Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR 

Water and Watershed Grants 

Submitted to 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Environmental Science Center 

701 Mapes Road 

Ft. Meade, MD 20755-05350 

Submitted by 

Technology Planning & Management Corporation 

Mill Wharf Plaza, Suite 208 

Scituate, MA 02066 

December 5, 2003 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

FOREWORD 

This report was prepared by Perot Systems Government Services (formerly Technology Planning and 

Management Corporation), for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for 

Environmental Research, Science to Achieve Results Program. PSGS prepared the report under the U.S 

Environmental Protection Agency National Geospatial Program and Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment 

(MAIA) Pilot Project on a contract with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Commerce Information 

Technology Solutions (COMMITS) Office Contract No. 50CMAA900065. The mention of trade names, 

commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

The preferred citation for this report is: 

Ghiloni, J.A., E.A. Merritt, E.S. Walbeck, J.F. Campbell, M.G. Holland. 2003. Synthesis of the 1997 

STAR Water and Watershed Grants. Prepared by Perot Systems Government Services (Formerly

Technology Planning and Management Corporation), Scituate, MA, for the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Research, 

Science to Achieve Results Program. 

Foreword ii 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................ 1-1

1.1 Background.................................................................................................................................. 1-1

1.2 Summary...................................................................................................................................... 1-1

2. SUCCESSES, RESULTS, AND FINDINGS...................................................................................... 2-1

2.1 STAR Grant R825751: Effects of Natural and Anthropogenic Processes on Tillamook Bay and Its 

Watershed: An Integrated Process Study and Land-Use Perspective. ................................................ 2-1

2.2 STAR Grant R825757: Social and Ecological Transferability of Integrated Ecological Assessment 

Models ....................................................................................................................................................... 2-3

2.3 STAR Grant R825758:Community Values and the Long-term Ecological Integrity of Rapidly 

Urbanizing Watersheds............................................................................................................................ 2-5

2.4 STAR Grant R825759: Risk Based Urban Watershed Management-Integration of Water Quality 

and Flood Control Objectives.................................................................................................................. 2-7

2.5 STAR Grant R825760: From Landscapes to Waterscapes: An Integrating Framework for 

Urbanizing Watersheds............................................................................................................................ 2-9

2.6 STAR Grant R825761: An Integrated Ecological and Socio-Economic Approach to Evaluating 

and Reducing Agricultural Impacts on Upper Mississippi Watersheds............................................ 2-11

2.7 STAR Grant R825762: Linking Watershed-Scale Indicators of Change in Atmospheric 

Deposition to Regional Response Patterns........................................................................................... 2-14

2.8 STAR Grant R825791: Ecological Risks, Stakeholder Values, and River Basins: Testing 

Management Alternatives for the Illinois River ................................................................................... 2-16

2.9 STAR Grant R825792: Impact of Social Systems on Ecology and Hydrology in Urban-Rural

Watersheds: Integration for Restoration. ............................................................................................. 2-19

2.10 STAR Grant R826282: An Integrated Watershed Approach to Evaluate and Model Ecosystem 

Effects of Erosion and Pollutant Transport in Urbanized Subalpine Landscapes........................... 2-21

REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................... 3-1

APPENDIX A. 1997 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS SUMMARY TABLE...................... 4-2

APPENDIX B. 1997 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS COMMON THEMES CHART... 4-11

APPENDIX C. 1997 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS COMMON THEMES .................. 4-12

Table of Contents iii 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

 1. INTRODUCTION 

1.1 Background 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) STAR (Science to Achieve Results) Grant program funds 

research in a wide variety of environmental science disciplines. The STAR Water and Watersheds 

program is unique in that it advocates interdisciplinary research. However, in order for the information 

gathered from this research to be useful to decision-makers, stakeholders, and the science community, it is 

beneficial to summarize the results into comprehensive and easily accessible documents. In concordance 

with their commitment to communication, the National Center for Environmental Research (NCER) is 

supporting a set of documents that highlight research results and successes. The purpose of this project is 

to develop a compendium of the results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants and produce a 

document that outlines the results, products produced, and user communities for each of the 1997 Water 

and Watershed grants. 

Because this product will be used directly by EPA, and to avoid any bias associated with the research 

projects, an extramural contract was chosen as the appropriate vehicle to complete this task. 

1.2 Summary

Ten 1997 Water and Watershed EPA STAR Grants were reviewed in detail to determine how results of 

this research can or are being used by other researchers and decision-makers. Products useful to decisionmakers resulting from the 10 grants include: 

• Fourteen models; 

• Six methods, strategies, processes, or practices; 

• A comprehensive GIS database and a series of geospatial maps; 

• Results of numerous stakeholder surveys and workshops; 

• Three interactive web-based assessment tools; 

• Numerous outreach materials including one community Outreach Task Force and a School 

Partnership Program; and 

• Five frameworks for identifying various aspects of stakeholder concerns and environmental 

impacts. 

Additionally, a new index to measure estuarine biotic integrity (EBI) was developed for use in future 

research. Each of the ten grants fell into one or more of the following categories/themes (See Appendix 

B): 

 

• Restoration, 

• Urban Conditions, 

• Agricultural Conditions, 

• Economics, 

• Politics and Policies, 

• Scientific Techniques, and 

• Multi-criteria Studies. 

A summary of each of the 10 grants, including results, products produced, user community, and themes, 

follows. The appendices include: 1) a summary table of each grant listing grant number, title, principal 

Introduction 1-1 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

investigator, common themes, relevance, products, and successes/lessons learned (Appendix A); 2) a table 

showing which grants had which common themes (Appendix B); and 3) a very brief description of each 

grant by common theme (Appendix C).

Introduction 1-2 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2. SUCCESSES, RESULTS, AND FINDINGS

2.1 STAR Grant R825751 

Effects of Natural and Anthropogenic Processes on Tillamook Bay and Its Watershed: An 

Integrated Process Study and Land-Use Perspective.

Principal Investigator: James McManus, Oregon State University, College of Ocean and Atmospheric 

Science

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Research helped evaluate the role of ocean processes in estuarine systems.

• Research findings brought about a better understanding of the role of man-made and natural 

influences on water quality in Tillamook Bay. 

• Transport paths and accumulation patterns of sediments were successfully established within 

Tillamook Bay.

• Investigators developed a better understanding of the impacts of timber harvesting (the removal 

of trees for lumber), agriculture, and salvage logging (the selected removal of trees susceptible to 

fire, insect attach, or disease) on in-stream conditions in the Tillamook and Kilchis sub-basins.

Products: 

• A salmon cycle learning game for school children. 

• Outreach materials including media presentation and video programming. 

• Tillamook County Performance Partnership Outreach Task Force to improve the exchange of 

information between scientists and local citizens. 

User Community: 

• Policy and Decision-makers 

Themes: 

Politics and Policies, Multi-criteria Studies 

Research performed under this grant focused on examining the relative influences of different watershed 

activities on processes occurring within Oregon’s Tillamook Bay (McManus et al., 2003). Of specific 

interest to investigators were the effects of various land-use practices on the physical, chemical, and 

biological condition of the Tillamook Bay watershed and the five major rivers that drain into it. To assess 

these effects, a series of hypotheses were developed and tested based on the following four issues: 

1. Have land-use practices significantly altered the sedimentary budget of the watershed? 

2. Are carbon, nutrient, and trace metal cycles significantly different among the five major river systems 

feeding the Tillamook estuary because of different land-use practices? 

3. Have differences in land-use management practices between the Tillamook and Kilchis sub-basins of 

the Tillamook Bay watershed led to differences in the aquatic ecosystem health and biotic integrity in 

the riverine and stream environments in these sub-basins? 

4. Are there differences between local knowledge and scientific observation, and, if so, why? Can 

actions to clarify knowledge contexts resolve differences? (McManus et al., 2003) 

By developing a better understanding of these issues investigators hoped to provide the tools and 

information necessary to help foster a positive stewardship ethic among citizens and visitors to Tillamook 

County, as well as encourage the interaction and partnership of scientists and local community members. 

Addressing the first issue, investigators conducted sediment transport and sediment composition analyses 

to uncover the history of sedimentation within Tillamook Bay and develop a better understanding of the 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-1 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

sedimentary budget of the watershed. Using surface samples, investigators could not distinguish the 

sediments coming from each distinct river basin but were able to distinguish those sediments derived 

from the Bay’s marine beach source from those sediments derived from the combined river sources. As a 

result sediment transport paths and accumulation patterns were established for the Bay.

Due to the influence of logging and a series of forest fires at the beginning of the 20th century, 

investigators expected that core samples would show greater sediment inputs from the rivers than from

the ocean beach. However, beach sand derived from decades of natural events such as subduction 

earthquakes, tsunamis, and storms dominated these samples. Investigators concluded that natural 

processes have a greater influence than human activities in the river watersheds on both sediment 

transport and Bay shoaling. 

The second issue involved seasonal and monthly sampling of various nutrients and select trace metals 

within the five major rivers, as they entered and exited the estuary. The system’s response to loading from

urban and agricultural runoff was also assessed. Investigators concluded that further research of these 

elements and the estuary’s response to them would have to be conducted in order to better understand 

how different land-use practices, namely urban and agricultural activities, might impact the geochemical 

budget of these elements within the watershed. 

Investigation into the influences of land-use practice on in-stream condition (issue three) analyzed the 

impacts of varying human activities and differences in geologic make-up on conditions in the sub-basins 

of the Tillamook and Kilchis Rivers. The dominant land-use activities in the Tillamook sub-basin have 

included dairy farming and timber harvesting (the removal of trees for lumber) while salvage logging (the 

selected removal of trees susceptible to fire, insect attack, or disease) has been the dominant activity

within the Kilchis. For each of these sub-basins, field data were collected on physical habitat, water 

quality, fish species composition, bottom dwelling macroinvertebrates, and algal communities. 

Investigations based on algal communities, as well as the volume of in-stream large woody debris found 

no correlation between land use and in-stream conditions in these areas. However, these results were only

based on the impacts associated with timber harvesting. 

Additional research into in-stream condition focused on the native fish species within these two river 

systems. There was sufficient predictive information for cutthroat trout and the major species of sculpin to 

determine that factors outside of land use appear to influence the abundance of these species. However, 

investigations into bottom dwelling macroinvertebrate communities did provide evidence to suggest that 

in-stream condition was impacted by both land use and geology (McManus et al., 2003). 

Research into the fourth issue, differences between scientific information and local knowledge, showed 

that in general, local citizens were not aware of scientific finding about ocean processes, water quality, 

and riparian habitat (a natural strip of land bordering a stream) (McManus et al., 2003). In addition, local 

people showed little interest and tended to distrust the findings of non-local experts whose views did not 

match their own day-to-day experiences. To encourage the local community to become interested in the 

scientific knowledge an outreach organization, the Tillamook County Performance Partnership Outreach 

Task Force, was formed. 

Estuaries have been recognized as one of the most important environments in the coastal zone (McManus 

et al., 2003). Both the natural and human-induced processes occurring within a watershed system can 

have a significant impact on the overall health of an estuary. Understanding these processes—and the 

extent to which the general public understands the relationships between them—plays a critical role in the 

development of sound management practices in both environments. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-2 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.2 STAR Grant R825757

Social and Ecological Transferability of Integrated Ecological Assessment Models 

Principal Investigators: Linda Deegan, Marine Biological Laboratory, Ecosystems Center 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Ecosystem modeling is an accurate method of predicting ecosystem responses to land use and 

land-use change. 

