# [Methods and Data Comparability Board]{.mark}

**[Meeting at USGS offices in Tuscon, January 12-15, 2003]{.mark}**

[]{.mark}

# [Meeting Notes]{.mark}

## [Attachments]{.underline}

## 

-   Workgroup Notes\--Several workgroups held meetings in Tucson
    (BioWQDE, Accreditation, Outreach, NEMI, and PBS). Their meeting
    notes are available as separate files (in MS Word) with this naming
    convention Workgroup Notes_name of group_TUCS_Jan2003

-   Charge to Workgroups---As part of the initial Board Business
    Meeting, Abby gave a charge to the workgroups (MS PPT). The file is
    called Charge to Workgroups_TUC_Jan2003

## 

[**Present at the meeting (in person and via phone)**]{.underline}

Katherine Alben, NYS Department of Health

Cliff Annis, Merck

Leanne Astin, ICPRB

James Boiani, Dyncorp

Herb Brass, USEPA

Jerry Diamond, Tetra Tech

Geoffrey Ekechukwu, USFWS

Barbara Hayes, Signature Science

Ed Johnson, NOAA

Ron Jones, Florida International University

Larry Keith, Instant References

Marion Kelly, USEPA

John Klein, USGS

Bernie Malo, ASTM

Abby Markowitz, Tetra Tech

Dennis McChesney, USEPA

Charlie Peters, USGS

Ed Santoro, DRBC

Merle Shockey, USGS

Chuck Spooner, USEPA

Dan Sullivan, USGS

Rock Vitale, Environmental Standards, Inc.

Franceska Wilde, USGS

**[Board Business Meeting, January 13, 2003]{.underline}**

John Klein gave a brief welcome and introduction. The USGS offices at
the University of Arizona, Tucson are located in the Environmental and
Natural Resources Building\--built for the sole purpose of housing
federal agencies working on environmental issues (USGS, NOAA). Tucson is
the district office. John transferred here a year ago. John talked a
little about the arid SW. This region of the country is growing very
fast---water comes from CO River and groundwater sources. AZ carefully
manages its groundwater pumpage. AZ is very close to the Mexican
border---part of what John does is coordinate binational
activities---methods comparability is one of the biggest issues and
areas of concern in dealing with shared watersheds.

**Comments from Herb**:

-   There wasn't time scheduled during this meeting for a ½ day *open
    house* where we invite guests from agencies and organizations in the
    area to learn about the Board and participate in discussion about
    issues, local programs, collaboration, etc. (we did this during the
    Annapolis meeting in June 2002). We will be planning to have this
    type of session at the next Board meeting at Research Triangle Park
    (RTP) in NC (May or June 2003).

-   Workgroups provided agendas for the meeting which were summarized in
    overall meeting agenda. Only having 2 groups will be having meetings
    at any given time. Part of the focus for all workgroups---and the
    meeting as a whole---is strategic planning and Board
    products/organization.

-   Board has made a lot of progress---NEMI, WQDE, etc. We have products
    that have been finalized and are moving forward. This meeting agenda
    has more to do with strategizing for the future---and prioritizing
    what we need to do. We need to be realistic---delivering products in
    the short term, planning strategically in the long term.

-   Upcoming and ongoing visibility activities for the Board

    -   Presentations to ACWI in April

    -   IMPACT issue to be published in September. Board could help with
        glossary of IMPACT issue

    -   National conference 2004---Board visibility

**Charge to workgroups**

-   Abby gave a brief charge to the workgroups (see attached file Charge
    to Workgroups_TUC_Jan2003

# ![](media/image1.png){width="0.8401574803149606in" height="0.8633858267716535in"}[ACCREDITATION]{.underline}[^1]

January 2003

+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **1. Overall workgroup |                                             |
| meeting information**  |                                             |
+========================+=============================================+
| ### NAME OF WORKGROUP  | **Accreditation**                           |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **MEETING              | **Tucson**                                  |
| LOCATION/DATE**        |                                             |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **WORKGROUP CHAIR**    | Merle Shockey, Bart Simmons                 |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **MEETING              | Charlie Peters, Herb Brass, Bernie Malo,    |
| PARTICIPANTS** *(add   | Jerry Diamond, Franceska Wilde, James       |
| members in a list      | Boiani, Abby Markowitz (notes), Katherine   |
| separated by commas)*  | Alben, Ed Johnson, Steve Posavec, Ron       |
|                        | Jones, Ed Santoro                           |
|                        |                                             |
|                        | These people joined for joint               |
|                        | meeting---Leanne Astin, Rock Vitale, Marion |
|                        | Kelly,                                      |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| ##                     | N/A                                         |
| # WHO WAS ON THE PHONE |                                             |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **2. Are there any                                      
  new workgroup                                           
  members or guests                                       
  we need to add to                                       
  mailing list? If                                        
  yes, add them to                                        
  the table below.**                                      
  (*insert as many                                        
  rows into the                                           
  table as needed*)                                       
  ------------------ ------------- ---------------------- ----------------
  **NAME,            **GUEST OR    **EMAIL ADDRESS**      **PHONE**
  AFFILIATION**      NEW MEMBER**                         

  N/A                                                     
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

