illegible
handwriting in comment section, etc. The

volunteer monitor should be contacted by
phone or letter to straighten out any prob-
lems noted at this point while the information
is still fresh in his or her mind. The volunteer
monitor should be contacted if there are data
gaps or if scheduled sampling times appear
to have been missed. Every attempt should
be made to screen out inaccurate data before
they are entered into the computer data base.
This step will also help the coordinator keep
track of volunteer participation.
b. Submit the edited forms for data entry.
c. Carry out data verification on the com-
puterized data. Data should be printed out in
list form and in plots. The list should be
checked against the original data sheets;
plots should be examined for outliers so that
simple recording mistakes (such as assign-
ing data to the incorrect sampling site, re-
porting incorrect units, or improperly placing
decimals) can be identified.
d. Submit corrections to data entry staff.
After corrections are entered, a second ex-
amination should be made to verify that
corrections were completed.
e. Declare the data to be "clean" or veri-
fled and transmit to the data user, EPA's
water quality information system (STORET),
or other designated data base. Large com-
puter data sets can be run through range Photo by John Bildahl
checks to help identify inaccuracies and Ways to assure the quality of the data set Quality Control is an
anomalies that should be checked against include running duplicate samples, sending important part of all

data are values that are simply not believ- ter. twice a year to compare
able, such as a salinity recording of 322.0 techniques and results.
parts per thousand or a water temperature of 12. Performance and System Audits. A
209.0 degrees C. systems audit consists of an evaluation of all
Anomalies, on the other hand, are true components of the measurement system-
data which depart from the "typical" and the equipment, personnel, and procedures-
therefore fall outside acceptable limits of to determine their proper selection and use.
defined range checks. In some cases, the Such an audit includes a careful evaluation
anomaly may be understood in combination of both field and laboratory quality control
with data recorded in another data set. Ex- procedures. An audit should be performed
amples of anomalous data are an extremely prior to or shortly after the project begins and
high concentration of dissolved oxygen in periodically thereafter during the lifetime of
warm water during an algal bloom or an the project. This should include a review of
atypical Secchi measurement due to floods or the program as a whole and the work of the
heavy rains (USEPA 1989]. individuals performing the sample collection
and analysis.
11. Internal Quality Control Checks. The These activities are basically the same as
approach to quality control will depend on the internal QC checks detailed in the previ-
the type of project and parameters being ous section. It is a good idea to bring in an
tested. A variety of QC activities can be outside auditor (this might be the EPA Re-
carried out at retraining and QC sessions. gional Quality Assurance Officer (QAO) or
(Refer to Chapter 3, "Conduct Ongoing Qual- state QAO) at least once a year to take a fresh
ity Control."] look at your QC protocol and performance.

13. Preventive Maintenance. The following 15. Corrective Action. Corrective action
types of preventive maintenance items should procedures include the following elements:
be addressed in a QA plan: a. the predetermined limits for data ac-
a. a schedule of important preventive ceptability beyond which corrective ac-
maintenance tasks that must be carried tion is required.
out to minimize gaps in the data. This b. procedures for corrective action (i.e.,
might include backup monitors when decision to throw out data, definition of
Trustom Pond is one people are ill or on vacation. outliers).
of several ecologically outlers).
fragile salt ponds found b. the supplntity of the individual responsible
along Rhode Island's to be kept on hand with a schedule for for initiating the corrective action and
southern coast. issuing fresh chemicals periodically. then approving it.
c. assignment of an assistant (who can
c. assignment of an assistant (who can 16. Quality Assurance Reports. The QAPjP
be a volunteer) to contact monitors who should provide a mechanism for periodic
do not submit data sheets on time. should provide a mechanism for periodic
reporting to the data user, and the
individual(s) responsible for preparing these
reports should be identified. As a minimum,
these reports should include:
a. periodic assessment of data accuracy,
precision, and completeness.
b. results of any QC sessions and audits.
c. significant QA problems and recom-
mended solutions.
In summary, quality assurance and
quality control should be a continuous proc-
ess implemented throughout the entire
monitoring program. As with any scientific
endeavor, quality must be assured before the
results can be accepted. Quality assurance is
accomplished through establishment of thor-
ough participant training, protocol guide-
lines, comprehensive field and lab data docu-
mentation and management, verification of
data reproducibility, and instrument calibra-
tion.

4.2 PREPARE A DATA DOCUMENTATION
FILE
Careful and thorough documentation of
the data base ensures that it can be used with
confidence and is especially critical for vol-
unteer monitoring programs. Any water
quality data collected by volunteers may be
used by a State in its surface water assess-
ment reports to USEPA. Therefore, the codes
used in data entry and storage should be
compatible with those used in STORET or in
other relevant data sets. Data that will be
Photo by Jon Boothroyd entered into a State (or other formal) data
14. Specific Routine Procedures Used To base should be accompanied by appropriate
Assess Data Precision, Accuracy, and Com- documentation.
pleteness. The routine procedures used Elements that should be included in a
should be included in the QA Plan. These data documentation file include:
procedures should include the equations to a. Data set name, project title, name(s) of
calculate precision and accuracy and the the individual(s) responsible for the data
methods used to carry out any calibration collection, name of collecting organiza-
and comparability studies. tion, and program sponsor.

b. A statement of the purpose of the data Data analysis and reporting need not be
collection and, when available, the re- overly sophisticated. In fact, selecting a level
suits and conclusions. This element can of interpretation appropriate to the problem
be designed to capture all other docu- at hand is a sign of good management. The
mentation that cannot be placed in other ideas below are presented at increasing levels
fields, such as key equations used to of sophistication and are intended to give an
generate reported values. overview of the ways data collected by volun-
c. A description of the type of observation teers have been and are being analyzed.
stations (buoy, pier, shore, boat) includ- The monitoring objectives established at
ing the number of stations or sites and the outset of a volunteer program will deter-
number of observations. mine the types of data analysis that should
d. Period of record (year/month/day) be performed. Thorough analysis of the col-
and hour (if applicable) of first and last lected data requires staff time and resources,
observation. Length of record showing and should always be included in the initial
any breaks in the records of data col- program planning. Remember that volun-
lected over a period of time. If significant, teers need to see their data being used. A
volunteer program will only succeed if the
specify when variables were added or
dropped. data are evaluated, interpreted, and relayed
back to the citizen volunteers.
e. A list of geographic place names, geo- Since many volunteer programs are
graphic codes (Eco-Region codes, USGS, designed to collect long-term, baseline water
Hydrologic unit codes, STORET codes, quality information, in-depth interpretation
State codes). Include the latitude/longi- of the data must wait until the program has
tude coordinates of the study and the been active for several years. However, each
station names, identification number, year's data should be plotted, reviewed, and
and description of location and grid loca- discussed for the benefit of the volunteers.
tors of individual sites/stations. State volunteer program managers must
f. The sampling schedule for data col- be prepared to present data to both in-house
lected with regular periodicity. technical staff and non-technical volunteers.
g. A list of the water quality indicators/ The two audiences require very different
parameters, the methods used to meas- presentation styles.
ure them and their USEPA method iden- The purpose of this section is to intro-
tification codes. This should be followed duce new volunteer program managers to
by a description of the method. Be sure to effective data presentation techniques di-
include units of measurement and detec- rected at the lay volunteers. Examples of
tion limits. Include information on preci- these techniques, drawn from existing volun-
sion, accuracy, and replicate sampling, if teer programs, are discussed below.
available.
h. Any special quality assurance and Maps
quality control procedures used during It is always useful to develop maps of the
data collection, analysis, and/or key- watersheds and waterbodies included in your
punching (USEPA 1989). sampling program. The maps can be copies of
USGS, State, or county maps, or can be
4.3 ANALYZE AND PRESENT DATA drawn by hand. The maps should display the
It is essential that volunteer monitoring physical characteristics of the waterbody (and
program managers include provision for data watershed, in some cases) and should be
analysis and reporting in their initial project kept up to date with the location of sampling
planning. Enough staff time must be com- stations. Include stations sampled by other
mitted in advance to carry out these impor- groups and agencies as well as the stations
tant elements of the overall program, avoid- managed by the volunteer program. Stations
ing the "let's just get the data now and figure should be numbered and clearly defined on
out how to analyze it later" attitude. It is also the map or in a separate index.
important to ensure that any information These maps will be used throughout the
released to the public is absolutely accurate, monitoring effort. They will help the coordi-
especially where a State-administered pro- nator locate new sampling sites, and can be
gram is involved. Misinformation and invalid used in publications summarizing the re-
data interpretation can be very damaging to suits of the sampling program. Maps also aid
the program. the person responsible for analyzing the col-

Figure 4.1

Maps showing the Rhode Island Salt Pond Watchers Program
location of water Point Judith Pond
chemistry and bacteria
collection stations on if ! .I
Point Judith Pond,
Rhode Island Salt Pond CT': :
Watchers Volunteer Point . J
Monitoring Program.

Atlantic Ocean

Point Judith Pond

� Water Chemistry Statio n
A Bacteria Station

quality. the State's southern shore. (Further details

In 1985, the Universi ty of Rhode Island of this program are in Chapter 1.) Figure 4.1
characteristic t at ma nlecewtrgoskona al odwici ln

ing sampling stations for chemistry and bac-
teria in one of these ponds, Point Judith. FIGURE4.2
Ohio Stream QualitlyMonitoring Program
Ohio's Department of Natural Resources. ; OhioStreamQua LittMe aryCrek SP tions
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves,
sponsors a stream monitoring program (see B CAE: :
BIG DARBY CREEK
Appendix) using volunteers to collect and 2.7 Sierra Club. Cent Oio Chap.,
analyze macroinvertebrate populations col- Columbus udubn Society
3.7 SierraClub, Cent. OhioChap.
lected with a simplified "kick seine" tech- 17.5 SierraClub,Cent.OhioChap
nique. Maps are effectively used (see Figure ' 5C a 20.3 ODNR (ONAP
4.2) in the program's annual reports to dis- UniOn-. 21650DNR(DNAP)
Madison CO, 26.9 GroveCitySr. Citizens;OurLadyof
play the location of sites sampled by both , Perpe tua Help Schoole Timberlakers
volunteers and the State. 31.1 Hiliard Elementary; GrveCiyH.S.;
BatellelDarby MstroPark
4 3.4 32.0 Wesoland HS.; Balelie-Darby Metropark
Graphs 360 ODNR DNAP)
Most successful volunteer programs find 37.8 37.8 GSA-Carp Keneckely
43.4 Hitliard High School
that simple graphs showing the variation of 6 36.0 55.6 MarysHilleHighSchool
measured water quality parameters over time 3.7 320
and space are informative and easy for the 31.1
citizen volunteers to interpret. Graphs also
UiEDARS�CREEK 2 i 2$.9
help the volunteer program manager verify 3.7 CeAtR hiEAngler Hurs Club
the incoming data, and often suggest meth- ' '2etersoioHighSchoo -- ' -- Franklin Co.
ods for a more thorough analysis. .1 -WeaffennnghSch o 2165 203 PickawayCo.
Volunteer lake monitoring program re- 14 1NR ) 175
ports often summarize Secchi depth data in
plots using a graphic disk as illustrated in i
Figure 4.3. Plots provide a quick view of the
variation of Secchi depth over the sampling 27
period and are easily understood by technical
as well as non-technical audiences.
River monitoring data can be visually
interpreted using graphs showing water

--M'| VI "-� "W ii ?? -Ef"F~.�R'W�~ ~- i;;- -- - 'B"-Z''& 9`' R i- a t FIGURE 4.2
FIRGURE4.3
Wisconsin Self-Help Lake Monitoring Program Ohio Stream Quality
Devil's Lake-Sauk County Monitoring Stations on
Secchi Disk Depth-1986 Big Darby Creek and
0 Little Darby Creek.
II-:-~~~~~~~~ - ~~~~Location of stations
sampled by volunteers
and State employees
are shown.
i 10B~ t II - _ _ _ _ : SOURCE: Lewis and
-,=E�3,igit65d tII;dd;E;2;� _ . _ _ _ Kopec 1986.

~:" s g - 'i- - --"-

for Devil's Lake, Sauk
County, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Self-Help Lake
Monitoring Program.
Graphic presentation
IC_- WRM~~~~g ~~~w 9~ CMAY~ ~ JUN's~~~ _NJUL~~ Ig~ qof the Secchi disk data
J 1 UG N SEP I OCT I NV Idepicts a disk being
lowered into the water
Date column.
SOURCE: Rumery 1987.

FIGURE 4A4 quality on the y-axis and river miles on the x-
Kentucky Water Watch Stream Monitoring Program axis. If the river is affected by pollution, these
Pond Creek Basin plots often suggest where the impact is oc-
pH on 30 August 1987 curring and show whether the river is recov-
10 ering. The plots also allow volunteers to
9 POOR RANGE] examine how their data relate to other data
collected by the program. Figure 4.4 shows
8- pH data collected by Kentucky's Water Watch
GOOD RANGE volunteers in the Pond Creek Basin (Cooke
7 - 1988). The graph effectively displays the vari-
ation of pH along the creek, clearly displaying
�6
the zone of degradation.

4- Charts
Bar charts can be used to display the
[ spatial or temporal changes in data. Volun-
teers for Michigan's Tip of the Mitt Watershed
2- PO Council Volunteer Lake Monitoring program
measure Secchi disk depth and take samples
for chlorophyll analysis throughout the
summer. These data are used to calculate an
SITE 1 SITE 2 SITE 3 [ SITE 4 [ SITE 5 SITE 6 SITE 7 average trophic state number for each lake. A
UPSTREAM DOWNSTREAM bar chart is used in the program's 1986
Water Quality Report to summarize the vari-

FIGURE 4.4

pH of water at seven sites
in the Pond Creek Basin
sampled on 30 August FGR .
1987abymvoluntees on 3sth Michigan Inland Lake Self-Help Program and Tip of the
Kentucky volnteersn atche Mitt Watershed Council's Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program
KentuckyWam tering WatTrophic Status Index of Crooked Lake
Stream Monitoring
Program.
SOURCE: Cooke 1988. 55

-e Eutrophic
50-

E 45-

40-
Mesotrophic
C/)
CL 35-
0a.

