Compendium of the Results of the 1996 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 

30 April 2003 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

FOREWORD 

This report was prepared by Technology Planning and Management Corporation, for the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Research, Science to Achieve 

Results Program. TPMC 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: 

Walbeck, E.S., E.A. Merritt, J.F. Campbell, K. Stevens. 2002. Synthesis of the 1996 STAR Water and 

Watershed Grants. Prepared by 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 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. INTRODUCTION

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

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

2. SUCCESSES, RESULTS, AND FINDINGS

2.1 STAR Grant R824905 Large Scale Disturbances and Small Scale Responses............................... 2-1

2.2 STAR Grant R825159 Development and Application of Spectroscopic Probes for Measurement of 

Microbial Activity in Aquatic Ecosystems .............................................................................................. 2-4

2.3 STAR Grant R825284 Urban Stream Rehabilitation in the Pacific Northwest: Physical Biological 

and Social Considerations......................................................................................................................... 2-6

2.4 STAR Grant R825285 An Integrated Approach to Assessing Water Management Options in a 

Major Watershed: Extending a Hydrodynamic Water Quality Model to Include Biological and 

Politico-Economic Components................................................................................................................ 2-9

2.5 STAR Grant R825286 Effectiveness of Regulatory Incentives for Sediment Pollution Prevention: 

Evaluation Through Policy Analysis and Biomonitoring..................................................................... 2-11

2.6 STAR Grant R825289 Geochemical, Biological, and Economical Effects of Arsenic and Other

Oxyanions on a Mining Impacted Watershed....................................................................................... 2-14

2.7 STAR Grant R825290 Integrating Modeling and Management of Agriculturally-Impacted 

Watersheds, Issues of Spatial and Temporal Scale .............................................................................. 2-17

2.8 STAR Grant R825306 Watershed Protection in Agricultural Environments: Integrated Social, 

Geomorphological, and Ecological Research to Support Ecosystem- Based Stream Management. 2-19 

2.9 STAR Grant R825335 Modeling Effects Of Alternative Landscape Design And Management Of 

Water Quality And Biodiversity In Midwestern Agricultural Watersheds....................................... 2-21 

2.10 STAR Grant R825381 Integrated Urban Watershed Analysis: The Los Angeles Basin and

Coastal Environment............................................................................................................................... 2-23

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

APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................................... 4-1

APPENDIX A. 1996 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS SUMMARY TABLE....................... 4-2

APPENDIX B. 1996 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS COMMON THEMES CHART...... 4-7

APPENDIX C. 1996 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS COMMON THEMES ..................... 4-8

Table of Contents iii 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 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 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants and produce a 

document that outlines the results, products produced, and user communities for each of the 1996 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 1996 Water and Watershed EPA STAR Grants were reviewed in detail to determine how results of 

this research can or is being used by both other researchers and decision-makers. Products useful to 

decision-makers resulting from the 10 grants include: 

• Six models; 

• Eight methods, strategies, processes, or tools 

• Four charts, diagrams, or matrices; 

• One course for environmental professionals; 

• One field guide; 

• One presentation for state and local agencies; and 

• Results of three stakeholder surveys. 

Additionally, three new methods for analyzing carbon cycling rates were developed for use in future 

research. Nine grants fell into two or three of the following categories/themes and one included four 

categories (See Appendix B): 

 

• Wetlands,

• Restoration, 

• Urban conditions, 

• Agricultural conditions, 

• Economics, 

• Harmful Toxins, 

• Politics and policies, 

• Scientific Techniques, 

• Microbial activity, and 

• Multi-criteria studies. 

Introduction 1-1 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

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 

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 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2. SUCCESSES, RESULTS, AND FINDINGS

2.1 STAR Grant R824905 

Large Scale Disturbances and Small Scale Responses

Principal Investigator: Dr. C. Andrew Cole, The Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center 

Successes/ Lessons Learned: 

Created wetlands are rarely successful under any circumstances. 

• Surrounding landscape influences plant communities.

• Created wetlands did not meet standards of “good,” natural wetlands.

• Biomass remained high in created wetlands, but soil organic matter did not increase, as it 

should, over time. 

• There is high mineral accretion in floodplains, impoundments, and depressions. 

• NWI measurements in Pennsylvania underestimate the occurrence of wetlands by nearly 100%

within the Ridge and Valley Province.

Products: 

• Course developed - “Introduction to Application of the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Functional 

Assessment Methodology,” presented to environmental professionals at French Creek State Park, 

Chester/Berks Counties, PA April 29-May 3, 2002. A second course is planned for spring 2003. 

• General predictive model of hydrologic characteristics that allows assessment without long-term 

data collection. (With EPA National Health and Environment Effects Research LaboratoryNHEERL) 

• Method for coring inland freshwater wetland soils. 

• Method for assessment of wetland probabilities based on broad geologic features. 

User Community: 

• Environmental professionals from EPA’s Regions 2 and 3, the Philadelphia District of the Corps 

of Engineers, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and wetlands professionals for the states 

of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York all attended the 

HGM course given in 2002 and either are using or are preparing to use the results of this 

research. 

Themes: 

 Wetlands, Restoration, Multi-criteria/ Multi-discipline Study 

The work performed under this grant builds upon prior investigations to develop a list of the cumulative 

impacts of wetland loss or alteration of biologic and hydrologic processes at the watershed level. 

Previous studies suggested that both regional landforms and local disturbances have a significant 

influence on the condition of wetlands within a specific watershed. The work supported by this grant 

sought to: 1) characterize these influences, 2) determine their effects on natural versus constructed 

wetlands of varying ages (successional stages), and 3) develop tools to assess the performance of wetland 

mitigation efforts in replacing natural wetland functions (Cole et al., 2000). 

In support of the first objective, the investigators studied the geologic features within numerous central 

Pennsylvania watersheds to create a wetland probability model. The results of this model were verified in 

the field and compared to National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps of the same area. Researchers found 

that NWI measurements in the Ridge and Valley Province of Pennsylvania underestimate the occurrence 

of wetlands by nearly 100%; therefore any assessment of an entire watershed will not include the majority

of wetlands occurring in the watershed if based on NWI (Cole et al., 2000). To help remedy this situation, 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-1 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

the researchers developed a better estimate of wetland occurrence derived from a combined set of 

Geographic Information System (GIS) databases and a series of decision rules. Research found that most 

wetlands in central Pennsylvania are associated with fault zones, with the relative amount of wetland area 

determined by the porosity of underlying geologic formations. The use of broad geologic parameters for 

predicting wetland occurrence in the landscape is the first step towards intelligent management of the 

resources in the area. 

Using water level data from over 40 wetlands, the investigators developed a predictive model of wetland 

hydrologic behavior that managers can use to assess alternative sites for wetland mitigation. The 

investigators also examined the sedimentation rates at 25 wetlands and found that mineral sediments 

exceeded organic sediments by 50% overall, though major differences occurred depending on wetland 

type (Cole et al., 2000). Mineral sediments were dominant in headwater floodplains and impoundments, 

while organic matter dominated riparian depressions. 

Sedimentation rates had a major role in determining the species composition of wetland plant 

communities. Comparing a number of different communities, the proportion of species tolerant of 

sedimentation was found to increase with the rate of sediment deposition. The sediments associated with 

development activities could have significant ecological consequences, as many of these species are 

invasive and/or exotic in origin. 

In support of the second objective, the investigators measured above and below ground biomass 

associated with created wetlands ranging between 5 and 20 years of age, and compared these values with 

other values acquired in natural wetlands. They could not discern a relationship between biomass and the 

age of a created wetland (Cole et al., 2000). Sites that should have been accumulating soil organic matter 

over time were not, leading them to conclude that some unknown mechanism essential to organic matter 

accumulation is missing from created wetlands. This observation is not promising for restoration plans. 

The research team achieved their third objective by developing an updated wetland Performance Criteria 

Matrix (PCM). This tool synthesizes data from over 100 reference wetlands in Pennsylvania and can 

provide its user (managers and decision makers) with a typical range of physical and biological 

characteristics for an existing or planned site based on the site’s landscape position, disturbance, and 

desired wetland type. 

The team also developed innovative tools and field techniques to obtain freshwater wetland soil core 

samples up to a depth of 50 cm (19.7 inches). These methods have applications that include 

radiochronologic dating, seed bank analysis, bulk density measurement, and soil contaminants analysis. 

They used these tools to obtain 130 samples to evaluate plant community changes over time. Using 

Cesium-137 as a radioactive marker to date wetland soils, seeds extracted at various soil depths, and 

historical aerial photographs that documented land use changes in the vicinity of each wetland, they were 

able to assess the effects of human activity upon the wetland plant community composition. They found 

that wetlands in highly developed landscapes had more invasive species, fewer rare plants, and 

accelerated rates of change in plant community species composition as compared to wetlands in other 

areas (Cole et al., 2000). 

This grant also led to the development of a standard monitoring protocol for wetland studies. The 

protocol has been adapted so that volunteers, such as citizen groups and high school students, can perform

the monitoring. 

Continued efforts have been made to develop and refine techniques that allow for the assessment of a 

wetland’s condition and to design functional mitigation wetlands if a natural site is lost. The information 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-2 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

collected from this and future projects will continue to be provided to environmental managers and 

decision makers. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-3 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.2 STAR Grant R825159

Development and Application of Spectroscopic Probes for Measurement of Microbial Activity in 

Aquatic Ecosystems 

Principle Investigators: Carol Arnosti, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Neil Blough, 

University of Maryland, College Park 

 

Successes/ Lessons learned: 

• Product creates a faster method and new analytical techniques for analyzing the microbial 

enzyme activities that help drive carbon cycling. These new methods will be utilized in further 

research. 

• Method can be used to follow the break down of a wide range of large molecules outside of the 

cell to better understand the rate at which small, easily degraded molecules can be provided to

other organisms in the environment. 