+---------------+---------------------+--------------------------------+
| **3. Status   |                     |                                |
| of workgroup  |                     |                                |
| projects,     |                     |                                |
| activities,   |                     |                                |
| products**    |                     |                                |
| (*insert as   |                     |                                |
| many rows     |                     |                                |
| into the      |                     |                                |
| table as      |                     |                                |
| needed*)      |                     |                                |
+===============+=====================+================================+
| **PROJECT**   | **CURRENT STATUS**  | **NEXT STEPS AND ACTION        |
|               |                     | ITEMS**                        |
+---------------+---------------------+--------------------------------+
| ACWI Action   | Herb has spoken     | > FOR ACWI MEETING             |
| Items         | with Toni Johnson   |                                |
|               | about ACWI and      | 1)  develop a *[fact           |
|               | presentations at    |     sheet]{.mark}*             |
|               | April 2003 ACWI     |     (Announcement) on          |
|               | meeting---have a    |     Accreditation to send to   |
|               | presentation        |     ACWI before their meeting  |
|               | highlighting        |     --to remind ACWI what the  |
|               | Accreditation,      |     recommendations in the     |
|               | NEMI, WQDE          |     paper were---and that it   |
|               |                     |     can be published in a wide |
|               | Another             |     variety of                 |
|               | presentation on     |     newsletters---including    |
|               | other ongoing       |     ACWI member organizations  |
|               | projects.           |     (1-pager like NEMI)---a    |
|               |                     |     lot can be taken from      |
|               |                     |     white paper                |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | 2)  Survey info\--info on      |
|               |                     |     federal labs to see how    |
|               |                     |     many are accredited (based |
|               |                     |     on info gathered below)    |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | 3)  Letter to ACWI explaining  |
|               |                     |     what these materials are   |
|               |                     |     and what we want them to   |
|               |                     |     do                         |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | Get this stuff to ACWI members |
|               |                     | by 2nd week of March (finished |
|               |                     | product)                       |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | To get to #2 above\...Put      |
|               |                     | together a letter to federal   |
|               |                     | agencies that lays out the     |
|               |                     | recommendations that were      |
|               |                     | approved last year and and to  |
|               |                     | tell us                        |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | 1)  Each fed agency should     |
|               |                     |     survey the functions of    |
|               |                     |     their labs and determine   |
|               |                     |     who should be accredited,  |
|               |                     |     who is accredited, and if  |
|               |                     |     labs are not accredited,   |
|               |                     |     tell us why!               |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | 2)  Give agencies the          |
|               |                     |     [survey]{.mark}---revise   |
|               |                     |     the existing survey ASAP.  |
|               |                     |     Bart will distribute the   |
|               |                     |     draft survey---add         |
|               |                     |     something about cost       |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | 3)  Ask agencies to report     |
|               |                     |     back and let us know which |
|               |                     |     labs are accredited and    |
|               |                     |     what they are asking their |
|               |                     |     labs to do                 |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | > Immediately---Bart send out  |
|               |                     | > revised survey to workgroup  |
|               |                     | > members                      |
|               |                     | >                              |
|               |                     | > By Jan 28---get comments     |
|               |                     | > back to Bart                 |
|               |                     | >                              |
|               |                     | > By Feb 4---conference call   |
|               |                     | > to discuss comments          |
|               |                     | >                              |
|               |                     | > Jerry will draft version of  |
|               |                     | > fact sheet by Feb 15 (#1 for |
|               |                     | > ACWI)                        |
|               |                     | >                              |
|               |                     | > Herb will draft the letter   |
|               |                     | > to ACWI by Feb 15 (letter    |
|               |                     | > will deal with               |
|               |                     | > accreditation, NEMI, and     |
|               |                     | > WQDE)                        |
|               |                     | >                              |
|               |                     | > After Tucson meeting,        |
|               |                     | > conference call with Toni    |
|               |                     | > Johnson to discuss how       |
|               |                     | > "outreachy" these materials  |
|               |                     | > should be                    |
+---------------+---------------------+--------------------------------+
| Workgroup     | Need to expand      | Use NELAC list of accrediting  |
| membership    | membership---use    | authorities as a way to        |
|               | state lab paper as  | recruit members (SEE STATE LAB |
|               | a mechanism to      | below)                         |
|               | build membership    |                                |
+---------------+---------------------+--------------------------------+
| State lab     | Issues are somewhat | Take a look at David           |
| accreditation | different than for  | Friedman's paper (for EPA)     |
| paper         | federal paper.      |                                |
|               |                     | Bart will further develop      |
|               | Bart asks---What    | outline of paper incorporating |
|               | are we trying to    | other issues: what models have |
|               | accomplish?         | worked, how is accreditation   |
|               |                     | implemented, cost, timeline    |
|               | Issue came up at    |                                |
|               | last ACWI meeting   | Membership of state lab        |
|               | (and before)---need | subcommittee                   |
|               | to evaluate and     |                                |
|               | make                | -   Jack Kreuger,---Herb will  |
|               | recommendations     |     contact him to ask him to  |
|               | regarding state     |     join subcommittee; Herb    |
|               | labs as a followup  |     will contact Cliff Annis   |
|               | to federal lab      |     to suggest someone as well |
|               | recommendations     |                                |
|               |                     | -   Jerry Parr---ask him for   |
|               |                     |     suggestions---Bart will    |
|               |                     |     contact---also contact CA  |
|               |                     |     State Water Board---also   |
|               |                     |     contact Paul Kimsey (NELAC |
|               |                     |     chair) to get his ideas    |
|               |                     |     about role of NELAC in the |
|               |                     |     state lab issue            |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | -   Charlie will contact Mike  |
|               |                     |     Miller---he might have     |
|               |                     |     some ideas of folks        |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | -   Ed---can contact ASWIPCA   |
|               |                     |     (Brian Van Wine), labs in  |
|               |                     |     DRBC area                  |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | -   Andy Eaton (talk to him at |
|               |                     |     Standards Methods meeting) |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | -   Franceska has list of      |
|               |                     |     state labs that work with  |
|               |                     |     USGS---can contact them    |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | Need a paragraph of            |
|               |                     | explanation---Bart and Merle   |
|               |                     | can come up with a couple of   |
|               |                     | paragraphs of explanation and  |
|               |                     | potential timetable            |
+---------------+---------------------+--------------------------------+
| Mechanism for | Bart went over      |                                |
| field         | survey results.     |                                |
| accreditation | Board is not going  |                                |
|               | to do its own       |                                |
|               | accredit            |                                |
|               | ation/certification |                                |
|               | program.            |                                |
|               |                     |                                |
|               | After June, NELAC   |                                |
|               | getting out of the  |                                |
|               | business of         |                                |
|               | developing          |                                |
|               | standards---handing |                                |
|               | over to INELA       |                                |
|               |                     |                                |
|               | Board's role should |                                |
|               | be to try and       |                                |
|               | influence what is   |                                |
|               | happening in        |                                |
|               | NELAC---look at     |                                |
|               | guidance,           |                                |
|               | implementation      |                                |
|               | models              |                                |
|               |                     |                                |
|               | Influence through   |                                |
|               | contacts---Bart,    |                                |
|               | Franceska, Jerry    |                                |
|               | Parr                |                                |
|               |                     |                                |
|               | What works for lab  |                                |
|               | might not work for  |                                |
|               | field---INELA going |                                |
|               | to look at these    |                                |
|               | issues.             |                                |
+---------------+---------------------+--------------------------------+
| Board         |                     | Franceska and Bart can keep    |
| products for  |                     | Board apprised of what is      |
| NELAC and     |                     | going on---can tell Board how  |
| INELA         |                     | best to accomplish goals and   |
|               |                     | objectives.                    |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | Let NELAC and INELA know what  |
|               |                     | the Board's positions are---   |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | Take Board positions to        |
|               |                     | NELAC---lobby appropriate      |
|               |                     | people and committees at NELAC |
+---------------+---------------------+--------------------------------+
| Joint         | See discussion      | **Bart**                       |
| discussion    | below               |                                |
| with WQDE     |                     | -   can suggest to NELAC that  |
| workgroup on  | Want to encourage   |     they be consistent with    |
| data elements | NELAC to adopt WQDE |     WQDE---ask NELAC to        |
| for sampling  |                     |     reference website where    |
| standards     |                     |     any changes would be       |
|               |                     |     listed.                    |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | -   Ask field committee to     |
|               |                     |     review WQDE                |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | -   Bart will talk with Chuck  |
|               |                     |     Job about whether he wants |
|               |                     |     to reference NELAC GIS     |
|               |                     |     standards (Ch 5)           |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | -   Talk with C. Spooner       |
|               |                     |     --status of OEI data       |
|               |                     |     elements                   |
+---------------+---------------------+--------------------------------+
| Survey of     |                     | See ACWI discussion above      |
| federal labs  |                     |                                |
+---------------+---------------------+--------------------------------+
| 2-year        |                     |                                |
| workplan      |                     |                                |
+---------------+---------------------+--------------------------------+
| RTP           |                     | Invite NELAC to join us at the |
|               |                     | meeting                        |
|               |                     |                                |
|               |                     | Invite Steve Gibson (get info  |
|               |                     | from Barbara Hayes)---he is a  |
|               |                     | QA person with ???; Bart will  |
|               |                     | invite NELAC director to RTP   |
|               |                     | meeting                        |
+---------------+---------------------+--------------------------------+

4\. Other issues discussed (including, but not limited to...ideas for
future projects, issues to bring before full Board, linkages/connections
to other workgroups, ideas for new members)

**THESE ARE DISCUSSION NOTES---ACTION ITEMS ADDED ABOVE**

**[STATE LAB PAPER/ISSUES]{.mark}**

**We should develop a position on state labs (as we did with fed labs).
Provide recommendations & guidance.**

**Bart brought up---there are different issues, requirements for state
labs---state's rights, conflict of interest, etc.**

**Charlie suggests developing a FAQs for the states based on questions
they may have regarding the Board's position.**

Subgroup membership for state lab paper. Who are the stakeholders---who
do we need to contact (see above)

\--state labs

\--NELAP accrediting authorities

**\--contract labs**

**\--city labs? Wastewater labs? Commercial labs?**

**California has 2 tiers---NELAP and ELAP (small labs)---difference in
standards---most states don't have a 2-tier system---EVERY STATE IS
DIFFERENT**

**Ron Jones brought up some frustrating issues regarding requirements,
etc. For example, EPA says we won't give you money unless accredited.
Dept. of Health says they don't know HOW to do it. Paper might address
some models/examples of how NELAP accreditation has
worked---understanding that procedures and requirements are different
across states. Need HOW to do it---it isn't that they are opposed to
accreditation.**

**To what extent should NELAC be involved in the process---Bart will
contact Paul Kinsey (chair) to discuss involvement.**

**[Herb's question\--On what issues do we want to interact with NELAC
and INELA---for all the workgroups to consider---bring up in morning
business meeting.]{.mark}**

**Sampling Standards and Field Standards**

**Review chapter 7 in NELAC standards---Field Activities**

**[Bart's idea for a joint Accreditation and WQDE meeting]{.mark}**

**Review Chapter 7 in NELAC---intent is to come up with what
documentation should be included in any field activity (any matrix).
This was intended to be consistent with WQDE. Questions are\--**

-   **How do we maintain this consistency between WQDE and NELAC
    standard? (for example, what if WQDE changes---how do we communicate
    those changes to NELAC)**

-   **Is there some office within EPA who would be the keeper of these
    elements?**

**Herb---Board position is that WQDE approved by Board, Council, ACWI.
Then, agencies distribute and modify to suit their own needs (for
example, EPA is doing that). NELAC needs to decide whether they want to
adopt those data elements.**

**WQDE group's position is these elements have been approved. Minor
changes can be approved by Board, more major changes must be approved by
Council and ACWI. Board doesn't want to reinvent elements each time an
agency/organization makes a modification.**

**Bart---we need to present these elements to the relevant subcommittees
within NELAC. Harder for NELAC to make changes---even small changes have
to go through formal process to be approved.**

**Can suggest to NELAC that they be consistent with WQDE---ask NELAC to
reference website where any changes would be listed---add MDCB website
to references.**

**Herb---needs to be a more thorough cross check between NELAC's list
and WQDE---Ed has taken a quick look---looks pretty consistent.**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **5. Outreach needs**        
  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------
  Are there products for which 
  you need help finding        
  publication outlets?         

  Are there products you need  
  help distributing?           

  Any upcoming conferences     
  that require an outreach     
  effort?                      
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------
  **6. Workgroup housekeeping  
  issues**                     

  External and Internal        
  website, workgroup page      
  comments/changes?­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­            

  Board information packet,    
  any items for inclusion      

  Workgroup email list,        
  updates to current list?     

