Common use of Continuous Monitoring Clause in Contracts

Continuous Monitoring. As resources allow, and (potentially (based on place-holder)) using increased Section 106 future funding targeted towards monitoring activities, the Agency will continue to build the infrastructure and abilities to routinely incorporate continuous monitoring data into water resource assessment and standards development programming. ▪ River Assessment Initiatives – The Agency will continue to participate in an advisory capacity for the variety of river assessment projects currently underway, including the Large River biological assessment/evaluation tool development work being conducted by USEPA, Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and other partners, and the National Wadable Streams and Lake Assessment survey work being conducted by the Midwest Biodiversity Institute, Region 5, and other partners. The intended results of these projects (e.g., methods, assessment processes) will be considered and included as appropriate in the development of the new water quality monitoring strategy discussed above. ▪ Eco-region Development in Illinois – On August 30, EPA Region 5, and EPA ORD and Agency staff met for the purpose of initiating an effort to map Level IV eco-regions in Illinois. This effort is designed to provide, on a state and national scale, a more meaningful geographical framework to meet the needs of federal, state, local and private ecosystem resource management organizations. The Agency will participate in an advisory and coordination capacity throughout the process. A follow-up meeting has already been scheduled for December 2005. ▪ SWiMS 2006 and 2007 - The Agency will participate in planning and conducting the 2006 and 2007 Surface Water Monitoring and Standards (SWiMS) meetings in Chicago. ▪ Wetland Assessment Protocol Development – Pursuant to the schedule outlined in our 104(b)(3) grant, the Agency will partner with other state and federal agencies and academic and research entities to form a Technical Work Group that will work together to develop a comprehensive wetland monitoring and assessment protocol, including a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) and a designated Wetland Use(s). The Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Protocol will be completed in 2007 and incorporated into the monitoring strategy during 2008. ▪ Municipal Wastewater Treatment Nutrient Removal Pilot Studies – Three monitoring studies are underway to document downstream effects of sewage treatment plant phosphorus removal to a discharge limit of 1.0 mg/L or below. Pre-implementation monitoring was initiated in Summer 2004 at Fiddle Creek (Wauconda), Manhattan Creek (Manhattan), and Salt Creek (Metropolitan Water Reclamation District). Phosphorus removal technologies are to be employed in 2005 or 2006. Monitoring will continue for approximately one year after phosphorus removal is on-line.