Products: 

• A method of fluorescent labeling of macromolecules and methods to measure hydrolysis in 

natural systems. 

• A method to determine the structural selectivity of hydrolytic enzymes. 

• Creation of new methods that aid in research on carbon cycling. 

User Community: 

• The investigators on this grant are continuing to expand their work at both the University of 

North Carolina and the University of Maryland based on the results funded by this STAR grant. 

Other researchers have obtained the publications resulting from this research, but there is 

currently no documentation as to who specifically may be using this work and in what way. 

Themes: 

Microbial Activity, Scientific Techniques 

Carbon cycling plays a large role in the global environment and regulates the amount of carbon dioxide 

(CO2) in the atmosphere. Human activities produce CO2 (from burning fossil fuels and the clearing of 

forests) more rapidly than it can be taken up in the environment. Living plants convert CO2 to biomass 

and produce oxygen, but when plants die or are degraded, CO2 is again returned to the environment. 

These processes occur in aquatic systems as well as on land. The nature and location of carbon cycling in 

aquatic systems is a particularly important control on atmospheric CO2 levels, because aquatic systems 

have the capacity to buffer somewhat the increase in atmospheric CO2 levels. This buffering effect is 

limited however, and an increased level of CO2 in the atmosphere contributes to the greenhouse effect. 

Measuring the rates of carbon cycling in aquatic environments is, therefore, extremely important. The 

overall carbon cycle involves uptake of CO2 by aquatic plants (phytoplankton and macroalgae) that 

harness the sun’s energy via photosynthesis to produce new biomass. Much of this new biomass is 

ultimately converted back to CO2 as organic carbon is cycled through the food web. Key players in these 

processes are heterotrophic bacteria, versatile organisms found in every environment that can

remineralize both dissolved and particulate organic matter back to CO2. However, measuring the rate at 

which heterotrophic bacteria remineralized organic matter is difficult. These bacteria must use enzymes 

that are excreted outside the cell to break large substrates to sizes sufficiently small to be taken into the 

cell. The rates at which these extracellular enzymes operate, and the structures that they preferentially

degrade, are therefore key controls on the nature and rate of carbon cycling in aquatic systems. The 

purpose of this study was to develop and test a new generation of sensitive probes to measure the rate of 

extracellular enzymatic hydrolysis (organic material breakdown) by the bacteria. This research will help 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-4 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

scientists measure the rate at which organic carbon is remineralized to CO2, a key step in the global 

cycling of carbon (Arnosti and Blough, 2001). 

 

This study developed a method to measure the rates at which bacteria break down organic material using 

extracellular enzymes, thus making it possible to transport the material into the cell and leading to 

production of CO2. In order to do this, researchers developed fluorescent probes that could be used to 

make rapid, high-resolution measurements of enzyme activity. The structural specificity of these 

enzymes can also be determined (Arnosti and Blough, 2001). 

These findings provide a clearer method of measuring bacterial enzyme activity in aquatic systems, and 

thus the overall rate of biomass turnover in a watershed. Factors controlling production of CO2 need to be

measured to determine the influence of natural resource management and land-use practices on the 

environment. Developments derived during this study have produced new methods of testing levels of 

organic material consumption, and thus the levels of CO2 production. These measurements can help 

determine the major controls governing the dynamics of organic material degradation in aquatic 

ecosystems (Arnosti and Blough, 2001). Determining these controls can help to develop methods to 

reduce the amount of, and more importantly the effects of, CO2 in our environment. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-5 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.3 STAR Grant R825284 

Urban Stream Rehabilitation in the Pacific Northwest: Physical Biological and Social 

Considerations 

Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephen J. Burges, University of Washington

 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Provides a clear system to evaluate restoration approaches. 

• Evaluates the effects of landscaping practices of streamside residents.

• This research helps to evaluate prospective rehabilitation candidates and determining whether 

rehabilitation goals are realistic. 

• This data is easy to understand, and highly functional.

Products: 

• Strategy for pursuing effective rehabilitation. 

• Evaluation methods for determining the effects of streamside resident behaviors on streams. 

• Developing a set of products that provide guidance in the field of urban stream rehabilitation.

User Community: 

• The results of this grant have been distributed to the user community in numerous ways: the Center for 

Water and Watershed Studies (formerly the Center for Urban Water Resources Management), University 

of Washington, publishes a quarterly newsletter with a distribution of 3000, including subscribers from 

academia, all levels of government, tribes, industry/consulting, non-profits, and private landowners, 

which has carried two to three articles per year since 1998 reporting the results of this study; the 

University of Washington’s Engineering Professional Program conducts short courses in Fundamentals 

of Urban Water Management, Alternative On-Site Stormwater Management Techniques, and Geology 

and Geomorphology of Stream Channels, each of which have a mix of government, private, and 

independent attendees, with 25 to 50% of each course being based on, or modified by, the results from 

this research; and the Center for Urban Water Resources’ Annual Review of Research, presented to 

approximately 100 agency, consultant, and University scientists, focused from 20 to 50 % of the program 

on the results of this grant during its active years. 

Themes: 

Restoration, Urban Streams 

Urban streams are typically degraded streams found in highly populated areas. Society is eager to 

“rehabilitate” these streams but funds are limited and examples of failed efforts are common. This 

research examined the urban streams identification process, developed achievable goals for the real world 

urban and suburban landscape, and finally guided the design of these projects to achieve the goals 

(Burges et al., 2000). This study also focused on the landscaping practices of the streamside residents; 

specifically, how they integrated the urban stream in their plans and practices and the overall effect of 

these plans. 

Step 1. Develop a Framework for Rehabilitation Candidates 

To evaluate rehabilitation candidates, the variation within the biological condition of the streams was 

studied. The Benthic Index of Biology Integrity (B-IBI) was utilized on two stream basins in the Pacific 

Northwest (Little Bear and Swamp Creek). The B-IBI measures five principal groups of attributes 

(Burges et al., 2001 modified from Karr, 1995): 

• Water quality; 

• Habitat structure (stream-side plants, channelized depth, or substrate); 

• Flow regime (areas of flow, storm drains, impervious/ paved surfaces); 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-6 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

• Energy sources; 

• Biotic (living) interactions between fish, hatchery fish, benthic invertebrates and riparian 

vegetation. 

 

The characterization of the streams can help to evaluate the degree to which rehabilitation efforts can 

recover lost functions in the stream. Using this method it has been found that streams with large areas of 

urbanization are more difficult to rehabilitate as compared to streams with little urbanization. Streams in 

areas that have little urbanization should be rehabilitated first; rehabilitation of streams in areas where 

urbanization is high is less successful. 

When development occurs in lowlands there is more impervious surface (as opposed to pervious surfaces, 

such as vegetation, which slows and absorbs runoff) creating a greater volume and velocity of stormwater 

runoff modifying stream flow patterns (the amount of flow in a particular area during a storm). This 

increase in volume and velocity of the water passing through a stream affects the rate of flood discharge, 

and increases the amount of flash flooding. Flash flooding scours (erodes) the streambed and banks, 

dislodging and carrying sediment downstream. As streambanks are eroded, the stream is straightened and 

the velocity of the water carried by the stream increases and the chance of flooding increases. The 

amount of stream degradation can help to characterize the overall affect of urban development. 

Researchers, decision makers and environmental managers can use the framework developed by this 

project to create realistic goals for prospective rehabilitation candidates and design rehabilitation projects. 

 

Step 2. Evaluate the Landscaping Practices

The second step of this project concerned the landscaping practices of residents living along the stream. 

Evaluating the landscaping practices of the surrounding community helps to develop a foundation for the 

rehabilitation process. Three components were studied to understand the motivations of the residents in 

their landscaping practices (Burges et al., 2001): 

1. Concern for their regional environment -- Initial findings show and suggest that while residents 

did take the regional environment into consideration it was not a priority;

2. Their feelings towards freedom to landscape as they wish on their property – The control of 

one’s personal space is culturally learned and, although concern for the environment rated 

higher than personal space, the difference was not statistically significant;

3. How they took the stream into consideration with their planning -- Residents tended to focus on

the low maintenance aspect of the landscaping without consideration of stream ecology. 

Landscaping practices are a major factor to the urban stream condition, and efforts to affect the 

streamside public are critical in the rehabilitation process. 

Step 3. Develop a Rehabilitation Strategy

The final and third step is to begin rehabilitation. The following strategy (in priority order) was proposed 

for effective rehabilitation (Burges et al., 2001). 

First: Recognize and preserve the high quality, low development areas. 

Second: Rehabilitate the streams where the full recovery of the stream is possible. This would 

most likely include areas of low development and low levels of stream health. These 

areas are easier to find and are easier to correct. 

Third: Rehabilitate areas that are in midrange urban development. While these areas might not 

have a complete recovery, direct improvement is possible 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-7 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Fourth: Improve the most degraded streams by finding the cause of the degradation. Restoration 

of these areas has a small probability of success. Education of the residents, and 

increased public awareness to the causes and solutions of stream degradation is critical, 

however, to any progress in these areas. 

Some degree of urban stream rehabilitation is a possibility for all areas of the country, but it requires the 

study of the stream’s condition and the evaluation of the sources of degradation. To help reduce the 

problem, communities should be encouraged to reduce the amount of urbanization adjacent to streams in 

particular areas. Streamside residents should be encouraged to account for the stream in their landscape 

planning. Education to change behavior of streamside residents is one key to the rehabilitation of our 

urban streams. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-8 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.4 STAR Grant R825285 

An Integrated Approach to Assessing Water Management Options in a Major Watershed: 

Extending a Hydrodynamic Water Quality Model to Include Biological and Politico-Economic 

Components

Principle Investigator: Paul Sabatier – University of California, Davis 

 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• This study used several existing models to create a larger, up to date modeling system integrating 

hydrodynamics, water quality, fishery distribution, and economics to determine the effects of 

management decisions. 