  Workgroup bibliography,      
  updates (articles,           
  presentations, abstracts,    
  proceedings, reports, etc)?  
  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------

**7. Plans for the next meeting Have revised outline of State Lab paper
and determine writing assignments; discuss responses from ACWI and next
steps; discuss next stpes with INELA regarding field standard and
WQDE.**

8[. Any between meeting conference calls planned? Feb 4]{.mark}

**9. Other comments/notes/issues**

# [NEMI]{.underline}[^2]

January 2003

+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **1. Overall workgroup |                                             |
| meeting information**  |                                             |
+========================+=============================================+
| ### NAME OF WORKGROUP  | **NEMI**                                    |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **MEETING              | **Tucson**                                  |
| LOCATION/DATE**        |                                             |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **WORKGROUP CHAIR**    | Larry Keith and Dan Sullivan                |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **MEETING              | James Boiani, Larry Keith, Dan Sullivan, Ed |
| PARTICIPANTS** *(add   | Johnson, Rock Vitale, Katherine Alben,      |
| members in a list      | Barbara Hayes, Bernie Malo, Herb Brass,     |
| separated by commas)*  | Merle Shockey, Charlie Peters, Chuck        |
|                        | Spooner, Abby Markowitz (Tuesday), Bart     |
|                        | Simmons                                     |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| ##                     | Dan Sullivan                                |
| # WHO WAS ON THE PHONE |                                             |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **2. Are there any                                      
  new workgroup                                           
  members or guests                                       
  we need to add to                                       
  mailing list? If                                        
  yes, add them to                                        
  the table below.**                                      
  (*insert as many                                        
  rows into the                                           
  table as needed*)                                       
  ------------------ ------------- ---------------------- ----------------
  **NAME,            **GUEST OR    **EMAIL ADDRESS**      **PHONE**
  AFFILIATION**      NEW MEMBER**                         

  Jeff Scloss        New Member    Abby to provide        Abby to provide

  Franceska Wilde -  New Member    Fwilde@usgs.gov        703-648-6866
  USGS                                                    
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[HIGH PRIORITY]{.mark}