FIGURE 4.5
30-
Trophic Status Index of
Crooked Lake in northern
Michigan from 1974 to25- Oligotrophic
1986. Data was collected
by volunteers participating 74 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
in the Inland Lake Sell-
Help Program, Michigan Year
Department of Natural
Resources and the Tip of
the Mitt Watershed
Council's Volunteer Lake
Monitoring Program.
SOURCE: McLennon 1986.

FIGURE 4.6
FIGURE 4.6 Charts show the
Kentucky Water Watch Stream Monitoring Program expenses by category
PROJECT EXPENSE BUDGET and the funding sources
for the Kentucky Water
Printing Watch Stream Monitoring
TelephonelOffice $1,000 Program.
Overhead SOURCE: Cooke 1988.
$2,000
Testing Equipment
$6,500

Salary Allocation
$8,000
Travel
TOTAL $2,500
$20,000

PROJECT FUNDS BY SOURCE
Private

106 G. Federal
Public Participation

State Funds

205 J Federal
Water Quality Planning

ation in trophic state over time (Figure 4.5). ences. The Illinois Lakes Lay Monitoring
Pie charts are easy to construct, and program manager uses volunteer-collected
effectively summarize information about the Secchi depth data to calculate Trophic State
volunteer monitoring program. Pie charts Indices (TSI), and has effectively summa-
have been used by Kentucky's Water Watch rized that data using a pie chart (Figure 4.7).
program to summarize funding sources and
project expenditures (Figure 4.6). The charts Box Plots
are simple and easy to interpret and are Although not currently used by any vol-
suitable for both technical and lay audi- unteer programs that were reviewed for this

FIGURE4.7 document, the box plot can summarize a
Illinois Lakes Lay Monitoring Program large amount of information about a set of
Trophic State Indices of Illinois Lakes in 1986 data and is becoming a professional standard
for describing data. The box plot can be
useful for technical audiences interested in
70 and above interpreting the data but can also be readily
0(8.9%lllkk) Agoexplained to a lay person [Tukey (1977) and
McGill, et al. (1978)1. The box plot (see Fig.
4.8) is constructed from the order statistics,
and visually displays the data's median, vari-
50 to <60 ability, and skew. It also provides informa-
(31.5%) tion on the size of the data set and the
statistical significance of differences between
60to<70 medians. The box plot is an informative
(38.50/,)
method for graphical presentation and com-
parison of one or more sets of data on the
same variable.
FIGURE 4.7 N

Trophic State Indices for The steps below, described in Reckhow and Chapia (1983), may be followed to construct a box plot for a
Summary of trophic state set of data on a single variable:
indices was based on 1. Order the data from the lowest to highest.
Secchi depth data 2. Plot the lowest and highest values on the graph as short horizontal lines. These are the extreme values
collected by volunteers of the data set and represent the data range.
participating in the
Illinois Volunteer Lake 3. Determine the 75 percent value (upper quartile) and 25 percent value (lower quartile) of the data set.
Monitoring Program. These values define the interquartile range and represent the location of the top and bottom lines of
SOURCE: Hawes 1987. the box. Using vertical lines, connect the highest value with the upper quartile and the lowest value
with the lower quartile.
4. Plot the median as a dashed horizontal line within the box.
5. Select a scale so the width of the boxrepresents the sample size, or the size of thedata set used to
construct each box. For example, the box width that describes a data set of 20 values an be displayed
twice as wide as a data set of 10 values Alternatively,the ay be set as proportional to the
square root of the sample size. (Any proportional scheme can be used as long as it is consistently
applied.
6. Determine the height of the notch (in the box at the median) based on the statistical significance of the
median:

where lupper quartilelower quartile

With this mathematical definition of the heights, the not in the provides an approximate 95%
confidence interval for comparison of box medians. Therefore, when the nothes for any two boxes
overlap in a vertical sense, these medians areot signifi cantlydifferent at about the 95% level.

�~ ~ ~_Maximum Value

FIGURE 4.8
Box Plot Construction. -
These steps may be Upper Quartile
followed to construct a = Notch ] Mdian Range
box plot for a set of data Height iInterquartile
on a single variable. l
Adapted from Reckhowower uartile
and Chapia 1983. _ Minimum Value
n :0nsamplesiz~e00;;0t00 : :

Liii~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

t~~~o

I l I I

The experience of many State-managed program areas in State sponsored programs:
volunteer monitoring programs has shown � Staff salaries and fringe benefits
that citizen monitoring is cost-effective but * Office overhead, including phone us-
not free. It is a common misconception that age, postage, and duplicating
citizen monitoring programs only require * Travel expenses to train volunteers,
start-up funding and then become self-suffi- perform quality assurance checks, and
cient. In fact, the withdrawal of funding after promote the program
one or two years is the most commonly
reported reason for failure of volunteer proj- broken equipment, an d refilling chemi-
ects. broken equipment, and refilling chemi-
cal supplies
Successful programs require staff dedi-
cated to ongoing efforts to motivate volun- * Laboratory analysis
teers and ensure that data quality goals are * Data management, including data en-
Robertson measure the met year in and year out. Prior to implement- try, storage, and retrieval
pH of the Mattaponi River ing any volunteer monitoring program, States � Data analysis, including costs of statis-
in Virginia. should review and adjust program objectives tical packages such as SAS
� Printing costs for annual reports and
newsletters
� Other activities, such as conferences
Nine States with volunteer monitoring
programs were surveyed to assess the real
costs of these programs. The results are
summarized in Table 5-1. Total program
budgets range from $15,000 to $127,000
with the majority of volunteer programs having
annual budgets between $20,000 and
$50,000.The broad range of budget estimates
reflects differences in program scope, pa-
i rameter selection, and administrative needs.
Since it is often difficult to separate expenses
associated with a volunteer monitoring pro-
gram from other State program expenses, the
figures in Table 5-1 are "best guess" esti-
mates. Each State surveyed also had a unique
methodology for estimating costs. For ex-
ample, Illinois explicitly includes overhead
costs of 62% on staff salaries, while many
programs do not include overhead costs and
thus appear less expensive to operate. Keep-
Photo by CynthiaDunn ing these limitations in mind, the budget
so they can be achieved with the available estimates provide a range of potential pro-
resources. gram costs.
This chapter outlines various categories The following paragraphs address each
of expenses and the range of costs associated of the cost categories outined in Table 5-1.
with different types of volunteer programs.
The chapter concludes with a discussion of Staff Costs
options for funding a citizen monitoring pro- Staff salaries are generally the single
gram and techniques for reducing program most expensive item in volunteer monitoring
costs. program budgets. At least one full-time coor-
dinator is recommended to start a program,
5.1 PROGRAM EXPENSES and additional part-time personnel may be
A recent compilation of costs associated required during the sampling. Additional staff
with citizen monitoring programs has been costs, such as employee benefits and office
developed by the Chesapeake Bay Citizens overhead, are often overlooked but should be
Monitoring Program (Ellett 1988). This com- recognized. Staffing requirements vary de-
plete list of costs includes the following cate- pending on the program size and the number
gories, many of which are "hidden" in other and complexity of monitoring parameters

TABLE 5.1
Number of Number of Sampling CITIZEN MONITORING PROGRAM BUDGETS Printing
Monitored Sampling Frequency Lab and Other
State Waterbodies' Sites (Duration) Parameters Total Costs2 Staff3 Equipment4 Analysis Postage Travel Costss

IL 150 L 450 2/month Secchi depth $127,000* $63,000 $4,000* $20,000 $40,000
(May-Oct) (Nutrients & (2.3 FTE) (100 sites)
solids in
50 lakes)

KY 57 R 57 1/month DO, pH, 20,000* 8,000 6,500 1,000 2,500 2,000
(All Year) nutrients (0.33 FTE)

ME 215 L 215 2/month Secchi disk 26,300 21,000 300 2,500 2,500
(May-Sept) (chl.a in (1 FTE) (5 sites)
5 lakes)

MIl 175 L 175 4/month Secchi depth 15,000 8,000 7,000
(May-Sept) (0.33 FTE)

MN 350 L 350 41month Secchl depth 44,000* 25,000 3,000 7,000 9,000
(June-Sept) (1 FTE)

NY 61 L 61 4/month Secchi depth 125,000' 40,000 14,000 45,000 6,000 20,000
(June-Oct) DO, pH, Chl.a, (1.5 FTE)
nutrients,
lake level,
color, rainfall,
conductivity,
macroinverte-
brates

OH 10 R 150 2-51year Benthic 55,000 49,000* 2,000 10,000
(Apr-Oct) macroinverte-
brates

VT 71 L 137 4/month Secchi depth 22,900 12,000 5,000 2,800 3,100
(June-Aug) Chl-a, phos-
phorus

WI 170 L 170 2/month Secchl depth 41,500 35,000 3,500 3,000
(May-Sept) (1.5 FTE)

Lakes are abbreviated with an "L"; rivers are abbreviated with an "R".

2 Total cost estimates that include overhead are indicated with an asterisk (*).

3 Asterisk-includes % time of central office and field OH Scenic River Program personnel who administer and assist the Stream Quality Monitoring Program, along with
seasonal and part-time personnel.

4 One-time equipment costs are indicated with an asterisk (*), and not included in the total cost.

5Other costs include the balance of the total costs not accounted for in the various cost categories. Other costs include office overhead, staff benefits,
conference costs, and cost categories, such as printing and travel expenditures, that could not be isolated from the overall annual budget.

that are selected. Obviously, small programs metal or pesticide pollution in their water-
require less administration to coordinate body, samples can be preserved for analysis
volunteers, and less clerical staff to enter by the Laboratories at no additional cost.
data and type reports. Parameter selection In some programs, the cost of test kits is
has a more subtle impact on staff needs. For passed on to volunteers. One-third of the
example, programs that limit volunteer participants in Kentucky's program purchase
monitoring to Secchi disk measurements often their test kits, reducing the annual equip-
do not require hands-on training by profes- ment costs from $9,405 to $6,500. In Ohio,
sional staff. beyond the initial free provision of one or two
nets and kits, participants often purchase
Equipment and Laboratory Expenses additional equipment at $25 per set.
Parameter selection determines equip- Laboratory analysis of chemical parame-
ment and laboratory costs. Some parameters ters is also expensive and includes additional
do not require laboratory analysis and the costs for postage and chemicals required to
equipment needed to measure them is inex- preserve samples. For example, the New York
pensive. For example, a Secchi disk can be program spends approximately $40,000
purchased for approximately $20 or con- annually for laboratory analyses of total
structed by the volunteers. Providing stan- phosphorus, nitrate nitrogen, chlorophyll,
dardized disks to the volunteers ensures color, alkalinity, pH, and conductivity on 53
quality control, saves time, and minimizes lakes. Mailing the samples to the labs costs
volunteer frustration. However, several low- an additional $100 per lake. The Illinois
budget programs do require the volunteers to program adds $20,000 to their annual budget
construct their own disks or purchase the for chemical analyses at 100 sites on 50
disks. lakes. Thus, laboratory analysis costs alone
Biological parameters, such as benthic can exceed the total program budgets of
macroinvertebrates, can also be measured many State citizen monitoring programs, and
with a minimal equipment cost. The equip- can only be undertaken by well-funded pro-
ment required to monitor benthic macroin- grams.
vertebrate communities in Ohio's Scenic
Rivers volunteer monitoring program includes Data Management Costs
a four-by-four foot nylon mesh net, plastic Computer facilities are often necessary
containers, hand lens, thermometer, and to manage and analyze the data collected by
identification sheet. Equipment costs are the volunteers, compare volunteer data with
further reduced by constructing the seine other data bases such as STORET, and pre-
nets with defective hoe handles donated by a pare reports. In addition to hardware and
local industry. Species identification is per- software costs, the budget should include
formed onsite, thereby eliminating labora- staff time to enter, review, edit, and analyze
tory expenses. Ohio's annual expenditures data. These costs are difficult to assess be-
for equipment, used for replacing broken cause most existing programs rely on support
equipment and constructing new nets, is services within the State agency to perform
approximately $2,000. these tasks.
In contrast, monitoring for chemical
parameters requires either relatively expen- Printing and Postage Expenses
sive onsite test kits or laboratory analyses. Several thousand dollars should be
Two test kits capable of sampling stream budgeted for printing and mailing newslet-
chemistry for one year have been priced at ters and annual reports which inform the
$165 and $295 (1988). The Kentucky citizen volunteers and other State personnel about
monitoring program solicited bids from chemi- the accomplishments of the program. Costs
cal testing companies and selected a test kit will depend upon the size and format of the
that measures dissolved oxygen, nitrate-ni- publications and their frequency. Other costs
trogen, ortho-phosphate, pH, and chlorides associated with rewarding and educating
monthly, at an annual cost of $165 per kit. volunteers may include organizing annual
The Delta Laboratories, Inc. offers a kit conventions for citizen monitors and provid-
equipped to perform 50 repetitions of the ing rewards such as plaques, hats, T-shirts,
above tests plus hardness, turbidity and lapel pins, and certificates.
screening for heavy metals for $295 (Delta
Laboratories, Inc. 1987). If volunteers work- Travel Expenses
ing with the Delta Laboratories kit suspect Citizen monitoring personnel often travel

