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Volunteer/State Partnerships Inspire Grassroots Action

Join Cheryl Snyder and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in partnering with Watershed Associations, Senior Environment Corps, and other groups to inspire grassroots action in volunteer monitoring. Learn how volunteers help citizens understand their water resources better by collecting quality data, acting as liaisons between service providers and DEP, and conducting bacteriological monitoring projects. Engage in workshops, conferences, and activities to support the Citizens’ Volunteer Monitoring Program and make a positive impact on water quality in Pennsylvania.

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Volunteer/State Partnerships Inspire Grassroots Action

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  1. Volunteer/State Partnerships Inspire Grassroots Action Cheryl Snyder Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

  2. Watershed Associations Senior Environment Corps Lake Associations School Groups Volunteer Monitoring

  3. Goals Help citizens know their water resources better Show that volunteers collect quality data Act as a liaison between volunteers, service providers and DEP Activities Technical assistance and guidance Watershed Snapshot Monitoring projects Workshops and conferences Citizens’ Volunteer Monitoring Program (CVMP)

  4. Bacteriological Monitoring Project Partnership between Assessments and Standards, CVMP, volunteers 400 stream segments • 2 sites per segment • 2 thirty day periods – 5 grabs Bacterial indicators • Fecal coliforms • E. Coli • Enterococci

  5. Bacteriological Monitoring Project 2001 - Philadelphia Senior Environment Corps and DEP pilot 2002 - Five volunteer groups 2003 - Seven volunteer groups 2004 – Three volunteer groups 2005 - Volunteer screening

  6. Bacteriological Monitoring Project Results: Philadelphia Water Authority working cooperatively with Philadelphia Senior Environment Corps to identify leaking sewer lines Chester-Ridley-Crum Watersheds Association working with Upper Chester Creek Partnership to find and address problems

  7. Philadelphia Senior Environment Corps Found extensive bacterial contamination Partnered with local college Philadelphia Water Department Philadelphia PBS station documentary –”Knee Deep”

  8. Chester-Ridley-Crum Watersheds Association Thirteen sites sampled 2003/2004 in Goose Creek (trib to Chester Creek) Concurrent sampling with West Chester (1 site) Results -high bacteria counts- presented to Partnership municipalities Leads to dog waste pickup regulations at parks and follow-up investigations to find other sources

  9. Department Data Use 2003 – Assessment and Standards uses data: “We’re using some of the bacteriological data on the next 305(b)/303(d) list.” “The following streams will show segments impaired for recreational uses…..UNT to Wissahickon Creek……Brush Creek……..”

  10. 2006 Bacteria Model / Monitoring Plan Project Allegheny County – Pittsburgh Combined sewer / storm sewer overflows High bacteria counts Partners: USEPA, PADEP, Tetra Tech, Allegheny County Health Dept, Allegheny County Sanitation, 3 Rivers Wet Weather, Pine Creek Watershed Association

  11. 2006 Bacteria Model / Monitoring Plan Project Develop monitoring system to: determine if meeting water quality standards support modeling support TMDLs Also: review pilot watershed data (Pine Creek) develop monitoring program for volunteers develop QAPP template

  12. Program Benefits through Partnering State: Manpower in a time of decreasing staff Volunteers provide eyes in areas not covered (86,000 mi) Lasting partnerships

  13. Program Benefits through Partnering Volunteers: Leave a legacy for others Help to reach goals, protect resources Access to equipment / expertise

  14. Volunteers – An Untapped Resource Volunteers – An Untapped Resource

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