[MEDIUM PRIORITY]{.mark}

[LOW PRIORITY]{.mark}

+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| **3. Status of |                     |                              |
| workgroup      |                     |                              |
| projects,      |                     |                              |
| activities,    |                     |                              |
| products**     |                     |                              |
| (*insert as    |                     |                              |
| many rows into |                     |                              |
| the table as   |                     |                              |
| needed*)       |                     |                              |
+================+=====================+==============================+
| **PROJECT**    | **CURRENT STATUS**  | **NEXT STEPS AND ACTION      |
|                |                     | ITEMS**                      |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| ![](medi       | [Draft plans have   | [Add detailed breakdown of   |
| a/image1.png){ | been prepared for   | resources in                 |
| width="0.84015 | discussion and      | Workplan.]{.mark}            |
| 74803149606in" | edits during the    |                              |
| height="0.     | Tucson              | []{.mark}                    |
| 86338582677165 | Meeting]{.mark}     |                              |
| 35in"}[Prepare |                     | [Add graphics to show        |
| Detailed 2 and |                     | additions to NEMI by fiscal  |
| 5 Year Work    |                     | year and eventually by type  |
| Plans for      |                     | of method]{.mark}            |
| NEMI]{.mark}   |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
| []{.mark}      |                     |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [How will we   | [· Tox --           | [Designate an individual     |
| obtain method  | Jerry/tetratech     | from participating           |
| summaries to   | taking lead]{.mark} | organizations to enter       |
| update NEMI    |                     | updated and new methods.     |
| over the next  | [· Field - -        | Send reminder E-mail every 6 |
| 2              | ditto]{.mark}       | months]{.mark}               |
| years.]{.mark} |                     |                              |
|                | [· Additional new   | []{.mark}                    |
|                | methods: Dan has    |                              |
|                | been contacting     | [Herb will ask Tom Behymer   |
|                | USGS                | and Dave Munch to enter      |
|                | sources]{.mark}     | newly developed DW methods   |
|                |                     | into NEMI.]{.mark}           |
|                | [· Std Methods will |                              |
|                | have new methods to | []{.mark}                    |
|                | add - get update    |                              |
|                | from Steve]{.mark}  | [Marion will talk to Maria   |
|                |                     | about entering new and       |
|                | [· ASTM -- Bernie   | updated wastewater           |
|                | needs to discuss    | methods]{.mark}              |
|                | NEMI with new       |                              |
|                | person]{.mark}      | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                | [How about OSW      | [USGS will enter             |
|                | methods?]{.mark}    | approximately 50 methods     |
|                |                     | into NEMI. Merle will check  |
|                | []{.mark}           | with Pete Rogerson about     |
|                |                     | changing SOP to add all new  |
|                |                     | USGS methods.]{.mark}        |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Call Dave Bottrell to ask   |
|                |                     | for new DOE member to NEMI   |
|                |                     | Steering Committee and       |
|                |                     | discuss adding new           |
|                |                     | methods]{.mark}              |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Bernie -- will ask that     |
|                |                     | ballotog procedures be used  |
|                |                     | to assure that new or        |
|                |                     | revised methods be entered   |
|                |                     | into NEMI. Will check on     |
|                |                     | entering regulatory          |
|                |                     | methods.]{.mark}             |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Steve will discuss at       |
|                |                     | JEB/PC meeting. Future will  |
|                |                     | be from JTGs for new and     |
|                |                     | revised E-mails. Steve will  |
|                |                     | add 25-30 methods            |
|                |                     | himself.]{.mark}             |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Steering Committee will     |
|                |                     | solicit participation from   |
|                |                     | additional                   |
|                |                     | organizations.]{.mark}       |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Franceska to locate         |
|                |                     | appropriate people in        |
|                |                     | Environment Canada for       |
|                |                     | possible addition of         |
|                |                     | methods]{.mark}              |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Larry will contact Alan     |
|                |                     | Nichols at USP]{.mark}       |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Larry will check with past  |
|                |                     | private participating        |
|                |                     | organizations to assess      |
|                |                     | interest in adding           |
|                |                     | methods]{.mark}              |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Herb to call Robin Segal    |
|                |                     | about CBR methods and assess |
|                |                     | interest in adding methods   |
|                |                     | -- will have to pay the      |
|                |                     | freight for non-CBR          |
|                |                     | methods]{.mark}              |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Herb will contact Sid Abel  |
|                |                     | in OPP to assess             |
|                |                     | interest.]{.mark}            |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Herb to discuss with Barry  |
|                |                     | Lesnik]{.mark}               |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [How to        | [Biology workgroup  | [Add preamble in NEMI to     |
| address non    | has met with Dan    | describe qualifiers for      |
| water-quality  | via conference call | biological                   |
| methods NEMI   | and developed a     | information.]{.mark}         |
| development    | list of subgroups   |                              |
| i              | and a prototype     | []{.mark}                    |
| ssues?]{.mark} | table of output.    |                              |
|                | Dan still needs to  | [Input required on summary   |
| [Address       | add some fields to  | search results               |
| Biology        | the database and    | table.]{.mark}               |
| workgroup      | then produce an     |                              |
| pro            | additional query    | []{.mark}                    |
| blems.]{.mark} | tab for both field  |                              |
|                | and tox methods     | [Need to resolve what has to |
| []{.mark}      | since the method of | be forwarded to Dan for      |
|                | searching will be   | loading, and confirm what    |
|                | different than the  | has already has.]{.mark}     |
|                | methods currently   |                              |
|                | in the database.    | []{.mark}                    |
|                | Examples will be    |                              |
|                | posted on the       | [Use acceptability criteria  |
|                | meeting website and | in place of acceptance       |
|                | available as        | level.]{.mark}               |
|                | handouts.]{.mark}   |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                | []{.mark}           |                              |
|                |                     | [Timetable for including ten |
|                |                     | methods bioassessment and    |
|                |                     | toxicity methods (2/28) then |
|                |                     | identify about ten persons   |
|                |                     | to participate in an alpha   |
|                |                     | test, and conduct test       |
|                |                     | beginning in early           |
|                |                     | March.]{.mark}               |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Change definition of NA to  |
|                |                     | not available in method in   |
|                |                     | NEMI]{.mark}                 |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [James to check all          |
|                |                     | non-chemical methods for not |
|                |                     | applicable designations.     |
|                |                     | Create Not App as new        |
|                |                     | designation.]{.mark}         |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Define the    | [One page summary   | [Forward to the Board for    |
| review         | of proposed         | review.]{.mark}              |
| functions of   | functions of each   |                              |
| the Steering   | group has been      |                              |
| Committee and  | prepared and is     |                              |
| MDCB]{.mark}   | ready for review,   |                              |
|                | edits, and NEMI     |                              |
|                | approval then       |                              |
|                | submit to MDCB for  |                              |
|                | formal              |                              |
|                | approval.]{.mark}   |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Update        | [Nothing            | [See above item on updating  |
| methods        | significant. Need   | NEMI over the next 2         |
| already in     | to develop a plan - | years.]{.mark}               |
| NEMI - - when  | even a SOP perhaps  |                              |
| and how to     | for continuous      |                              |
| check methods  | periodic updates.   |                              |
| for            | Need people to      |                              |
| upd            | contact, when to    |                              |
| ating.]{.mark} | contact.]{.mark}    |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Add reg info  | [Need to add this   | [Steve will discuss with     |
| to methods in  | task to the 5 year  | JEB/PCs -- 1/17-18]{.mark}   |
| NEMI that are  | plan with estimated |                              |
| approved as    | resources and       | [Bernie will discuss with    |
| reg methods    | timeline to do      | D-19 Committee week of       |
| but not yet    | it.]{.mark}         | 1/20]{.mark}                 |
| linked (e.g.,  |                     |                              |
| non-EPA        |                     | [Merle will check on USGS    |
| me             |                     | methods. DynCorp to do the   |
| thods)]{.mark} |                     | rest.]{.mark}                |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Target to complete by       |
|                |                     | 12/31/03]{.mark}             |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Add new reg   | [Nothing            | [See above item on updating  |
| methods as     | significant. Need   | NEMI over the next 2         |
| they are       | to develop a plan - | years]{.mark}                |
| promol         | even a SOP perhaps  |                              |
| gated.]{.mark} | for continuous      |                              |
|                | periodic updates.   |                              |
|                | Need people to      |                              |
|                | contact, when to    |                              |
|                | contact.]{.mark}    |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Provide       | [Draft distributed  | [Provide comments by COB     |
| Standard       | for review          | 1/14, then forward to        |
| Operating      | 1/7/2003. Review,   | MDCB]{.mark}                 |
| Procedures for | edit as necessary,  |                              |
| entering       | and approve SOP     |                              |
| chemical and   | drafted by James.   |                              |
| m              | Dan to link SOP to  |                              |
| icrobiological | the Online          |                              |
| data into NEMI | Submissions link in |                              |
| Online]{.mark} | NEMI.]{.mark}       |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Write draft   | [Draft paper        | [Francesca has given Larry   |
| paper for ES&T | provided Dec. 31,   | comments, Barbara Hayes will |
| -- focus is on | 2002. Need to       | provide comments to Larry as |
| Utility of     | review, edit as     | well]{.mark}                 |
| NEMI and also  | needed, provide     |                              |
| using its      | final review, and   | []{.mark}                    |
| information    | submit to           |                              |
| fields as a    | ES&T.]{.mark}       | **[OVERALL QUESTION\--SHOULD |
| model for      |                     | THE METHODS BOARD HAVE A SET |
| adequately     |                     | OF DEFINITIONS               |
| describing new |                     | DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN      |
| methods as     |                     | METHODS VS DATA              |
| they are       |                     | COMPARABILITY?? James will   |
| deve           |                     | send Larry ATP               |
| loped.]{.mark} |                     | references.]{.mark}**        |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | **[Incorporate               |
|                |                     | language\--new STORET/NWIS   |
|                |                     | agreement reference---plan   |
|                |                     | to deliver WQ data. Chuck    |
|                |                     | will send Larry reference    |
|                |                     | for new agreement---will     |
|                |                     | tell Larry when it was       |
|                |                     | signed]{.mark}**             |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | **[After incorporating this  |
|                |                     | stuff, Larry will send to    |
|                |                     | Outreach committee for       |
|                |                     | polishing.]{.mark}**         |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Update NEMI   | [Discuss draft      | [Outreach needs to take the  |
| Fact Sheet -   | James has provided. | lead on this---answers the   |
| NEMI Success   | When should fact    | question why use NEMI        |
| S              | sheet be updated?   | first.]{.mark}               |
| tories]{.mark} | What new info       |                              |
|                | should be           | []{.mark}                    |
|                | added?]{.mark}      |                              |
|                |                     | [Incorporate some of Dan's   |
|                | [Add this as        | feedback that has been       |
|                | Outreach            | collected---contact people   |
|                | product?]{.mark}    | who have provided feedback   |
|                |                     | and ask if we can use their  |
|                | [Define timeline,   | names in the                 |
|                | resources, and      | factsheet]{.mark}            |
|                | lead.]{.mark}       |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Abby-Dan-James select the   |
|                |                     | best 4-6---go back and ask   |
|                |                     | for permission to use their  |
|                |                     | quotes.]{.mark}              |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                    |
|                |                     |                              |
|                |                     | [Note: Fact sheet should     |
|                |                     | also focus on WHO should use |
|                |                     | NEMI---reach out beyond the  |
|                |                     | chemists (also see item on   |
|                |                     | conference)]{.mark}          |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Develop       | [This was added at  | [Abby or Jerry to contact    |
| strategy and   | Reston meeting.     | Leslie Shoemaker---would she |
| timeline for   | Have insufficient   | be receptive to talking with |
| working with   | information to      | Larry about these            |
| TMDL           | progress. Need      | issues---give her a          |
| contractors    | input from Chuck    | breakdown of some of the     |
| for NEMI       | Spooner on:]{.mark} | issues.]{.mark}              |
| tr             |                     |                              |
| aining]{.mark} | [What kind of       |                              |
|                | training may be     |                              |
|                | helpful?]{.mark}    |                              |
|                |                     |                              |
|                | [Who should be      |                              |
|                | contacted to        |                              |
|                | provide             |                              |
|                | details?]{.mark}    |                              |
|                |                     |                              |
|                | [What kind of       |                              |
|                | training is         |                              |
|                | currently           |                              |
|                | available?]{.mark}  |                              |
|                |                     |                              |
|                | [Timeline for       |                              |
|                | drafting a Needs    |                              |
|                | document that       |                              |
|                | suggests next       |                              |
|                | steps, resources,   |                              |
|                | timeline, and       |                              |
|                | contributing        |                              |
|                | people. May need    |                              |
|                | new subcommittee    |                              |
|                | members             |                              |
|                | added?]{.mark}      |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Determine     | [Work with Abby to  | [Develop theme for           |
| NEMI\'s        | determine what      | workshop---organize a small  |
| contribution   | topics will be of   | workshop committee (Dan,     |
| to next NWQMC  | most interest to    | James, Larry, ??)---request  |
| m              | the conference.     | volunteers from NEMI]{.mark} |
| eeting]{.mark} | Establish           |                              |
|                | preliminary titles  | []{.mark}                    |
|                | and authors of      |                              |
|                | abstracts.]{.mark}  | [Determine focus for         |
|                |                     | workshop---WHY use NEMI      |
|                | []{.mark}           | first? WHO should use NEMI?  |
|                |                     | Use followup from newsletter |
|                |                     | (asking readers for success  |
|                |                     | stories---see below)]{.mark} |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Eliminate all | [Still some work to | [Jerry, Bernie, Dan need to  |
| remaining      | do on ASTM costs    | talk about categories---find |
| \"unknown\"    | (Level of Effort    | which ones will work for the |
| fields with    | field). Need to add | most people---set up         |
| method costs.  | \# of analytes to   | conference call. Dan will    |
| ASTM field     | search results      | send email to Bernie and     |
| methods and    | display. Work with  | Jerry to set up time for     |
| biology        | biology             | call\-\--can have this done  |
| methods remain | group]{.mark}       | in February.]{.mark}         |
| problem        |                     |                              |
| areas.]{.mark} | [Can business rules |                              |
|                | be defined?]{.mark} |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [After         | [February 2003 to   | [To be discussed through     |
| reviewing EPA  | finish??]{.mark}    | NEMI steering committee      |
| published      |                     | calls]{.mark}                |
| corrections    | [DW methods are     |                              |
| then make a    | being reviewed by   | []{.mark}                    |
| page that      | EPA, and all but    |                              |
| itemizes       | one of the WWW      | [Marion will be              |
| remaining      | methods were        | transitionsing/replacing     |
| corrections    | posted. The list    | Khouane on those             |
| made in NEMI   | will be provided in | calls]{.mark}                |
| and include    | the updated Fact    |                              |
| links to       | Sheet.]{.mark}      |                              |
| corrected PDF  |                     |                              |
| files. This    | [Anything that can  |                              |
| special page   | be done             |                              |
| will be noted  | now?]{.mark}        |                              |
| and linked     |                     |                              |
| from front     | []{.mark}           |                              |
| page. This is  |                     |                              |
| part of the    | []{.mark}           |                              |
| NEMI success   |                     |                              |
| story.]{.mark} |                     |                              |
|                |                     |                              |
| []{.mark}      |                     |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Determine     | [Need additional    | [To be discussed through     |
| additional     | discussion - - list | NEMI steering committee      |
| subgroup       | has become more     | calls]{.mark}                |
| structure:     | complex than the    |                              |
| (for example:  | analyte name list.  | []{.mark}                    |
| Organics \--\> | We need to discuss  |                              |
| Volatiles,     | the purpose of      | [Marion will be              |
| Semivolatiles, | analyte classes     | transitionsing/replacing     |
| Phenols,       | (easier searching), | Khouane on those             |
| Pesticides,    | and therefore in    | calls]{.mark}                |
| PAHs, Dioxins  | some cases no class |                              |
| & Furans,      | will be             |                              |
| Nonvolat       | needed.]{.mark}     |                              |
| iles).]{.mark} |                     |                              |
|                | [Can we determine a |                              |
| []{.mark}      | timeline?]{.mark}   |                              |
|                |                     |                              |
|                | [Are there missing  |                              |
|                | information to make |                              |
|                | decisions           |                              |
|                | on?]{.mark}         |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Regulatory    | [Dan will change    | [To be discussed through     |
| display        | the regulatory      | NEMI steering committee      |
| changes        | display to allow    | calls]{.mark}                |
| (different     | for synonym         |                              |
| regulations    | searching.]{.mark}  | []{.mark}                    |
| will use       |                     |                              |
| different      | [Is all needed      | [Marion will be              |
| synonyms,      | information         | transitionsing/replacing     |
| which should   | available?]{.mark}  | Khouane on those             |
| be listed as   |                     | calls]{.mark}                |
| they appear in | [Is this a high     |                              |
| the            | labor               |                              |
| regula         | mo                  |                              |
| tions)]{.mark} | dification?]{.mark} |                              |
|                |                     |                              |
| []{.mark}      | [Can a timeline for |                              |
|                | completion be       |                              |
|                | set?]{.mark}        |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Add other     | [James sent Herb a  | [Define information to be    |
| regulatory     | list of primary and | included and means doing so. |
| information    | secondary MCLs. Dan | Prioritize based on need and |
| (e.g., MCLs)   | and James recommend | cost.]{.mark}                |
| -- yes or no?  | linking NEMI to the |                              |
| If yes, what   | existing OGWDW MCL  |                              |
| and funding    | web-page. Dan and   |                              |
| and priority.  | James estimated     |                              |
| RCRA           | funding impacts and |                              |
| regul          | drafted a schedule  |                              |
| ations]{.mark} | for adding OW       |                              |
|                | regulatory          |                              |
| []{.mark}      | i                   |                              |
|                | nformation.]{.mark} |                              |
|                |                     |                              |
|                | [RCRA regulations   |                              |
|                | will be added but   |                              |
|                | schedule and        |                              |
|                | actions needed were |                              |
|                | not determined.     |                              |
|                | Will require later  |                              |
|                | action. Will need   |                              |
|                | to coordinate with  |                              |
|                | Barry Lesnik to     |                              |
|                | determine what and  |                              |
|                | how information     |                              |
|                | should be           |                              |
|                | included.]{.mark}   |                              |
|                |                     |                              |
|                | [Started work on    |                              |
|                | supp. Water regs.   |                              |
|                | Coordinate w/ Barry |                              |
|                | on RCRA. Database   |                              |
|                | mods to follow.     |                              |
|                | Apr. 03?]{.mark}    |                              |
|                |                     |                              |
|                | []{.mark}           |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Can we reduce | [Dan will provide a | [James will collapse         |
| number of      | list of DLs         | Detection Levels which have  |
| Detection      | currently used in   | identical definitions.       |
| Level fields?  | NEMI. James will    | Eliminate detection levels   |
| What are       | draft definitions   | that are not currently being |
| minimum key DL | and suggested       | used. Add an input choice    |
| defini         | groupings of DLs,   | for detection level which is |
| tions?]{.mark} | and will provide to | "none of the above" and to   |
|                | the Steering        | contact Dan.]{.mark}         |
| []{.mark}      | Committee for       |                              |
|                | review.]{.mark}     |                              |
|                |                     |                              |
|                | [Timeline for       |                              |
|                | completion?]{.mark} |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Linkage of    | [Dan will work with | [Dan and Merle need to       |
| Estimated      | the USGS web master | talk\-\--don't want to add   |
| Detection      | in Denver to        | another field. Add to DL     |
| Limits from    | accomplish this     | note a link to USGS page.    |
| USGS to USGS   | linkage.]{.mark}    | Dan will contact appropriate |
| web            |                     | person to figure out best    |
| page.]{.mark}  | [Estimated timeline | way to make this info        |
|                | for                 | accessible to NEMI           |
| []{.mark}      | completion?]{.mark} | users.]{.mark}               |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Review and    | [Does this list     | []{.mark}                    |
| revise action  | still fit the tasks |                              |
| items list     | in the 5 year       |                              |
| from the       | plan?]{.mark}       |                              |
| Reston         |                     |                              |
| me             |                     |                              |
| eting.]{.mark} |                     |                              |
|                |                     |                              |
| []{.mark}      |                     |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Review NEMI   | [Suggest additions, | [Conduct as a function of    |
| draft public   | deletions,          | Steering Committee           |
| website for    | suggestions,        | conference calls.]{.mark}    |
| c              | changes]{.mark}     |                              |
| hanges]{.mark} |                     |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| [Review        | [Based on all       | []{.mark}                    |
| outreach       | above, input into   |                              |
| strategic      | 2-year strategic    |                              |
| 2-year plan    | plan]{.mark}        |                              |
| form]{.mark}   |                     |                              |
+----------------+---------------------+------------------------------+