• Models are a cost effective way to gain competent data about existing and likely future land uses. 

• The utility of policy models is often hindered by their complexity. 

• To improve watershed management through the use of models in local decision-making, 

partnerships must be made between modelers and users so they may reflect the more immediate 

interests and needs of local citizens and managers. 

• Models have the potential to be misused as users may misinterpret results or use the models 

strategically to support preconceived agendas. Models can also be distorted by the personal 

values and policy judgments of the developer. 

Products: 

• A tutorial website designed to teach users the impacts of land use on water quality and living 

resources in the coastal estuaries of southern New England 

(http://ecosystems.mbl.edu/Research/Clue/). 

• CLUE (Changing Land Use and Estuaries) ecosystem response model. 

• An Index of Estuarine Biotic Integrity (EBI). 

• Two new survey instruments to investigate perceptions regarding the utility and applicability of 

nitrogen-loading models as decision-making aids. 

User Community: 

• Policy and Decision-makers 

Themes: 

Politics and Policies, Scientific Technique, Restoration 

Increased nitrogen loading to estuaries has been strongly correlated to eutrophic conditions, habitat loss, 

and decreased species diversity and abundance within these systems. This grant investigates excess 

nitrogen loading as it relates to various land-use practices in estuaries located in southeastern New 

England. In this area, excess nitrogen has been linked to the degradation and loss of eelgrass habitat, an 

event closely associated with decreases in fish diversity and abundance. The focus of this research was 

the creation of a general, dynamic, and predictive estuarine ecosystem response model—CLUE 

(Changing Land-use and Estuaries)—to determine how water and habitat quality might respond to various 

nitrogen-loading scenarios and land-use management decisions. CLUE is different from many

comparable models in that it helps decision-makers take into consideration the concerns of local citizens. 

The CLUE model was designed to run in concert with an existing nitrogen-loading model (e.g., the 

nitrogen-loading model NLOAD or the nutrient-loading model NLM) and uses ecological parameters 

based on basic physical and biological data that are readily available to local managers (e.g., published 

USGS charts, state GIS archives). A unique aspect of the CLUE model is that it assesses estuarine 

condition in terms of eelgrass habitat quality and quantity, two factors that have been strongly associated 

with nitrogen loading and eutrophication in estuaries. This model can estimate the amount of area suitable 

for eelgrass growth under pristine and degraded light conditions. In addition, as the relationships between 

eelgrass density and fish abundance and diversity have been incorporated into the model, the effects of 

nitrogen loading on these important ecosystem properties can be predicted (Deegan et al., 2001). 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-3 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Extensive testing of the CLUE model in Waquoit Bay and in a range of shallow coastal sites across 

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut showed that it has the ability to simulate reasonably well 

the overall patterns of ecologically important variables related to eutrophication (Deegan et al., 2001). 

The second research objective sought to better quantify the effects of eelgrass habitat loss on estuarine 

fish communities by assessing measures of biotic integrity (the ability of an organism to function 

successfully within a given natural habitat). Investigators developed and applied an index of Estuarine 

Biotic Integrity (EBI) to various estuarine sites across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. 

Each site was classified as either low or medium quality by density and biomass of submerged rooted 

vegetation (Deegan et al., 2001). The EBI applied to these sites was composed of eight metrics that 

measure important characteristics of fish assemblages including: 

• Numerical abundance 

• Biomass 

• Total species 

• Species dominance 

• Species composition by life history and activity zone 

• Individual species health 

Results of the tests showed that the EBI was successful in classifying habitat quality (Deegan et al., 

2001). 

Researchers also tested the transferability of the EBI to areas outside of New England by applying the 

index to several sub-estuaries along the southwestern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Although some

adjustments needed to be made to account for differences in the fish community structure and habitat use, 

the EBI was also successful in classifying habitat quality at these sites. Not only is the EBI a useful 

measure of ecosystem function and restoration effectiveness, it also provides a summation of fish 

community characteristics that are sensitive to habitat function and integrity, which may be applied to 

future applications of the CLUE model (Deegan et al., 2001). 

The final component of research attempted to assess the ability of planners to use models to make 

scientifically sound management decisions regarding land-use practices. Investigators surveyed over 150 

local government officials throughout southeastern Massachusetts to uncover perceptions regarding the 

utility and applicability of nitrogen-loading models as tools in decision-making. Investigators were also 

able to study a pre-existing model, known as the MANAGE model, to study the way that local board 

members used the model as a decision-making aid (Deegan et al., 2001). 

Investigators found no evidence to support the idea that local government board members would be 

interested in using an ecosystem or nitrogen-loading model as an aid to decision-making (Deegan et al., 

2001). Investigators hypothesized that this was primarily because present models are only capable of 

informing local decision-makers on land-use impacts at large scales (e.g., zoning districts or large subdivisions) rather than on smaller, more immediate scales (e.g., individual building lots). In addition, 

people tended to view models as too complicated for the lay user. 

Results from this research show that models have the ability to provide critical information regarding 

ecosystem health and have the potential to play a valuable role in the making of sound, scientifically

based management decisions. Efforts towards decreasing model complexity and increasing 

communications between modelers and potential users should continue to ensure future models better 

serve both community and watershed management goals. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-4 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.3 STAR Grant R825758 

Community Values and the Long-term Ecological Integrity of Rapidly Urbanizing Watersheds 

Principal Investigators: M. Bruce Beck, University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forest Resources 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Using the concept of adapted community learning, researchers discovered that stakeholders are 

more concerned about the longer-term than the shorter-term well being of Lake Lanier. 

• Developed a concept of environmental decision-making that would enable science-based models 

to be responsive to both the short- and long-term community values. 

• Improved the understanding of ecosystem behavior within Lake Lanier and identified key 

elements of the current state of the lake and its future inputs. 

• Conducted a “Foresight Workshop” to help stakeholders and decision-makers plan for the future 

of Lake Lanier. 

• Stakeholders’ greatest concern for Lake Lanier was public health, not ecological integrity. 

• Based on research and model results, the optimistic views on the future of Lake Lanier are close 

to three times more likely to occur than the pessimistic outlooks on the future. 

• Successfully remedied two prior limitations of Regionalized Sensitivity Analysis (RSA) by 

adjoining a Tree-Structured Destiny Estimation (TSDE) procedure to assess multivariate features 

by circumventing small-sample size problems, using a Uniform Covering with Probabilistic 

Rejection (UCPR) algorithm. 

Products: 

• A framework for adaptive community learning to identify stakeholder concerns and develop 

target outcomes for the future of Lake Lanier. 

• A model of Lake Lanier that incorporates new data on the microbial food web and sediment 

biochemistry of the Lake. 

User Community: 

• Policy and Decision-makers 

- “Vulnerability of water quality in intensively developing watersheds” was presented to the 

Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources. 

- “Incorporating stakeholder concerns into a lake ecosystem model....” was presented to the 

North American Lake Management Society. 

- “Integration of stakeholder values and scientific models in management strategies” was 

presented at the National Conference on Environmental Decision-Making. 

- “Phosphorus cycling in southeastern Piedmont Lakes:...” was presented to the Georgia Water 

Resources Conference. 

• Stakeholders 

Themes: 

Urban, Politics and Policies, Multi-criteria Studies 

The research conducted under this grant focused on the development of a model to explore different 

approaches to maintaining the integrity of an environmental system based on short- and long-term

community values. The study area for this investigation was Lake Lanier in Georgia. This lake supports 

the surrounding communities in terms of hydroelectric power generation, water supply, flood protection, 

and recreation. The research conducted in this area seeks to integrate ecological, hydrological, and 

social/policy sciences in the rapidly urbanizing watershed of Lake Lanier where the preservation of longterm ecological integrity is perceived as being at stake (Beck et al., 2002). Through this study, 

researchers hope to develop a concept of environmental decision-making that brings both science and 

community values into play for both the short- and long-term. In addition, researchers also hope to 

achieve a greater understanding of the basic aspects of the ecosystem behavior of the lake. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-5 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Researchers facilitated adaptive community learning by working with small groups of stakeholders. 

Adaptive community learning takes into consideration the actions and processes of decision-making, 

whereby the community of stakeholders experiences learning about itself, its relationships with the valued 

piece of the environment, and the functioning of the physical environment (Beck et al., 2002). To 

facilitate this process stakeholder concerns about the long-term future of Lake Lanier were gathered using 

a survey questionnaire and a workshop session. These concerns and the opinions of stakeholders were 

then used to develop target outcomes for the future and a scientific model for Lake Lanier. The scientific 

model was developed in previous studies; however, new material for the description of the microbial food 

web and sediment biochemistry found during this study were incorporated. 

Results from this portion of the study found that stakeholders’ concerns were focused on the long-term

well being (20 to 30 years) of Lake Lanier. Their primary concerns were bacteria (pathogens) in the lake 

water and the safety of the water for swimming (Beck et al., 2002). 

Research under this grant also studied the ecosystem of Lake Lanier. The method of Regionalized 

Sensitivity Analysis (RSA) was used to help identify and assess key elements of the current state of the 

lake and its future inputs in terms of both the impacts associated with local policy changes and other 

(essentially) uncontrollable disturbances (Beck et al., 2003). In direct response to the identified concerns 

of stakeholders, researchers studied the effects of fertilizer within the watershed, particularly how fast the 

iron-rich soil of the area absorbs phosphorus. Also studied was the presence and propagation of E. coli 

bacteria in the area. Understanding these processes will help planners and managers address the long-term

concerns about the Lake’s future. 

This study has used the concerns and opinions of the stakeholders local to Lake Lanier and its watershed 

to help direct the future of their management strategies. By integrating what the stakeholders are saying, 

the scientists in the project are exemplifying their goal of environmental decision-making in which 

science-based models are responsive to identified community values. The decision-making and the 

values evolve together to accomplish both short and long-term goals. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-6 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.4 STAR Grant R825759 

Risk Based Urban Watershed Management-Integration of Water Quality and Flood Control 

Objectives 

Principal Investigator: Vladimir Novotny, Marquette University, Milwaukee, (WI) (currently

Northeastern University, Boston) 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Urbanization has negative impacts on fish community structure and macroinvertebrate health. 

• Analyses indicate that lead presents the highest ecological risk to waterbodies. 

• Variables, such as income and education, as well as location within the flood plain, have little 

effect on local citizens’ willingness to pay for management projects. 

• Research helped in the advancement of the risk-based approach to water quality management. 

• The pollution-loading model developed, can assist TMDL programs and studies by providing a 

tool to assess the effect of pollution on the integrity of the receiving waterbodies. 

• As a result of this grant work, the Institute of Urban Environmental Risk Management has 

become the center of environmental research at Marquette University. 

Products: 

• Foundation of the Institute of Urban Environmental Risk Management at Marquette University. 

• Methodology for evaluating risk due to flooding supported by a GIS-based application. 

• An improved methodology for assessing ecological risk due to water column contamination. 

• A GIS-based urban watershed pollutant-loading model. 

User Community: 

• Regional, State, and Federal Planners and Decision-makers (Two half-day workshops were held to 

present goals, methodologies, and major results.) 

- Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission 

- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 

• Local Stakeholders (Two half-day workshops were held to present goals, methodologies, and major 

results.) 

- Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewage District 

- Mayors of suburban communities 

- Municipal drainage departments 

- Environmental consultants 

- Environmental advocacy organizations 

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

- Office of Water 

 - Region 1 

• International Environmental Scientists in Japan 

• Colleges and Environmental Research Groups 

Themes: 

Urban, Economics, Politics and Policies, Multi-criteria Studies 

This study attempted to identify and quantify the potential risks to human, biological, and environmental 

health due to contamination from urban and suburban watershed development. The focus of this research 

was on creating mathematical formulas that could assess the risk involved with different management 

methods in the urbanized watersheds. The project examined urban waterbodies along two related but 

often conflicting dimensions: 

• The degree to which urban development influences flood risks. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-7 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

• The degree to which it influences the ecology of the water bodies (Novotny et al., 2002). 

A methodology for assessing flood control, as well as cost models for urban watershed management were 

developed to optimize both flood control methods and the integrity of the water entering the system. 

These research efforts help to develop a bigger picture of the risks, both financially and environmentally, 

associated with different watershed management styles. In addition, findings regarding the effects of 

urbanization will be useful in the development of watershed management plans for different watershed 

systems and can help decision-makers and planners choose the best plans to reduce the impacts associated 

with urbanization. 

Research on this project was conducted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in two different watersheds: the Oak 

Creek watershed and the Menomonee watershed. To analyze the effects of urban development on the 

living organisms an index of biotic integrity was applied to these sites. An index of biotic integrity

analyzes the overall health of the organisms that live within the system. In this study researchers focused 

on fish species composition and macroinvertebrates. Within the study watersheds, a high percentage of 

species tolerant to urbanization but reflecting low species diversity indicated poor stream quality

(Novotny et al., 2003b). In addition, these sites did not support fish communities typical for this region 

(Novotny et al., 2003b). Macroinvertebrate studies also showed significant impairment due to 

urbanization (Novotny et al., 2003b). 

Changes in the floodplain due to urbanization were also studied. Researchers used a computer program to 

predict the changes in a flood plain over time to assess the increase in the risk of flooding as watersheds 

are urbanized. 

The second part of this project was based on the financial feasibility of different types of management 

plans. This portion of the study assessed the willingness of residents in the area to pay for various 

watershed management projects. Phone surveys were conducted and participants were asked questions to 

help researchers distinguish among the following scenarios: 

• The willingness of residents to pay for flood control. 

• The willingness of residents to pay for ecological restoration of the urbanized watersheds. 

• The willingness of residents to pay for a plan that includes both of these aspects (flood control and 

ecological restoration). 

The survey on the benefits of flood control projects only included residents in the Menomonee River 

watershed that is significantly more urbanized and anticipated flooding in the last ten years. Focus group 

sessions that preceded the survey revealed that citizens in the less urban Oak Creek watershed had very

low preference for flood control projects. However, survey participants in both watersheds did indicate 

that they would pay an average of 84 dollars for a watershed plan regardless of what the management plan 

would accomplish. Participants also indicated that they were willing to pay more if they felt they were 

doing something beneficial for their community and environment. 

Research conducted under this grant helps to analyze the changes in the environment, particularly the 

floodplain, due to urbanization. The risks and financial aspects associated with different management 

plans were evaluated and plans incorporating flood prevention and ecological health strategies were 

assessed. Lastly, the willingness of local residents to pay an increased fee on their taxes for the 

rehabilitation and watershed management of watershed areas was investigated. Based on these 

investigations, this study of quantitative risks of urbanization to the watershed ecosystem including 

people residing in the watershed and affected by the watershed will help to develop a methodology for 

watershed management in urban and urbanizing areas (Novotny et al., 2003a). 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-8 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-9 

2.5 STAR Grant R825760 

From Landscapes to Waterscapes: An Integrating Framework for Urbanizing Watersheds 

Principal Investigator: Panayiotis Diplas, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Impact to watershed hydrology increased as land conversion became more drastic.

• The presence and amount of pollutants in sampled fish species indicate that fish may be an 

excellent biomarker of environmental and water contamination, and may have the ability to serve 

as a warning system for human health hazards.

• Economic analyses reveal that both residents and local governments derive economic benefits 

from sprawling developments.

• Increased area of impervious surfaces due to urban development is the most significant indicator 

of hydrologic change.

• Hydrologic impacts associated with the expansion of existing communities have less impact on 

water flow and discharge than those associated with new community developments. 

Products: 

• A hydrologic modeling framework for assessing the impacts of alternative landscapes on surface 

and subsurface water flows. 

• A new strategy for modeling flow patterns via channel topography and complexity. 

• Three spatial hydraulic metrics to aid in locating and distinguishing biologically important 

features. 

• Procedures for predicting the response of fish and macroinvertebrate communities to 

urbanization-induced changes to biological and hydrologic conditions. 

• A conceptual model for predicting land prices based on characteristics of urban development and 

land use. 

• A simulation model to predict water and sewer costs as a function of the spatial distribution of 

services. 

• A computer simulation model to estimate the annualized cost of delivering water and sewer 

service to residential areas. 

• A web-based model integrating the hydrological and economic aspects of this study. 

• Proceedings of the “Integrated Decision-Making for Watershed Management” conference. 

User Community: 

• Policy and Decision-makers 

- “Integrated Decision-Making for Watershed Management” conference took place in Chevy 

Chase Maryland. The awareness that was raised during this grant effort regarding watershed 

management issues and the need for multidisciplinary efforts to resolve them acted as a 

springboard for this conference. The conference proceedings were published in two Special 

Issues of the Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 

Themes: 

Urban, Politics and Policies, Economics, Multi-criteria Studies, Restoration 

This study integrates hydrologic, ecological, and economic consequences of alternative landscape 

scenarios occurring during the urbanization process of a watershed system (Diplas et al., 2003a). The 

work conducted under this grant produced a set of linked models and incorporated them into a general 

methodology for holistic watershed assessment. The information used to develop these models and this 

methodology were derived from research conducted under this grant, as well as results from other related 

environmental assessments and watershed management practices. In addition, a case study was performed 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

in the Upper Roanoke River watershed in southwest Virginia to test the system of linked models. This 

s’ panel to ensure the relevancy of this management aid to actual community

watershed management needs. Using this methodology in combination with these models, the goal of 

ial

er than

pes of land-use activities can alter water flows and erosion rates within 

g, which in

turn n

wil e

(e.g., tim

crea g

resi t

• 

b

• 

the policies and economic decisions associated with alternative landscape scenarios and 

Res c

• Hyd draulics; 

• 

• Eco

• 

Eac e

integrate the different information derived from the four study components. The hydrology/hydraulics 

gro s d

with the alternative land development scenarios. A simulation computer 

pro m enarios of

land s

of u n d large invertebrates of the area. These data were compared with 

data o

determi e

tax base

land set and

visual c

 has been 

ons

study included a stakeholder

researchers was to help facilitate the development of policy likely to be effective in achieving soc

objectives by allowing evaluation of consequences during policy development and revision rath

after adoption and implementation (Diplas et al., 2003a). 

Urbanization, farming, and other ty

a watershed. These effects can lead to more frequent flooding and increased pollutant loadin

ca result in the degradation of the physical and biological integrity of streams and other aquatic

dlif (Diplas et al., 2003b). Working towards prevention or restoration of these effects costs resources 

e and money) that many communities cannot afford. The central issue for most communities is 

tin a plan that ensures environmental quality and at the same time comes at an affordable price to 

den s. This study focused on addressing this need. Specifically, researchers sought to: 

Develop a hydrologic framework for assessing impacts of alternative landscapes on surface and 

su surface waters;

Develop procedures to predict the response of fish and larger invertebrates to urban-induced water 

quality changes; 

• Assess

estimate the economic consequences of these scenarios on local governments. 

ear h groups were assigned to address each of the following four components: 

rology/hy

Biology;

nomics/policy;

Problem-solving environment. 

h r search group used computer programs to either predict the effects of land-use change or to 

up tudied the effects on groundwater in the watershed with the change of land use and coordinate

economics group to develop

gra was developed to help determine water flow in certain areas and analyze ‘what if’ sc

-u e change, using data from 1996-98. This group also studied the effects of different development 

scenarios on sediment transport, stream depth, and velocity change. The biology group studied the effects 

rba ization by studying the fish an

fr m similar sites to produce a more holistic stream ecology assessment. The economics group 

ned the changes in land prices resulting from different settlement patterns and their effects on th

and tax revenue, and determined the costs of providing local public services based on different

tlement patterns. The problem-solving environment group developed a model using mapping

omputer programs to create land settlement scenarios based on percentage of type of land use, the 

amount in acres of each land use, and the population density of the land use. This program

formatted for remote use via the Internet.

The information compiled and researched under this grant has produced results that can help decisi

makers establish the most environmentally sound land usage scenarios for watershed areas under the 

pressure of increased urbanization. The methodology developed can be used in a variety of situations a

an aid to planning and decision-making in different communities experiencing different rates of growth. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-10 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.6 STAR Grant R825761 

An Integrated Ecological and Socio-Economic Approach to Evaluating and Reducing Agricultu

Impacts on Upper Mississippi Watersheds 

ral

communities

cale

of

ffset

dopting.

adopted for reasons

ta River and Minnesota River watersheds, the existing rate of adoption of 

age was strongly related to Benthic Macroinvertebrate Index of Biological 

I) scores (Gowda et al., 2002).

n (USLE) may serve as an important tool for designing watershed 

rgess et al., 1999).

d.

s.

d

ater

development of intervention programs that could facilitate the adoption of soil and water protection 

practices at the farm level (Gowda et al., 2003b). The study area focused on two watersheds of the Upper 

Principal Investigator: Prassanna Gowda, University of Minnesota 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Identified key factors that affect the adoption of conservation farming practices through the use of

a socioeconomic study.

• The Agricultural Drainage and Pesticide Transport (ADAPT) model is not suitable for simulating

condition in areas dominated by urban land use.

• Regional variations in landscape characteristics can have a strong effect on stream

and, therefore, management plans may be more effectively approached from the watershed s

(Burgess, undated).

• Large-scale changes in agricultural land-use practices can affect the local biological integrity

streams even in highly disturbed basins (Haro et al., 2000).

• Farmers in the study watershed were actively seeking information about soil and water 

conservation practices. However, the production practices used by these farmers tended to o

the positive environmental effects of the conservation practices they were a

• In the Lower Minnesota River watershed conservation tillage practices are

other than soil conservation. 

• In both the Maquoke

soil conservation till

Integrity (BM-IB

• Universal Soil Loss Equatio

biomonitoring programs (Bu

Products: 

• Model of the Lower Minnesota River watershed. 

• A calibrated ADAPT model to predict flow, sediment, and nitrate loadings. 

• A set of alternative agricultural management practices for the Lower Minnesota River watershe

• A comprehensive GIS Database for the Lower Minnesota River and Maquoketa River watershed

User Community: 

• Policy and Decision-makers 

- The Minnesota Pollution Control agency is comparing the results of this project with similar 

work done by a contractor/consultant. In addition, results are being used for Total Maximum

Daily Load (TMDL) development in other area watershed projects. 

• Academia 

- The University of Minnesota Economics Department and the Minnesota State University are 

both using the GIS database developed by this project. 