extensively during the sampling season to expense estimate. The Illinois program also
train volunteers and perform quality control includes chemical monitoring at 100 sites on
checks. The geographical size of the State, 50 lakes (at an annual cost of $20,000) and,
the number of staff and volunteers, and the unlike the Michigan program, provides Sec-
emphasis placed upon personal contact with chi disks to volunteers.
volunteers influence travel expenses. Ohio
spends about $4,000 annually on travel; 5.3 FUNDING OPTIONS
each group is trained onsite, and the pro- There are three principal sources of
gram coordinator travels frequently to pro- funding for State-managed volunteer moni-
mote the program. Other agencies report toring programs: federal grants, State funds,
travel expenses between $2,000 and $3,000. and private in-kind contributions. These Volunteers keep records
sources are also available to private groups. on the types of debris
5.2 COMPARISON OF TWO STATE Each of these are discussed below. found on the Texas coast.
PROGRAMS
The Michigan Self-Help Lake Monitoring
program is a low-cost monitoring program
with an annual budget of $15,000. The pro-
gram has generated fourteen years worth of
Secchi disk data utilized by the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources to docu-
ment long-term lake quality trends and re-
sponses to lake management actions. Equip- -
ment costs, laboratory costs, and travel -
expenses are eliminated by limiting monitor- . - : -
ing to Secchi disk depth and requiring the
volunteers to construct their own disks.
Staffing needs are reduced by restricting
training to written instructions and tele-
phone conversations. Costs are further mini-
mized by hiring a college student intern during
the summer to perform data entry, print m a
computer-generated reports, and send out
mailings. Of the staff time spent on the citizen
monitoring program annually (approximately
1/3 full time equivalent), half of the hours are
allocated to the student intern. The Michigan
Department of Natural Resources estimates
that duplicating volunteer monitoring efforts
using State employees would increase the
State's overall monitoring costs by about
$85,000 annually.
In contrast, the Illinois Volunteer Lake n
Monitoring Program has an annual budget of Photo courtesy of the Centerfor Marine Conservation
$127,000 and employs a large staff (totalling
2.3 FTE at a cost of about $63,000) to enhance Federal Grants
personal contact between State personnel States may use grant monies awarded
and volunteers. Illinois personnel individually under Sections 104(b)(3) (Research Grants);
train volunteers, perform follow-up visits, 106 (Grants for Pollution Control Programs);
organize an annual conference, write 205(j) (Grants for Water QualityManagement
newsletters, prepare educational materials, Planning); 314 (Clean Lakes Program); 319
provide technical assistance, and produce a (Nonpoint Source Management Programs);
seven-volume annual report that includes and 320(g) (National Estuary Program) of the
statistical analyses of volunteer data. Water Quality Act of 1987 to initiate citizen
Overhead costs, which include employee monitoring programs. Some of these funds
benefits, travel expenses, office expenses, may also be available to public or nonprofit
printing and postage, are estimated as a private agencies and organizations.
percentage of staff costs. Therefore, the larger Estuaries designated in the National
Illinois staff generates a larger overhead Estuary Program (NEP) of the Water Quality

Act of 1987 are eligible for combined Federal State agencies may also provide funding to
and State funds to support research and private organizations to administer citizen
public participation projects that can include monitoring programs. Delaware, for example,
volunteer monitoring. The Pamlico-Tar River supports the Delaware Stream Watch Pro-
Foundation has been funded to develop such gram by providing funds to the Delaware
a program under the Albemarle-Pamlico Nature Society that originated from indus-
Estuarine Study in North Carolina. trial fines.
Federal funding for volunteer monitoring
programs on coastal waters can be routed to Private Funding Sources
State universities from the National Oceano- In some cases, individuals or organiza-
graphic and Atmospheric Administration tions participating in a citizen monitoring
(NOAA) Sea Grant Program and the Coastal program have successfully solicited funds,
Zone Management Program (CZMP). The in-kind services, and equipment from private
Rhode Island Salt Pond Watchers and the sources. Non-profit organizations can obtain
New Jersey Marine Recreational Program are funding through dues and contributions from
examples of volunteer monitoring programs corporate members. A group of Rhode Island
administered by State universities receiving Salt Pond Watchers obtained a grant from
Sea Grant Extension Funds. The Chesap- IBM to pay for the chemical analyses of water
eake Bay Citizen Monitoring Program is samples. Other private contributions include
expanding its activities and exploring the defective hoe handles donated from a local
feasibility of using volunteers to monitor industry to the Ohio Scenic River Program to
nonpoint source pollution abatement efforts construct seine nets, and boat auction regis-
with funding from NOAA CZMP. tration fees donated to the New Jersey pro-
Unusual avenues to obtain Federal funds gram by a boating association. In addition to
should not be overlooked, although they may their donated time, most volunteers provide
be of only short-term value. For example, an in-kind contributions of their boating equip-
Ohio Soil and Water Conservation District ment and fuel, and many also purchase
secured funds to use for young people to monitoring equipment, thereby reducing
collect water quality information using vol- program equipment costs.
unteer monitoring program methods through No individual source of funding is guar-
the Federal Job Partnership Training Act. anteed to persist and sustain a volunteer
monitoring program. Therefore, long-term
State Funding Sources program stability depends upon a diversity of
General State revenues have been used funding sources. Program planners should
to establish programs such as New York's investigate all potential sources of funding
Statewide Lake Assessment Program. De- and cost saving measures.
pending upon State laws, funding from gen-
eral State revenues may require approval 5.4 TECHNIQUES FOR REDUCING PRO-
from the State Legislature. This can delay GRAM COSTS
program implementation, as was the case in Most cost saving techniques involve
New York. However, the authorization of reducing staff costs, the largest single pro-
general revenues in 1987 provided a man- gram expense. Staff costs can be minimized
date to the New York Department of Environ- by hiring summer college interns to assist
mental Conservation to set up a lay monitor- program directors in writing reports, training
ing program and a position for a program volunteers, and entering data. (Interns gen-
coordinator. General revenues may be sup- erally receive a lower salary and are exempt
plemented with innovative State funding from benefits.)
sources such as Wisconsin's tax on motor- Volunteers themselves can sometimes
boat fuels and Ohio's State tax return check- perform a variety of administrative tasks to
off for natural resources programs. supplement State personnel. For example,
State agencies or legislative bodies may volunteers may be available to enter data,
distribute funds to local governments or prepare statistical summaries, prepare graph-
agencies to implement volunteer monitoring ics and articles for newsletters, or organize
programs. This approach has been used in events. Identifyingvolunteer talents, and tap-
Washington State where Public Involvement ping into them, will both reduce the workload
and Education (P.I.E.) grants have been used of the paid staff and help ensure that volun-
to fund the Puget Sound Water Quality teers enjoy their duties.
Authority's volunteer monitoring program.

Miams

LIN

4 0

American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water Pollution
Control Federation (APHA, AWWA, & WPCF). 1985. Standard Methodsfor the Examination
of Water and Wastewater. 16th ed. American Public Health Association. Washington, DC.

Armitage, T., E. Baptiste and K. Ellett. 1989. "Citizen Volunteer Monitoring, a Tool for Estuarine
Management." Coastal Zone '89, Proceedings of the Sixth Symposium on Coastal and Ocean
Management. American Society of Civil Engineers. Vol. ,pp 887-898.

Bostrom, J. 1988. "Preventing the Undoing of Minnesota's Lakes." Presented at the 1 st National
Monitoring Workshop on Citizen Volunteers in Environmental Monitoring, Narragansett, RI.
May 1988.

Chesapeake Bay Citizen Monitoring Program (CBCMP). 1987. Quality Assurance Project Planfor
the Citizen Monitoring Project, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Inc. (formerly Citizens
Program for the Chesapeake Bay, Inc.) Annapolis, MD.

Cooke, K. 1988. "Kentucky Water Watch Stream Monitoring Project." Presented at the 1st
National Monitoring Workshop on Citizen Volunteers in Environmental Monitoring, Narra-
gansett, RI. May 1988.

Delta Laboratories, Inc. 1987. "Adopt-A-Stream" program brochure. Rochester, NY.

Ellett, K. 1988. An Introduction to Water Quality Monitoring Using Volunteers: A Handbookfor
Coordinators. Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Inc. Baltimore, MD.

Gault, C., H. Budd, G. Campbell, and J. Morris. 1988. Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, 1988
Research Report. Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks, Lothian, MD.

Godfrey, P.G. 1988. 'The Massachusetts Acid Rain Monitoring Project: Focus on Quality
Control." Presented at the 1st National Workshop on Citizen Volunteers in Environmental
Monitoring, Narragansett, RI. May 1988.

Hawes, J.B. 1987. Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program, 1986: Volume 1: Statewide Summary
Report. IEPA/WPC/87-007a. Division of Water Pollution Control, Illinois Environmental Pro-
tection Agency, Springfield, IL.

Lee, V. and P. Kullberg. 1986. "Salt Pond Watchers: Rhode Island's Experiment in Citizen
Monitoring. Presented at the 10th National Conference of the Coastal Society Estuarine and
Coastal Management: Tools of the Trade, New Orleans, October 1986.

Lewis, S. and J. Kopec. 1986. Ohio Scenic Rivers Stream Quality Monitoring Program 1986
Results. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves,
Scenic Rivers Section. Columbus, OH.

Massachusetts Audubon Society: Boston. 1986. 'Boston Harbor Monitoring" program bro-
chure. Boston, MA.

McGill, R., J.W. Tukey and W. A. Larsen, 1978. "Variations of Box Plots." American Statistician.
32:12-16.

McHenry, M. 1990. Personal Communication. South County Creeks Commission, Anne Arundel
County, MD.

McLennan, R. 1986. Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, "Volunteer Lake Monitoring 1986 Water
Quality Report-Crooked Lake." Conway, MI.

Pritchard, K. 1988. "Identifying Useful Information: What Information is Needed and How Can
It Be Used?" Presented at the 1 st National Workshop on "Citizen Volunteers in Environmental
Monitoring," Narragansett, RI. May 1988.

Reckhow, K.H. and L.C. Chapia. 1983. Engineering Approachesfor Lake Management. Volume
1: Data Analysis of Empirical Methods. Butterworth Pub., Waburn MA.

Rumery, C. 1987. Wisconsin Self-Help Lake Monitoring Program Data Summaryfor 1986. PUBL-
WR-156 87. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Save Our Streams-A Citizen Action Program, Information Packet. Izaak Walton League Of
America, Arlington, VA.

Schloss, Jeff. 1988. 'The New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program." Presented at the 1 st
National Workshop on Citizen Volunteers in Environmental Monitoring, Narragansett, RI.
May 1988.

Survey Information 1989. Compiled by K. Ellett, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Inc.,
Annapolis, MD.

Bellatty, J. Citizen's Volunteer Monitoring Program, Idaho Department of Health and
Welfare, Boise, Idaho.

Bostrom, J. Citizen Lake-Monitoring Program. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, St. Paul,
MN.

Burns, A. Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency,
Springfield, IL.

Haddon, Patricia. Anne Arundel County Volunteer Monitoring Program. Office of Planning
and Zoning, Annapolis, MD.

Kishbaugh, S. New York Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program. New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation. Albany, NY.

Kopec, J. Ohio Scenic Rivers Stream Quality Monitoring Program, Ohio Department of
Natural Resources. Columbus, OH.

Pearsall, W. Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. Maine Department of Environmental
Protection, Augusta, ME.

Schloss, J. New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program, University of New Hampshire,
Durham, NH.

Tukey, J.W. 1977. Exploratory Data Analysis. Addison Wesley, Reading, MA.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1979. HandbookforAnalytical Quality Control
in Water and Wastewater Laboratories. EPA 600/4-79-019. Washington D.C.:USEPA.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1980. Guidelines and Specificationsfor Prepar-
ing Quality Assurance Project Plans. QAMS-005/80. Washington, D.C.: USEPA.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1984a. Policy and Program Requirements to
Implement the Quality Assurance Program. EPA Order 5360.1. Washington, D.C.: USEPA.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1984b. The Development of Data Quality
Objectives. Washington, D.C.: USEPA.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1984c. Guidancefor Preparation of Combined
Work/Quality Assurance Project Plansfor Environmental Monitoring. OWRS QA- 1. Washing-
ton, D.C.: USEPA.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1987. Surface Water Monitoring: A Framework
for Change. Washington, D.C.: Offices of Water and of Policy, Planning and Evaluation.

U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1988. Guide for Preparation of Quality Assur-
ance Project Plans for the National Estuarine Program. Interim Final. EPA 556/2-88-001.
Washington, D.C.: Office of Marine and Estuarine Protection.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1989. Water Quality Data Management Plan,
Revision 1. Prepared by Computer Sciences Corporation. CBP/TRS 31/89. Chesapeake Bay
Program, Reg III, USEPA.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1990. National Directory of Citizen Volunteer
Environmental Monitoring Programs. Washington, D.C: Office of Water and the University of
Rhode Island. EPA 503/9-90-004.

Wastler, A. 1987. Preliminary Review of Citizens Monitoring Program Data. Memo to Director
of the Chesapeake Bay Liaison Office, USEPA Reg. III, Annapolis, MD.