4.  Other issues discussed (including, but not limited to...ideas for
    future projects, issues to bring before full Board,
    linkages/connections to other workgroups, ideas for new members)

**Larry reviewed the objectives and status of the NEMI Water Security
Project. Use of efficacy index described. Larry provided review of
workplan items estimated -- 50 USGS, 60 immunonoassys, 100 EPA reg
methods -- total = 200-300 methods. Directions are dependent on funding.
Use of on-line forms to streamline entering methods and less reources
required. Need to reference field methods in workplan, under bullet
number 4. Hirsch wants these in for sure.**

**Add graphics to workplan -- bar chart and workplan to show progress
and represenation from different**

**Add to workplan effort to trecak down methods.**

**Focus on newest and best issues. But, of 200 reg methos -- 78 Standard
Methods, 67 ASTM,**

**Biological methods -- Invert table on Web site discussed. Do
performance information for methods need to be gathered for methods and
in context of conditions that are used -- variability of biological
assessments. Detection limits are available for bioassessment and
toxicity methods. Add information in literature and provide citations.
Possibly provide median effect level. Final use Acceptability Criteria
in place of detection level. For toxicity, search on organism, type of
test, and media. Search on length of test? When conduct alpha test, ask
for comments on how best to deal with accuracy and precison issues**

**Field methods -- ASTM methods**

**How to formalize how new methods are added.**

**Eventually have a link from a method to additional information about
that method.**

**Discussion of TMDL contractor training---what are the needs? Chuck
thinks it would be useful to determine (with practioners---Tt and
others) what the needs for data are. Perhaps develop a checklist. Leslie
Shoemaker is lead TMDL person at Tt. What venues are available (TMDL
meetings) to deliver training, etc?**

**Chuck discussed brand new USGS/EPA agreement on management of WQ data
(STORET/NWIS agreement). Using WQDE as common language between STORET
and NWIS---develop mechanism (standard output format) to query both
databases for info. What is the link among WQDE, NEMI into data
system.**

**NEWSLETTER---in addition to the language James is developing---add
request for success stories using NEMI that can be used in the NWQMC
conference.**

**Adding sub-group tags for analyte groups such as as nutrients will be
added as they are designated as TMDLs.**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **5. Outreach needs**        
  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------
  Are there products for which New fact sheet?
  you need help finding        
  publication outlets?         

  Are there products you need  
  help distributing?           

  [Any upcoming conferences    [Larry will attend national ACS meeting in
  that require an outreach     New Orleans in March. Could distribute
  effort?]{.mark}              NEMI info at Division of Environmental
                               Chemistry table.]{.mark}
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------
  **6. Workgroup housekeeping  
  issues**                     

  External and Internal        
  website, workgroup page      
  comments/changes?­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­            

  Board information packet,    
  any items for inclusion      

  Workgroup email list,        
  updates to current list?     