Themes: 

Agriculture, Politics and Policies

Under this grant, investigators utilized various models to assess agricultural impacts to water quality an

ecosystem heath in the Upper Mississippi River watershed. In addition, they evaluated the potential w

quality benefits associated with implementing alternative land-use management strategies in watersheds 

of the Mississippi River Basin. The goal of this study was to produce findings that would be useful in the

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-11 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Mississippi River Basin, the Lower Minnesota River watershed in eastern Minnesota, and the Maquoketa 

ern Iowa. The Big Darby Creek watershed in central Ohio, facing similar 

land-use issues as the Upper Mississippi, was also used in the socioeconomic portion of this investigation. 

e study watersheds were predicted using a spatial-process 

ransport (ADAPT) water

, erosion, nutrient, and pesticide 

alibrated and several parameters were modified to more accurately

to lo l

sim

Min s

use

As a res

Riv a

uni

avai bl

to i t

agricult

also st

sho d

rates of tion tillage. However, the percent of row crop agriculture had no 

app n

also bee a

River Basin (Johansson, 2000 as cited in Gowda et al., 2003b), as well as by the Minnesota Pollution 

Con l .

ical component of this research sought to the assess: 

• 

m

• 

er watershed; and

• rosion rates and local macroinvertebrate community structure 

wit

(Burges

The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) was used to derive Sediment Erosion Potential (SEP) to study

stream h

macroin

teristics can have a strong effect on stream communities and, 

erefore, management plans may be more effectively approached from the watershed scale (Burgess, 

River watershed in northeast

Flow, sediment, and nitrogen loadings from th

model in combination with the Agricultural Drainage and Pesticide T

management model. This model consists of four components: hydrology

transport. The ADAPT model was c

reflect local conditions. Model test simulations and statistical evaluations were conducted and compared 

ca observed water flow and water quality data. Results verified that the model was successful in 

ulating the quantity and quality of water flow in agriculturally dominated areas of the Lower 

ne ota River; however, the model was not successful or well suited for simulating areas of urban land 

.

ult of this grant a comprehensive GIS database was also developed for the Lower Minnesota 

er nd Maquoketa River watersheds. The database includes detailed land-cover maps that have the 

que ability to identify specific crop types and farm types. These maps became the most recent 

la e for this area. This database was used by investigators in the biological component of this study

den ify potential sites for macroinvertebrate surveys and to evaluate the impacts of existing 

ural management practices on stream biology (Gowda et al., 2003b). Soil erosion potential was 

e imated for key landscape features within the study watersheds. Results of these investigations

we that the condition of macroinvertebrate communities in both study areas increased with increased

soil permeability and conserva

are t effect on community health (Gowda et al., 2003b). In addition to this study, this database has 

n used by other researchers to develop point-nonpoint emission trading permits for the Minnesot

tro Agency for Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development in other area watershed projects

The ecolog

Relationships among landscape and stream habitat characteristics and benthic macroinvertebrate 

co munity composition in the two study watersheds; 

Relationships between tillage practices and the biological integrity of tributary streams in the Upper 

Mississippi Riv

Relationships between sediment e

hin the two study watersheds. 

s, undated; Haro et al., 2000; Burgess et al., 1999).

abitat and landscape characteristics, as well as the impact of sediment erosion rates on 

vertebrate community structure. In addition, a Benthic Macroinvertebrate Index of Biological

Integrity (BM-IBI) was developed to assess macroinvertabrate health. Results of this research revealed 

that regional variations in landscape charac

th

undated). Investigations related to BM-IBI scores also revealed that large-scale changes in agricultural 

land-use practices can affect the local biological integrity of streams even in highly disturbed basins 

(Haro et al., 2000). 

An extensive socioeconomic study was also conducted in both of the study watersheds, as well as the Big

Darby Creek Watershed in central Ohio. The study sought to identify and assess the social, technical, 

economic, farm structure, and institutional factors that affect the adoption of conservation production 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-12 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

systems among land-owner operations within the watersheds (Gowda et. al., 2003b). Based on results 

from the surveys, researchers identified a set of four alternative agricultural farming practices: 

• Increased adoption of conservation tillage (a systems that leaves crop residue from harvesting such as 

y within the Lower Minnesota River watershed. While results of the model simulations showed that 

ach alternative practice produced benefits to water quality, the adoption of nitrogen-fertilizer best 

r

tices to

the

onservation practices employed at the time of data collection. (Gowda et al., 2003a). In addition, it was 

ms made in the Big Darby Creek 

atershed have resulted in few benefits in terms of changed conservation behaviors compared with 

leaves, stalks, and roots on the soil surface instead of plowing to reducing the effects of erosion from

wind and water). 

• Conversion of cropland to pasture land. 

• Varying nitrogen fertilizer application rates. 

• Increased subsurface tile drainage (a system that includes a buried perforated pipe designed to remove

excess water from soils). 

Each alternative practice was applied to the calibrated ADAPT model to evaluate the effects on water 

qualit

e

management practices were found to be offset by increased nutrient loading from the adoption of othe

conservation practices (e.g., conservation tillage and subsurface tile drainage) and visa versa. Further 

research will be required to better understand the connection among agricultural management prac

achieve solutions that will best improve water quality. 

Data collected in the socioeconomic surveys were also used to help assess the success and/or failures of

past soil and water protection initiatives within the study watersheds (Gowda et al., 2000). In addition,

data were used to develop statistical models to predict the likelihood of specific soil and water 

conservation practices being adopted by farmers and to assess the potential agricultural productivity that

could result from the adoption of these practices. Results of this portion of the investigation found that 

farmers in all of the study watersheds had adopted some soil and water conservation production practices; 

however, they continued to use production practices (e.g., conservation and conventional tillage, crop

rotation, and nutrient management strategies) that could negate the positive environmental effects of the 

c

discovered that the extensive investments in conservation progra

w

farmers in other watersheds (Gowda et al., 2003). 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-13 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.7 STAR Grant R825762 

Linking Watershed-Scale Indicators of Change in Atmospheric Deposition to Regional Response 

Patterns

 of Maine 

ne; however, the expected recovery of these watersheds from acidification 

has been minimal, and in some instances acidification has increased. 

y

Research conducted under this grant investigated the response of surface waters to various levels of 

acidification and assessed their ability to recover. The goal of the research was to link scientific 

knowledge to the practical needs of decision-makers to produce results that could be applied to 

management and policy decisions made by industries and governments at the local, state, and federal 

level. Results of this research are expected to have a direct influence on future policy and legislation 

mandated under the Clean Air Act. 

Researchers under this grant investigated surface water responses to “natural” acid deposition occurring 

in high elevation lakes in Maine and compared them to the responses to experimental acidification in the 

study watershed of Bear Brook Creek in eastern Maine. Results of the comparison showed that there has 

been no population-wide acid-base recovery in the high-elevation lakes, despite substantial declines in 

sulfate concentrations in precipitation (Kahl et al., 2002). In addition, reductions in ion concentration and 

acid neutralizing elements such as calcium have also declined, causing an increase in the vulnerability of 

these lakes to acidification. 

Soils were also sampled in 20 of the high elevation lakes and in several Bear Brook Creek sites to 

determine their contribution to lake chemistry and the acid-base status of the lake waters. In the high 

elevation lakes, few strong correlations were evident between soil chemistries and lake chemistries (Kahl 

et al., 2002). However, at the Bear Brook Creek study site there was clear evidence of the long-term

Principal Investigator: Jeffery S. Kahl, University

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Declines in atmospheric deposition of sulfates have led to a decrease in sulfate concentrations in 

surface waters in Mai

• The inability of Maine watersheds to recover from acidic conditions may be the result of 

decreases in concentrations of base cations (i.e., calcium and magnesium) in these waterbodies.

• The effects of climate change and climate variability may be influencing the acid-base chemistr

of Maine watersheds in undetermined ways. These effects might even be counteracting the 

positive effects of decreased acid deposition.

• Atmospheric loading of nitrogen may be influencing the acid-base status of Maine watersheds in 

undetermined ways. 

Products:

• Adapted the Tracking and Analysis Framework (TAF) to Maine watersheds.

User Community:

• Policy and Decision-makers 

- The policy and decision-makers most interested in the research were the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation and ultimately, Congress, as described below. In 

addition, researchers have worked with the State of Maine Department of Environmental 

Protection Air Division, and the New England Governor’s Eastern Canadian Premiers working 

group on acid rain. 

• Legislators 

Themes:

Politics and Policies 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-14 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

additions of nitrogen and sulfur to the treated watershed when compared to the reference watershed for 

eutralizing chemistry) and nitrogen (Kahl et al., 2002). 

ramework (TAF) model that incorporates the biotic and socioeconomic effects of acid 

with a modified version of the Model of 

pared the model results of potential 

igh elevation lakes in Maine to responses in the Adirondack lakes in 

incr se

neutrali

cur tl

Bas o

sulf

waters, ponse

such s

red

et been resolved. The results of this research will play a key role 

both cation chemistry (acid n

Recovery responses of acidified water bodies were predicted using a calibrated version of the Tracking 

Analysis F

deposition (Kahl et al., 2003). This model was used in concert

Acidification of Groundwater Catchments (MAGIC). Researchers com

future deposition scenarios in the h

New York. Results showed that the predicted acid neutralizing capacity of these water bodies would 

ea over a 30-year period (2000 to 2030) under all deposition scenarios. The range of acid 

zing capacity values produced by the models reflected ranges similar to those lakes that are 

ren y in the process of recovery. 

ed n the results of the research conducted under this grant, declines in atmospheric deposition of 

ate have led directly and rapidly to widespread declines in sulfate concentrations in Maine surface 

similar to the response in the rest of the northeastern United States (Kahl et al., 2002). A res

a this is one indication of the success of the United States Clean Air Act and efforts by industry to 

uce sulfate emissions (Kahl et al., 2002). However, the full recovery of these surface waters from

acidic conditions is an issue that has not y

in the assessment of future amendments to the Clean Air Act in determining their effectiveness in 

promoting the recovery of the nation’s freshwater resources from acidification. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-15 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.8 STAR Grant R825791 

Ecological Risks, Stakeholder Values, and River Basins: Testing Management Alternatives for the 

ts that

ring (Meo et al., 2003a). Stakeholders, therefore, tend to consider 

loading

• Distrust between stakeholders and government officials—particularly the federal government—

are high. Stakeholders have an overwhelming preference to participate directly in the policy 

making process as opposed to deferring to government discretion (Meo et al., 2003a). 

• Stakeholders prefer coercive policies regarding enforcement of existing laws and regulations, 

such as apply to point source discharge and civil law regarding behavior. Stakeholders also 

prefer educational and voluntary strategies with compensation for economic losses from 

management of less regulated activities (e.g., farming and rural/suburban land use) (Meo et al., 

2003a). 

Products: 

• The Watershed Management Decision Support System (WMDSS), a computer-based, interactive, 

multimedia decision support tool. 

• A project map CD containing over 25 geospatial maps highlighting various land-cover/land-use 

properties in the Illinois River Basin. 

• The Distributed Runoff nonpoint Pollution Model (DRIP). 

• Virtual watershed fly-over maps that allow users to select various regions and investigate 

different environmental concerns and water quality parameters. 

User Community: 

• Policy and Decision-makers 

- Results of this grant were distributed to the administrator of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers 

Commission who has the responsibility for overseeing the management of the Illinois River basin 

in Oklahoma. 

- The project’s findings were integrated into the background document of the 2003 Oklahoma 

Academy for State Goals leadership conference, which is charged with addressing energy and 

water policy in the state. 

• Stakeholders 

- A major user-oriented document derived from this project, “Swimming Upstream: 

Collaborative Approaches to Watershed Management,” will soon be published and covers the 

state-of-the-art in stakeholder based decision making for watershed management. 