Wisconsin Self-Help Lake Monitoring Handbook. 1989. Wisconsin Department of Natural Re-
sources, Lake Management Program. Madison, WI.

log. UW

as~~~~~~

~~~ S~q

r-P~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

START-UP DATE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES at their lake by a member of the VLMP staff.
1981 In 1981, the Illinois Environmental Pro- While visiting three sites on the lake, the
SAMPLING SITES tection Agency (IEPA) initiated one of the first volunteer is instructed in the proper proce-
150 Lakes, 450 sites comprehensive citizen monitoring programs. dure for using the Secchi disk, recording field
(1988) The Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program observations, and completing the monitor-
(VLMP) was designed to educate the public ing form. Secchi disks with calibrated nylon
Secchi disk depth, total about local lake quality and management ropes, fact sheets, instructions, reporting
depth, and field observa- options, and supplement IEPA data collec- forms, and postage-paid return envelopes
tions on all lakes; sus- tion on Illinois' lakes. The volunteers collect are distributed at the training session. The
pended solids and nutri- baseline data (primarily Secchi disk depth) volunteers are expected to have a boat, an
ents are monitored on a for 150 lakes, most of which are not moni- anchor and the necessary safety equipment.
lakes annually0sites) tored by State personnel. Federal, State, and As a result of the program's emphasis on
local agencies refer to the data to document personal contact with volunteers, most par-
SAMPLING water quality impacts: select priority water- ticipants reapply to the VLMP annually,
FREQUENCY sheds for Clean lakes funding under Section thereby reducing the need to recruit new
Twice a month between
Twice a month between 314(a) of the Clean Water Act, as well as for volunteers. Currently, the program operates
May and October (solids
and nutrients sampled cost-share funding for soil-erosion control at maximum capacity and recruitment is
once a month on selected from the U.S. and Illinois Departments of Ag- targeted for special lake studies identified by
lakes). riculture; evaluate the effectiveness of lake the IEPA. In 1987, public water supply op-
protection and management projects; and erators, State park personnel, and Soil and
Approximately 200 annu- determine waterbody assessments for the Water Conservation District employees were
ally (total participation be- Section 305(b) water quality report. Lakes enlisted, but the primary recruitment drive is
tween 1981 and 1987was monitored by volunteers are considered to be aimed at former volunteers. Reapplication is
750) "evaluated" in 305(b) assessments; only lakes encouraged by mailing letters and registra-
ADMINISTRATION sampled for physical, chemical, or biological tion forms to all former volunteers in late
Administered by the Illi- data by State agency personnel are consid- winter or early spring.
nois Environmental Pro- ered to be "monitored." Detailed monitoring instructions and
tection Agency's Lakes In addition to supplementing data collec- data sheets are mailed to returning volun-
Program. The Statewide tion, the VLMP has acted as a catalyst for teers in the spring. It is a VLMP goal to carry
VLMPCoordinatorissup-
ported by Lakes Program local lake protection and restoration efforts; out a quality control and retraining visit each
staff, three Areawide virtually all VLMP lakes have had lake protec- year the volunteer returns to the program. In
Planning Commissions tion and management measures implemented practice, follow-up visits have not been pos-
and three part-time em- following participation in the program. sible except in the three State regions ad-
ployees from the IEPA's
plOffice of Community EPA's ministered by Areawide Planning Commis-
Office of Community
Regulations. Funded with VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND sions. Limited retraining in the other three
Federal grants and State TRAINING State regions occurred primarily in 1987, six
matching funds. Initially, 200 lake associations were tar- years after program inception.
STATE CONTACT geted for volunteer recruitment in a 1979
Amy Burns, Lakes Pro- pilot study. The thirty-one volunteers that SAMPLING PROTOCOL
gram, Division of Water responded received written instructions Three monitoring stations are usually
and Pollution Control, Illi- describing construction and use of a Secchi established by IEPA on each lake: one over
nois Environmental Pro-
tection Agency, 2200 disk; only two lake clubs participated for the the deepest portion of the lake near the dam
Churchill Road, Spring- entire sampling season. In response to the (most Illinois lakes are impoundments), one
field, IL 62706 (217) 782- pilot study results, the program was adver- at mid-lake (medium depth), and one in the
3362 tised to a broader audience through State lake headwaters (shallow depth). The num-
agency newsletters and private newspapers, ber of sampling sites will vary depending
and the program protocol was modified to upon lake size and configuration. VLMP
encourage volunteer involvement. The VLMP participants measure total depth and Secchi
was structured to encourage personal con- disk depth at each station twice a month
tact between the staff and volunteers. The between May and October, for a total of 12
staff began training volunteers individually sampling periods. In addition to the depth
and distributed standardized Secchi disks; data, the participants record field observa-
conferences, reports, and newsletters were tions of current weather conditions, the pre-
developed to inform volunteers about their vious week's precipitation, as well as qualita-
contribution to lake management, and to tive assessments of water color, amount of
provide incentives for continued participa- suspended sediment, suspended algae, and
tion. aquatic plants (see Figure 1). Volunteers re-
New volunteers are individually trained turn the forms to IEPA in addressed, post-

FIGURE 1

Illinois Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program Data Reporting Form

N.#N EsD S SEHI)O MONITORING NU E NAE NiE
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nl. I IY~~~r~*ciuuw ~~~ar~h~u. icnuDENSESEEDENNEESEUE/ES

age-paid envelopes immediately after sam- data from the three sites on each lake. Obser-
pling. vational data is used in the interpretation of
Some selected volunteers also collect clarity data.
water samples at selected stations on 30-50
lakes once per month from May to October. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
The criteria for selecting these lakes include: Within the Illinois EPA, the VLMP is
where IEPA needs data; public ownership or located in the Lakes Program Subunit of the
access; proven volunteer reliability at the Division of Water Pollution Control's Plan-
lake; lake size: amount of lake use; and level ning Section. A Statewide VLMP Coordinator
of public concern. Sampling consists of administers all aspects of the VLMP, includ-
immersing a one-quart bottle with nitric acid ing the acquisition and distribution of equip-
preservative for nutrient analysis, then filling ment, preparation of the annual summary
the large bottle again to provide a suspended reports and newsletters, and the coordina-
solids sample. The bottles are immediately tion of training, data management, and labo-
placed in a cooler with a 48-hour ice pack and ratory analysis. The Statewide VLMP
mailed to the IEPA laboratory. At the labora- Coordinator's responsibilities also include
tory, samples are analyzed for total and vola- technical assistance regarding lake ecology,
tile suspended solids, ammonia-nitrogen, monitoring, and management; conference
nitrate+nitrite-nitrogen, and total phospho- planning; and preparation of information/
rus. education materials.
Other Lakes Program personnel assist
DATA MANAGEMENT with various aspects of the program such as
Information from the data forms submit- data review, report preparation, computer
ted by volunteers is entered into a PC data programming, technical assistance, and in-
management system as soon as possible formation/education.
following arrival at the IEPA. This procedure Three of the six State VLMP regions have
serves three purposes: 1) check-in of forms Areawide Planning Commissions (designated
and tracking of volunteer participation; 2) under Section 208 of the Clean Water Act);
entry of Secchi disk data and qualitative IEPA contracts with these Commissions to
information into a data base for graphical administer the VLMP and provide lake man-
and tabular outputs; and 3) preparation for agement technical assistance and informa-
data entry into STORET. Coding is not neces- tion/education in their regions. The Area-
sary because the data entry screen mimics wide VLMP Coordinators are responsible for
the data sheet submitted by the volunteers. training volunteers, managing data, prepar-
Verification consists of two phases. First, ing regional reports and newsletters, and
the data are printed in tabular form and providing lake management technical assis-
checked against the original data sheets. tance. In the remaining regions, the IEPA
Second,the data are plotted and examined for Office of Community Relations assists with
outliers so that simple recording mistakes, volunteer training, follow-up visits, and re-
such as assigning data to the incorrect port writing.
sampling site or reporting Secchi depth in
feet instead of inches, can be identified. VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION
Questionnaire data are discussed with the To recognize volunteer commitment,
volunteers who keep a separate log sheet at citizen monitors receive awards based upon
home to further document procedures. the number of completed sampling periods
Following verification, the data are and seasons. The awards include a thank
uploaded to STORET using a program writ- you letter and a certificate of appreciation
ten by State personnel. VLMP data are stored signed by the IEPA Director, cloth emblems,
in a unique file to distinguish them from engraved wooden plaques, and lapel pins.
IEPA-collected data. Statistical analyses The awards are presented during the VLMP
performed using STORET and SAS include session of the Illinois Lake Management
calculation of the minimum, maximum, and Association (ILMA) Conference held annually
mean Secchi disk depth; calculation of a in the spring.
Carlson Trophic State Index; and analysis of The purpose of the VLMP session is to
Tukey's Multiple Range Test to compare year- retrain returning volunteers and recognize
to-year changes in mean Secchi disk depth. outstanding volunteers. Participants ex-
The IEPA staff all examine within-lake vari- change information among themselves, at-
ation in clarity by comparing Secchi depth tend retraining sessions, and meet withVLMP

Figure 2
Annual Budget and Funding Sources for Illinois' VLMP The annual budget and
funding sources for
A. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency - funded with Clean Water Act Monitoring Program.
(CWA) Section 106 funds and State matchsing funds.
1. Lakes ProgramStaff (3 persons totalling 0.75 FTE). Responsible $30,000*
for Statewide program administration, coordination, and supervi-
sion: provide lake management technical conference, and informa-
tion/education assistance; data management; preparation of annual
State summary and three regional report volumes; and editing the
newsletter.
2. Clerical and summer staff (3 persons totalling 0.5 FTE). Perform $12,000*
data management, mailings,and assist with report preparation.
3. Community Relations Coordinators (3 persons totalling 0.3 FTE).
Make training and follow-up visits on 65 lakes; assist with report and $15,000*
newsletter writing.
4. Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring - chemical analysis. Lab
analysis at $50 per sample for total phosphorus, nitrate+nitrite- $20,000
nitrogen, ammonia-nitrogen, total and volatile suspended solids.
5. Annual Illinois Lake Management Association and VLMP Confer- $1,000
ence.

B. Areawide Planning Commissions - funded by CWA Section 2050).
I. Areawide Planning Commission personnel and overhead (3 per- $45,000*
sons totalling 0.75 FTE). Responsible for program administration,
training and follow-up visits, and data management for 75 lakes; lake
management technical assistance, conference planning, and infor-
mation/education; and preparation of 3 regional reports.

ANNUAL BUDGET I $123,000
C. One-time Equipment Costs - purchased with CWA Section 205
I) funds.

1. Two hundred Secchi disks with calibrated ropes, at $20 each. $4,000

TOTAL BUDGET $127,000
(does not include equipment costs)
* Includes 44.2% indirect costs which cover printing, telephone, copying, and office space; and
18% for fringe benefits, travel, and supplies.

staff to discuss concerns. Volunteers may ment recommendations. The report is dis-
participate in a panel discussion describing tributed to Federal, State and local agencies,
how VLMP data have been used to promote libraries, and individual volunteers. Four
local lake protection and management. Hold- newsletters are mailed to volunteers during
ing the VLMP conference in conjunction with the monitoring season, featuring important
the ILMA Conference allows the volunteers to pointers regarding monitoring techniques
discuss their concerns with lake manage- and educational information on lake condi-
ment professionals, and increases their tions and management. Volunteers who
exposure to broader lake management is- perform consistent sampling also receive a
sues. report analyzing the results of their sampling
The Illinois program places emphasis on and suggesting applicable lake protection
writing reports which present the VLMP data and restoration strategies. These reports
in a professional format. A statewide sum- inform the volunteers, as well as other State
mary report is published annually with six agencies and local lake management au-
companion regional reports containing indi- thorities, of the value of the VLMP data. A
vidual lake data analyses and lake manage- considerable amount of staff time is also

devoted to technical assistance and educa- SELECTED PROGRAM MATERIALS
tional activities associated with the VLMP. Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program, 1987;
Volume I: Statewide Summary Report. Illi-
PROGRAM EXPENSE AND FUNDING nois Environmental Protection Agency, Di-
The Illinois Citizen monitoring program vision of Water Pollution Control.
is funded through Clean Water Act Section
106 and 2050) grants and State matching Summary of Ilinois' Volunteer Lake Monitor-
funds. The annual program budget (shown in ing Program. Illinois Environmental Pro-
Figure 2) accounts fully for all overhead tection Agency, Division of Water Pollution
expenses, such as travel costs, office ex- Control. 6 pages.
penses, staff benefits, printing, and supplies.
The annual budget includes $30,000 for Lakes Program Summary. Illinois Environ-
Lake's program staff and overhead; $45,000 mental Protection Agency, Division ofWater
distributed to three Areawide Planning Pollution Control. 4 pages.
Commissions; $15,000 for IEPA Community
Relations Coordinators; $12,000 for clerical
assistance with data entry, mailings, and
report preparation; $20,000 for laboratory
analyses; and $1,000 to host the VLMP con-
ference. Two hundred Secchi disks were
purchased for a one-time cost of $4,000.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES THE PILOT STUDY START-UP DATE
The Kentucky Water Watch Volunteer The VSSP is an offshoot of the Kentucky 1987
Stream Sampling Project (VSSP), one compo- Water Watch Program, a public participation SAMPLING SITES
nent of the State's Water Watch public par- program initiated by the Division of Water in 7 Rivers, 57 sites (1988)
ticipation program, is designed to achieve the 1985. The principal objectives of this pro-
following goals: gram are to promote community awareness PARAMETERS
1. To generate data for the Kentucky of water quality issues and to encourage Onsite chemical analysis
