19-Aug-2003 MWMC presentation to NWQMC 1

Our vision for monitoring in Maryland…

The MWMC envisions a time when monitoring methods, programs, projects, and data are the product of collaboration and comparability among agencies and organizations. The resulting information will be accessible for use by all stakeholders and will facilitate sound decision-making in environmental management and protection.

http://www.mgs.md.gov/mwmc/

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MWMC board membership (monitoring stakeholder groups)

• State Agencies (4)--at least one each from Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Department of the Environment

• Local Governments (4)

• Federal Agencies (2)

• Volunteer Groups-Environmental Organizations (2)--one of which has statewide affiliation

• Academia (2)

• Intergovernmental Organizations (2)

• Consultants and Industry (2)

• At-large Members (2)

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MWMC organizational structure

AD HOC COMMITTEES

Annual Conference

Groundwater Level Monitoring

Integrated Monitoring

STANDING COMMITTEES

Monitoring & Assessment

Program Coordination

Data Management

Chair (Bill Stack, Baltimore City DPW)

Vice-Chair (Bob Shedlock, USGS)

Board of Directors

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How is MWMC supported?

• 319 grant through DNR has provided CRITICAL part-time staff support (Executive Secretary)—GRANT ENDING…

• Time/in-kind resources volunteered by Board, committee members, and member organizations

• Without the 319 funding, how do we sustain momentum and level of activity??

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• Small Watershed WQ Sampling Program Design Workshops

• Flow Gauging Station White Paper

• Monitoring Program Survey

• Groundwater Level Workshop

• Stream Roundtable• Online PCC Newsletter

Past MWMC activities

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• Eight Annual Conferences (1995-2002). The 2003 conference is scheduled for Nov. 13.

MWMC activities—ANNUAL CONFERENCES

• Opportunity to – Explore

statewide “big picture” issues

– Showcase specific programs, studies

– NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

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J F M A M J J A S O N D

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Current MWMC activities• Ninth Annual Conference (November 13,

2003)

• Bridging the Gap Between Tidal and Non-tidal Monitoring Programs Workshop  

• Recommendations for a comprehensive groundwater monitoring network

• Hydrologic System Workshop:

• Development of a web-based metadata clearinghouse  

• Maintenance of the MWMC website  

• Restoration tracking  

• Newsletter  

• Overview brochure  

• Strategic planning process

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Strategic planning & capacity building• Initial meeting held September 17, 2002.

Work smarter not harder Focus energies Ensure we’re all working toward same goals

Assess and adjust our direction in response to a changing environment

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Initial MWMC strategic planning process

What would water monitoring in Maryland look like if there were

true collaboration and

comparability among agencies & organizations?

The MWMC envisions a time when monitoring methods, programs,

projects, and data are the product of collaboration and

comparability among agencies and organizations.

The resulting information will be accessible for use by all

stakeholders and will facilitate sound decision-making in

environmental management and protection.

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What is MWMC’s role in working toward the vision?

Initial MWMC strategic planning process

MWMC Role

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What are the challenges and issues related to this role?

Challenges &

Issues

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Given our assets, what are the activities & projects we can undertake to address these

challenges and fill the gaps?

Initial MWMC strategic planning process

ActivitiesWhat are the current assets the Council has to successfully address these challenges/issues?

1) What are the assets members & member organizations bring to the Council?

2) What are the assets the Council brings to members & their organizations?

3) Where are the gaps?

Assets

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NWQMC ROLE ISSUES & CHALLENGES IN FULFILLING OUR ROLE

ACTIVITIES TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES

FACILITATING COLLABORATIO

N

•Assure a membership body that represents all water-related disciplines within the State of Maryland•Provide a forum of open communication with water monitoring groups and individuals, where issues related to monitoring can be addressed

● Health Department Board Members● New Local Governments● Academic Community Meetings – New faculty ● MWMC newsletter● Annual conference● Monitoring roundtable● MWMC website● Topical Workshops● PCC Support● Board Meeting Announcements in the Maryland Register

PROMOTING COMPARABILIT

Y

•Develop an inventory of monitoring program goals and assess the monitoring needs of the community• Support methods that focus on developing coordinated and collaborative approaches that will lead to comparable data collection methods that address local and regional needs• Develop a meta-data, web-based clearinghouse that includes a description of the different programs and contains data sets, study results, and reports and link them to participating organizations

● Recommendations from the GW workshop● Hydrologic system workshop● Monitoring roundtable● Topical Workshops (e.g., QA/QC, sampling design, etc.)● Watershed Monitoring ● NWQMC – website for methods and comparability, National Methods Board● Surf Your Watershed w/DNR● PCC – minimum data elements for watershed and stream restoration

BUILDING CAPACITY

•Establish a permanent, paid or volunteer staff to oversee various monitoring initiatives

● Annual Meeting● Explore Nonprofit Status● Retirees

Putting it all together…

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Next steps…

Develop DOABLE plans

for implementing

activities… including filling

gaps!

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THIS PROCESS IS

NEITHER LINEAR NOR

STATIC!