• The investigators worked with elected and appointed officials and decision makers to develop the 

integrated sets of models. 

• Many elected and appointed officials were interviewed to better understand the political context 

for water decisions and how water decisions are made. 

• The Consumnes Research Group was created as an outgrowth of this study and focuses on 

monitoring and research needs within the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Watershed 

Products: 

• A model that can aid in the prediction of the effects of management alternatives on hydrodynamic 

and water quality characteristics. 

• CALVIN model for economics for urban and agricultural water use with environmental use. 

http://cee.engr.ucdavis.edu/faculty/lund/CALVIN/ 

User Community: 

• A decision support system for Regional Water Quality Control Boards was developed to map 

impairment data and is being used to prepare California 303(d) reports and to support 

preparation of TMDL assessments by Regional Water Boards and U.S. EPA Region 9. 

• A Water Quality Standards Inventory Database was published in collaboration with the 

California Department of Transportation (CalTrans). Subsequent funding from EPA, CalTrans, 

and the North Coast Water Board has allowed development of models using Landsat and 

airborne hyperspectral input to assess the impacts of road building, forestry operations, and 

landslides on sedimentation rates. 

• The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is utilizing concepts developed by this 

grant. Experience gained from this project is being used by DWR to guide the addition of fish 

behavior to its particle-tracking model and delta geometry developed by the project is being 

provided to DWR for its use. DWR is also interested in the results regarding striped bass larvae 

in various flow/management scenarios. 

• The results of model-generated maps have been used by the Wildlife Conservation Board to 

identify priority projects for acquisition and restoration using bond funds. 

• Methods developed by this project are being used by California EPA’s Department of Pesticide 

Regulation to determine annual pesticide inputs into the stream network. 

• GIS tools developed with partial support from this grant are being used by the Department of 

Health Services to prepare assessments to drinking water under the Source Water Assessment 

Program, Safe drinking Water Act. The state is also using maps developed as part of this grant 

for its submission to the Clean Water Action Plan. 

• Other potential users include the California Fish and Game Commission and the National 

Marine Fisheries Service for planning recovery of endangered salmon, including delineation and 

restoration of critical habitat. 

Themes: 

 Economics, Harmful Toxins, Policies and Politics 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-9 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

 

There are many problems that occur when managing large-scale watersheds that are subject to conflicting 

demands between traditional water users and those seeking to restore damaged fisheries. This research 

hoped to develop and demonstrate a way to assess management alternatives for watersheds that also 

support species at risk (Sabatier et al., 2002). Studying management alternatives helps to develop plans 

that aide major watersheds but are also biologically, politically, and economically sound. 

This study tested the responses of three fish species sensitive to hydrodynamic influences, changes in 

water quality, and ecological influences under different management practices (Sabatier et al., 2002). 

Different management processes studied include: restoration of riparian habitat, regulation of stream

flows, rescheduling of water diversions from the river (pathways used by trout to bypass dams), and 

control of point and non-point pollution sources. This study expanded and integrated a previously 

constructed model of a Californian river and delta system, to include habitats in estuaries and riparian 

areas and ecosystems native to the area, the contaminants and inflow from tributary watersheds, the 

economics of agricultural and urban water use, and the affects of all of these on fish populations. Using 

this new set of models one can explore the impacts of a variety of management scenarios to optimize fish 

populations with agricultural and urban water demands. 

With the information found in this study, better management decisions can be made that affect fish 

populations positively and take into account agricultural and urban water demands. Two management 

scenarios for the area studied were developed through this research: a scenario for normal precipitation 

years and one for dry years. The management plans involve a reallocation of water from irrigated 

agricultural lands to fishery purposes and an “isolated facility” that diverts water via aqueducts from the 

Sacramento River north of the delta, around the delta, to State and Federal water projects. The main 

strategy involved with these plans is to first use economic models (such as CALVIN) to determine the 

most efficient allocation of water reductions across farming regions, then use hydrodynamic and water 

quality models to determine the impacts of the flow diversions, and finally use fishery models to 

determine the impact on the local fish species. In evaluating these management scenarios using the 

criteria presented above, it was determined that the “isolated facility” was a relatively clear tradeoff 

between benefits to water users and costs to fisheries. 

Management alternatives were provided from the work of either CALFED (a consortium of state and 

federal agencies and stakeholders) or the Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992. These 

alternatives include: (1) channel enlargements that would allow expansion of the capacity of the pumping 

plant at the head of the California Aqueduct (a primary component of the California State Water Project); 

(2) an isolated canal with a capacity of 5,000 cfs up to 15,000 cfs that would convey water from the North 

Delta, around the Central Delta to export facilities in the South Delta; and (3) connection between state 

and federal pumping projects in the South Delta designed to reduce entrainment and other harmful effects 

on sensitive species by increasing operational flexibility (e.g. allowing alternative diversion locations and 

at times, among others). 

Although this project is based on the Sacramento River and Delta system, and its corresponding 

organisms, the results can be used to evaluate other river systems to determine the best management plans 

for those rivers. With an analysis of fish and the evaluation of hydrodynamics and water quality in the 

local area these research results can be used in many different environments. The results of this study

will be particularly advantageous in regions of the mid-west that have large populations of salmon and 

trout. 

The CALVIN model is available online and the Consumnes Research Group is actively continuing the 

research. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-10 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.5 STAR Grant R825286 

Effectiveness of Regulatory Incentives for Sediment Pollution Prevention: Evaluation Through 

Policy Analysis and Biomonitoring

Principal Investigator: Seth R. Reice - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• The results of this study can guide managers in determining the most effective regulation plans 

for construction sites near water sources. This is in an effort to reduce sedimentation, which 

degrades water quality, and reduces aesthetic and economic value.

• Many developers and enforcers contributed to this study to help determine the best, acceptable 

methods. 

• The frequency of the on-site inspections and the swiftness and severity of enforcement procedures 

are key concepts in regulation.

Products: 

• A chart displaying the effectiveness of various types of regulation and their effectiveness. 

User Community: 

• The results of this grant have been presented to the North Carolina Stormwater Management 

Consortium; the North Carolina Sediment Control Commission; and Taskforce 5, Agricultural

Pollution, of North Carolina Sediment Commission (two occasions). Additionally, presentations 

have been given at the following conferences: the 1998 Annual North Carolina Water Resources 

Research Conference; the 1998 Western North Carolina Erosion and Sediment Control 

Conference; the 2000 National Conference on Tools for Urban Water Resources Management 

and Protection; and the 2000 North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Conference. 

Presentations have also been made to ecological and benthological societies and universities in

the United States and Europe. 

Themes: 

Urban, Policies and Politics 

A critical problem in American rivers and streams is sedimentation. Sedimentation degrades the water 

quality, alters the habitat for fish and macro-invertebrates, limits ecosystem functions and services, and 

reduces the aesthetic and economic value of our rivers and streams. Many regulations and policy

incentives have been devised to control sediment pollution in rivers during construction in the area. This 

research studied various regulatory procedures and the overall effects of sedimentation on the stream

ecology before, during and after construction. The researchers posed one main question: What 

combinations of policies, regulations, and onsite inspections really work to enhance stream and ecosystem

health? The major goal of this study was to create more effective management strategies to provide 

sustainable development (environment, social, and economic) of watershed areas under construction 

(Reice and Andrews, 2000). 

Overview 

In the study 17 streams were sampled before, during and after construction. Samples were taken at the 

site, 100 meters upstream, and 100 meters downstream from the site (Reice and Andrews, 2000). Each 

sample was tested for its benthic (stream bottom) community level data, the water chemistry (including 

pH levels) and the decomposition of leaf litter. The 17 streams were located in three different counties in 

North Carolina, each with different county regulatory procedures. Regulatory procedures involve onsite 

inspections, the speed of enforcement, and the severity of enforcement. Interviews were conducted with 

the developers and the inspectors to find their opinion of different types of regulatory procedures as well. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-11 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Findings 

Hypothesis 1: Stronger erosion and sediment control regulation will result in less damage to streams. 

Differences in laws and regulations requiring erosion and sediment control have a limited impact on 

stream condition (Reice and Andrews, 2000). The key seems to be the frequency of the on-site

inspections and the swiftness and severity of the enforcement procedures. 

Hypothesis 2: Tighter enforcement and sediment control laws will result in less damage to streams. 

Reice and Andrews (2000) show that the nature and intensity of the enforcement does matter. With more 

frequent inspections and more severe penalties there is significantly less degradation of the stream. More 

frequent inspections and a cooperative, flexible approach effectively limit the damage to the stream

communities. The certainty of punishment is also a strong incentive to maintain erosion control 

procedures on site. 

Hypothesis 3: Small construction sites will cause more stream degradation than large construction sites. 

Small sites do actually cause more stream degradation than large construction sites; smaller areas are 

often only required to install silt fences that are commonly installed incorrectly and frequently fail (Reice 

and Andrews, 2000). In many areas, developers of small sites are not required to take as extensive 

erosion and sedimentation control measures as those required for larger sites. Smaller sites are also 

subject to fewer on-site inspections than larger sites. 

Hypothesis 4: There is greater degradation at the construction sites, less downstream and no changes 

upstream. 

The upstream conditions of the streams are used as “normal” comparisons for the on-site locations and the 

locations downstream (Reice and Andrews, 2000). On-site locations were dramatically impacted; the 

effect is sometimes reduced downstream but often persists. 