of dissolved oxygen, pH,
Division of Water on stream segments not individual responsibility for the protection of nitrate, phosphate, iron,
included in the existing Kentucky Ambient water resources. Under the program, citizens chlorides, and tempera-
Water Quality Monitoring Network; form Water Watch groups to "adopt" a stream ture.
2. To enable community groups to ac- or lake (i.e. take responsibility for informing SAMPLING FREQ.
quire local water quality data; the State of water quality issues relevant to One survey per month,
their waterbody and initiating protection ef- year round.
3. To educate the public about the condi- forts). Over the last three years, groups in this
tion and importance of Kentucky's water program have organized stream rehabilita- NO.VOLUNTEERS
resources. tion projects, developed educational presen- Over 100 volunteers n 31
The primary objective is to produce high tations, and performed simple biological
quality data which can be used by both State surveys to characterize water quality in some ADMINISTRATION
personnel and local community groups. To adopted waterbodies. Administered by the Ken-
meet this objective, the project has focused In 1986, several Water Watch groups tucky Division of Water's
Water Watch Program.
on recruiting volunteers with scientific or expressed a desire to undertake systematic The Water Watch Coordi-
technical backgrounds, thereby enhancing chemical monitoring of their adopted streams. nator manages the moni-
data quality, but restricting public participa- The Division of Water (DOW) tested citizen toringprojectunderthesu-
tion. To date, the State has found the data monitoring as a means of acquiring addi- pervisionofacommission
capable of detecting acute water quality prob- tional data on a disputed stream, Rock Creek. of State agency directors.
lems in stream segments not included in the The pilot study compared the performance of grants and general State
Ambient Monitoring Network. During the an existing Water Watch group and the revenues fund the pro-
project's initial year (July 1987-July 1988), McCreary County Hiking club, solicited spe- gram.
the Division of Water used the volunteer data cifically to sample Rock Creek. Each group STATE CONTACT:
to identify two noncomplying dischargers received varying levels of support from the Ken Cooke, Kentucky
and five stream sites where standards were Water Watch coordinator based upon their Water Watch, Division of
exceeded. Although the State does not use initial interest in monitoring. The existing Water, Kentucky Natural
volunteer data alone to implement enforce- Water Watch groups received little contact Resources and Environ-
ment actions, the citizen monitors have following trainingbecause they had requested mental Protection Cabi-
net, 18 Reilly Road,
demonstrated that they can reliably locate monitoring responsibilities; this group's Frankfort, KY40601 (502)
water quality problems for further investiga- motivation rapidly deteriorated and the group 564-3410
tion by State enforcement personnel. did not submit data. In contrast, the McCre-
The State enters the citizen data into a ary County Hiking Club was telephoned at
unique file on the State Prime Interagency least once each month to acknowledge re-
Data Base with the intention of documenting ceipt of sampling results and discuss the
baseline conditions and long-term water data. The phone conversations informed the
quality trends in the future. The data are not volunteers that State personnel had exam-
entered into STORET or incorporated into the ined the data, and provided the volunteers
State's 305(b) reporting process at this time. with an opportunity to resolve monitoring
Independently, the volunteer groups use protocol problems. As a result of the interest
their data to document and publicize local expressed by the DOW, the hiking club sub-
water quality conditions, under the condition mitted data for ten of the twelve sampling
that they specify the data origins and limita- periods during the year-long pilot study. On
tions. Currently, the VSSP is expanding public the basis of the hiking club results, the pilot
participation to school groups. The data study was considered a conditional success,
submitted by the school groups are less ac- and additional groups were contacted to ini-
curate and consistent than data collected by tiate the VSSP.
other groups: therefore, these data are kept
in a separate file to prevent deterioration of VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND
the existing data base quality. The primary TRAINING
objective continues to be the establishment Scientifically trained volunteers from the
of a reliable data base for State and public existing Water Watch network were recruited
use. to implement the full-scale VSSP. Sampling

applications were sent out to targeted groups applied to continue sampling for a second
on the Water Watch Newsletter mailing list, year, and a surplus of Water Watch groups
including university and community college are available to replace the three groups
science departments, environmental engi- asked to leave the program because ofincon-
neers at private industries, existing Water sistent monitoring.
Watch groups, and high school teachers.
Groups lacking technical expertise, such as SAMPLING PROTOCOL
school students, were not solicited. High Monitoring parameters were selected by
standards for volunteer selection were set - sending a questionnaire to water quality
one member of each group had to have at specialists within the State Division of Water
least a college degree minor in a science- (DOW), and several specialists at the U.S.
related field. Respondents were evaluated Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geo-
with a point system favoring groups with logical Survey. Each professional was asked
technical and scientific experience, groups to rank the ten most important factors affect-
with previous volunteer service in the Water ing Kentucky waters. The most important
Watch Program, and groups in close proxim- factor received ten points, the next factor was
ity to priority streams. Priority streams were assigned nine points, and so on. Based on
those not sampled in the State-staffed Ambi- this point system, the three parameters
ent Water Quality Monitoring Network or the ranked as most important were dissolved
Stream Use Designation Study. The State oxygen, pH, and conductivity. The DOW then
selected a volunteer pool that includes pro- determined the availability and cost of tests
fessional biologists, chemists, engineers and to monitor these parameters and requested
lab technicians, as well as property owners bids from several chemical companies for
along priority streams. appropriate monitoring equipment. Of the
The selected volunteer groups signed a top three parameters, conductivity was elimi-
contract to collect monthly samples at a nated from consideration by the high cost of
minimum of two sites between July 1987 and conductivity meters.
July 1988. Groups failing to submit data for Two versions of the test kit were ap-
80% of the contracted sampling periods were proved for use by volunteer monitoring
considered for removal from the program. groups. In urban and agricultural areas,
Each group appointed a group supervisor volunteers sampled for dissolved oxygen,
from its membership to organize sampling pH, temperature, nitrate-nitrogen, ortho-
trips and act as group liaison with the pro- phosphate, and chlorides. In mountain and
gram staff, coal-field locations, sulfate and iron were
Prior to monitoring, volunteers received sampled instead of nutrients. Subsequently
two hours of onsite training with the project (after quality control checks revealed serious
coordinator. At this time, chemical test kits, problems), the sulfate test was discouraged
written instructions describing procedures and the DOW disregarded the sulfate data.
and data analysis, and reporting forms, were The test kits perform with an overall preci-
distributed. In addition to performing the sion of � 20% and, it should be noted, are not
chemical tests under the coordinator's su- EPA approved. However, the dissolved oxy-
pervision, the volunteers were required to at- gen test (the azide modification of the Win-
tend a follow-up session on interpreting and kler Method), performed with a variance of
publicizing sampling results. _0.2 ppm (within 5%) in five quality control
In response to the pilot study results, checks comparing test kit results and dis-
monthly phone calls were made to all group solved oxygen meter results.
supervisors to encourage volunteer commit- In 1988, 31 volunteer groups monitored
ment and enthusiasm for the program. Other 57 stream sites monthly with the chemical
motivational strategies included publicizing test kits. The test kits were distributed with-
enforcement action initiated with volunteer out charge to groups sampling priority wa-
data, acknowledging participation with cer- ters designated by the DOW. Volunteer groups
tificates, and distributing caps with the proj- sampling non-priority streams, as well as
ect logo to volunteers. The personal contact school groups (approximately 30% of sam-
between State staff and volunteers, in con- pling groups) were required to purchase test
junction with the publicity from successful kits from DOW for $165 per kit.
enforcement actions, are credited with sus- The reliability of the volunteer data is
taining public interest in the VSSP. Approxi- assured in a three-pronged quality control
mately 70% of the volunteer groups have program. First, individual accountability is

assigned to the group's supervisor who must the limitations of the data are clearly stated
sign each reporting form. In the second phase, (i.e., not officially sanctioned by the State).
groups periodically receive blank samples of Several monitoring groups independently plot
deionized water and standard solutions pre- and publicize their sampling results by print-
pared at the State lab. The groups test the ing the data in their club newsletters or
samples and report their results back to the posting the results in public locations includ-
DOW. These standard tests alerted the DOW ing classrooms and a post office.
to a problem with the sulfate test. Volunteers
were reporting concentrations of 200 ppm in PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
deionized blanks due to contamination from AND BUDGET
barium chloride buildup on the test kit test The VSSP is managed by the Water Watch
tubes. The sulfate test results were dropped Program Coordinator under the supervision
based upon the quality control results. Al- of the Quality Control Committee. The Com-
though some groups continue to sample mittee is comprised of supervisors from the
sulfates, the data is not accepted by the State agencies affected by the citizen moni-
DOW. Field tests are the third component of toring project, including the monitoring and
the quality control program. Periodically, enforcement branches. The Committee set
State personnel accompany volunteers and the project guidelines to ensure that the
compare the results of volunteer test kits program would be integrated into the existing
with State equipment results. State agency workload and would produce
reliable data. The coordinator's duties in-
DATA MANAGEMENT elude selecting the monitoring groups, con-
Each volunteer group supervisor sends ducting training sessions, maintaining con-
one copy of the data forms to the DOW and tact with the volunteers, setting up the qual-
maintains a separate copy for his or her own ity control tests, writing reports, and manag-
use. The program coordinator examines the ing interagency use of the volunteer data. The
data for unusual values and phones the coordinator developed a network of college
volunteers to verify questionable results. The professors, called Expert Advisors, to field
data, including verified outliers, are entered questions from the volunteers. Each moni-
onto a Xerox 8010 Work Station with word toring group has a volunteer supervisor who
processing and graphic capabilities to gener- maintains contact with the coordinator.
ate public reports. The Work Station data Costs of the VSSP are approximately
analysis capabilities are restricted to plotting 30% of the total Water Watch Program budget,
simple graphs and sorting the data by high or $20,000 annually. Of this, the largest
and low data values. To perform more so- expenditure is the coordinator's salary,
phisticated analysis, the data are entered $8,000, which amounts to at least 1/3 FTE.
onto the State Prime Interagency Data Base, An allocation of $2,500 pays for the extensive
a mainframe system with access to Statisti- travel required of the coordinator (about 750
cal Analysis System (SAS), then downloaded miles per week). Supply costs have been
to an IBM PC Symphony Software spread limited because nearly a third of the volun-
sheet. Outliers are excluded from the main- teer groups purchase the test kits; during the
frame data base, and the volunteer data are firstyear, expenditures on supplies amounted
stored in a unique mainframe file to distin- to about $6,500. Printing and overhead costs
guish them from data collected by State are estimated to be $3,000.
employees. The source of funding for the VSSP is
Currently, the data are insufficient to approximately as follows: 30 percent from
detect water quality trends, but correlations Section 106(g) grants and 25 percent from
between high nutrient concentrations and Section 205(j) Federal Water Quality Plan-
low dissolved oxygen levels have been identi- ning grants under the Clean Water Act; 30
fled on individual streams. In the future, percent from State funds; and 15 percent
time series regression analysis will be em- from private sources. The grants are com-
ployed to statistically document trends. bined into one public participation fund which
The citizen monitoring results are pub- is accessed for the VSSP.
lished in regular reports and distributed to
interested groups as well as the State Biologi- BENEFITS FROM THE VOLUNTEER
cal Staff and DOW Field Offices. Volunteer STREAM SAMPLING PROJECT
groups are encouraged to share their infor- In addition to providing background data
mation with the local community as long as for future trend analysis, the VSSP has iden-

tified specific water quality problems at five SELECTED PROGRAM MATERIALS
sites during the first year. Remedial actions Kentucky WaterWatchStreamMonitoring Proj-
have already been implemented at two sites- ect: Training Material for Volunteer Moni-
a dairy farm and a factory manufacturing toring Teams. Kentucky Natural Resources
jeans. Volunteers also discovered two aban- and Environmental Protection Cabinet,
doned mines and sent the information to the Division of Water. 1988. 28 pages.
State Division of Abandoned Lands for fur-
ther action. Kentucky Water Watch StreamMonitoring Proj-
The remedial action at the jeans factory ect Report to Citizen's Monitoring Work-
resulted almost entirely from volunteer efforts. shop, May 1988 - Volunteers Monitor Ken-
The monitors, including a lab technician and tucky Water. Kentucky Natural Resources
a school teacher, detected phosphorus And Environmental Protection Cabinet,
concentrations 30 times the State standard Division of Water. 1988. 38 pages.
of 0.5 ppm. The VSSP coordinator felt the
results were reliable based upon the Water Watch Adopt-a-Stream Program. Pro-
volunteers' expertise and the consistency of gram Overview. Kentucky Natural Re-
the sampling results. The volunteers were sources and Environmental Protection
encouraged to continue sampling upstream Cabinet, Division of Water. Undated. 12
until they located a potential source of the pages.
phosphorus, which led them to a wastewater
treatment plant. The volunteers visited the A Field Guide to Kentucky Rivers and Streams.
plant operator who admitted the problem Kentucky Natural Resources and Envi-
came from a jeans factory not following ronmental Protection Cabinet, Division of
pretreatment guidelines. Subsequently, the Water. 1985 (revised May 1986). 114 pages.
factory cooperated with State officials and