Illinois River 

Principal Investigator: Mark Meo, University of Oklahoma 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Disagreements exist over the magnitudes and causes of problems in the Illinois River, as well as

over who is to blame and what should be done to solve these problems (Meo et al., 2003a). 

• Stakeholders are most concerned and knowledgeable about problems and associated impac

are visible, local, and have media attention—including alcohol consumption, inappropriate

behavior by tourists, and litte

management policies focused on preserving the aesthetic value of the River system to be of 

greater importance than policies for protecting public health and recreation. 

• Policy-makers are most concerned with less visible, widespread, water quality-based problems 

and issues such as nutrient loading from over application of fertilizer, municipal waste, and 

riparian area protection (Meo et al., 2003a). 

• Poultry farming and the impacts of septic systems were viewed to be the greatest threat to water 

quality in the Illinois River watershed. 

• Agricultural areas were discovered to be the most significant contributors to phosphorus

during runoff. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-16 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

• Legislators 

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

riteria Study

mpare different environmental and social values held by stakeholders 

in t Il

econom

hist c

to d r

Investig

regulati er

und t

Illin s

adverse

inte e

stak o

Riv ra

farm

Inv g s

did t

own op

mak s

imp

Negotia

proposa

man e

legitima as tested using a random sample telephone survey of 

app i

proposa s management policy: 95% satisfaction; Riparian area 

pro ti policy: 85% satisfaction) (Meo et al, 

2003a). 

ogical investigations were conducted to assess the health of fish, bottom dwelling 

mac in lankton communities within the watershed. Indicators of 

biologic nd

populat

microinvertebrate and diatom studies showed that the biological quality of the small streams studied 

varied f

Nutrient loading and water quality investigations were also conducted. Results of the investigations 

rev d ste is the primary source of nutrients in the watershed. Based upon nitrogen and 

phospho ximately 5 

and 15

human- ount of 

• Academic Associations 

Themes: 

Agriculture, Politics and Policies, Economics, Multi-c

This study aimed to identify and co

he linois River watershed, and then test a management protocol that is technically effective, 

ically efficient, and socially and politically acceptable (Meo et al., 2000). The assessment of

ori al information, sampling data, and model simulations was also used to characterize the River and 

ete mine ecological conditions and future ecological risk. 

ators conducted many interviews with individuals living, recreating, conducting business, and

ng activities within the Illinois River Basin. The goal of the interviews was to develop a bett

ers anding about the community’s attitude toward the present state of their environment and the 

oi River. Interview discussions focused on stakeholder concerns regarding activities that were 

ly impacting the river basin, as well as their preferences for managing these activities. The 

rvi w assessments revealed activities affecting water quality to be of greatest concern among 

eh lders; however, this concern tended to be identified with preserving the aesthetic value of the 

er ther than with protecting public health and recreation (Meo et al., 2002). Pollution from poultry

ing and the impacts of septic tanks on water quality were also of significant concern to stakeholders. 

esti ations into current management practices and management preferences revealed that stakeholder

no feel immediately responsible for factors impacting the watershed and disfavored controls on their

erations. In addition, stakeholders, such as farmers, strongly opposed any efforts by decisioner to implement rules or management decisions that would restrict the use of private lands and/or

ose economic burden. 

tion workshops were also conducted with policy-makers and stakeholders to develop policy

ls that could be used to address the issues and concerns raised during the interview assessments 

and surveys. Results of these workshops led to the development of three policy proposals and provisions 

for improving the condition of the Illinois River watershed. These proposals include a phosphorus 

ag ment policy, a riparian area protection policy, and an alcohol and behavior control policy. The 

cy of these three policy proposals w

rox mately 460 stakeholders. The survey results confirmed that all provisions of the three policy

ls were highly satisfactory (Phosphoru

tec on policy: 91% satisfaction; Alcohol and behavioral control

Biological and ecol

ro vertebrate, diatom, and phytop

al health showed that fish communities showed no significant trend towards improvement, a

ions varied from poor to excellent over the period of record (Meo et al., 2000). Results of 

rom very poor to good (Meo et al., 2000). 

eale that animal wa

rus production, it was calculated that the animals in the basin are equivalent to appro

million people, respectively (Meo et al., 2003b). In addition, it was calculated that 72 percent of

generated waste is discharged to septic tanks (Meo et al., 2003b). Surprisingly, the am

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-17 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

hum - trients is equivalent to at most 1 to 2 percent of the nutrients that are produced by

anim

ation and results obtained from this research were used to develop simulations of the nutrient 

to the community-gathered 

ata. These simulations have been integrated and formatted into a computer-based decision support tool 

takeholder groups to better understand the current state of the River and assists them with their 

an generated nu

als (Meo et al., 2003b).

The inform

concentrations of the rivers within the Illinois River watershed as compared

d

called the Watershed Management Decision Support System (WMDSS). WMDSS is an interactive, 

multimedia tool that incorporates physical, biological, economic, and sociopolitical data along with

photography and geographic information system (GIS) base-maps to produce visual images that simulate 

impacts within the Illinois River watershed. This computer program allows information pertaining to 

management alternatives to be more accessible to decision-makers. In addition, it provides a way for 

s

discussions and negotiations regarding both current and future management strategies and activities. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-18 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.9 STAR Grant R825792 

Impact of Social Systems on Ecology and Hydrology in Urban-Rural Watersheds: Integration for 

Restoration. 

Principal Investigator: Steward Pickett, Institute of Ecosystem Studies 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Collected data that improved the understanding of the heterogeneity in urban and suburban soils 

and the ecological structure of metropolitan areas. 

• The new soil maps developed under this grant are of a resolution fine enough to parameterize

hydrological models using components of both built and natural environments. 

• The Regional Hydrological and Ecosystem Simulation System (RHESys) model developed under

this grant has shown to perform better than industry standard hydrologic models. 

• New measurements express heterogeneity in metropolitan areas more effectively than the 

standard structure, because of linking social patch structure with ecological patch data. 

• Successfully built an effective network of interactions with Baltimore stakeholders and managers. 

Products: 

• An improved framework to link hydrology, ecology, and social sciences. 

• A refined Regional Hydrological and Ecosystem Simulation System (RHESys) model linking 

urban hydrology, social, and ecological processes. 

• Improved metropolitan patch mosaic for Baltimore incorporating social, ecological, and 

hydrological patch information. 

• The School Partnership Program. 

• Educational and outreach materials and activities. 

• A framework for the analysis of land-use models and social field data collection methods. 

• Soil maps with improved resolution scales. 

• A model that networks interactions with stakeholders and managers in the Baltimore region. 

• Multidisciplinary workshop to assess the state of knowledge and research needs concerning 

metropolitan Baltimore’s water-related infrastructure. 

User Community: 

• Baltimore city, county, and state agencies concerned with water quality and water flow in 

metropolitan Baltimore. 

• Educational institutions involving teachers and students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. 

• Non-governmental organizations such as watershed associations and community groups. 

Themes: 

Politics and Policies, Multi-criteria Studies 

This project aimed to provide decision-makers with options to improve water quality using a newly

developed watershed model that integrates social, ecological, and hydrological processes occurring within 

a watershed system. The goal was to provide a “user-friendly” decision-making tool that simulates natural 

surfaces, built surfaces, and source areas at multiple spatial scales characteristic of urban areas (Pickett et 

al., 2003a). 

Research under this grant was conducted in the Gwynns Falls watershed in Baltimore, Maryland. Gwynns 

Falls is a 17,000 hectare watershed that drains into the Chesapeake Bay. This area encompasses land that 

has been undergoing a transition from agriculture to suburban development (Pickett et al., 2003c). 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-19 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

The model that has been created is based on two existing hydrologic models—the Hydrological 

RAN (HPSF) model and the Regional HydroEcological Simulation System

(RHESSys). To calibrate the new model, researchers collected biological and ecological data in the subng and microbial (cell) processes in soil were studied along with soil organisms including 

mistry and benthic (bottom

 various types of urban 

nvironmental hazards, and toxic releases within the watershed were 

Res c

biol ic

wer s

add n

these m

Onc ca

d carbon over time (Pickett et al., 2003b). Final results indicate that this new Regional 

Hyd lo than the industry

stan rd ta

and the Baltimore metropolitan area in Maryland, 

this p

Simulation Program – FORT

watersheds of Gwynns Falls that encompass both rural and urban areas of metropolitan Baltimore. 

Nitrogen cycli

earthworms and arthropods (insects, spiders, and crustaceans). Water che

dwelling) invertebrate data were used to investigate how water quality responds to

land cover. Vegetation processes, e

also investigated.

ear hers also studied the social processes that drive and are affected by bio-geophysical (both 

og al and geological) processes in the urban ecosystem (Pickett et al., 2003c). Social area analyses

e u ed to assess potential impacts to watershed dynamics, as well as water quality and quantity. In 

itio , workshops and meetings were conducted with policy-makers and managers. Outcomes from

eetings were used to refine the model and explore user-friendly interfaces. 

e librated the new model was tested in a small area of the Gwynns Falls watershed. Results of the

model simulations verified that the model was capable of generating realistic fluctuations in water, 

nitrogen, an

ro gical and Ecosystem Simulation System (RHESys) model performs better

da for the mixed, urban watersheds in the metropolitan area. (Picket et al., 2003d). While the da

models produced under this grant are focused on the

ap roach can serve as a model for other watersheds undergoing urban transitions. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-20 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.10 STAR Grant R826282 

An Integrated Watershed Approach to Evaluate and Model Ecosystem Effects of Erosion and

Pollutant Transport in Urbanized Subalpine Landscapes 

Principal Investigator: Charles R. Goldman, University of California 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Identified that the five major sources of nutrients impacting Lake Tahoe are: atmospheric 

ne

hed.

- The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and the Lahotan Regional Water Quality 

Control Board. Together these two agencies produce and publish the Lake Tahoe Nutrient and 

Sediment Total Daily Maximum Load Newsletter. 

Themes: 

Politics and Policies, Urban, Restoration 

The aim of this study is to develop a multi-disciplinary program designed to provide watershed managers 

and decision-makers with a science-based understanding of, and innovative tools for, the development of 

environmental policy (Goldman et al., 2003a). The focus of this study is Lake Tahoe in Sierra Nevada, 

California. The objectives of the research conducted in this area as highlighted by investigators were to: 

• Implement a hydrologic model that has the ability to describe dynamics of non-point source 

pollutants over complex landscapes; 

• Study the interactions between inorganic suspended particulate matter, chlorophyll, light and the 

natural mixing of the lake; 

• Study the lake and watershed responses to historical disturbance; 

• Develop a watershed scale erosion control management plan with existing agency and non-profit 

conservation groups. 

Data indicate that environmental conditions of Lake Tahoe have been deteriorating since the 1960s. 

Water clarity is of particular concern. It is estimated that under current conditions the clarity of the Lake 

will be lost within 30 years (Goldman et al., 2003b). Researchers feel that reductions in phosphorus and 

fine-sediment loading are critical to reducing this decline in water clarity (Goldman et al., 2003b). A 

critical component for long-term planning at Lake Tahoe will be a tool that can be used to assess the 

Lake’s capacity to receive and process sediment and nutrients. By knowing the level of loading that 

would attain the desired lake conditions, responsible agencies will be better able to plan in a more 

quantitative and progressive manner (Goldman et al., 2003b). As a result of this need, researchers under 

this grant have developed a water clarity model consisting of three major components: 

deposition and precipitation, stream discharge, overland runoff, groundwater, and shoreli

erosion. 

