Work Plan & Progress Report - Rhode Island Department of ...

probabilistic sampling survey and will be seeking EPA input on the criteria that will be used in
weighting the design. Implementation of the design will be contingent on available resources. All fish
sample collection to date has been done in collaboration with DEM F&W.
Sue indicated she will be providing Katrina shortly with the final workplan for the 106 supplemental
funding for monitoring. At this point the funding needs to be distributed to support monitoring,
nutrients ($25K for the BCG contract).
EPA noted it would be conducting much of the field work for the RI NCA sites in the coming weeks.
A contractor will be conducting the fish sampling. Katrina indicated a range of parameters are
sampled for during a single trip to each site. She agreed to forward details to DEM on the parameters
included. EPA also is offering the opportunity for DEM personnel to participate in the surveys if
interested.
EPA indicated they have an equipment loan program for volunteer monitors. The equipment is
considered a long term loan for a volunteer monitoring program and may include YSI 85, flow meters,
GPS and other sampling equipment. Alicia indicated while this may be a good program, she does not
have anyone in DEM to coordinate this opportunity. She suggested EPA contact Linda Green who is a
URI volunteer coordinator. EPA was hoping this could be a joint effort. Alicia indicated she would be
interested in signing a joint letter to push the EPA program. Alicia thought the GPS would be useful
because DEM does not have a lot of GPS information from the volunteer programs. In addition she
thought it would be helpful in determining profiles in deep lakes. Sue also indicated that Jamison
Chase from Salve Regina (Newport), who is coordinating a volunteer monitoring effort on Aquidneck
Island, should also be made aware of this opportunity.
Katrina reviewed the technical support commitments EPA-Chelmsford was able to make for 2010.
EPA indicated they would be conducting sampling on Warwick Beach and would be conducting DO
studies on the Woonasquatucket River and at Buckeye Brook. DEM indicated RI HEALTH should be
notified on any sampling at the beaches.
NPDES – (P&C List Numbers 88-93)
Dave Webster joined the meeting via telephone. He indicated EPA headquarters conducted a Permit
Quality Review of the RIPDES Program. He indicated there may be some issues that need to be
discussed when the report is finalized. EPA’s goal is 90% current rate and a 10 % backlog rate. At this
point in time DEM has an 83% issuance rate by Sept., 2010, DEM will end up at 88%. Dave thought
DEM was a little behind in the issuance of general permits. With respect to item 89, EPA would like
DEM to identify 4 priority permits to be issued in 2011. Angelo indicated four would be pushing the
envelope; three might be possible, but he would like to commit to only two permits. Dave indicated he
would agree to two permits but he expects push back from headquarters on this number. Angelo
indicated there are a number of permits expiring next year which will make permitting targets in 2012
a challenge.
EPA asked the status of the MS4 General Permit reissuance. Eric indicated the permit is in draft and he
can provide it to EPA in August for their comments. He anticipates the General Permit would be heard
in the September/October time period and anticipated them to be finalized in December.
Eric mentioned that DEM held workshop(s) with municipalities to explain the draft MS4 GP, including
comparison to the EPA draft permit.
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