installed equipment to improve its
pretreatment of wastewater.
In the case of the dairy, citizen sampling
indicated low dissolved oxygen concentra-
tion in a creek. The volunteer went upstream
and witnessed a milky discharge from a dairy
plant. The DPW enforcement branch was
notified and inspected the plant but could
not locate a discharge. The volunteer contin-
ued to casually monitor the plant and ob-
served that the discharge only occurred in
mid-afternoon. The enforcement branch was
again notified, and with more specific infor-
mation was able to inspect the plant at the
appropriate time.
The results from the VSSP's first year
generate a sense of power and participation
for the volunteers and the public. The reap-
plication rate suggests that the project has
been successful in maintaining public inter-
est and support. While the public appears to
perceive the VSSP as successful, the State
Standards and Specifications Group within
the DPW still perceives the project with skep-
ticism, despite efforts to integrate the pro-
gram into the existing agency structure and
workload.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES not detected by regular sampling. The DEC START-UP DATE
The Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment intends to use the information to direct 1986
Program (CSLAP) is a cooperative effort devel- additional monitoring and research projects. SAMPLING SITES
oped by the New York State Department of 75 Lakes (1990)
Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the PARAMETER SELECTION
New York Federation of Lake Associations, Parameters were selected for inclusion in PARAMETERS
Inc. (FOLA), a coalition of lake researchers, the CSLAP from a list of nine standard water Secchi disk depth, lake
level, precipitation, dis-
landowners, and interested citizens commit- quality parameters monitored in State-staffed solved oxygen, macro-
ted to promoting lakes research and ex- programs. The selection criteria included ease phytes; volunteers also
changing lake management information. The of data collection, cost of analysis and equip- collect, process, and mail
program is designed to collect baseline data ment, and value of the information obtained. watersamplestotheState
Department of Health
for preparation of lake-specific management Total-phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen, chloro- laboratory for analysis of
plans, while educating lake residents and phyll, "true" color, conductivity, pH, tem- nutrients, chlorophyll,
users about lake ecology, management prac- perature, and Secchi disk transparency were color, pH, and conductiv-
tices, and data collection. The data are used chosen for the first sampling season, 1986. ity.
to document trends on individual lakes, iden- Laboratory costs prohibited the inclusion of SAMPLING FREQ.
tify specific water quality problems, and cal- informative but less essential parameters, Weeklysamplesbetween
culate trophic status to support the DEC's such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and June and October.
lake management recommendations to indi- the dissolved states of phosphorus. When
vidual lake associations. possible, less expensive surrogate parame- NO. VOLUNTEERS
The CSLAP supplements DEC's Lake ters were substituted; for example, "true" Approximately280
Classification and Inventory Survey (LCI), color analysis was selected to provide a rough ADMINISTRATION
the State-staffed program that monitors New measure of DOC. Jointly administered by
York's lakes. Generally, DEC staff sample In 1987 the program purchased two DO- the New York State De-
less than 5% of the State's 7000 lakes each meters and found that each meter could be partment of Environ-
mental Conservation and
year, and regular monitoring is restricted to shared by up to six lake associations. DO the New York Federation
special study lakes. By employing the same testing became an optional activity in 1988 of Lake Associations, Ilnc.
equipment and procedures as DEC, the CSLAP for a subset of the CSLAP lakes. Other analy- Funded primarily with
volunteers can expand the number of lakes ses, such as macrophyte identification and State general revenues.
monitored and increase sampling frequency. precipitation and water level monitoring, have STATE CONTACT
To date, the DEC has not incorporated the been added to the monitoring regime to Scott Kishbaugh, New
CSLAP data into the State 305(b) Report address specific public concerns and fill DEC York Department of Envi-
because most of the lakes monitored by vol- information gaps. ronmental Conservation,
unteers are not included in the "problem" BureauofTechnicaServ-
ices and Research, Room
waterbodies that are covered in the 305(b) VOLUNTEER TRAINING AND 301, 50 Wolf Road, Al-
Report. However, DEC has used CSLAP data RECRUITMENT bany, NY 12233-3502
to determine the effect of onsite wastewater All CSLAP participants must be mem- (518) 457-7470
systems at several lakes and to make prelimi- bers of a lake association that is affiliated
nary assessments of lake water quality for with and recommended by the New York
the 1990 305(b) report. Federation of Lake Associations (FOLA). DEC
In addition to generating baseline lake and FOLA work together to choose new lakes.
quality data, the CSLAP facilitates the ex- The selected lake associations confirm their
change of information between lake resi- interest in the program and commit a team of
dents and State personnel. In 1988, the DEC at least two primary and two secondary vol-
distributed a user survey to approximately unteers to attend training. Following the
5,000 members of lake associations partici- initial year of the program (1986), a surplus
pating in the CSLAP. The questionnaire was of lake associations have sought admission
designed to evaluate public perceptions of into the CSLAP, and active recruitment has
lake water quality, sources of degradation, not been necessary.
and management strategies for maintaining CSLAP personnel train each group enter-
or improvingwater quality. The survey should ing the program onsite during a 3-4 hour
determine if lake users perceive the water session. The training session includes an
quality problems detected by monitoring, introduction and explanation of the program,
and therefore are willing to cooperate with equipment distribution, instruction on sample
DEC management plans and provide fman- collection and processing techniques, and a
cial assistance for implementing protection question-and-answer session. The volunteers
efforts. The questionnaire may also identify also receive written instructions describing
localized, episodic water quality problems sampling and mailing procedures. The CSLAP

U 111 i-1112i:i-1*i *31-i -'- :II ll

CSLAP Quality Control Data from 1987

Lake Name Date Sample Total P NO3 Sp Cond pH Color Chi a
Type (mg/I) (mg/I) (P mho/cm) (ptu) (lg/l)

Glen Lake 7/3 CSLAP 0.010 <.02 262 8.02 10 8.3
7/6 LCI 0.012 <.02 250 7.90 16 NA
Loon Lake 8/10 CSLAP 0.009 <.02 81 7.43 21 2.1
8/10 DEC 0.007 NA 81 7.19 17 5.9
Crooked Lake 8/2 CSLAP 0.011 <.02 148 8.32 12 7.3
8/2 DEC 0,012 NA 136 8.49 10 NA
Lake Moraine 7/29 CSLAP 0.017 0.28 237 8.31 2 6.3
7/29 DEC 0.012 0.27 236 8.02 7 5.5
Petonia Lake 8/4 CSLAP 0.008 <.02 63 6.83 6 3.0
8/4 DEC 0.006 NA 63 7.02 5 3.3
Tuscarora 8/2 CSLAP 0.013 NA 165 7.86 6 3.4
Lake 8/2 DEC 0.011 <.02 165 7.41 12 2.1
Conesus Lake 8/1 CSLAP 0.010 <.02 336 8.17 5 3.9
8/1 DEC 0.011 NA 336 8.07 6 2.1
Cuba Lake 8/1 CSLAP 0.019 <.02 119 7.14 9 24.4
8/1 DEC 0.013 <.02 118 7.18 NA 17.0
Findley Lake 7/30 CSLAP 0.047 <.02 209 7.29 11 62.2
7/30 DEC 0.056 NA 210 7.38 12 73.3
10/1 CSLAP 0.049 0.04 215 7.76 11 73.2
10/1 CSLAP 0.036 0.04 210 7.64 12 49.6
Silver Lake 8/1 CSLAP 0.056 <.02 278 7.44 11 151
8/1 DEC 0.052 <.02 271 7.45 9 144
Wolf Lake 8/8 CSLAP 0.018 <.02 36 5.58 13 29.6
8/8 DEC 0.017 <.02 36 6.57 17 31.8
Sacandaga 7/11 CSLAP 0.006 0.03 43 6.97 15 13.7
Lake 7/10 DEC 0.007 0.08 43 7.25 19 15.8
Brant Lake 7/5 CSLAP 0.008 <.02 73 7.42 16 4.4
7/6 LCI 0.008 <.02 57 7.50 16 4.5
8/10 CSLAP 0.006 <.02 77 7.25 11 4.4
8/10 DEC 0.008 <.02 138 3.72 10 5.7
9/14 CSLAP 0.004 NA 75 7.07 6 5.2
9/15 LCI 0.007 <.02 55 7.25 4 3.5

TABLE 1 staff perform quality assurance follow-up lowered to a depth of 1.5 meters and transfer
New York Citizen visits at least once during the sampling sea- a sample into a collapsible (acclimated) poly-
Statewide Lake Assess- son, during which any continuing sampling ethylene container. Air and water tempera-
ment Program (CSLAP) problems may be resolved. tures and weather conditions are recorded.
quality control data from On shore, the volunteers prepare the samples
1987. Comparison of data SAMPLING PROTOCOL for shipment to the New York State Depart-
collected by CSLAP
volunteers and Depart- CSLAP participants measure Secchi disk ment of Health (DOH} laboratory: phospho-
ment of Environmental transparency and collect water samples be- rus samples are placed in bottles containing
Conservation (DEC) tween June and October. During the initial sulfuric acid preservative; a "true" color
staff and by Lake sampling season on each CSLAP lake, one sample is filtered through a millipore mem-
Classification and site is sampled weekly; if the data indicate brane filter: a chlorophyll sample is acquired
Inventory (LCI) personnel
during 1986 and 1987. little variation from week to week, sampling by passing 25 ml of lake water through a
frequency is reduced in subsequent seasons membrane filter coated with a magnesium
to minimize laboratory costs. The sampling carbonate suspension and placing the filter
site is established over the deepest portion of in a borosilicate vial filled with a solution of
the lake by constructing transects connect- methanol and chloroform; and the unpreser-
ing permanent shoreline landmarks. Volun- ved pH/specific conductivity and nitrogen
teers collect samples with a Kemmerer bottle samples are bottled.

The samples are placed in a styrofoam
packing crate with two 72-hour ice packs and
the sample identification forms, then mailed
to the DOH laboratory with prepaid postage SECTION 1
labels. DOH returns the crates to the volun-
teers with new vials prepared with the pre- LAKE NAME DATE
servatives. Each volunteer rotates three SAMPLER(S)
packing crates and their ice packs with the
lab to avoid problems arising from postal
delays in returning the crates. ASOUNDING DEPTH (See Reverse Side)
delays in returning the crates.
Following the completion of one sam-
pling season, volunteers may expand moni- S DISK (onbottom?)
toring activities by collecting hydrology data Reading i
with rainfall and staff gages, determining
dissolved oxygen profiles with a Nester per-
manent membrane DO meter, or collecting SECTION 3
aquatic vegetation. For this last activity, DEC TIME [ AM AIR TEMPERATURE
staff designed a macrophyte sampling proto- L PM
col in response to frequent complaints about WATER SAMPLE DEPTH WATERTEMPERATURE
aquatic weeds. The protocol consists of drag-
ging a weighted rake fitted with a steel collar SECTION4
and retrieval lines across the lake bottom for onditions present two or more days in a week
a fixed distance, at three depths related to :; c:ancheckmorethanonebox).
water transparency. This protocol is followed Today Wind Past Week
at several sites throughout the littoral zone.l weather conditions or pollution
Unusual weather conditions or pollution
Individual genera are tagged, placed in plas- problems this past week, observations
tic bags, and mailed to the DEC for species U *Moderate; during today's sampling, deviations
identification and archiving. During the first U Windy (distance and direction) from the primary
year of macrophyte sampling (1987), the samplingsiteetc.
volunteers collected 25 plant species on 10 :i y
lakes, including most of the significant spe- U] Clear
cies identified by an independent compre- U Pt. Cloudy U
hensive macrophyte survey of Babcock Lake.
[ :: ;; Overcast []
The protocol is not intended to identify every
plant species present, but the preliminary 1U Rainy [1 Initials
results suggest that the macrophyte proce-
dures can provide a reliable profile of the to carbon dioxide contamination and biologi- FIGURE 1
significant species present, their growth cal activity in the sample during transport to -C
patterns, and relationship to lake clarity. the DOH laboratory. Statew York Citizen
The program staff perform quality con- The excellent quality control results have Assessment Program
trol checks during two follow-up visits to enabled the CSLAP program coordinator to Sampling Record Form.
each lake during the sampling season. The promote the program as a reliable source of
coordinators observe the volunteers' tech- lake quality data to other State Agency per-
nique to ensure consistency, then collect sonnel. As a result, annual funding from the
samples from the same location at roughly State of New York has been increased and the
the same time. The samples collected by the program continues to expand; the number of
volunteers and the staff are analyzed by the monitored lakes has increased from 25 in
DOH laboratory and the results are corn- 1986 to 61 in 1989. Aquatic weed sampling
pared. Concurrent sampling by volunteers was added to the program in 1987, dissolved
and other DEC survey teams also serve as oxygen monitoring became optional during
quality control checks. Comparison of data the 1988 sampling season, and acid rain
collected by CSLAP volunteers and staff, and monitoring began in 1989.
Lake Classification and Inventory (LCI) per-
sonnel during 1986 and 1987 (Table 1), indi- DATA MANAGEMENT
cate only slight variation. Many of the ob- A Sampling Record (Figure 1) is com-
served differences can be inherently attrib- pleted for every sampling period, and mailed
uted to equipment and procedures. Discrep- to the DEC either directly or via the DOH. The
ancies in the pH values are thought to be due recorded information and data from DOH

sample analysis are entered into a dBASE-III vegetation studies in the Finger Lakes Dis-
management system on a personal computer trict.) Program funds are allocated as follows:
at the DEC. Statistical analysis, tables, $45,000 to pay the salaries of the DEC Pro-
graphs, (using Microsoft Chart) and report gram Coordinator and the FOLA Coordinator;
texts (using Wordstar 2000) are prepared on $6,100 for materials for returning volun-
the personal computer. Survey forms are teers; $41,000forlaboratoryanalysis; $5,500
entered on Excel. At this time the database is to mail samples to the DOH laboratory; $2,500
insufficient to detect trends; therefore, analy- to purchase dissolved oxygen meters; and
sis is limited to descriptive statistics, includ- approximately $10,000 for other expenses
ing minimum, maximum, and mean values including printing reports and office over-
of nutrients, chlorophyll, and Secchi disk head.
depth. A Carlson Trophic State is assigned to Lake monitoring costs decline sharply
each lake based upon the mean values. State- following the initial year; the equipment and
wide correlation between chlorophyll, phos- most of the materials are reused and the
phorus, and Secchi disk depth are also as- sampling frequency may be reduced if the
sessed. first year's data indicates little weekly vari-
Program results are highlighted in an ation. As a result, laboratory analysis costs
annual report that includes a summary of for an individual lake may drop from $1100
information collected at each monitoring site. during the first sampling season, to $500 in
Program results are also publicized in the subsequent years. Similarly, equipment costs
FOLA newsletter, at FOLA conferences, and may decline from $450 to $75.
at lake association meetings.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION SELECTED PROGRAM MATERIALS
The CSLAP is jointly administered by one Annual Report 1987: New York State Citizens
full-time program coordinator designated by Statewide LakeAssessment Program. New
full-the DEC, and onim e program coordinator deYork State Department of Environmental
the DEC, and one part-time coordinator
appointed by the FOLA. The DEC Conservation, Division of Water. 1988.