  Workgroup bibliography,      
  updates (articles,           
  presentations, abstracts,    
  proceedings, reports, etc)?  
  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------

**[7. Plans for the next meeting]{.mark}**

[]{.mark}

[Week of May 16th in Raleigh, NC]{.mark}

[8. Any between meeting conference calls planned? **Continuing 2 week
Steering Committee calls by Dan.**]{.mark}

**9. Other comments/notes/issues**

# ![](media/image1.png){width="0.8401574803149606in" height="0.8633858267716535in"}[BioWQDE]{.underline}[^3]

January 13, 2003

+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **1. Overall workgroup |                                             |
| meeting information**  |                                             |
+========================+=============================================+
| ### NAME OF WORKGROUP  | ## Bio WQDE                                 |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **MEETING              | **Tucson, January 2003**                    |
| LOCATION/DATE**        |                                             |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **WORKGROUP CHAIR**    | Leanne Astin                                |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **MEETING              | Leanne Astin, Ed Santoro, Jerry Diamond, Ed |
| PARTICIPANTS** *(add   | Johnson, Charlie Peters, Chuck Spooner,     |
| members in a list      | Geoffrey Ekechukwu, Abby Markowitz          |
| separated by commas)*  | (notetaker)                                 |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| ##                     | N/A                                         |
| # WHO WAS ON THE PHONE |                                             |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **2. Are there any                                      
  new workgroup                                           
  members or guests                                       
  we need to add to                                       
  mailing list? If                                        
  yes, add them to                                        
  the table below.**                                      
  (*insert as many                                        
  rows into the                                           
  table as needed*)                                       
  ------------------ ------------- ---------------------- ----------------
  **NAME,            **GUEST OR    **EMAIL ADDRESS**      **PHONE**
  AFFILIATION**      NEW MEMBER**                         

  N/A                                                     
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

+----------------+---------------------+-------------------------------+
| **3. Status of |                     |                               |
| workgroup      |                     |                               |
| projects,      |                     |                               |
| activities,    |                     |                               |
| products**     |                     |                               |
| (*insert as    |                     |                               |
| many rows into |                     |                               |
| the table as   |                     |                               |
| needed*)       |                     |                               |
+================+=====================+===============================+
| **PROJECT**    | **CURRENT STATUS**  | **NEXT STEPS AND ACTION       |
|                |                     | ITEMS**                       |
+----------------+---------------------+-------------------------------+
| **Review of    |                     | **Next steps---send elements  |
| Toxicity and   |                     | out for review to             |
| Mac            |                     | specializing in the specific  |
| roinvertebrate |                     | categories:**                 |
| WQDEs**        |                     |                               |
|                |                     | -   **Geoffrey---forward      |
|                |                     |     elements to Geoffrey to   |
|                |                     |     forward to someone at     |
|                |                     |     USFWS to look at elements |
|                |                     |     for fish (population      |
|                |                     |     community)**              |
|                |                     |                               |
|                |                     | -   **Jan Stevenson looking   |
|                |                     |     at it for algae.**        |
|                |                     |                               |
|                |                     | -   **Blaine Snyder looking   |
|                |                     |     at it for fish. Ed        |
|                |                     |     Santoro can look for      |
|                |                     |     fish, too.**              |
+----------------+---------------------+-------------------------------+
| Module &       | For the most part,  | **1) Create a matrix          |
| submodule      | *Who, Where*        | illustrating which elements   |
| development    | unchanged from      | within each module are key    |
| for            | Chem/Micro (from    | for any track or category     |
| macr           | Reston)             | (Ed/Charlie---by next Board   |
| oinvertebrates |                     | meeting)**                    |
| & toxicity     | Leanne presented    |                               |
|                | some initial ideas  | **2) Send elements out for    |
|                | about which         | review to people specializing |
|                | elements are        | in the specific categories    |
|                | critical (using     | (see above):**                |
|                | population          |                               |
|                | commu               | -   Jerry and Leanne draft    |
|                | nity---particularly |     coverletter for sending   |
|                | macroinvertebrates) |     out for peer              |
|                |                     |     review---sets boundary    |
|                | -   **Jan Stevenson |     and stage, way            |
|                |     looking at it   |                               |
|                |     for algae.**    | 3)  Need to consider other    |
|                |                     |     data elements standards   |
|                | -   Blaine Snyder   |     (such as FGDC---Federal   |
|                |     looking at it   |     Geographic Data           |
|                |     for fish. Ed    |     Committee---they have put |
|                |     Santoro can     |     out data elements (called |
|                |     look for fish,  |     Data Profile)---should we |
|                |     too.            |     talk with these folks     |
|                |                     |                               |
|                | On toxicity         | 4)  Need to develop 2-column  |
|                | list\--Reviewers    |     format: WQDE and          |
|                | provided            |     definition or example of  |
|                | comment\--added     |     each . Jerry will do for  |
|                | some elements under |     Tox methods. Leanne       |
|                | some of the modules |     initiate one for          |
|                |                     |     macroinvertebrate         |
|                |                     |     methods.                  |
|                |                     |                               |
|                |                     | Overall timeline\--           |
|                |                     |                               |
|                |                     | **[TARGET: Get ACWI approval  |
|                |                     | April                         |
|                |                     | 2004---Macroinvertebrates and |
|                |                     | Toxicity---THEN HAVE WORKSHOP |
|                |                     | IN CHATTANOOGA TO SELL IT     |
|                |                     | (May 2004)]{.mark}**          |
|                |                     |                               |
|                |                     | []{.mark}                     |
|                |                     |                               |
|                |                     | -   **[Get review from        |
|                |                     |     peers]{.mark}**           |
|                |                     |                               |
|                |                     | -   **[Get approval from      |
|                |                     |     Board at RTP meeting in   |
|                |                     |     May/June 2003]{.mark}**   |
|                |                     |                               |
|                |                     | -   **[Present to Council in  |
|                |                     |     late August               |
|                |                     |     2003]{.mark}**            |
|                |                     |                               |
|                |                     | -   **[Hold public meetings   |
|                |                     |     in September & October    |
|                |                     |     2003]{.mark}**            |
|                |                     |                               |
|                |                     | -   **[Present to ACWI in     |
|                |                     |     April 2004]{.mark}**      |
|                |                     |                               |
|                |                     | -   **[Workshop at conference |
|                |                     |     May 2004]{.mark}**        |
+----------------+---------------------+-------------------------------+
|                |                     |                               |
+----------------+---------------------+-------------------------------+

4\. Other issues discussed (including, but not limited to...ideas for
future projects, issues to bring before full Board, linkages/connections
to other workgroups, ideas for new members)

THE FOLLOWING SECTION IS PRIMARILY DISCUSSION---WITH ACTION ITEMS
INCORPORATED ABOVE IN TABLE

**[Leanne's opening comments]{.underline}**

**Focusing on 2-year plan and deliverables. Core mission is improving
data documentation. Making metadata less painful. Data elements for
macroinvertebrates should be applicable to all populations. Using
macroinvertebrates as a framework.**

**Part of the key is the modular framework.**

**Need to differentiate between modules vs. tracks**

**Modules are WHO, WHAT, WHEN, HOW, WHERE, WHY (reason for
sampling)---big section numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4\...**

**Tracks are macroinvertebrates, toxicology, etc\...(should we be using
"tracks"? Chuck prefers "categories" or "paths", Charlie suggested
"trails")**

**Objective for this meeting is to come up with consensus on what to put
out for review (data elements for population community, toxicity,
modular framework)**

**There is a biology poster (biology workgroup overall---not just
bioWQDE) and a WQDE poster (mentions, but doesn't focus on biology).**

**BioWQDE has so much to focus on, we should ask WQDE implementation
group to "sell" the modular approach. Make the point that it doesn't
have to be as onerous as it seems. Doesn't have to be so "painful"**

**[Put on webpage---"Metadata primer" from WI DNR---]{.mark}**

[[http://www.lic.wisc.edu/metadata/metaprim.htm]{.mark}](http://www.lic.wisc.edu/metadata/metaprim.htm)

**For the 2004 conference---would be cool to be able to show how having
metatdata (using real example) enable someone to do things they wouldn't
have been able to do otherwise. How having metadata can enable someone
to determine if they can use someone else's data**

**[Review WQDE for biology (on website)]{.mark}**

**Question---elements within the module that aren't applicable, should
we delete or tell people just to take what they need? Perhaps should
highlight those items that are important for chem./micro but not
biology**

**Ed, Geoffrey suggest keeping flow, depth**

**Need to show in the WQDE list\...**

**1) What are the elements important for [all]{.underline} monitoring**

**2) Somehow highlight (or something) the ones that are critical for
biology. Point out which ones are not necessary for biology.**

**As more biological methods are added (like fish tissue) we might see
that the standard module doesn't include everything that would be
needed. For example with fish tissue you might need start and ending
stations\--"4.3 Sampling station type name".** [Or]{.underline} **maybe
this is a data management issue---data element stays the same.**

**[TO DO: Create a matrix illustrating which elements within each module
are key for any track or category]{.mark}**

**ADDED for Biology\--Dealing with Module #9---Assessment and
Interpretation---needs to be specific to macroinvertebrates or broader
to biology.**

**[FGDC---Federal Geographic Data Committee---they have put out data
elements (called Data Profile)---we need to talk with these
folks]{.mark}**

**[Next steps---send elements out for review to specializing in the
specific categories:]{.mark}**

-   **Geoffrey---forward elements to Geoffrey to forward to someone at
    USFWS to look at elements for fish (population community)**

-   **Jan Stevenson looking at it for algae.**

-   **Blaine Snyder looking at it for fish. Ed Santoro can look for
    fish, too.**

**How do deal with ancillary data---like habitat and other (WQ data)?
Not really biology---but physical data used with biology**

**There will continue to be disagreement/discussion about paths.**

**We need to focus on where we are going for 2004 (conference)**

**Short & long term deliverables---**

-   **Get review of elements from Board members and others**

-   **Get approval from Board and then from Council**

-   **Develop article for peer review journal**

-   **Presentation/workshop for 2004**

-   **Use basically same process as for chem/micro WQDE---Board
    approval, public meetings for comment (federal register) including
    Chattanooga, Council approval, ACWI approval**

**[Get ACWI approval April 2004---Macroinvertebrates and Toxicity---THEN
HAVE WORKSHOP IN CHATTANOOGA TO SELL IT (May 2004)]{.mark}**

[]{.mark}

-   **[Get review from peers & approval from Board at RTP meeting in
    May/June]{.mark}**

-   **[Present to Council in late August]{.mark}**

-   **[Hold public meetings in September & August]{.mark}**

-   **[Present to ACWI in April 2004]{.mark}**

-   **[Workshop at conference]{.mark}**

[]{.mark}

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **5. Outreach needs**        
  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------
  Are there products for which 
  you need help finding        
  publication outlets?         

