MBNMS: Water Quality Monitoring

There are many monitoring programs that are responsible for assessing environmental quality throughout the Sanctuary and its watersheds. Many of these programs monitor toxic pollutant concentrations in water, sediment, and animal tissue. Although significant effort goes toward monitoring and assessment, few of these programs are integrated to provide a regional view of water quality.

The ability to monitor water quality conditions comprehensively and accurately over time, and to use the data to make effective management decisions is a priority of the WQPP. The WQPP began its efforts to integrate monitoring programs and their reporting by working with key government agencies like the State Regional Water Quality Control Boards. Through the coordinated efforts of agency members of the WQPP and various public and private groups, the second in a series of action plans was developed to address the need for an integrated, comprehensive regional monitoring and reporting program. The WQPP's Action Plan II defines priority strategies for addressing monitoring and data sharing issues in the Sanctuary region. The EPA and NOAA assisted with the initial background work by jointly funding a detailed review of over 20 existing government monitoring programs in the region.

In 2006, funding from the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation and the US EPA enabled us to hire a Water Quality Analyst to implement the Central Coast Water Quality Data Synthesis Assessment and Management (SAM) Project. This program addresses many of the strategies outlined in the Regional Monitoring Action Plan. The SAM Project facilitates region-wide water quality monitoring coordination, data management, and data analysis for addressing fundamental questions surrounding non-point source (NPS) pollution in the region through technical and scientific activities. Key goals of the project include enhancement of the regional water quality monitoring network and improving access to information for managing coastal watersheds and nearshore marine systems.

Regional Monitoring
This strategy was designed to coordinate and build upon existing federal, state and local monitoring activities within the Sanctuary and its watersheds. The goal of the strategy has been to provide comprehensive information regarding existing water quality condition, long-term trends, and the success of pollution management efforts. Filling the needs of the region requires both enhanced monitoring and improved coordination. This coordination is being undertaken on both government monitoring programs, which are working to develop a statewide monitoring program for ocean waters and coastal watersheds, and through support of citizen monitoring groups. This latter effort has resulted in the formation of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network, a network of volunteer monitoring groups which actively monitor in the watersheds that drain to the Sanctuary.

Data Access
This strategy will provide local, state and federal agencies with easy access to existing database systems containing water quality and related information. The goal of this strategy is to provide resource managers with readily understandable information they need to evaluate environmental problems and make effective management decisions.

Interagency Coordination
Interagency coordination will establish a framework for the continuous interagency coordination on water quality issues and watershed management, including funding priorities, education, technical assistance, monitoring and data exchange, permit review, and enforcement. A Water Quality Coordinating Council would be established to ensure implementation of WQPP strategies as needed, and address new problems as they arise.