appointed by the FOLA. The DEC
responsibilities include preparing the 431 pages.
sampling protocol, contacting the
Citizens StatewideLakeAssessmentProgram
participating lake associations, purchasing CitizensStatewideL
Sampling Protocol. State of New York De-
and distributing equipment, training partment of Environmental Conservation,
volunteers, coordinating analytical services Division of W ater, and the Federation
with the DOH, managing data, implementing Lake Associ ations, Inc. 1988. 36 pages.
the quality assurance plan, and compiling This instruction manual d escribes basic
the annual report. The FOLA Coordinator
assists in recruiting lake associations, watersamplingproceduresforCSLAPpar-
volunteer training and maintaining contact
with volunteers, and presenting program
results in newsletter articles and at lake New York Citizens Statewide Lake Assess-
association meetings. The FOLA Scientific ment Program CSLAP) User Survey. New
Advisory Board reviews the CSLAP annual York State Department of Environmental
Conservation, Division of Water, and the
report and provides technical assistance on
program revisions. The DOH performs all Federation of Lake Associations, Inc. 1988.
program revisions. The DOH performs all
analytical services; their responsibilities
include sample receipt and in-house
CSLAP Vegetation Survey Protocol. New York
preservation, internal quality control of SLP Vegetation Survey Protocol. New York
State Department of Environmental
samples and processing paperwork, returning S tate Department of Environmental
mailers and supplies to the volunteers and Conservation, Division ofWater. Undated.
compilation of laboratory reports.
The 1988 CSLAP budget of roughly
$110,000 consists of $85,000 secured from
the DEC operating budget, and $25-30,000
provided by the Finger Lakes Association to
fund the addition of 19 lakes to the program.
(The Finger Lakes Association is a coalition of
counties that acquired Local Assistance funds
from the State Budget to perform aquatic

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES its sixth year in 1989 and includes 150 sites START-UP DATE
Ohio's Scenic River Stream Quality on the ten State-designated Scenic Rivers. 1983
Monitoring Program has two primary objec- Each monitoring group is assigned one or SAMPLING SITES
tives. The first is to educate citizens about the more sampling locations. A member of the 10 Rivers, 150 sites
importance of stream biology, particularly Scenic River Program staff spends several (1989)
macroinvertebrates, as a measure of stream hours training each group in the proper
quality. The second is to develop and main- sampling technique and identification proce Biological monitoring
tain a base of information to evaluate long dures. (benthic macroinverte-
term changes in river quality. The program Since the inception of the program in brates)
centers around the hands-on involvement of 1983, approximately 50% of the original vol-
citizens in the collection and identification of unteers are still involved in the program. A SAMPLING FREQ.
betiParonetbaeaswlash 2 to 5 surveys annually
benthic macroinvertebrates as well as the number of those seasonal volunteers are now betweenAprilandOcto-
calculation of a simple stream quality index beginning to request additional responsibili- ber
value. The biomonitoring procedures, which ties. As a result, State staff are considering an
can be quickly and easily performed, are expansion of the program to include some NO.VOLUNTEERS
within the understanding of individuals in chemical monitoring. John Kopec, the pro- Approximately 5000
nearly any age group, and, as such, are not gram supervisor, believes that volunteer tasks ADMINISTRATION
designed to pinpoint subtle shifts in water must increase somewhat in complexity and Administered bythe State
quality. number to maintain volunteer interest. Scenic Rivers Program
Unlike many other programs, the Ohio and funded through a
State tax refund check-off
citizen monitoring effort is administered by a SAMPLING PROTOCOL and general revenues
and general revenues.
State agency that does not regulate water Ohio's volunteer monitoring program was Several State and re-
quality. The program is managed by the Ohio adapted from procedures outlined in the gional staff devote part of
Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), national Izaak Walton League's Save Our their time to the program,
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, as a Streams Program. Various techniques were along with part-time sea-
sonal employees.
component of Ohio's Scenic River Program. tested and modified to develop an approach
Monitoring results are shared periodically that is easy to learn and which may be STATE CONTACT
with the Ohio Environmental Protection implemented by a wide range of age groups. John Kopec, Ohio Depart-
Agency (OEPA), the agency empowered to Each volunteer group is supplied with a ment of Natural Re-
sources, Scenic Rivers
regulate water quality, as well as local health net, a manual that describes sampling meth- Section, Fountain Square
departments. The Agency may investigate ods, identification sheet ofmacroinvertebrate Columbus, OH 43224
sites where severe degradation is indicated. taxa, and a set of forms for recording obser- (614) 265-6458
vations and analyses. Using the information
VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND they have collected, volunteers develop a
TRAINING qualitative index of stream quality based on
Ohio Scenic River staff maintain an the overall diversity of indicator species col-
aggressive volunteer recruitment effort that lected. This index was cooperatively devel-
includes Statewide newspaper advertising, oped by the OEPA and the Ohio Scenic Rivers
television spots, and direct mailings. Cur- Program.
rently, close to 5,000 volunteers participate The volunteers perform the "kick seine"
in 150 monitoring groups. Program person- technique described in the program hand-
nel constantly work to expand the partici- book. The seine net is stretched across the
pant pool by working with numerous organi- downstream edge of a riffle area measuring
zations, including garden clubs, Big Brothers approximately 3 feet by 3 feet. The monitors
and Sisters, Grange associations, conserva- pick up all stream bed materials two inches
tion groups, wastewater treatment plant or larger in the sample area and brush aquatic
operators, and schools. Numerous organiza- insects and other organisms into the seine
tions have incorporated environmental pro- net. Then a volunteer thoroughly kicks up
tection into their goals, and welcome the the bottom substrate to dislodge burrowing
opportunity to participate in the stream organisms. The captured organisms are iden-
monitoring program. At the present time, tified and the volunteers calculate a cumula-
volunteer interest exceeds the capacity of the tive index value based upon the variety of
program, primarily because the program is collected taxa indicating excellent, good, fair,
restricted to the ten State-designated Scenic or poor stream quality (Figure 1). Groups are
Rivers. Budgetary limitations on staff time encouraged to collect more than one sample
and equipment acquisition also are a limiting at a site and consolidate the results. If poor
factor regarding program expansion. water quality is indicated, the volunteers
Ohio's citizen monitoring program began may work upstream in search of a source,

although time constraints usually prevent comparisons of volunteer and OEPA data are
this procedure. All results are recorded on an performed whenever possible. For example,
assessment form and mailed either to the citizen monitors and OEPApersonnel sampled
regional stream monitoring coordinator or side by side downstream from an industrial
the Scenic River Program Central Office. operation that was permitted to release a
Most groups sample between two and large volume of waste (prior to closing) in
five times a year, primarily between April and 1987. The two data sets compared favorably.
October when river flow and temperature To date, the citizen monitoring data has
conditions are conducive to sampling. Al- revealed only a few instances of poor stream
though a standard monitoring schedule has quality (septic tank failures, sewage treat-
not been implemented for the program as a ment plant overflows, and an industrial waste
whole, priority stations have been estab- discharge were suspected sources). However,
lished which are sampled at least three times this is understandable as the program is
a year with one sample performed by the limited to designated Scenic Rivers which by
Scenic Rivers Program staff. Priority stations definition possess a high water quality rat-
are selected to correspond with OEPA sites, ing. Nevertheless, the primary objective of
to monitor upstream and downstream of the program is being fulfilled: to develop
FIGURE 1 point source discharges, to provide for easy awareness, understanding and appreciation
access and accommodations, and to evenly of stream ecology, while permitting the aver-
Ouality Monitoring distribute sampling stations along each Sce- age citizen hands-on involvementwith stream
Program Stream Quality nic River. Additional quality control meas- resource protection.
Assessment Form. ures have not been formalized, but ad hoc
DATA MANAGEMENT
The information from data sheets sub-
mitted to ODNR is entered into a computer
data base for use in the preparation of reports
and possibly trend analysis in the future. The
STATION OR 16.3 STREAM Olentanqy River SAMPLE 9 1
stored data include the estimated count cate-
LOCATION L K Riffle :; gory for each species identified, the total
COUNTY Delaware TOWNSHIP/CITY Delaware DATE 5-1-88 TIME 2:00 pa,. number of taxa collected, the Cumulative
GROUP OR
INDIVIDUALS The Oliver Bailey reuo N. O PARTICIPANS 2 Index Value, and the Stream Quality Rating
DESCRIBE WATER CONDITIONS (COLOR, ODOR, BEDGROWTHS, HACH KIT RESULTS (if used) D for each sampling period at each site (Figure
SURFACE SCUM, ETC.) OTHER OBSERVATIONS 1). Statistical analysis is not performed be-
Slightly muddy; heavy bottom growth. cause the data lack the technical refinement
No odor.
USE BACK No odor. I necessary to analyze benthic macroinverte-
J~SE BACK OF FORK IF NECESSARY] brate population fluctuations. Trends may
WIDTH OF RIFFLE 40' BED COMPOSITION OF RIFFLE () be revealed after a sufficient data base has
be revealed after a sufficient data base has
WATER DEPTH B, to ID SILT E SAND 0 GRAVEL (."_- z) [ been acquired. Raw data indicating unusual
WATER TEMP. (�F) 64 COBBLES (2"- l"') EI BOULDERS (> 10") El water quality conditions are shared with the
MACROINVERTEERATE ESTIMATED I to OEPA, who determines if the conditions
ESTIMATED COUNT B 10 to 99
TALLY LETTER CODE C = 100 r more warrant further investigation.

GUIP 1 TAXA ~ GnXP 2 TAMA
GrP 1 T~~A Lr GRP 2 T1WPROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
WATER PENNY LARVAE A DAMSELFLY NYMPHS RI ACKF Y I ARVAF PROGRAM AD
MAYFLY NYMPHS A DRAGONFLY NYMPHS AOUATIC WORMS A The citizen monitoring program is run
STONER TY NYMPHS A CRANE FLY LARVAE MIDGE LARVAE
DONSONFLY LARVAE A BEETLE LARVAE POUCH SNAILS largely by ODNRpersonnel as a component of
CAUouISLY LAKVAt c RAYFsH IFFCr.HF
RIFFLE BEETLE ADULT a SClnS the State Scenic Rivers Program in the Divi-
OTHER SNAILS a rlM AM
sTWsuGs sion of Natural Areas and Preserves. The
NUMBER OF TAXA 7 NUMBER OF TAXA NUMBER OF TAXA Scenic River Program Planning Supervisor
(tmual lt(em ItimeA*
INDEX VALUE 3 21 INDEX VALUE 2 2 NDEX VALUE 1 1 coordinates the program and is responsible
for interagency coordination and communi-
CUMULATIVE STREAM QUALITY ASSESSMENT cation with the federal government, manag-
INDEX VALUE EXCELLENT (> 22) GOOD (17-22) ] ing the program funds, setting program poli-
24 I FAIR (11-16) ] POOR (< u) [] cies, and writing the annual reports. The
planning supervisor oversees four seasonal
PLEASE SEND THIS FORM TO: Mr. John S. Kopec, Planning Supervisor employees who work approximately 20 hours
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
Ohio Scenic Rivers Program a week between April and October, training
1889 Fountain Square Court
Columbus, Ohio 43224 Phone: (614) 265-6458 and maintaining contact with the volunteers.
Additional assistance is given by a staff of

four Scenic River regional coordinators. SELECTED PROGRAM MATERIALS
An annual report describing the citizen Stream Quality Monitoring: A Citizen Action
monitoring results is mailed to key members Program. Ohio Department of Natural Re-
of each participating organization, and let- sources, Division of Natural Areas and
ters of recognition are also sent to volunteers. Preserves. Undated. 20 pages.This instruc-
While the Ohio program does not produce a tion manual covers basic sampling meth-
regular volunteer newsletter, local media ods and provides a taxonomic key to
coverage of volunteer projects is actively stream-dwelling macroinvertebrates.
pursued to provide additional recognition for
the participants. Ohio Scenic Rivers Stream Quality Monitoring
The Scenic River Program staff are inves- PrograrmAnnualReport 1989Results. Ohio
tigating expansion of the volunteer monitor- Department of Natural Resources, Division
ing program through assistance to Ohio Soil of Natural Areas and Preserves. 58 pages.
and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD's).
Six SWCD's are currently involved with lo-
cally administering stream quality monitor-
ing. The current program supervisor envi-
sions the Scenic River Program maintaining
its monitoring program on Scenic Rivers, but
also training other agencies to expand citizen
monitoring to streams outside of the Scenic
River Program's jurisdiction.
The citizen monitoring program is pri-
marily funded with general State revenues
and a natural areas State income tax refund
check-off program. The 1988 budget totalled
approximately $55,000. Costs for the pro-
gram are distributed as follows: the Scenic
River planning supervisor allocates approxi-
mately 50% of his time to the volunteer
monitoring program, at a cost of approxi-
mately $15,000. Four regional Scenic River
Coordinators spend 10-15% of their time
between April and October assisting the vol-
unteer program at a cost of approximately
$16,000. Four part-time seasonal stream
monitoring coordinators are paid $18,000.
Four thousand dollars are allocated for travel
expenses. Overhead office and report print-
ing costs are not included in the budget.
Annual equipment costs average $2,000. The
tax-refund monies support the salaries and
travel expenses of the seasonal stream moni-
toring coordinators. All other expenses are
funded by general State revenues, and occa-
sional donations.

START-UP DATE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES nearshore water quality compared to mid-
1985 The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, channel water quality in tidal tributaries is
SAMPLING SITES Inc. (ACB) began a pilot water quality testing planned. The data will also be used in the
10 Rivers, 60+ sites project for volunteers in July 1985 as one of verification of an interpolation model ofwater
(1989) the activities funded under its Chesapeake quality in major tributaries to the Bay.
Bay Program public participation grant from The data can also be used to look at
TIDAL AREAS: Air and USEPA. The project was designed to answer correlations between certain measured vari-
water temperature, Sec- four questions which were addressed in the ables, such as low dissolved oxygen, and the
chi disk depth and total "Chesapeake Bay Citizen Monitoring Pro- frequency of observed events, such as fish
depth, salinity, pH, dis- gram Report, July 1985 - October 1988": kills and algae blooms. It should be possible
solvedoxygen,ammonia, 1. Can citizens collect water quality data to identify which sites provide for particular
precipitation, field obser-
vations of water condi- that meet rigorous quality control standards? living resources habitats and attempt to link
tions and color, weather, 2. Do data collected at nearshore loca- their character with water quality indicators.