  Are there products you need  
  help distributing?           

  Any upcoming conferences     
  that require an outreach     
  effort?                      
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| **6. Workgroup             |                                         |
| housekeeping issues**      |                                         |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| [External and Internal     | **[Put link on the BioWQDE              |
| website, workgroup page    | webpage---"Metadata primer" from WI     |
| comments/changes?­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­]{.mark}  | DNR---]{.mark}**                        |
|                            |                                         |
|                            | [[http://www.lic.wisc.edu               |
|                            | /metadata/metaprim.htm]{.mark}](http:// |
|                            | www.lic.wisc.edu/metadata/metaprim.htm) |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Board information packet,  |                                         |
| any items for inclusion    |                                         |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Workgroup email list,      |                                         |
| updates to current list?   |                                         |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Workgroup bibliography,    |                                         |
| updates (articles,         |                                         |
| presentations, abstracts,  |                                         |
| proceedings, reports,      |                                         |
| etc)?                      |                                         |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+

**7. [Plans for the next meeting Finalize Toxicity and Macroinvertebrate
lists and prepare for distribution to the Council for approval; Review
draft of actual module example showing links between chem., biology
WQDE; review draft wqde for fish and algae and compare with
macroinvertebrate list]{.mark}**

[8. Any between meeting conference calls planned? Feb 11]{.mark}

**9. Other comments/notes/issues**

# ![](media/image1.png){width="0.8401574803149606in" height="0.8633858267716535in"}[OUTREACH]{.underline}[^4]

January 12, 2003

+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **1. Overall workgroup |                                             |
| meeting information**  |                                             |
+========================+=============================================+
| ### NAME OF WORKGROUP  | **Outreach**                                |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **MEETING              | **Tucson,**                                 |
| LOCATION/DATE**        |                                             |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **WORKGROUP CHAIR**    | Dennis McChesney                            |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **MEETING              | Herb Brass, Charlie Peters, Abby Markowitz, |
| PARTICIPANTS** *(add   | Ed Santoro, James Boiani, Jerry Diamond,    |
| members in a list      | Merle Shockey, Marion Kelly, Larry Keith,   |
| separated by commas)*  | Katherine Alben                             |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| ##                     | Dennis McChesney                            |
| # WHO WAS ON THE PHONE |                                             |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **2. Are there any                                      
  new workgroup                                           
  members or guests                                       
  we need to add to                                       
  mailing list? If                                        
  yes, add them to                                        
  the table below.**                                      
  (*insert as many                                        
  rows into the                                           
  table as needed*)                                       
  ------------------ ------------- ---------------------- ----------------
  **NAME,            **GUEST OR    **EMAIL ADDRESS**      **PHONE**
  AFFILIATION**      NEW MEMBER**                         

  N/A                                                     
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

+---------------+----------------------------+-------------------------+
| **3. Status   |                            |                         |
| of workgroup  |                            |                         |
| projects,     |                            |                         |
| activities,   |                            |                         |
| products**    |                            |                         |
| (*insert as   |                            |                         |
| many rows     |                            |                         |
| into the      |                            |                         |
| table as      |                            |                         |
| needed*)      |                            |                         |
+===============+============================+=========================+
| **PROJECT**   | **CURRENT STATUS**         | **NEXT STEPS AND ACTION |
|               |                            | ITEMS**                 |
+---------------+----------------------------+-------------------------+
| 2004          | See (a) below              | Larry will send email   |
| conferenc     |                            | to Charlie, Charlie     |
| e---WQTE/NEMC |                            | will forward to Toni    |
|               |                            | Johnson and conference  |
|               |                            | tri-chairs              |
+---------------+----------------------------+-------------------------+
| 2004          | See (b) below\--           | Need to get name of     |
| conference    | Workgroups designate at    | designee from each      |
| ---conference | least 1 member to serve on | workgroup. (Abby get    |
| committees    | conference committee---was | from folks while in     |
|               | included in charge to      | Tucson if possible, if  |
|               | workgroups. Charlie        | not send email out      |
|               | willing to serve on        | post-Tucson             |
|               | sponsorship subcommittee   |                         |
+---------------+----------------------------+-------------------------+
| #### Acr      | First issue almost ready   | Corrections to first    |
| oss the Board | for distribution           | issue---                |
|               |                            |                         |
| First issue   |                            | 1\) Change date to      |
|               |                            | fall/winter 2002        |
|               |                            |                         |
|               |                            | 2\) James---draft       |
|               |                            | couple of sentences     |
|               |                            | about new NEMI          |
|               |                            | stuff---online          |
|               |                            | submission, etc.        |
|               |                            |                         |
|               |                            | 3\) Update number of    |
|               |                            | hits for NEMI---15K     |
|               |                            | (20,695 hits to         |
|               |                            | date---Jan 12)---there  |
|               |                            | were about 7800 when    |
|               |                            | news release came out   |
|               |                            |                         |
|               |                            | 4\) distribution --send |
|               |                            | PDF email attachment to |
|               |                            | full distribution list. |
|               |                            | Print in b/w only as    |
|               |                            | needed for additional   |
|               |                            | distribution.           |
+---------------+----------------------------+-------------------------+
| #### Acr      |                            | Abby send out another   |
| oss the Board |                            | electronic copy, ask    |
|               |                            | for comments from other |
| Future issues |                            | Board members---Get     |
|               |                            | comments back by JAN    |
|               |                            | 22---so Abby can pull   |
|               |                            | info together for       |
|               |                            | Outreach meeting on Jan |
|               |                            | 23                      |
+---------------+----------------------------+-------------------------+
| #### Gener    | Since workgroup chairs and | Can we investigate      |
| ic email addr | emails change, it might be | getting a MDCB          |
| esses for wor | useful to purchase a       | domain---one for NWQMC, |
| kgroup chairs | domain and have generic    | too.                    |
|               | emails that forward emails |                         |
|               | to the current chairs      | Set up static accounts  |
|               | (such as biologychair@)    | that forward to whoever |
|               |                            | person is. Need a       |
|               |                            | domain.                 |
|               |                            |                         |
|               |                            | Such as                 |
|               |                            | <biologychair@>mdcb.net |
+---------------+----------------------------+-------------------------+
| Workgroup     |                            | Under #4 (on form), add |
| Notes         |                            | technical notes and     |
|               |                            | issues discussed. Use   |
|               |                            | this as a form to run   |
|               |                            | the meeting---fill it   |
|               |                            | in ahead of time and    |
|               |                            | edit/revise---for       |
|               |                            | future meetings. Chairs |
|               |                            | can use it to build the |
|               |                            | agenda ahead of time.   |
+---------------+----------------------------+-------------------------+

4\. Other issues discussed (including, but not limited to...ideas for
future projects, issues to bring before full Board, linkages/connections
to other workgroups, ideas for new members)

## 2004 Conference Preparation

a)  WQTE is now National Environmental Monitoring conference---July 2003
    Last time NWQMC was a non-financial sponsor of that conference
    Continue a relationship---joint sponsorship, non financial support
    ([www.nemc.us](http://www.nemc.us/)). Want to continue that
    relationship.

b)  A member of each of the Board's workgroup on the conference
    committee---mention tomorrow during charge to workgroups---Abby add
    it to charge to workgroups. Charlie willing to help lead the
    sponsorship committee---important way to build relationships with
    the Council

c)  Workgroups developing ideas for presentations/sessions at the
    conference. Board should have high visibility at the conference.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **5. Outreach needs**        
  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------
  Are there products for which 
  you need help finding        
  publication outlets?         

  Are there products you need  
  help distributing?           

  Any upcoming conferences     
  that require an outreach     
  effort?                      
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------
  **6. Workgroup housekeeping  
  issues**                     

  External and Internal        
  website, workgroup page      
  comments/changes?­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­            

  Board information packet,    
  any items for inclusion      

  Workgroup email list,        
  updates to current list?     