• Inorganic fine particulate matter is a significant factor contributing to the degradation of Lake 

Tahoe. 

Products: 

• A generalized watershed hydrology model that can be applied in any waters

• Water Clarity Model for Lake Tahoe that allows agencies and decision-makers to assess the 

Lake’s response to various levels and stages of watershed management. 

• An Erosion and Sediment Transport model. 

• A new meteorological station in Tahoe City. 

• A detailed and reliable geochronology of Lake Tahoe. 

User Community: 

• Policy and Decision-makers 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-21 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

processes) including water motions, mixing, waves, particle settling, etc.; 

• Water quality (algal growth related) which includes nutrient uptake and cycling, and dissolved 

ion and scattering of light by organic and 

del has the ability to identify, by year, the total allowable amount of 

regu to h

to be ap er

wat o

ed hydrologic watershed model was also developed under this grant to aid in the 

purpose of this

mod w

• e tation on the water,

• 

• ges to surface waters that take into

tural and man-made episodes impacting a waterbody such as precipitation, water 

etc.) at Lake Tahoe under various scenarios of future climate 

cha

The mo hed of Lake Tahoe. Results of the tests

at the model was successful in simulating environmental conditions within the watershed and 

 restoration. The 

evelopment of this hydrologic model has built a base for modeling erosion and sediment transport and 

undation into their efforts to protect their watersheds (Goldman et al., 2003a). 

• Hydrodynamics (physical

oxygen; 

• Optical properties (secchi depth) that includes the absorpt

inorganic particles (Goldman et al., 2003c). 

Based on these parameters, this mo

nutrient loading to achieve the desired water clarity effect in Lake Tahoe and will therefore provide

la rs with a tool to establish targets for loading reduction. In addition, this model is general enoug

plied to variety of aquatic settings and can be used as a tool for assessing eutrophication in oth

erb dies (Goldman et al., 2003b). 

A physically-bas

prediction of erosion and sediment transport from Lake Tahoe’s multiple watersheds. The

el as to provide a tool that could be used to:

M asure the effect of changes (e.g., roads, urbanization) to land surface/vege

sediment and nutrient balances; 

Forecast flooding; 

Assess long-term water balances (i.e., the long-term dischar

consideration na

withdrawals, wastewater recycling

nge (Goldman et al., 2003b). 

del was tested extensively in the Ward Creek waters

revealed th

had the ability to identify areas in the watershed that should be set for priority

d

can be applied to the assessment of erosion processes in upland and in-stream areas. 

 

The results of the research and modeling at Lake Tahoe have direct transferability to other regions in the

mountainous U.S. where agencies and communities are striving to incorporate a sound science-based 

fo

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-22 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

 REFERENCES 

STAR GRANT 82-5751 

Mc . (2003), “Final Report: Effects of natural and

nthropogenic processes on Tillamook Bay and its watershed: An integrated process study and land-use 

d

ann. (2002), 

inal

Rep

Bec tten, K.G. Porter, B.G. Norton, and A.C. Steinemann. (2003), “2000 

rogress Report: Community Values and the Long-term Ecological Integrity of Rapidly Urbanizing 

July

ee,

Novotny, V., R. Griffin, and D. Clark. (2003a), “Risk Based Urban Watershed Management-Integration 

of Water Quality and Flood Control Objectives,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center 

for Environmental Research, July 2003 (July 30, 2003: 

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/31/report/0). 

Novotny, V., R. Griffin, and D. Clark. (2003b), “NCERA Annual Report,” Marquette University, July

2003 (July 30, 2003; http://www.marquette.edu/environment/ANNREP2000.pdf). 

STAR GRANT 82-5760 

Diplas, P., W.E. Cox, R. Gupts, et al. (2003a), “From Landscapes to Waterscapes: An Integrating 

Framework for Urbanizing Watersheds,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for 

Environmental Research, August 2003 (August 24, 2003: 

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/846/report/0). 

Manus, J., K. Paul, M.J. Ford, and S. Cortland

a

perspective,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Research, July

2003 (July 14, 2003: 

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/844/report/F). 

STAR GRANT 82-5757 

Deegan, L.A., J. Kemer, and T. Weber. (2001), “Social and Ecological Transferability of Integrate

Ecological Assessment Models,” Final Report, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, 

December 2001. 

STAR GRANT 82-5758 

Beck, M.B., T.C. Rasmussen, B.C. Patten, K.G. Porter, B.G. Norton, and A.C. Steinem

“Community Values and the Long-term Ecological Integrity of Rapidly Urbanizing Watersheds,” F

ort, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, September 2002. 

k, M.B., T.C. Rasmussen, B.C. Pa

P

Watersheds,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Research,

2003 (July21, 2003: http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/ 

abstract /848/report/2000). 

STAR GRANT 82-5759 

Novotny, V., R. Griffin, and D. Clark (2002), “Risk Based Urban Watershed Management-Integration of 

Water Quality and Flood Control Objectives.” Summary Final Report, Marquette University, Milwauk

WI, 2002. 

References 3-1 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Diplas, P., W.E. Cox, R.Gupts, et a dscapes to Waterscapes: An

tegrating Framework for Urbanizing Watersheds,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National 

Research, August 2003 (August 4, 2003:

abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/846/report/F). 

nd P.H. Gowda. (1999), “Relationships Between Watershed Sediment Erosion 

n

Haro, T.L. Napier, et al. (2000), “An Integrated Ecological and Socio-Economic 

d Reducing Agricultural Impacts on Upper Mississippi Watersheds,” 

ood, and Environmental Sciences, Department of Soil 

mary,” University of 

3:

abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/584 

s,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Research, 

nandez, et al. (2002), “Linking Watershed-Scale Indicators of Change in 

, ME,

, National Center for Environmental Research, August 2003 (August 7, 2003: 

l. (2003b), “Final Report: From Lan

In

Center for Environmental

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_

STAR GRANT 82-5761 

Burgess, A., (R.J. Haro, advisor), (undated). “The Relationship Among Landscape Characteristics, Stream

Habitat and Composition of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Two Midwestern Agricultural 

Watersheds,” River Studies Center, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI, Undated. 

Burgess, A.F., R.J. Haro a

Rates and Local Macroinvertebrate Community Structure,” Poster Presentation at the North America

Benthological Society Conference, Duluth MN, May 26,1999. 

Gowda, P.H., R.J.

Approach to Evaluating an

University of Minnesota, College of Agriculture, F

Water, and Climate, April 2000 (August 4, 2003: 

http://www.soils.umn.edu/~pgowda/epa_project/index.html). 

Gowda, P.H., R.J. Haro, T.L. Napier, et al. (2002), “Final Report Executive Sum

Minnesota, MN; University of Wisconsin ,La Crosse, WI; Ohio State University, OH, 2002. 

Gowda, P.H., R.J. Haro, T.L. Napier, et al. (2003a), “1999 Progress Report: An Integrated Ecological and

Socio-Economic Approach to Evaluating and Reducing Agricultural Impacts on Upper Mississippi 

Watersheds,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Research, 

August 2003 (August 4, 200

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_

/report/1999). 

Gowda, P.H., R.J. Haro, T.L. Napier et al. (2003b), “Final Report: An Integrated Ecological and SocioEconomic Approach to Evaluating and Reducing Agricultural Impacts on Upper Mississippi 

Watershed

August 2003 (August 4, 2003: 

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/584/report/F). 

R.J. Haro, A.F. Burgess, P.H. Gowda. (2002), “Relationships Between Tillage Practices and the 

iological Integrity of Tributary Streams of the Upper Mississippi Rive,” Presentation at the 48th B Annual 

Meeting of the North American Benthological Society, Keystone, CO, May 2000. 

STAR GRANT 82-5262

Kahl, J.S., J. Rubin, I. Fer

Atmospheric Deposition to Regional Response Patterns.” Final Report, University of Maine, Oreno

November 2002. 

Kahl, J.S., J. Rubin, I. Fernandez, et al. (2003), “2000 Progress Report: Linking Watershed-Scale 

Indicators of Change in Atmospheric Deposition to Regional Response Patterns,” U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency

References 3-2 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/845/ 

eo, M., K.D. Willett, E.T. Sankowski, et al. (2000), “National Center For Environmental Research and 

QA Grant Annual Report Summary,” Oklahoma State University, Oreno, OK, 

anuary 2000. 

report/2000). 

STAR GRANT 82-5791 

M

Quality Assurance, NCER

J

Meo, M., W. Focht, L. Caneday, et al. (2002), “Negotiating Science and Values with Stakeholders in the

Illinois River Basin.” Journal of American Water Resources Association, 38 (2): AWRA Paper Number 

1095.

l

RQA Grant Final Report Summary,” 

niversity of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, OK, February 7, 2003. 

r for Environmental Research, August 2003 (August 8, 

n/display.abstractDetail/abstract/843/

eport/1999). 

:

0). 

cial

logy and Hydrology in Urban-Rural Watersheds: Integration for Restoration,” U.S. 

nvironmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Research, August 2003 (August 

, L.R. Band et al. (2003c), “2000 Progress Report: Impact of Social 

nvironmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Research, August 2003 (August 

ct/842/

ickett, S.T.A., T.W. Foresman, L.R. Band et al. (2003d), “Final Report: Impact of Social Systems on 

Urban-Rural Watersheds: Integration for Restoration,” U.S. Environmental 

rotection Agency, National Center for Environmental Research, August 2003 (August 18, 2003: 

t/F). 

2-6282

d

0

Meo, M., B. Vieux, E.T. Sankowski, R. Lynch, W. Focht, K. Willett and L. Caneday. (2003a), “Nationa

Center for Environmental Research and Quality Assurance NCE

U

Meo, M., K.D. Willett, E.T. Sankowski, et al. (2003b), “1999 Progress Report: Ecological Risks,

Stakeholder Values, and River Basins: Testing Management Alternatives for the Illinois River,” U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, National Cente

2003: http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseactio

r

STAR GRANT 82-5792 

Pickett, S.T.A., T.W. Foresman, L.R. Band et al. (2003a), “Impact of Social Systems on Ecology and 

Hydrology in Urban-Rural Watersheds: Integration for Restoration.” August 2003 (August 18, 2003

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/842/report/

Pickett, S.T.A., T.W. Foresman, L.R. Band et al. (2003b), “1999 Progress Report: Impact of So

Systems on Eco

E

18, 2003: http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/842/

report/1999). 

Pickett, S.T.A., T.W. Foresman

Systems on Ecology and Hydrology in Urban-Rural Watersheds: Integration for Restoration,” U.S. 

E

18, 2003: http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstra

report/2000). 

 

P

Ecology and Hydrology in

P

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/842/repor

STAR GRANT 8

Goldman, C.R., J.E. Rueter, M.L. Kavaas, A.D. Jassby, and S.G. Schladow. (2003a), “An Integrate

Watershed Approach to Evaluate and Model Ecosystem Effects of Erosion and Pollutant Transport in 

Urbanized Subalpine Landscapes,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for 

References 3-3 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Environmental Research, August 2003 (August 19, 2003: 

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/890/report/0). 

r, M.L. Kavaas, A.D. Jassby, and S.G. Schladow. (2003b), “2000 Progress 

eport: An Integrated Watershed Approach to Evaluate and Model Ecosystem Effects of Erosion and 

.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/890 

eport/2000). 

d Watershed Approach to Evaluate and Model Ecosystem Effects of Erosion and Pollutant 

ransport in Urbanized Subalpine Landscapes,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center 

). 