general condition of site. tions reflect water quality in the river gener- It would also be useful to evaluate the feasi-
NONTIDAL AREAS: Air ally? Such shallow, nearshore waters are bility of using the citizen monitoring data set
and water temperature, increasingly recognized for their importance to determine the data collection frequency
turbidity, river height, pre-
cipitation, nitrate, dis- as living resources habitats. optimal for time series of water quality indi-
solved oxygen, field ob- 3. What are the most reliable sampling cators.
servations. procedures, reporting formats, and data
SAMPLING management systems for a volunteer pro- VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT
FREQUENCY gram? AND TRAINING
Weekly year round. 4. Is it feasible to include a permanent, Wheneverpossible, volunteers are sought
Bay-wide citizen monitoring network among who live on or near the water. Recruitment
NO. VOLUNTEERS the long-term Bay management strategies of letters are sent to individuals and organiza-
60+-some sites are the State and Federal governments? tions that have an interest in water quality or
shared by 1-3 volunteers.
A major objective of this program was to in monitoring. This includes The Sierra Club,
ADMINISTRATION demonstrate that citizen volunteers can col- The Audubon Society, The League of Women
Administered by the Alli- lect water quality data that meet rigorous Voters, Soil Conservation District Commit-
ance for the Chesapeake quality control standards. Data collected by tees, river basin and civic associations,
Bay, Inc. (ACB) under the
guidance of the Monitor- volunteers were compared to data collected maritime businesses, etc. An effort is made to
ing Subcommittee to the by State agency staff at nearby monitoring involve different user groups, such as com-
Implementation Commit- stations. Figure 1.4, Chapter 1, shows dis- mercial and recreational fisherman, marina
tee of the Chesapeake solved oxygen concentrations in surface water owners, boating clubs, etc. Extensive follow-
Bay Program. Funded samples at a volunteer-monitored, nearshore up by telephone is necessary to find people
with grants from USEPA,
Region IIIl and NOAA, site and at a Virginia Water Control Board who are willing to participate.
Coastal Zone Manage- monitoring station located in the mid-chan- The volunteers initially attend a 3-hour
ment Program grants to nel of the river about one mile apart. Inspec- training session. These sessions include the
the states of Virginia and tion of the data plots indicated that both the viewing of an introductory slide show and
Maryland. Private dona-
tionshaveprovidedfunds volunteer-collected data and the State moni- explanation of the need for the data to be
for dissolved oxygen kits. toring data represent similar water quality collected. This is followed by a demonstration
conditions (Wastler 1987). of the test procedures.
PROGRAM Based on method comparisons and data Two quality control (QC) sessions per
CONTACTS
KathleeCONTACTS results, the Implementation Committee of year are conducted by the monitoring coordi-
Kathleen Ellett, Citizen
Monitoring Director and the Chesapeake Bay Program endorsed the nator. QC sessions follow two basic ap-
Gayla Campbell, Mary- incremental expansion of the Citizen Moni- proaches: 1) volunteers test the same water
land Citizen Monitoring toring Program. The Committee has instructed with their equipment in the way they do it
Coordinator, ACB, 410 its relevant subcommittees to report on ways onsite; 2) volunteers read/record laboratory
Severn Avenue, Suite
110, Annapolis, MD citizen monitoring data can be used to pro- standards. Their results then provide a
21403. (301) 266-6873. vide a better understanding of the status of measure of how well they perform as a group
Billy Mills, Virginia Citizen the quality of the nearshore habitat. and how precisely they measure the water
Monitoring Coordinator, A preliminary comparison of data col- quality indicators being tested.
Richm, P.O. Box 1981 lected from all the volunteer monitored sites
Richmond, VA 23216
804-775-0951. and by State agency staff indicated that SAMPLING PROTOCOL
patterns of differences between the citizen Sites were not preselected for this volun-
monitoring sites and state monitoring sta- tary program. However, State monitoring
tions occurred frequently enough to suggest program coordinators in Maryland, Virginia,
that they may reflect actual conditions (Ellett, and Pennsylvania were consulted to deter-
et al. 1989). A more thorough analysis of mine suitable locations. The following crite-

Property of CSC Library

VOLUNTEER WATER
MONITORING:

A Guide
For State
Managers

U.S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
COASTAL SERVICES CENTER
2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
CHARLESTON, SC 29405-2413

e , 0atenrRegulations and Standards
es nt an Watershed
ctt
shin .D. 0460

iN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~,B

This document was prepared under coopera-

tive agreement #CX81 3519-03-0 from the U.S. Envi-

ronmental Protection Agency, Office of Water

Regulations and Standards, Assessment and

Watershed Protection Division, to the Alliance for

the Chesapeake Bay, Inc. Additional support was

provided by Research Triangle Institute.

The EPA project officers were Alice Mayio and

Meg Kerr. Principal authors were Kathleen Ellett

and Alice Mayio. The authors would like to thank

the many reviewers who provided helpful com-

ments on the content and organization of this

guide; the State coordinators whose volunteer

programs are described in the Appendix; and

EPA's Office of Marine and Estuarine Protection,

which assisted in the publication of this document.

NOTICE: This document has been reviewed
in accordance with U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency policy and approved for
publication. Mention of trade names or
commercial products does not constitute
endorsement or recommendation for use.

FORIEWORD

Citizen volunteer monitoring is a relatively new development in
the water quality assessment and management field. In a
growing number of cases, States have recognized the value of
volunteers and have begun to sponsor them in the collection
of high quality baseline and screening data.

We at EPA encourage this partnership between State agencies
and citizen volunteers. EPA has prepared this guide for State
managers because of the benefits of volunteer monitoring both
as a source of credible data and as a public education tool
that encourages a sense of stewardship for our water
resources.

This document cannot claim to be more than a guide. Specific
approaches will vary depending on the type of waters to be
assessed, the parameters to be monitored, and the amount of
resources the State is able to commit to the program.
Nevertheless, this guide should help new programs build on
the experiences of successful, established programs and avoid
any pitfalls they may have encountered. We also hope that
this guide will help improve existing volunteer programs and
spark interest in States that have not yet made plans to work
with citizen volunteers.

Martha G. Prothro
Director, Office of Water
Regulations and Standards
U.S. EPA,
Washington, D.C.

ria were used to select sites: Monitors report weekly accumulated
1. stations should be equally divided in rainfall if they can install a rain gage near the
lower estuarine, riverine-estuarine transi- site. Rain gages are not installed at sites that
tion and tidal fresh zones of tidal rivers; are not on private property because they
2. stations should be located above and might be vandalized. In addition, information
below the mouth of any significant tributary on weather and general observations about
running into the river; the site (live or dead organisms, debris, oil
3. stations should be above and below slicks, ice, odor, water color, anything un-
major construction sites and wastewater usual) are recorded on a Data Collection
treatment plants; Form and sent to the project coordinator.
4. stations should be near a farm or Monitors on the Conestoga River in
animal holding facility that is instituting best Pennsylvania record air and water tempera-
management practices; ture, river height at most sites, water color
5. several stations should be nearshore and weather conditions and weekly accumu-
opposite a State water quality monitoring lated rainfall. They test for dissolved oxygen
station to allow for more direct comparison of and nitrate-nitrogen using a color compara-
data sets. tor kit. They also record turbidity using a
Data quality is a key aspect of the Che- visual comparison method based on the
sapeake Bay Program. A Quality Assurance Jackson candle turbidity column with re-
Project Plan (QAPjP) was prepared for the suits reported in Jackson turbidity units
volunteer program and accepted by the (JTU) which correspond to nephelometric
Chesapeake Bay Program Quality Assurance turbidity units (NTU).
Officer (QAO) (CBCMP 1987). Initial testing of Volunteers on the Patuxent River began
volunteer methods was conducted at the EPA taking samples for laboratory analysis of
Central Regional Laboratory, Annapolis, MD nutrients in late 1989 and volunteers in
under the supervision of the CBP QAO and selected locations in Virginia rivers will begin
various other chemists and technicians. The nutrient sample-taking in 1990. Virginia vol-
selected tests were written up in a "Citizen unteers survey their sites for the presence of
Monitoring Manual" specifically designed for common wildlife for the State's Department
this program (Ellett 1986). of Game and Inland Fisheries as part of the
Instruments and methods were chosen U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Multi-State
based on simplicity of use, cost, and accu- Fish and Wildlife Information Systems Proj-
racy. Every possible effort was made to use ect. Volunteers assist in groundtruthing of
methods that were comparable to those the submerged aquatic vegetation aerial pho-
employed by the CBP Monitoring Program. tographic survey each year. They also esti-
Where methods were necessarily different, mate population density of jellyfish species
methods comparison tests were performed during the summer months.
and the degree of comparability was deter-
mined. The units reported are the same as DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS
those used in the CBP Monitoring Program. Data are reported on a Data Collection
Volunteer monitors collect data and Form supplied to the volunteer monitors. See
samples once a week year round. Surface Figure 3.3, Chapter 3 for an example form.
water samples are obtained in a bucket from The monitors are instructed to make a copy
the water's edge, a dock or pier and, in a few of the form and to send the original to the co-
instances, from a boat. ordinator every two weeks in supplied enve-
In the standard tidal waters program, lopes. They keep a copy to guard against loss
five water quality parameters are measured in the mail and to facilitate discussion of later
at each site: water and air temperature; pH questions about data reported. They may use
using color comparator kits; Secchi disk depth carbon paper or photocopy the original for
and water depth; salinity using hydrometers; their own records. Data are keypunched by
and dissolved oxygen (DO) using micro-Win- Chesapeake Bay Computer Center (CBPCC)
kler titration kits (two samples are titrated at personnel by running a Fortran data entry
each sampling time). Color comparator kits program. The raw data file is used as input to
are used to test for ammonia in the tidal fresh a Statistical Analysis System (SAS) program
zone of the James River in Virginia. The water which creates a data listing by site and
chemistry kits used in this program are creates plots of the parameters. After the data
manufactured by LaMotte Chemical Prod- listing has been checked for keypunch and
ucts, Inc. coding errors and corrected by computer

center personnel and the coordinator, a print- trol activities; have direct contact with volun-
out is sent to each monitor. They are asked to teers and carry out QC activities; order, cali-
look over the listing and report any errors to brate and issue replacement equipment and
the coordinator. Verified data are available to dispense reagent refills.
the public upon request. The 1989 budget for direct costs to
manage the CBCMP in three states is ap-
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION proximately $112,000. Funding is provided
AND BUDGET by the EPA public participation grant to ACB
The establishment of a volunteer moni- and NOAA Coastal Zone Management grants
toring program was suggested in the man- to Maryland and Virginia that then contract
agement plan that was developed following with ACB to implement projects in Maryland,
the research phase of the Chesapeake Bay Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Program funds
Program (USEPA 1980). In response to a are allocated as follows:
request from the CBP Monitoring Subcom- Personnel (2 and 1/2 people): $80,000
mittee, The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Travel: 8,000
Inc. established an ad hoc committee to ana- Equipment: 7,000
lyze and report on the desirability and feasi-
bility of citizen monitoring efforts and to:
provide specific recommendations. The raining and Quality Control: 00
committee's proposal was presented to and
accepted by the CBP Implementation Com- Newsletter: 700
mittee which determines detailed policy for EPA provides data management support
the CBP. This committee and its several and office support for the director and the
subcommittees are made up of representa- Maryland coordinator. The Virginia Council
tives from the States, the District of Colum- on the Environment provides office support
bia, and Federal agencies that are signatories for the Virginia coordinator.
to the CBP Agreement to restore and protect
the Chesapeake Bay.
A committee of eight Bay managers and REFERENCES AND SELECTED
scientists worked with the Citizen Monitoring PROGRAM MATERIALS
Coordinator in setting up the pilot program. Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Inc. 1986.
This technical advisory committee reviewed Citizen Monitoring Manual Baltimore, MD.
the project plans and the protocol manual,
provided technical guidance to the project Ellett, Kathleen. An Introduction to Water
coordinator as needed, and reviewed and Quality Monitoring Using Volunteers: A
evaluated results for inclusion in interim Handbookfor Coordinators. 1988. Alliance
reports. for the Chesapeake Bay, Inc. Baltimore,
A Citizen Monitoring Workgroup of the MD.
Monitoring Subcommittee continues to pro-
vide direction to the program managers with Ellett, Kathleen K., Susan Brunenmeister
input from relevant State agency personnel. and Ricky H. Price. Chesapeake Bay Citi-
The Chesapeake Bay Citizen Monitoring zen Monitoring Program Report, July 1985-
Program (CBCMP) began an extensive expan- October 1988. USEPA CBP/TRS 27/89,
sion in Virginia and Maryland in the spring of June 1989.
1989. The program director provides over-
sight for the regional program; helps plan US Environmental ProtectionAgency, Region
and conduct quality control sessions; and III, Chesapeake Bay Program, 1986. Qual-
prepares and presents reports. The director ity Assurance Project Plan (QAPjP) for the
also writes and edits the newsletter, River Chesapeake Bay Citizen Monitoring Pro-
Trends, which is published four times a year gram USEPA QAMS 1980 Document. An-
and sent to volunteer monitors as well as napolis, MD.
other interested people.
ot her intereState citizen monitoring coordina- people. US Environmental ProtectionAgency, Region
The State citizen monitoring coordina-
tors carry out day-to-day management of all III, Chesapeake Bay Program. Chesapeake
projects in their respective states; recruit and Bay: A FrameworkforAction Appendices.
train volunteer monitors; receive, store and Philadelphia, PA. 554 pages.
manage data in cooperation with CBPCC
personnel; plan and implement quality con-

OU.S.GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1990 725-975