Conclusion 

Each of the three political jurisdictions studied differs in the stringency of its sediment and erosion control

requirements and the nature and intensity of enforcement of its regulations. The study showed the 

effectiveness of these methods for regulating sediment on construction sites. One jurisdiction is flexible 

with the developers, but provides input to them and takes the initiative to assure good sediment and 

erosion control. This jurisdiction has severe penalties (although they are rarely assessed), resulting in a 

high level of compliance with the regulations. Another jurisdiction subjects its developers to frequent onsite inspections and limited penalties, also resulting in a high level of compliance to the regulations. The 

third jurisdiction actively imposes minor penalties, but inspectors spend little time on each project, 

resulting in a lower level of compliance with its regulations. It was also observed that as the number of 

construction sites for which each inspector was responsible increased, there was a decrease in the 

compliance with regulations because as the regulators’ workload increased their task became more

difficult and resulted in less enforcement of the regulations. 

There are a few easy ways to create more effective management strategies to solve the problem of 

sedimentation in our streams, which degrades the water quality, limits ecosystem functions and services, 

and reduces the aesthetic and economic value of our rivers and streams. First, on-site inspections for all 

construction sites, large and small, should be frequent; this encourages the developers to comply with the 

regulations and policies. Acts of enforcement must be swift and strict. A threat of a “ Stop Work Order” 

will motivate any developer to abide by the regulations. In addition, a close working relationship between 

the developers and the inspectors should be reached. Both may need to compromise to get the job done 

while protecting stream quality. With these adjustments, sedimentation in streams and rivers due to 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-12 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

construction can be greatly reduced, resulting in an environmentally sustainable development of the 

watershed. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-13 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.6 STAR Grant R825289 

Geochemical, Biological, and Economical Effects of Arsenic and Other Oxyanions on a Mining 

Impacted Watershed 

Principle Investigator: Glenn C. Miller - University of Nevada- Reno 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Mining sites that have been abandoned can produce contaminants that enter the water system 

and travel downstream to agricultural and recreational areas

• Numerous relationships formed between the investigators, EPA Region 9 personnel, and the 

regulatory and mining communities during this study, which will continue into the future because 

the issues in the project remain very important for mining impacted areas. 

• The topics of the two workshops held as part of the grant were very timely, but the interest and 

effort expended on these topics has increased since the grant ended. 

• One pit-lake has developed since completion of the grant and the conceptual model developed as 

part of the grant has been shown to accurately predict the amount of oxidation products that

would be released into the pit-lake. 

Products: 

• Models of the concentration and transport of contaminants. 

• Surveys of many local residents.

• A pit-lake workshop was developed in Nevada in March 2000 and was attended by 260 persons 

from the mining, consultant, regulatory, and academic communities. 

• Two hundred and fifty people attended another workshop entitled “Closure, Remediation, and 

Management of Precious Metal Heap Facilities.” 

User Community: 

• The two workshops focused on closure of precious metals heaps and the prediction of water 

quality in precious metals pit-lakes. The organizations attending these workshops included: the 

Bureau of Land Management; the U.S. Forest Service; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the 

U.S. Geological Survey; the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection; the mining industry 

and its consultants; and several environmental organizations (Mineral Policy Center and Great 

Basin Mine Watch). The STAR Grant investigators continue to have regular interactions with the 

mining industry participants and are expanding research begun during the STAR grant. The 

results of this grant have allowed the environmental community to focus on issues of significance, 

rather than on non-issues, and have resulted in a more focused regulatory effort. 

Themes: 

Restoration, Economics, Toxins, Politics and Policies 

Background 

According to the Nevada Bureau of Mines, gold mining in Nevada has increased in recent years due to 

modern methods of extraction and now accounts for about 65-75% of the nation’s production (Miller et. 

al., 2001). This large increase from previous years can be attributed to the mining of large deposits of 

low-grade ore using new heap leaching methods of recovery that evolved in the 1970’s. Research 

conducted under this grant considered the environmental problems that have been introduced as a result 

of these new mining methods (Miller et al., 2001). The study was focused in the Humboldt River Basin 

in Nevada, but can be useful for other U.S. mining states with a focus on large-scale extraction of metals. 

The dramatic expansion of new mines in the last 20 years is now resulting in a large number of mine 

closures as the ore is mined out (Miller et al., 2001). While mining is active, the excavation site is 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-14 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

continuously dewatered. This is accomplished by pumping the water that accumulates from groundwater 

and rain, into nearby streams, allowing the extraction process to take place in relatively dry conditions. A 

mine closure results in the secession of dewatering and leaves a pit, which fills with water in the years and 

decades in the future. Closure of a mine includes a stabilization of chemical and physical properties of the 

area and is designed to allow the land and resources to return to uses that existed prior to mining. This 

closure scenario is, however, often not possible and some mines are likely to require very long term

maintenance and water quality management to prevent contaminants from being released to the surface or 

groundwater. The research in this study evaluated four problems: 

• Drainage of contaminated water from heaps (areas where cyanide was used to extract low-grade 

metal from the soil); 

• Pit-lake water quality (quality of man-made lakes, created from the filling of open pits); 

• Economic issues of dewatering; 

• Effects on wildlife from exposure to arsenic (a waste product of extraction mining where the land 

has not been returned to its previous state). 

This study allowed researchers to examine environmental issues associated with mining and encouraged 

others in the mining industry to find solutions that are less damaging to the environment but can be 

accomplished in a cost effective manner (Miller et al., 2001). 

 

Findings 

Contaminated water from Heaps 

In Nevada alone, between one and two billion tons of heap material, resulting from precious metal 

extraction mining using cyanide, will be abandoned in the next five to ten years (Miller et. al., 2001). 

Water from rain or snowmelt leaches contaminants from the abandoned heaps. This drainage water 

contains a variety of contaminants, including arsenic, antimony, selenium, and sulfate. Studies have 

shown that by controlling the pH levels (within midranges of 2-10pH) in the heap leachate, the adsorption 

behavior of some of the contaminants can be controlled, thus reducing the amount of contamination. 

Studies also showed that incorporating a cover to reduce the flow of water into the heap would have a 

significant effect on reducing the total mass of contaminants leached from the heap. 

Pit-Lake water quality 

When mining is completed and dewatering of the pit ceases, groundwater flows into the pits and standing 

bodies of water (artificial lakes) will form. The study used an older pit-lake for research because very

few pit-lakes presently exist and the basis for predicting long-term pit-lake water quality is mostly

hypothetical. Studies showed that the pit-lake was not very different from other lakes in the region. Pitlakes had a slightly basic pH and varied levels of arsenic and selenium (Hershey et al 2000). The results 

suggest that concentration of containments in pit-lakes due to evaporation of the water in them may be an 

important factor contributing to overall levels of metal concentrations, but more testing needs to be 

conducted on the chemical processes that occur in the lake. 

Effects of Arsenic on Aquatic Organisms 

This study researched the effects of arsenic on aquatic organisms in the presence of ultraviolet (UV) 

radiation from the sun. This is important because aquatic systems are exposed to varying levels of UV 

light constantly. Researchers studied the survival and ability to create viable offspring of crustaceans in 

various arsenic and UV conditions. Results showed that the survival rate of the crustaceans was affected 

only when relatively high levels of UV and arsenic were present. This research points to the importance 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-15 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

of using realistic UV exposures when testing survival rates, and gives a more adequate description of the 

affects of arsenic in aquatic habitats. 

Economic Impacts 

Miller et al. (2001) cites three studies summarized by Shaw and Netusil, which were conducted to 

evaluate the overall downstream impacts of dewatering: 

• A travel cost analysis using existing data (an approach that uses the public’s desire to travel to a 

particular destination despite long distances as a surrogate for estimated cost/value) was 

conducted (Huszar et al., 1999b). Dewatering of the mines stabilizes downstream flow and keeps 

the reservoirs full. The travel cost analysis examined a downstream reservoir to determine the 

value of visits made to the reservoir during dewatering of the mines verses visits once dewatering 

stopped. It was determined that during dewatering $100,000 per year in additional revenue would 

be created from the increase in visits to the reservoir. But once dewatering stops, the reservoirs

are no longer full because there is no longer a consistent supply of water to them and the 

consumers’ surplus is lost from downstream users. 

• A programming analysis was conducted to obtain the shadow values (environmental impacts of 

various management decisions expressed in monetary terms) in agricultural production. The 

model evaluated the impacts (gains and losses) on downstream agricultural users. The model 

allowed for changes in planting/ harvesting alfalfa (crop yield) due to stream flow, but not for

changes in irrigation patterns. With dewatering, the value of agricultural land in environmental 

terms (shadow price) is five times greater ($192/ acre/year) in the first year being modeled than 

under historical pre-dewatering flows (Lambert and Shaw, 2000). 

• A telephone valuation survey was also conducted to determine the willingness to pay for two 

programs related to dewatering. The respondents were first asked a question pertaining to the 

support of a continuation of the benefits from dewatering and then asked about their willingness 

to pay for a support program if the initial program fails and pit-lakes are created. By studying 

revenues generated by a nearby reservoir it was determined that a created pit-lake would only 

generate about $500,000 per year in new revenues (Huszar et al., 2001). 

Pumping costs run in the millions of dollars per year, which would indicate the total value to downstream

parties estimated above could not generate adequate revenues to economically justify continued pumping 

into the future. 

This research showed some of the negative effects of pit mining in watershed areas (Miller et al., 2001). 

In addition to the run-off of harmful contaminants into pit-lakes and the watershed, costs for dewatering 

of pit-lakes, and use for recreational activities were researched in this study. Although long-term effects 

are not entirely obvious, the short-term effects of mining in watershed areas on the chemical composition, 

biology, and economy are not promising. Important environmental issues associated with mining can 

now be brought to the attention to regulators and members of the public to focus on these problems and 

help form environmentally and economically sound solutions. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-16 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.7 STAR Grant R825290 

Integrating Modeling and Management of Agriculturally-Impacted Watersheds, Issues of Spatial 

and Temporal Scale 

Principal Investigator: Patrick Brezonik - University of Minnesota 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• Scientists tend to develop models that address cumulative effects at large scales while managers 

need to make localized decisions due to policy shifts. Therefore, the smaller agroecoregions are 

a useful aid to watershed managers. 