Goldman, C.R., J.E. Ruete

R

Pollutant Transport in Urbanized Subalpine Landscapes,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 

National Center for Environmental Research, August 2003 (August 19, 2003: 

http://cfpub.epa

/r

Goldman, C.R., J.E. Rueter, M.L. Kavaas, A.D. Jassby, and S.G. Schladow. (2003c), “Final Report: An 

Integrate

T

for Environmental Research, August 2003 (August 19, 2003: 

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/890/report/F

References 3-4 
Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

APPENDICES 

Appendices 4-1 
um of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

4-2 

APPENDIX A. 1997 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS SUMMARY TABLE 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

 Compendi

Appendices 

Grant Numbers -R825751 A Study of the 

Effects of Natural and Anthropogenic Processes on Tillmook Bay and its Watershed: An Integrated ProcessStudy and Land-Use Perspective 

McManus, J. – Oregon State University, College of Ocean and Atmospheric Science 

• Politics 

and Policies 

• Multicriteria 

Studies 

• Examined the 

relative influences of natural and human induced processes within the watershed system and how it impacts the health of an estuary.Understanding the relationship between the watershed and estuarine systemplays a critical role in developing sound management practices to protect these environments. 

• A salmon cycle learning game for 

school children. 

• Outreach materials including 

media presentation and video programming. 

• Tillamook County Performance 

Partnership Outreach Task Force to improve the exchange of information between scientists and local citizens.

• Research helped 

in estuarine sys

• Research findin

understanding oinfluences on w

• Transport paths 

sediments were Tillamook Bay.

• Investigators de

impacts of timblumber), agricuselected removaattach or diseasTillamook and K
 Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R825757 Development and 

Social and Ecological Transferability of 

logical

Assessment Models 

Biological 

and 

on

c

ue

problems assloading and how it 

us

as. 

teach users the impacts of land use on wat nd livingresources tal estuariesof southern New England 

nd

• 

g

 of 

nitrogen-loading models as decision-making aids. 

predicting ecosyuse change. 

• Models are a co 

Deegan, L. – Marine 

• Politics • Investigated the • A tutorial website designed to • Ecosystem mod

Integrated Eco Laboratory,

Ecosystems Center 

Policies 

• Restorati• Scientifi

Techniq

ociated with

excess nitrogen relates to varioland-use practices in estuarine are

er quality a

 in the coas

(http://ecosystems.mbl.edu/Research/Clue/) 

• CLUE (Changing Land Use a

Estuaries) ecosystem responsemodel. 

• An Index of Estuarine Biotic 

Integrity (EBI) 

Two new survey instruments to

investigate perceptions regardinthe utility and applicability

data about exist

• The utility of po

complexity. 

• To improvemen

use of models in must be made bmay reflect the of local citizens 

• Models have th

misinterpret ressupport preconcdistorted by the of the develope

Appendices 4-3 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R825758 Community Values

and the Long-term Ecological Integrityof RapidlyUrbanizing Watersheds 

t

p

• 

ood web and sediment

 valu

• • • 

views on the futimes more likeoutlooks on the 

• Successfully rem

Regionalized Seadjoining a Tree(TSDE) proceducircumventing sUniform Coveri(UCPR) algorith

Beck, B.M. – University of Georgia 

• Urban • Politics 

and Policies 

• Multicriteria 

Studies 

• Explored differen

approaches to maintaining the integrity of an environmental system based on short- and longterm communityvalues. 

• A framework for adaptive 

community learning to identifystakeholder concerns and develothe target futures of Lake Lanier. 

A model of Lake Lanier that 

incorporates new data on the microbial fbiochemistry of the Lake. 

• Using the conce

researchers discconcerned abouwell being of L

• Developed a co

making that woresponsive to bocommunity

• Improved the un

within Lake Lancurrent state of 

Conducted a “F

stakeholders anof Lake Lanier. 

Stakeholders’ g

public health, n

Based on resear

Appendices 4-4 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R825759 Risk Based Urban 

Watershed Management – Integration of WaterQuality andControl Obje

Flood

ctives

cs

Policies 

l

tal

development. The mathematical formulas developed could assess the risk involved with different management methods in urbanized watersheds. 

of

sk

• for 

assessing ecological risk due to water column contamination. 

• A GIS-based urban watershed 

pollutant-loading model. 

• • 

Novotny, V. –Marquette University

• Urban • Economi• Multicriteria 

Studies

• Politics 

and 

• Identified and 

quantified the potential risks tohuman, biologicaand environmenhealth due to contamination from urban and suburbanwatershed 

• Foundation of the Institute

Urban Environmental Risk Management at Marquette University. 

• Methodology for evaluating ri

due to flooding supported by aGIS-based application. 

An improved methodology

• Urbanization ha

community stru

Analyses indica

ecological risk t

• Variables, such 

location within local citizens’ wprojects. 

• Research helped 

approach to wat

The pollution-lo

TMDL programassess the effecreceiving water

• As a result of th

Environmental center of enviroUniversity. 

Appendices 4-5 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R825760

State University

s

• cs• Restoration 

s

es

capes

o

g

macroinvertebrate communities to urbanization-induced changes to biological and hydrologic conditions. 

• A conceptual model for 

predicting land prices based on characteristics of urban development and land use. 

• A simulation model to predict 

water and sewer costs as a function of the spatial distribution of services. 

• A computer simulation model to 

estimate the annualized cost of delivering water and sewer service to residential areas. 

• A web-based model integrating 

the hydrological and economic aspects of this study. 

• Proceedings of the “Integrated 

Decision-Making for Watershed Management” conference. 

• • • 

u

Landscapes and Waterscapes: An integrating Framework for Urbanizing Watersheds 

Diplas, P. – Virginia PolytechnicInstitute and 

• Urban • Politics 

and Policie

Economi

• Multicriteria

Studies 

• Produced result

that can help decision- makers find the best land usage scenariosfor a variety ofdevelopment situations in different communitiexperiencing different rates ofurban growth.

• A hydrologic modeling 

framework for assessing theimpacts of alternative landson surface and subsurface water flows 

• A new strategy for modeling flow

patterns via channel topographyand complexity. 

• Three spatial hydraulic metrics t

aid in locating and distinguishinbiologically important features.

• Procedures for predicting the

response of fish and 

• Impact to water

conversion beca

• The presence an

fish species indbiomarker of encontamination, warning system 

Economic analy

local governmesprawling devel

Increased area o

development is hydrologic chan

Hydrologic imp

existing command discharge thcommunity dev

Appendices 4-6 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R825761 An Integrated 

Ecological and Socio-EconomicApproach to Evaluating andReducing Agricultural Impacts on Upper Mississippi River Watersheds 

ture

ed

• 

water

ts

-

management practices at the farm level. 

nesota

• 

oadings. 

River

eds.

• 

they were adopt

• In the Lower M

conservation tilother than soil c

• In both the Maq

watersheds, the conservation tilMacroinvertebr(BM-IBI) score

• Universal Soil L

an important toobiomonitoring p

Gowda, P. – University of Minnisota

• Agricul• Politics 

and Policies 

• Assessed 

agricultural impacts to water quality and ecosystem healthwithin a watershsystem.

Evaluated the

potentialquality benefiassociated with adopting various agricultural best

• Model of the Lower Min

River watershed. 

A calibrated ADAPT model to 

predict flow, sediment, and nitrate l

• A set of alternative agricultural 

management practices for the Lower Minnesotawatershed. 

• A comprehensive GIS Database 

for the Lower Minnesota River and Maquoketa River watersh

• Identified key f

conservation farsocioeconomic 

• The Agricultura

(ADAPT) modecondition in are

Regional variati

have a strong eftherefore, manaeffectively appr

• Large-scale cha

can affect the loeven in highly d

• Farmers in the s

information abopractices. Howethese farmers teenvironmental e

Appendices 4-7 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R825762 Linking Waters

Scale IndicatorsChanges in Atmospheric Deposition to Regional RespoPatterns 

hed-

 of 

nse

the

ic

e

f

• • • 

Kahl, J.S. – University of Maine

• Politics 

and Policies

• Evaluated

response of surface waters to various levels ofacidification and assessed thereability to recover.

• Linked scientif

knowledge to thpractical needs odecision-makers.

• Adapted the Tracking and 

Analysis Framework (TAF) to Maine watersheds. 

• Declines in atm

led to a decreaswaters in Mainethese watershedminimal, and in increased. 

The inability of 

acidic conditionconcentrations omagnesium) in 

The effects of c

may be influencwatersheds in umight even be cdecreased acid d

Atmospheric lo

the acid-base stundetermined w

Appendices 4-8 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R825791 Ecological Risks, 

Stakeholder Valuesand River Basins:Testing ManaAlternatives foIllinois River 

gement

r the

ure

Policies 

• Economics • Multicriteria 

Studies 

• 

economicallyefficient, and politicallyacceptable. 

nt

edia decision 

support tool. 

• A project map CD containing 

over 25 geospatial maps highlighting various landcover/land-use properties in the Illinois River Basin. 

• The Distributed Runoff nonpoint 

Pollution Model (DRIP). 

• Virtual watershed fly-over maps 

that allow users to select various regions and investigate different environmental concerns and water quality parameters. 

• 

ems 

• • farming 

were viewed to in the Illinois R

• Agricultural are

significant contrunoff. 

• Distrust betwee

officials—partichigh. Stakeholdto participate diopposed to defe

• Stakeholders pr

enforcement of apply to point sregarding behaveducational and compensation fof less regulated rural/suburban l

Meo, M. – University of Oklahoma

• Agricult• Politics 

and 

• Identified and 

compared different environmental andsocial values heldby stakeholders.

Developed and 

tested a management protocol that is technicallyeffective, 

• The Watershed Manageme

Decision Support System (WMDSS), a computer-based, interactive, multim

• Disagreements 

of problems in tis to blame and problems. 

Stakeholders ar

about problvisible, local, analcohol consumtourists, and littconsider managthe aesthetic vagreater importahealth and recre

Policy-makers a

widespread, wasuch as nutrient fertilizer, municprotection. 

Poultry

Appendices 4-9 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R825792 Impact of Social 

Systems on Ecologyand Hydrology in Urban-Rural Watersheds: Integration forRestoration 

Pickett, S.Institute of EcosystemStudies. 

–

• 

ban

k

• 

m Simulation

ng

• • • sis of 

land-use models and social field data collection methods. 

• Soil maps with improved 

resolution scales. 

• A model that networks 

interactions with stakeholders and managers in the Baltimore region. 

• Multidisciplinary workshop to 

assess the state of knowledge and research needs concerning metropolitan Baltimore’s waterrelated infrastructure. 

• il m• • • 

• Politics 

and Policies

Urban 

• Multicriteria

Studies 

• Utilized social,

ecological, andhydrologicprocesses occurring in a watershed systemto create a modelfor developingwater-qualitymanagement strategies inwatersheds undergoing urtransitions. 

• An improved framework to lin

hydrology, ecology, and socialsciences. 

A refined Regional Hydrological

and EcosysteSystem (RHESys) model linkiurban hydrology, social, andecological processes.

Improved metropolitan patch 

mosaic for Baltimoreincorporating social, ecological, and hydrological patch information. 

• The School Partnership Program.

Educational and outreach 

materials and activities. 

A framework for the analy

• Collected data t

heterogeneity in ecological struc

The new so

a resolution fine models using coenvironments. 