  Workgroup bibliography,      
  updates (articles,           
  presentations, abstracts,    
  proceedings, reports, etc)?  
  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------

**7. Plans for the next meeting**

[8. Any between meeting conference calls planned?]{.mark}

[Jan 23, Feb 20, March 20, April 17; 2:00-3:00---Dennis will set up the
calls --Abby will send out call in number.]{.mark}

**9. Other comments/notes/issues**

#### **[The following are free-hand notes taken by Abby during the Outreach workgroup meeting on January 12---action items are incorporated into above table]{.mark}**

[]{.mark}

WQTE is now National Environmental Monitoring conference---July 2003

Last time NWQMC was a non-financial sponsor of that conference

Continue a relationship---joint sponsorship, non financial support

[www.nemc.us](http://www.nemc.us/)

Interaction between Board and Council for planning committee

A member of each of the Board's workgroup on the conference
committee---mention tomorrow during charge to workgroups---Abby add it
to charge to workgroups.

Charlie willing to help lead the sponsorship committee

[Action Item---]{.mark}WHO is going to contact NEMC---one of the
Conference co-chairs? Herb or Charlie check with Toni Johnson to see if
we still want to do this---run this by the conference tri-chairs (Larry
is on of the conference organizers---NEMC). Larry send Charlie and
email, Charlie forward it to Toni and Chuck, Peter, Don.

# [Across the Board]{.mark}

[First issue\--]{.mark}

Ron Jones's email is incorrect---get correct email address---[ASK
RON]{.mark}

Change date to fall/winter 2002

[James---draft paragraph---new NEMI stuff---online submission,
etc.]{.mark}

Updating number of hits for NEMI---15K (20,695 hits to date---Jan
12)---there were about 7800 when news release came out

Set up static accounts that forward to whoever person is. Need a domain.

Such as <biologychair@> Can we investigate getting a MDCB domain---one
for NWQMC, too.

Should we have an email box?? They become obsolete almost as soon as
they go out. YES---leave email box for now.

[Distribution]{.mark}

How many hard copies??

Just as many as needed?

Who is the newsletter for? Should it be one page back and front? Fancy?
Simple?

## WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE NEWSLETTER

Distribute thru email list---PDF

Make b/w copies for packets, hard copy distribution

Just print as many as needed---in b/w

Can we get a reaction from readers---ask for comment when we send it out
to the list---readers survey, tracking use of newsletter/website

Charge---workgroups providing info for website

Should the newsletter be an annual publication? Then have rapid notes
throughout the year\--

[Next issue]{.mark}

We're talking about more than one type of product---year in review
(annual report), THEN rapid notes---requests for assistance---The Board
is looking for labs to participate in study...

Also---product notes---announcing new products

-   Different animals\--

-   Yearly newsletter

-   Product notes (NEMI 1-pager)

-   Requests for assistance, etc

-   List of upcoming conferences---calendar of who is going where---who
    can go where

How often should Outreach group meet---monthly---

How about Jan 23, Feb 20, March 20, April 17; 2:00-3:00---Dennis will
set up the calls --I'll send out call in number.

[Workgroup Notes]{.mark}

Under #4, add technical notes and issues discussed

Use this as a form to run the meeting---fill it in ahead of time and
edit/revise---for future meetings. Chairs can use it to build the agenda
ahead of time.

Board has never had a formal minutes review process---should we have
something like that? Workgroups---using the form---can sign off on their
own minutes.

[Development of outreach materials]{.mark}

Distribution list---need all Board members to send us the categories of
lists they have and/or subscribe to.

If anyone wants to go to a conference---we can set them up with what
they need

[Websites]{.mark}---internal and external

Herb likes the new format of the external website. Needs to say more
about the Board---a lot of the stuff on it is very old!!! Needs to be
updates.

Having a good, up-to-date website should be a high priority.

Abby---mention website---give workgroup charge/date for having updates
on website. Have chairs go thru and clean up internal and external
websites.

[What should the internal website be used for?]{.mark}

Stuff from previous meetings should stay there---chronological archive.
Needs to be weeded out and organized---workgroups need to look at how
that should be organized---for that meeting and what should stay
archived.

Did everyone look at the under construction????

Peer review process of Board products---more of a general board
discussion rather than outreach group

People prefer folders instead of notebooks for meeting prep and
organization.

# ![](media/image1.png){width="0.8401574803149606in" height="0.8633858267716535in"}[PBS]{.underline}[^5]

January 13, 2003

+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **1. Overall workgroup |                                             |
| meeting information**  |                                             |
+========================+=============================================+
| ### NAME OF WORKGROUP  | PBS                                         |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **MEETING              | Tucson, 1/13/03                             |
| LOCATION/DATE**        |                                             |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **WORKGROUP CHAIR**    | Cliff Annis                                 |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| **MEETING              | Rock Vitale, Ron Jones, Ed Johnson,         |
| PARTICIPANTS** *(add   | Francescka Wilde, Marion Kelly, Herb Brass, |
| members in a list      | Merle Shockey, Ed Santoro, Leanne Astin,    |
| separated by commas)*  | Charlie Peters, Katherine Alben, Geoff      |
|                        | Ekuchukwu, Barbara Hayes, Jerry Diamond     |
|                        | (notetaker)                                 |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
| ##                     | Cliff Annis                                 |
| # WHO WAS ON THE PHONE |                                             |
+------------------------+---------------------------------------------+

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **2. Are there any                                      
  new workgroup                                           
  members or guests                                       
  we need to add to                                       
  mailing list? If                                        
  yes, add them to                                        
  the table below.**                                      
  (*insert as many                                        
  rows into the                                           
  table as needed*)                                       
  ------------------ ------------- ---------------------- ----------------
  **NAME,            **GUEST OR    **EMAIL ADDRESS**      **PHONE**
  AFFILIATION**      NEW MEMBER**                         

  N/A                                                     
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **3. Status of                                
  workgroup                                     
  projects,                                     
  activities,                                   
  products**                                    
  (*insert as many                              
  rows into the                                 
  table as                                      
  needed*)                                      
  ---------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
  **PROJECT**      **CURRENT STATUS**           **NEXT STEPS AND ACTION
                                                ITEMS**

  ES&T Manuscript  Resubmitted to ES&T          Cliff arrange conference
                                                call early Feb. to
                                                compare manuscript and
                                                full report and decide
                                                need for report as well.

  NELAC PBS review Waiting on new version in    Cliff arrange call to
                   Feb.                         discuss review charge
                                                when new version comes
                                                out.

  Workshop         Postponed                    Conference call to
                                                discuss
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **3. Status of                                
  workgroup                                     
  projects,                                     
  activities,                                   
  products**                                    
  (*insert as many                              
  rows into the                                 
  table as                                      
  needed*)                                      
  ---------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
  **PROJECT**      **CURRENT STATUS**           **NEXT STEPS AND ACTION
                                                ITEMS**

  Nutrient PBS     Pilot data being collected.  Ron and SWFWMD
  Pilot            Data mostly in.              preliminary statistical
                                                evaluation, then
                                                submitted to Workgroup
                                                for review --
                                                March/April. Then get
                                                toPBS by next Board
                                                meeting. Develop paper
                                                afterwards.

  Bio PBS Pilot    Mike Miller doing            We won't see for a while
                                                -- no action

  Value of Comp.   "Outreach piece", good intro Need more review and
                                                input to Jerry and Cliff
                                                by Jan. 31, using Intro
                                                of Guidance of paper as
                                                well.

  Comp. Guidance   Draft paper prepared and     Need review by Feb. 10.
  Paper            distributed                  Send out email with paper
                                                then follow with
                                                conference call Feb. 24.
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

4\. Other issues discussed (including, but not limited to...ideas for
future projects, issues to bring before full Board, linkages/connections
to other workgroups, ideas for new members)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **5. Outreach needs**        
  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------
  Are there products for which Not yet
  you need help finding        
  publication outlets?         

  Are there products you need  Not yet
  help distributing?           

  Any upcoming conferences     None we know of
  that require an outreach     
  effort?                      
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------
  **6. Workgroup housekeeping  
  issues**                     

  External and Internal        Cliff, Jerry will review and modify with
  website, workgroup page      Charlie's help by mid-Feb.
  comments/changes?­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­            

  Board information packet,    None yet
  any items for inclusion      

  Workgroup email list,        
  updates to current list?     

  Workgroup bibliography,      
  updates (articles,           
  presentations, abstracts,    
  proceedings, reports, etc)?  
  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------

**7[. Plans for the next meeting]{.mark}** [Determine next steps if any
for COD Pilot Report and have revised Draft Report for review if
appropriate. Discuss comments on revised Comparability Guidance Paper
and next steps. Seek Board approval of revised Value of Comparability
Factsheet. Review Nutrient Pilot draft report. Refine Workshop
idea.]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[8. Any between meeting conference calls planned? **Early Feb. and Feb.
24**]{.mark}

**9. Other comments/notes/issues**

[^1]: These notes have been reviewed by Bart Simmons and Jerry Diamond

[^2]: These notes have been reviewed by Larry Keith

[^3]: These notes have been reviewed by LeAnne Astin and Jerry Diamond

[^4]: The notes have been reviewed by Abby Markowitz

[^5]: These have been reviewed by Cliff Annis and Jerry Diamond