• Targeting regions to reduce non-point pollution is cost effective. 

• Residents surveyed were willing to pay increased taxes and water bills to reduce levels of 

phosphorus pollution. 

• Watershed management in highly agricultural watersheds will be most effective when watersheds 

are complemented by agroecoregions to identify and target regions where specific combinations 

of BMPs for agricultural sediment and nutrient abatement are most suited. 

Products: 

• Computer models were created along with statistical evaluations of long-term stream, lake, and 

groundwater data. 

(Available from website: http://www.soils.umn.edu/Research/research5.htm) 

• An eight-step process to aid decision makers to identify, assess and implement restoration 

measures in agriculturally intensive watersheds was created. 

• Farmers were surveyed to explore the magnitude of transaction costs in the context of potential

strategies to reduce agricultural pollution.

 User Community: 

• The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is developing best management practices 

(BMPs) to protect water quality within each agroecosystem as determined by this grant. Grant 

researchers helped the Natural Resources Conservation Service estimate the transaction costs of 

installing conservation practices nationally. The Minnesota River Basin Data Center, Minnesota 

State University, has a GIS data file containing the agroecosystems on its web site. The 

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, with MDA and U of M, is developing an instructional 

manual to identify the most appropriate BMPs by basin, ecoregion, and agroecoregion as part of 

its goal to Encourage Understanding of Origin and Remedy for Nonpoint Source Pollution 

Problems. The Basin Alliance for the Lower Mississippi in Minnesota (BALMM) is promoting the 

development of nutrient management plans that are consistent with and adaptive to the 

agroecosystems within the basin. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the 

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and several environmental advocacy organizations 

are also use results derived from this grant. 

Themes: 

Multi-Criteria Study, Agriculture, Economics, Politics and Policies 

Long-term, large-scale research studies and models often do not meet watershed managers’ needs. 

Scientists are addressing cumulative effects over large areas and long timeframes, but policy shifts are 

forcing managers to make decisions on a more local and short-term basis. Effective implementation of 

watershed management principles requires that models incorporate knowledge about effects at longer 

time frames and larger areas into more localized decision-making. This study researched the usefulness 

of smaller scale land units or agroecoregions instead of large watershed units typically used for watershed 

management (Brezonik et al., 2001). Agroecoregions are landscapes within watershed areas with uniform

crop productivity, climate, geological material, soil drainage, and slope steepness (there are usually about 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-17 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

two agroecoregions per watershed). The study compared economic, stream ecology, aquatic chemistry,

and soil science findings between the typical watershed areas and the smaller agroecoregions. 

Findings 

Agroecoregions were a useful study unit to address trends and aid in watershed management. 

Economically, it is more cost effective to reduce pollution in watershed areas by first targeting the 

specific regions or practices from where the pollution originates (Brezonik et al., 2001). Dividing 

watershed areas into agroecoregions facilitates the targeting of problem areas. In stream ecology the 

biological composition tends to be more strongly influenced by local habitat; therefore, dividing the 

watershed into agroecoregions creates less variability in results. The standard variation in results is also 

reduced when aquatic chemistry is measured at finer scales. Furthermore, when smaller scale landscape 

units were used, findings became more useful to natural resource managers in establishing regionally

specific water quality goals and prioritizing their use of funds. In stream ecology, aquatic chemistry and 

landscape analysis, using reduced areas (agroecoregions) produced more noticeable trends useful for 

implementing watershed management plans. 

Smaller land areas are also useful for predictive modeling in scenario analysis. Using models, simple and 

rapid methods can be developed to provide tools for watershed management. For example, this study

showed the effectiveness of conservation tillage on highly erodible land. 

Implications 

In this study, subdividing the basin’s watershed into agroecoregions enhanced predictability of stream

water quality parameters (Brezonik et al., 2001). This approach can help target cleanup efforts to the 

most sensitive soils and landscapes within the most critical watersheds. This study showed that some 

indicators of water quality functioned better at the finer scale of agroecoregions or by areas defined by the 

intersections of agroecoregions and major watersheds than by watersheds alone. Watershed management 

in highly agricultural watersheds will be most effective when watersheds are complemented by

agroecoregions to identify and target regions where specific best management plans for agricultural 

sediment and nutrient abatement are most suited. 

An eight-step process was developed by researchers in this study to aid decision-makers with identifying, 

assessing and implementing restoration measures in agriculturally intensive watersheds (Brezonik et al., 

2001): 

1. Identify the problem in the area 

2. Monitor the water quality 

3. Evaluate the pollution sources 

4. Set water quality goals 

5. Identify the land characteristics that are affecting water quality

6. Prioritize watersheds and target specific agroecoregions within watersheds 

7. Identify Best Management Practices (BMPs) and approaches that are cost-effective in improving 

or maintaining water quality

8. Implement BMPs and monitor progress toward goals 

This plan manages landscapes or environments comprehensively while still incorporating the unique 

requirements of local resources and communities. Using this plan will help to integrate long term goals of 

scientists with the short term desires of the decision-makers and the community. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-18 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.8 STAR Grant R825306 

Watershed Protection in Agricultural Environments: Integrated Social, Geomorphological, and 

Ecological Research to Support Ecosystem- Based Stream Management 

Principal Investigator: Dr. Bruce L. Rhoads, University of Illinois 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• This study integrates the values of farmers and stakeholders with geomorphological and 

ecological data (stream channelization).

• The investigators determined the importance of linking scientific understanding with social 

factors motivating farmers to influence agricultural practices. 

• Educating farmers with scientific information must be done in a manner that recognizes the value 

system of farmers and how and why it varies from that of environmental scientists. 

• Meandering streams are better for fish abundance and biomass than straight channelized 

streams.

Products:

• Determined methods that impede and facilitate infusion of scientific knowledge to farmers 

• Charts and diagrams available from study 

• Results of interviews with farmers of the region regarding their professional issues and how they 

perceive scientific research and findings 

User Community: 

• The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s District Commissioner will be presenting the 

results of this grant at their summer training sessions. Other users include the Illinois 

Department of Natural Resources, the State Farm Bureau, and the State Drainage Districts. 

Themes: 

Agriculture, Politics and Policies

Many farmers have a difficult time using scientific research results on their land because farmers often 

feel the scientists’ opinions are insensitive and not very understanding of farmers’ every day concerns. 

However, research shows that many practices traditionally used by farmers negatively impact the 

environment. The work performed under this grant sought to integrate the social and ecological aspects of 

watershed protection in agricultural areas of the Midwest and can be used for other regions of the United 

States where agricultural impacts on watersheds are a concern. This research studied the effect of 

agriculture and biomass (the amount of living material within an area) in human-modified, channelized 

streams verses natural un-channelized streams (Rhoads et al., 2001). 

History 

Wetlands historically were thought of as wastelands, places where viable produce could not be grown. As 

settlers used the land for cattle they discovered that wetland areas were very fertile and good for crops and 

soon attitudes changed. Farmers began to drain the land and this practice slowly became institutionalized. 

Presently many farmers still practice wetland draining and feel that well maintained drainage increases 

farm productivity and is an aesthetic element of a well-kept farm. 

Farming Today

Today, after 150 years, farmers still use wetland drainage and other techniques of farming (e.g., farming 

to stream edges, chemicals [fertilizers, pesticides], and adaptations to “no-tilling” laws) despite advice 

from local scientific authorities (Rhoads et al., 2001). Open-ended interviews show that farmers view 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-19 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

themselves as true environmentalists and people of the land and do not easily change their ways (Rhoads 

et al., 2001). The interviews showed that some farmers view the suggestions and opinions of scientists as 

insensitive and uncaring of the farmer’s life and concerns. Farmers today know that they are an important 

part of society, but they feel that they are often not viewed this way by society. In the Midwest 

particularly, farmers feel that they have little political power and are not given the respect they deserve. 

Previous studies have shown that cooperation is an effective way to develop mutually beneficial 

environmental solutions. Many different aspects come into play, including historical context, economic 

context, legality, and scientific and local knowledge. These aspects combine to integrate the values of 

both the scientist and the local farmers to develop a common understanding (Rhoads et al., 2001). 

Effects of Land Use and Channelization

Research was done in East Central Illinois, a distinctive agricultural landscape in the Midwestern United 

States, on the watersheds and streams (Rhoads et al., 2001). The different types of fish within the stream’s 

riparian area and the stream’s geomorphic features were studied. Most farmers convert streams into 

straight drainage channels while natural streams tend to meander. Streams in the upper Embarras River 

basin were studied to determine the differences between the natural meandering stream and the humaninfluenced straight stream. It was discovered that the meandering streams have greater variability in the 

general geomorphic features over time and space, resulting in greater habitat diversity and fish abundance 

than in the straight streams.

 

Summary

This research has improved the understanding of the concerns of farmers involving the opinions and 

suggestions of scientific research in East Central Illinois (Rhoads et al., 2001). Environmental information 

provided for the farmers must be delivered in a manner that recognizes the value systems of farmers. 

Farmers in general need to understand that updating their methods will, in the long run, save their land 

and allow their farms to remain profitable. 

The research also improved understanding of the connection among geographic morphological conditions 

(the conditions of plant and animal life in an area), physical habitat and biodiversity in natural streams 

and human influenced streams. In particular research shows how complexity in stream types affect the 

diversity of habitat. These findings can be used to teach farmers how draining can affect the land and the 

biomass in the area (Rhoads et al., 2001). 