The Regional H

Simulation Systunder this grant industry standar

New measurem

metropolitan arstructure, becauwith ecological 

Successfully bu

with Baltimore 

Appendices 4-10 
 Compendium of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R826282 An Integrated 

Watershed Approach to Evaluate and Model Ecosystem Effects of Eroand Pollutant Transport in Urbanized and 

sion

Subalpine Landscapes

R.

 of 

d

• on

ter

odel

of

he

variety of aquatic settings and can be used as a tool for assessing eutrophication in numerous waterbodies. 

• ation in

hoe.

Goldman, C.– UniversityCalifornia 

• Policy an

Politics

Restorati

• Developed a wa

clarity and hydrologic watershed mthat have directtransferability to other regions in the mountainousU.S. to assist inthe protectionwatersheds. Twater claritymodel is general enough to beapplied to a 

• A generalized watershed 

hydrology model that can be applied in any watershed. 

• Water Clarity Model for Lake 

Tahoe that allows agencies and decision-makers to assess theLake’s response to various levelsand stages of watershedmanagement. 

• An Erosion and Sediment

Transport model. 

A new meteorological st

Tahoe City. 

• A detailed and reliable 

geochronology of Lake Ta

• Identified that t

impacting Lake and precipitatiogroundwater, an

• Inorganic fine p

contributing to 

Appendices 4-11 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

APP B. 1 R S MON TH

Restoration Multi-criteria 

Studies 

gri Politics 

nd Policies

Sc

Tec

ENDIX 997 WATE AND WATER

Urban A

HED GRANTS COM EMES CH

culture Economics

a

R825751 X X R825757 X X R825758 X X X R825759 X X X X R825760 X X X X X R825761 X X R825762 X R825791 X X X X R825792 X X X R826282 X X 

 Appendices 4-11 
Synt

Appendices 4-12 

Restoration: 

R825760 - 

hesis of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

APPENDIX C. 1997 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS COMMON THEMES 

From Landscapes to Waterscapes: An Integrating Framework for Urbanizing 

Watersheds - Dip

y communitie t afford the costs associated with management and restoration 

s to repair degraded stream of other aquatic wildlife. Research 

issues and provided managers and decisioners with the tool evelop plans to ensure environmental quality at an affordable price 

R825757 - - 

ent ty (EBI) has proven to be a useful tool 

erged aquatic vegetation. 

R826282 - te and Model Ecosystem Effects of Erosion 

 Pollutant Transport in Urbanized Subalpine Landscapes - Goldman, C.R. 

drologic watershed model developed is successful in simulating environmental 

 to identify areas in a watershed that should 

 restoration. 

Multi-criteria Studies: 

R825751 - ocesses on Tillamook Bay and Its Watershed: 

 - McManus. J. 

etal cycles; aquatic 

stem health and biotic integrity; and differences between local knowledge and scientific 

land-use practices on the physical, chemical, and 

stem. 

R825758 - cal Integrity of Rapidly Urbanizing 

 – Beck, M.B. 

gical, an cial/policy sciences to understand 

munity values ecosystem behavior. 

R825759 - ntegration of Water Quality and Flood 

, V. 

conditions in urbanized watersheds. 

R825760 - ing 

 - Diplas, P. 

drology and hydraulics, biology, economics and policy, and 

 solvin nvironment to uncover and assess the impact of land-use on a watershed 

. 

R825792 - 

drologic data to develop a Regional Hydrological and 

ula System (RHESys) model. 

las, P. 

s canno

s to d

Man

program

conducted under this grant sought to assess these 

mak

to residents. 

Social and Ecological Transferability of Integrated Ecological Assessment Models

Deegan, L. 

The developm

for assessing efforts to restore subm

An Integrated Watershed Approach to Evalua

and

The hy

conditions within a watershed and has the ability

be set for priority

Effects of Natural and Anthropogenic Pr

An Integrated Process Study and Land-Use Perspective

Research assessed sedim

ecosy

observations to uncover the effects of various 

biological conditions in a watershed sy

Community Values and the Long-term Ecologi

Watersheds

Research integrated ecological, hy

com

Risk Based Urban Watershed Management-I

Control Objectives

Assessed econom

From Landscapes to Waterscapes: An In

Watersheds

Research focused on addressing hy

the problem

system

Impact of Social Systems on Ecology and Hydrology in Urban-Rural Watersheds: 

Integration for Restoration

Utilized social, ecological, and hy

Ecological Sim

s and biotic integrity

of an index of estuarine biotic integri

entary budgets; carbon, nutrient, and trace m

drolo d so

 and

 - Novotny

ic, biological, and habitat 

g e

tegrating Framework for Urbaniz

 - Pickett, S. 

tion
Synthesis of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Urban: 

R82

Watersheds – Beck, M.B. 

egrated ecological, hydrological, and social/policy science to develop a concept of 

integrity

825759 -

R825760 - 

ctive

R825792 - 

tool for assessing water quality, focusing on a watershed system undergoing a 

ncerns. It was

the

conomics

R825759 - 

r

ental 

ent styles. 

825760 - From Landscapes to Waterscapes: An Integrating Framework for Urbanizing 

Watersheds - Diplas, P. 

Developed a series of economic models to predict land prices, as well as water and sewer costs 

based on varying degrees and characteristics of urban development and land use. 

5758 - Community Values and the Long-term Ecological Integrity of Rapidly Urbanizing 

Int

environmental decision-making that would help to preserve the long-term ecological

in a watershed undergoing rapid urbanization.

R Risk Based Urban Watershed Management-Integration of Water Quality and Flood

Control Objectives - Novotny, V. 

Examined urban waterbodies and assessed the degree to which urban development influences 

flood risks and the waterbody ecology. 

From Landscapes to Waterscapes: An Integrating Framework for Urbanizing 

Watersheds - Diplas, P. 

Assessed the hydrological consequences associated with urban development in a watershed 

system. 

R825791 - Ecological Risks, Stakeholder Values, and River Basins: Testing Management

Alternatives for the Illinois River - Meo, M. 

Conducted studies and incorporated physical, biological, economic, and sociopolitical data to

develop watershed management decision-making aids such as models, maps, and intera

web applications. 

Impact of Social Systems on Ecology and Hydrology in Urban-Rural Watersheds:

Integration for Restoration - Pickett, S. 

Developed a

transition from agricultural land to suburban land. 

Agriculture:

R825761 - An Integrated Ecological and Socio-Economic Approach to Evaluating and Reducing 

Agricultural Impacts on Upper Mississippi Watersheds - Gowda, P. 

Predicted flow, sediment loadings, and nitrogen loadings from agriculturally dominated areas, 

as well as the success of different alternative conservation farming techniques on 

preserving/improving water quality using a calibrated version of the Agricultural Drainage and 

Pesticide Transport (ADAPT) model. 

R825791 - Ecological Risks, Stakeholder Values, and River Basins: Testing Management

Alternatives for the Illinois River - Meo, M. 

Stakeholders in the study area of the Illinois River Basin viewed pollution from agriculture, 

namely poultry farming, and its impacts on water quality as one of the biggest co

discovered that animal waste from these areas was the primary source of nutrients to

Illinois River, and generated approximately 98-99 percent more nutrients than humans. 

E :

Risk Based Urban Watershed Management-Integration of Water Quality and Flood 

Control Objectives - Novotny, V. 

Assessed the financial feasibility of different types of management plans based on residents’

willingness to pay for watershed management projects. Cost models were developed to fo

urban watershed management to help create a better picture of the financial and environm

risks associated with different watershed managem

R

Appendices 4-13 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

R825791 - Ecological Risks, Stakeholder Values, and River Basins: Testing Management 

nd that stakeholders tended to oppose any efforts by decisionic 

R825751 - enic Processes on Tillamook Bay and Its Watershed: 

ntific findings related to the issues discussed within 

d

825757 -

.

cisionientifically sound land-use management 

ent goals. 

R825759 - Risk Based Urban Watershed Management-Integration of Water Quality and Flood 

ntrol Objectives - Novotny, V. 

ers and planners in

R825760 - 

ment and the hydrologic, ecosystem, and economic 

olicies by

uate the consequences associated with varying 

R825761 - 

uld

help facilitate the adoption of soil and water protection practices at the farm level. 

inking Watershed-Scale Indicators of Change in Atmospheric Deposition to Regional 

ractical needs of decision-makers to produce results that 

R825791 - esting Management

developed in this study provide stakeholders with a better 

vities.

Alternatives for the Illinois River - Meo, M. 

Socioeconomic research fou

makers to implement watershed management rules or plans that would impose econom

burden. 

Politics and Policies: 

Effects of Natural and Anthropog

An Integrated Process Study and Land-Use Perspective - McManus. J. 

Provided information to help clarify scie

the community and to assist local managers and decision-makers in developing soun

management practices. 

R Social and Ecological Transferability of Integrated Ecological Assessment Models - 

Deegan, L

The creation of the estuarine response model provides a useful tool that can assist de

makers and planners with the development of sc

strategies at the local level. Decreasing model complexity and increasing communications 

between modelers and potential users also ensures the models better serve community and 

watershed managem

R825758 - Community Values and the Long-term Ecological Integrity of Rapidly Urbanizing 

Watersheds – Beck, M.B. 

Developed a concept of decision-making using science-based models that were responsive to

identified community values. 

Co

Findings regarding the effects of urbanization can assist in the development of watershed 

management plans for different watershed systems and aid decision-mak

choosing the best plans to reduce the impacts associated with urbanization. 

From Landscapes to Waterscapes: An Integrating Framework for Urbanizing

Watersheds - Diplas, P. 

The methodology for watershed assess

models that were created help facilitate the development of watershed management p

allowing managers and decision-makers to eval

watershed management strategies prior to implementation. 

An Integrated Ecological and Socio-Economic Approach to Evaluating and Reducing 

Agricultural Impacts on Upper Mississippi Watersheds - Gowda, P. 

The findings of this study are useful in the development of intervention programs that co

R825762 - L

Response Patterns - Kahl, J.S. 

Linked scientific knowledge to the p

could be applied to management and policy decisions made by industries and governments at

the local, state, and federal level. Results had a direct influence on the policy and legislation

mandated under the Clean Air Act. 

Ecological Risks, Stakeholder Values, and River Basins: T

Alternatives for the Illinois River - Meo, M. 

The information and tools

understanding about the current state of the Illinois River and assists them in their discussion 

and negotiations regarding both current and future management strategies and acti

Appendices 4-14 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1997 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

R825792 - Impact of Social Systems on Ecology and Hydrology in Urban-Rural Watershed

Integration for Restoration - Pickett, S. 

s:

n System (RHESys) model. 

R826282 - An Integrated Watershed Approach to Evaluate and Model Ecosystem Effects of Erosion 

nt Transport in Urbanized Subalpine Landscapes - Goldman, C.R. 

y, and developed 

Scientific T

.

Provides decision-makers with options to improve water quality within a watershed system

undergoing urbanization, using a newly developed Regional Hydrological and Ecological

Simulatio

and Polluta

Developed a multi-disciplinary program designed to provide watershed managers and 

decision-makers with a science-based understanding of environmental polic

innovative tools for developing sound policy actions. 

echniques:

R825757 - Social and Ecological Transferability of Integrated Ecological Assessment Models - 

Deegan, L. 

Developed a new index of estuarine biotic integrity (EBI) as a tool to measure ecosystem

function in a wide variety of estuarine habitats. The EBI has proven to be successful in 

measuring the effects of habitat change and efforts to restore submerged aquatic vegetation

Appendices 4-15