Organizations such as the USDA-NRCS (US Department of Agriculture-Natural Resource Conservation 

Service) are available to aid farmers in transitioning to a more environmentally sound farm by assessing 

the land’s resources, drawing on the scientific contributions relevant to the needs of the area, and working 

closely with land-users to develop plans that mesh with predetermined objectives. When farmers can see 

how watershed draining and channelization affects their land, they will be better able to understand the 

implications of their farming practices, and will be motivated to change their methods to improve their 

environment. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-20 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.9 STAR Grant R825335 

Modeling Effects of Alternative Landscape Design and Management on Water Quality and 

Biodiversity in Midwestern Agricultural Watersheds

Principal Investigator: Mary V. Santelmann - Oregon State University

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• This study evaluated alternative futures of agricultural watersheds based on a process of 

involving a diverse array of disciplinary experts in the future landscape design. 

• Ecological and economic analyses of these small (5000-8000 ha) watersheds indicated that some 

changes in land use and agricultural practices result in environmental improvements and 

increased profitability of the enterprise. 

Products: 

• Species habitat association matrices were developed for non-fish vertebrates, butterflies and 

plants. 

• Spatially Explicit Population Models (SEPMs) were developed to explore the potential for 

alternate land use and management options to restore native biodiversity (Clark and Danielson 

in review). 

• Existing models were also employed to characterize the potential effects of landscape change on

amphibian populations (Rustigian et al. in press) as well as all native vertebrates, butterflies, and 

plants (Freemark et al. in prep., Santelmann et al. in prep.). 

User Community: 

• Lessons learned from this grant were presented to the Illinois EPA and the Illinois Department of 

Natural Resources (IDNR), and influenced the design of an alternative futures project that is 

being sponsored by U.S. EPA Region 5, U.S. EPA’s National Wetlands Program, the IDNR and 

Kane County, Illinois. Future land use scenarios, including stream corridor and wetland 

conservation, were developed for the Blackberry Creek watershed (Fox River Basin) by a local 

landscape architect. 

• The EPA Region 10 liaison for salmon listings has inquired about this project and may use the 

results in his work. 

• Interest by the Forest Science Lab in Lincoln, NB resulted in a workshop at the 2002 

International Association of Landscape Ecology’s annual meeting.

• Scientists participating in the Scientific Consulting Group Workshop (on interdisciplinary 

research), U.S. EPA STAR program, were informed about this project in October 2000. 

• Numerous educators are using the results of this grant in both graduate and undergraduate 

courses, with attendees from the fields of resource geography, fisheries and wildlife, forest 

science, marine resource management, botany and plant pathology, economics, ecology, rural 

studies, and landscape architecture. 

Themes: 

Agriculture, Economics 

This study focused on the design and evaluation of future scenarios associated with a range of human land 

use and management choices for watersheds. The findings can be used to plan for future uses of 

agricultural land and to guide research on changes that may need to be made in order to improve the longterm outcome of these uses. Changes in the economic profitability of enterprises in the area were studied 

along with overall change in water quality and biological diversity for a well-rounded assessment of 

effects of alternative landscape design (Santelmann et al. 2001 and Santelmann et al. in review). 

 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-21 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Water Quality 

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model (Arnold et al. 1995) was calibrated using data 

collected from the study watersheds, and used to determine the potential effects of alternative agricultural 

land use practices on surface water quality with respect to sediment and nutrient transport (Vache et al. 

2002). Suspended solid and nitrate concentrations remained extremely high in the watershed under 

current land use and the scenario that focused on agricultural production. In the futures designed to 

restore water quality and enhance biodiversity, concentrations of solids and nitrates were reduced by 30-

75% of existing exports (depending on the watershed and scenario). To help reduce nutrient export, it is 

important to reduce input of nitrates and restore or construct wetlands in key locations where tile drainage 

is received before entering streams. Modifying land use practices such as grazing in the riparian zone and 

maintaining perennial cover near and within the riparian zone were practices related to reductions in 

erosion-related water quality problems. 

Biological Diversity 

Non-fish vertebrates (mammals, reptiles and amphibians) and butterflies were studied to determine the 

effects of changes in land use and management practices on biological diversity in a watershed. Specieshabitat relationships were established and model-runs with sensitivity analyses were performed (Rustigian 

et al. in press, Freemark et al. in prep.) Plant biological diversity was studied as well, with a focus on 

species-habitat associations and evaluation of future scenarios (Santelmann et al. in prep.). Scenarios were 

tested for their potential to conserve or restore native biodiversity in watersheds. The effects of nutrient 

loading from agricultural runoff on wetland plant diversity were also studied in controlled experiments 

with native and invasive plant species. It was determined that biological diversity can be restored when 

habitat for the native species is created. However, in the modeling study of all of the mammals found 

within the watershed, competition for resources (and other interspecific interactions) were found to be as 

important as habitat area in influencing population growth and persistence for some species. 

Economic Analysis 

The profitability of farming was researched for three different policy scenarios (Coiner et al. 2000, 

Santelmann et al. 2001). Crop yields were projected for the next 30 years and were compared to the 

current profitability of farming. Economic analyses of the small watersheds tested, indicated that some

changes in land-use and agricultural practices result in environmental improvements and increased 

profitability of the enterprise, while others involve tradeoffs between economic and environmental 

objectives. There might also be tradeoffs among different components of environmental quality or 

different components of water quality improvements. 

Different styles of agricultural management produce different effects on the land in the area. For example, 

using conservation tillage systems rather than conventional or traditional tillage methods tends to allow 

more weeds and a higher nitrogen leaching rate, but causes less disruption of animal life cycles. 

Traditional tillage methods have a higher rate of soil erosion and soil compaction as well as an overall 

higher fixed cost for machinery and maintenance. Comparing conservation tillage to no-tillage, notillage reduces erosion and is less expensive, but includes a variable cost for weed control. Ecological 

principals and guidelines must be incorporated into land-use and management decisions on agricultural 

land and the aquatic systems to which they are linked. To make land-use decisions, managers and the 

farmers should incorporate plans for the future in their ideas for today. 

 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-22 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

2.10 STAR Grant R825381 

Integrated Urban Watershed Analysis: The Los Angeles Basin and Coastal Environment 

Principal Investigator: Richard Turco – University of California, Los Angeles 

Successes and Lessons Learned: 

• This study integrated four major components of a coastal urban region: air, land, wetlands, and 

ocean; all play a role in the overall quality and supply of water to an area. They interact and 

affect levels of pollution in the system.

• There are different types of indicators available and different methods of evaluation of watershed 

components and relationships, including differences in spatial measurements and watershed 

components.

Products: 

• Graphics in final report of all steps in project including charts and diagrams suitable for use by

decision makers 

• Development of a regional ocean modeling system. 

• Links four main components of an ecosystem (air and atmospheric processes, land and 

hydrological processes, wetlands and ecological processes, marine and coastal processes) to 

evaluate water quality in a major urban watershed.

User Community: 

• Academic Community, Water Agencies, Environmental NGOs 

Themes: 

Wetlands, Multi-Criteria Study, Urban 

Water availability and quality in major cities such as Los Angeles (LA) are major environmental 

concerns. It is important to understand many aspects of the water resource problem in order to see the 

entire picture. This includes regional meteorology, vegetation and land use, basin hydrology, water 

consumption and disposition, runoff sources, and toxic and nutrients loads. This study used monitoring 

data and existing models to investigate the processes that control water quality in a major urban 

watershed. The research results will contribute to other studies aimed at scientific understanding of the 

watershed system, environmental impact assessment, or restoration and mitigation schemes, and can be 

used as a model for various urban regions (Turco et al., 2002). 

Part of the effort has focused on the key components of the problems in watersheds. The component 

analysis has been divided into four main areas; air and atmospheric processes; land and hydrological 

processes; wetlands and ecological processes; and marine and coastal ocean processes (Turco et al., 

2002). For the present study, these components were linked in an assessment of the sources and 

distributions of key pollutants in Santa Monica Bay, which is influenced by several large watersheds. 

Air. The Air component of the LA Watershed project considered atmospheric processes that significantly

influence the coupled system of land, wetlands and coastal ocean and the flow of water and pollutants 

through that system. Precipitation levels provided information on the distribution of precipitation among 

the major watersheds in the region as well as detailed rainfall data for hydrologic simulations. A regional 

climate record was also fully reconstructed. This record is useful for estimating potential extremes in 

precipitation and corresponding stream flow to the coastal zones. Using models, a three dimensional 

view was also created that shows how elevated pollutant layers can form over the Los Angeles Basin 

(leading to pollutant disposition on inland headwaters). This demonstrates the various pathways by which 

urban pollutants are dispersed over other areas adjacent and even remote. 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-23 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Land. The Land component of the LA Watershed project sought to develop predictive models 

representing the physical, hydrological and runoff characteristics of the watersheds that feed the coastal 

waters. Watersheds were characterized using detailed information on elevation, land use, vegetation type, 

and soil properties collected from regional agencies. It was determined that pollutant inputs to coastal 

waters from stormwater are greater than inputs from treated wastewaters, suggesting a future focus on 

limiting the number and concentration of contaminants in stormwater. Biological diversity (both animal 

and plant) is also affected by the water sources and the amount of development in the urban area. Most of 

the area’s vegetation is fed by water imported through irrigation, which can influence the microclimates 

in urban neighborhoods and can impact the overall air quality. Native vegetation is found in pockets of 

non-irrigated habitats; however, extensive channeling of waterways has reduced the opportunity for 

stormwater to hydrate the area. The animal life in the urban area is affected by the widespread use of 

pesticides and herbicides that affect the native habitat of the area. Species that are more reliant on large 

areas of native habitat are in a more precarious state. Only adaptable species like raccoons and squirrels 

are still found in areas with native vegetation. 

Wetlands. The L.A. Watershed project Wetland component examined the fate, transport and ecosystem

effects of chemical substances in certain important watersheds along the coast. The main objective was to 

determine how pollutants affect the area and its associated resources. In highly urbanized zones, land 

runoff typically contains a substantial burden of pollution associated with development and land-use 

patterns. It was found that due to a high level of nitrogen in the water, algal growth was increased. On 

the other hand, low levels of nitrogen in the sediment were measured. The effects of different amounts of 

chemical pollutants on the abundance and population dynamics of estuarine fish were evaluated, although 

specific thresholds on the amount of pollutants and the pollution effects were not established. The 

degradation and destruction of the tidal wetlands in the area have reduced the natural ability of these 

ecosystems to cleanse land runoff of pollutants. The resulting pollution leads to a severe and continuing 

decrease in the amounts of dissolved oxygen, and increases in the growth of algae, in the receiving 

waters. Both effects are harmful to fish populations. 

Coastal Ocean. The Coastal Ocean component of the L.A. Watershed project addressed a range of issues 

associated with coastal marine science, and linked coastal studies to other components of the overall 

watershed analysis. The primary focus in this area was the assessment of sources of pollution of the 

coastal waters of Santa Monica Bay, one of the largest and most economically important coastal assets in 

Southern California. Land and air sources were derived from those component analyses. Also studied 

was the movement of sedimentary DDT (although banned many years ago, these compounds are still 

prevalent in bay sediments). Pollutant contributions due to sewage outflows and industrial dumping were 

also considered. The work showed that an integrated analysis of coastal pollution leads to information 

that can be used to guide remediation plans for the region. 

Summary. The L.A. Watershed study integrated the four major components of a coastal urban region: 

air, land, wetlands, and ocean. These components all play a role in the overall quality and supply of 

water. The interacting components affect levels of pollution within the entire system, and must all be 

considered when developing a plan for pollution control or remediation (Turco et al., 2002). 

Successes. Results, and Findings 2-24 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

 REFERENCES 

STAR GRANT 82-4905 

Cole, C.A., and R.P. Brooks “A Comparison of the Hydrologic Characteristics of Natural and Created 

Mainstream Floodplain Wetlands in Pennsylvania.” Ecological Engineering, 14 (3). Feb. (2000): 

221-231. 2000a. 

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Cole, C.A., R.P. Brooks, and D.H. Wardrop “Watersheds and Wetlands: Large-scale Disturbances 

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Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center. (2000): EPA GR824905-01-0. 

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Organic Matter in Created Wetlands of Central Pennsylvania, USA.” Ecological Engineering, 17 

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Shaffer, P.W., C.A. Cole, M.E. Kentula, and R.P. Brooks “Effects of Measurement Frequency on 

Water Level Summary Statistics.” Wetlands, 20 (1). Mar. (2000): 148-161. 

STAR GRANT 82-5159 

Arnosti, C., S.C. Keith, and N.V. Blough “Application of Fluorescence Spectroscopic Techniques 

and Probes to the Detection of Biopolymer Degradation in Natural Environments.” Marine 

Chemistry 71 (2000): 321-330. 

Arnosti, C., and N. V. Blough “Development and Application of Spectroscopic Probes for 

Measurement of Microbial Activity in Aquatic Ecosystems.” University of North Carolina at 

Chapel Hill, University of Maryland at College Park: (2001). 

STAR GRANT 82-5284 

Booth, D.B., and P.C. Henshaw “Rates of Channel Erosion in Small Urban Streams.” Stream Channels in

Disturbed Environments, American Geophysical Union Monograph Series. Wigmosta, M. ed. 

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Booth, D.B., C.P. Konrad, S.A. Morely, M.G. Larson, J.R. Karr, S. Schauman, and S.J. Burges. 

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Burges, S.J., D.B. Booth, S. Schauman, and J.R. Karr. “Urban Stream Rehabilitation in the Pacific 

 Northwest.” Final Report, University of Washington, Seattle. (2001): Grant R82-5284-010. 

Doberstein, C.P., J.R. Karr, and L.L. Conquest. “The Effect of Fixed-Count Subsampling on 

 Macroinvertebrate Biomonitoring in Small Streams.” Freshwater Biology 44 (2000): 355-371.

Hawke, M.A., and J.R. Karr, “Ecological Responses and Compensatory Mechanisms: Using 

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Ecological Knowledge to Improve Remediation Efforts.” Natural Remediation of Environmental 

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Stahl, Jr., and S.J. Ells, eds., SETAC Press, Pensacola, FL. (2000): 31-56. 

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Larson, M.L., D.B. Booth, and S.M. Morley, “Effectiveness of Large Woody Debris in Stream 

Rehabilitation Projects in Urban Basins.” Ecological Engineering, 18 (2), Dec. (2001): 211-226. 

Morley, S.A. and J.R. Karr, “Assessing and Restoring the Health of Urban Streams in the Puget 

 Sound Basin.” Conservation Biology, (2002). 

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Achieving Sustainability in the 21st Century: Concepts and New Approaches to Environmental 

Management.” Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, Toronto: University of Toronto 

Press, VI:IX, (1999): 3-40. 

Schauman, S., “The Garden and the Red Barn: The Pervasive Pastoral and Its Environmental 

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Schauman, S., and S. Salisbury, “Restoring Nature in the City: Puget Sound Experiences.” Landscape and

Urban Planning, 42 (1998): 287-295. 

References 3-2 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Scholz, J.G. and D.B. Booth, “Monitoring Urban Streams: Strategies and Protocols for HumidRegion Lowland Systems.” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 71 (2001): 143-164.

STAR GRANT 82-5285 

Sabatier, P, L. Botsford, M. Johnston, et al. “An Integrated Approach to Assessing Water Management 

Options in a Major Watersheds: Extending a Hydrodynamic-Water Quality Model to Include 

Biological and Politico-Economic Components.” Final Report, (2002): EPA Grant R82-5285.

Weinberg, M., C.A. Lawrence, J.D. Anderson, et al. “Biological and Economic Implications of 

Sacramento Watershed Management Options.” Journal of the American Water Resources 

Association, 38, (2), (2002): AWRA Paper Number 01082. 

STAR GRANT 82-5286 

Reice, S.R. and R.N. Andrews, “Effectiveness of Regulatory Incentives for Sediment Pollution 

Prevention: Evaluation Through Policy Analysis and Biomonitoring.” University of North 

Carolina at Chapel Hill. (2000). 

STAR GRANT 82-5289 

Booth, D.B., J.R. Karr, S. Schauman, “Urban Stream Rehabilitation in the Pacific Northwest.” Final 

Report, University of Washington, (2001): EPA Grant R82-5284-010. 

 

Chen, Y., G.C. Miller, and C.C. Pristos “Reaction of Mercury Cyanide (HgCN2) in Precious Mining 

Fluid.” Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering MS-199, University of Nevada, 

Reno, (2001).

Chu, E.W., and J.R. Karr “Environmental Impact, Concept and Measurement Of.”. Encyclopedia of

Biodiversity,. Levin, S.A. ed. Orlando, FL, Academic Press, 2 (2001): 557-577. 

Decker, D.L. and S.W. Tyler, “Evaluation of Flow and Solute Transport Parameters for Heap Leach 

 Recovery Materials.” Journal of Environmental Quality, 28 (2) (1999): 543-555.

Decker, D.L., S.W. Tyler, C. Papelis, and J. Simunek “A Reactive Transport Model for Arsenic in 

Unsaturated Gold Mine Heap and Waste Rock Structures.” Proceedings: Geological Society of 

America, Denver, CO. (1999). 

Decker, D.L., S.W. Tyler, C. Papelis, and J. Simunek, “Experimental pH-Dependent Arsenic 

Oxyanion Adsorption on Gold Ore: An Effort in Support of a Reactive Flow and Transport 

Model for Oxyanion Transport in Spent Mine Waste.” Presented at the Geological Society of 

America Symposium, Reno, NV, (2000).

Hansen, L.J., A. Whitehead, and S.L. Anderson, “Solar UV Radiation Enhances the Toxicity of 

 Arsenic in Ceriodaphnia Dubia.” Ecotoxicology, (2001). 

Hershey, R.L., C. Papelis, and G.C. Miller, “Analysis of Sediments from a Copper Rich Pit Lake 

Using Scanning Electron Microscopy/energy Dispersive X-rays.” 1998 Conference on Hazardous 

Waste Research, Snowbird, UT, Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Hazardous Substance Research 

Center, Manhattan, KS, 19 (1998). 

References 3-3 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Hershey, R.L., C. Papelis, and G.C. Miller, “Geochemical Model of the Arimetco Pit Lake, 

Yerington, Nevada.” Presented at the Pit Lakes Workshop, Mar. (2000). 

Huszar, E., N. Netusil, and W.D. Shaw “Contingent Valuation of Some Externalities from Gold 

Mining.” Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. (1999). 1999a.

Huszar, E., W.D. Shaw, N. Netusil, and J. Englin “Recreational Damages from Reservoir Storage 

Level Changes.” Water Resources Research, 35 (11) (1999): 3489-3494. 1999b. 

Huszar, E. N. Netusil, and W.D. Shaw. “Contingent Valuation of Some Externalities from Gold Mining.” 

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Karr, J.R. “Rivers As Sentinels: Using the Biology of Rivers to Guide Landscape Management.” 

River Ecology and Management: Lessons from the Pacific Coastal Ecoregion, Naiman, R.J. and 

R.E. Bilby ed., Springer-Verlag, New York, (1998): 502-528. 

Karr, J.R., “Defining and Measuring River Health.” Freshwater Biology, 41 (1999): 221-234. 

Karr, J.R., “Health, Integrity, and Biological Assessment: the Importance of Whole Things.” Ecological

Integrity: Integrating Environment, Conservation, and Health. In: Pimentel, D.L., L. Westra, and 

R.F. Noss, eds. Washington, DC, Island Press, (2001): 209-226. 

Karr, J.R., and E.W. Chu, “Sustaining Living Rivers.” Hydrobiologia, (2000): 422-423. 

Karr, J.R., J.D. Allan, and A.C. Benke, “River conservation in the United States and Canada.” 

Global Perspectives on River Conservation: Science, Policy, and Practice, Boon, P.J., B.R. 

Davies, and G.E. Petts, eds. J. Wiley, New York, (2000): 3-39. 

Kimberling, D.N., J.R. Karr, and L.S. Fore, “Measuring Human Disturbance Using Terrestrial

Invertebrates in Shrub-Steppe of Eastern Washington, USA.” Ecological Indicators, (2001). 

Kosich, D. and G. Miller, “Closure, Remediation, and Management of Precious Metals Heap Leach 

Facilities.” Cosponsored by the University of Nevada, Reno’s Center for Environmental Sciences 

and Engineering and Division of Continuing Education and North American Mining, (1999). 

Lambert, D.K. and W.D. Shaw, “Agricultural and Recreational Impacts from Surface Flow Changes 

Due to Gold Mining Operations.” Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 25 (2) 

(2000): 533-546. 

Miller, G.C., C. Hoonhout, W.W. Miller, and M.M. Miller, “Geochemistry of Closed Heaps: a 

Rationale for Drainage Water Quality.” Closure, Remediation and Management of Precious 

Metals Heap Leach Facilities, Kosich, D., and G.C. Miller, eds. University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 

(1999). 

Miller, G.C., and R.L. Hershey, “An Alternative Model for Evolution of Pit Lake Geochemistry.” 

Presented at the Pit Lakes Workshop, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

(2000). 

Miller, G.C., and C.A. Pritsos, “Unresolved Problems with the Use of Cyanide in Open Pit Precious 

Metals Mining.” Cyanide: Social, Industrial and Economic Aspects, Young, C.A., L.G. Tidwell, 

and C.G. Anderson, eds. The Mineral Metals and Materials Society, Warrendale, PA. (2001). 

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Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Miller, G.C., W. W. Miller, S. Tyler, D. Shaw, et. al. “Geochemical, Biological and Economic Effects of 

Arsenic and Other Oxyanions on a Mining Impacted Watershed.” Final Report, University of 

Nevada–Reno, Desert Research Institute, University of California–Davis, Bodega Marine 

Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, (2001). 

Netusil, N., W.D. Shaw, E. Huszar, and C. Leversee, “Potential Impacts of Mine Dewatering in the 

Humboldt River Basin of Nevada: Preliminary Results,” Proceedings of the 1998 Annual 

Meetings of the University Council on Water Resources, (1998). 

Shaw, W.D., J. Englin, E. Huszar, and N. Netusil “Water Rights and Recreational Damages from

Reservoir Level Changes.” Department of Applied Economics and Statistics/204, University of 

Nevada, Reno. (1998). 

Shaw, W.D., M. Eiswerth, and E. Huszar, “Environmental Damages from Gold Mining. Special 

Issue of Environmental Economics.” Colegio de Economistas de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. 

(2000). 

Tsukamoto, T.K., and G.C. Miller, “Methanol as a Carbon Source for Bioremediation of Acid Mine 

 Drainage.” Water Research, 33 (1999): 1365-1370. 1999a. 

Tsukamoto, T.K., and G. C. Miller, “Nutrient Enhanced Passive Bioreactor for Treatment of Acid 

Mine Drainage.” Closure, Remediation and Management of Precious Metals Heap Leach 

Facilities, Kositch, D. and G.C. Miller, eds. University of Nevada, Reno, NV, (1999). 1999b. 

Tyler S. and D. Decker, “Hydrodynamics and Solute Transport in Heap Leach Mining.” Closure,

Remediation and Management of Precious Metals Heap Leach Facilities, In: Kositch, 

D. and G.C. Miller, eds. University of Nevada, Reno, NV, (1999). 

Westra, L., P. Miller, J.R. Karr, W. Rees, and R. Ulanowicz “Ecological Integrity and the Aims of 

the Global Integrity Project.” Ecological Integrity: Integrating Environment, Conservation, and 

Health. In: Pimentel, D.L., L. Westra, and R.F. Noss, eds. Washington, DC, Island Press, (2000): 

19-41. 

STAR GRANT 82-5290 

Brezonik, P, D. Mulla, J.A. Perry, et al. “Integrating Modeling and Management of AgriculturallyImpacted Watersheds, Issues of Spatial and Temporal Scale” Final Report, EPA Grant R825290, 

Chapter 5, Summary of Technical Results from Discipline-Based Studies, Water Resources 

Center, University of Minnesota. (2001). 

STAR GRANT 82-5306 

Frothingham, K.M., B.L. Rhoads, and E.E. Herricks, “Stream Geomorphology and Fish Community

Structure in Channelized and Meandering Reaches of an Agricultural Stream Geomorphic 

Processes and Riverine Habit.” AGU Water Science and Application, 4 (2001): 105-117. 2001a. 

Frothingham, K.M., B.L. Rhoads, E.E. Herricks, “Stream geomorphology and fisheries in Channelized 

and meandering reaches of an agricultural stream.” Special volume, Geomorphology and Aquatic 

Habitat, American Geophysical Union Monograph Series, (2001). 2001b. 

References 3-5 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Herricks, E.E., “An Ecological Design Paradigm for Watershed Management.” Proceedings of the

International Workshop on Watershed Management in the 21st Century, Taipei, Taiwan, (2000): 

73-92. 

Rhoads, B.L. and E.E. Herricks, “Naturalization of Headwater Agricultural Streams in Illinois: 

Challenges and Possibilities.” In: River Channel Restoration, Brookes, A. and D. Shields, eds., 

Wiley, Chichester, (1996): 331-367. 

Rhoads, B.L., and M.A. Urban, “Human-induced Geomorphic Change in Low-energy Agricultural 

Streams: An example from East-central Illinois.” Management of Landscapes Disturbed by

Channel Incision: Proceedings of the Conference on Management of Landscapes Disturbed by 

Channel Incision, Wang, S.S.Y., E.J. Langendoen, and F.D. Shields, Jr., eds., The University of 

Mississippi, Oxford, MS, (1997): 968-76. 

Rhoads, B.L. and K.M. Monahan, "Geomorphological Principles for 'Naturalizing' Streams and 

Rivers in Illinois." Proceedings, Governor's Conference on the Management of the Illinois River 

System, Peoria, IL, (1997): 79-87. 

Rhoads, B.L., M. Urban, D. Wilson, and E.E. Herricks, “Interaction Between Scientists and 

Nonscientists in Community-Based Watershed Management: Emergence of the Concept of 

Stream Naturalization.” Environmental Management, 24 (1999): 297-308. 

Rhoads, B.L., E.E. Herricks, and D. Wilson “Watershed Protection in Agricultural Environments: 

Integrated Social, Geomorphological, and Ecological Research To Support Ecosystem-Based 

Stream Management.” University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (2000). 

Rhoads, B.L., E.E. Herricks and D. Wilson “Watershed Protection in Agricultural Environments: 

Integrated Social, Geomorphological and Ecological Research to Support Ecosystem-based 

Stream Management.” Final Technical Report. University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign,

(2001). 

Wilson, D. and D.A. Morrison, “Farmers, Agriculture Practices and Identity; Re-Conceptualizing Our 

Understanding of Agriculture.” The Professional Geographer, (2001). 

Wilson, D., M. Urban, M. Graves, and D. Morrison, “Beyond the Economic: Farmer Practices and

Identities in Central Illinois, USA” University of Illinois, Journal of Rural Studies, (2001). 

STAR GRANT 82-5335 

Arnold, J. G., J. R. Williams, and D. R. Maidment, “Continuous-Time Water and Sediment Routing 

Model for Large Basins,” Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 121(2): 171-183, (1995) 

Clark, M.E., and B.J. Danielson, “Effects of landscape and species interactions on mammal community

 dynamics and implications for conservation,” Oikos, (In review). 

Coiner, C., J. Wu and S. Polasky, “Economic and Environmental Implications of Alternative Landscape 

Designs in the Walnut Creek Watershed of Iowa,” Annual Meeting of the American Agricultural 

Economics Association, Orlando, Florida, (2000). 

Coiner, C.J., J. Wu, and S.J. Polasky “Economic and Environmental Implications of Alternative 

 Landscape Designs in the Walnut Creek Watershed of Iowa.” Ecological Economics, (2001).

References 3-6 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Corry, R.C. and J.I. Nassauer “Managing for Small Patch Patterns in Human-dominated Landscapes: 

Cultural Factors and Corn Belt Agriculture.” In Liu, J. and W. Taylor, (eds.), Integrating 

Landscape Ecology into Natural Resource Management, Cambridge University Press (2001). 

Freemark, K.E., J. Sifneos, D. White, M. Santlemann, “Assessing risks to wildlife from future change in 

agricultural watersheds in the Midwest USA,” (In prep.). 

Nassauer, J. I. and R.C. Corry, “Cultural acceptability: Farmer Perceptions of Future Landscape 

 Scenarios” (2000). 

Rustigian, H.L., Schumaker, N., and M.V. Santelmann, “Assessing the potential impacts of alternative 

landscape designs on amphibian population dynamics,” Landscape Ecology, (In press). 

Santlemann, M.V., J. Sifneos, K. Freemark, “Estimating potential plant diversity in future landscapes of 

the agricultural Midwest,” (In prep.). 

Santelmann, M., D. White, K. Freemark, J. Nassauer, M. Clark, C. Coiner, R. Cruse, B. Danielson, 

 J.Eilers, S. Polasky, K. Vache, J.Sifneos, H.Rustigian, D. Debinski, and J. Wu, “Landscape 

Ecology. Assessing alternative futures for agricultural watersheds,” (In review). 

Santelmann. M.V. “Modeling Effects of Alternative Landscape Design and Management on Water 

Quality and Biodiversity in Midwest Agricultural Watersheds.” Final Report, EPA Grant 

R825335, (2001). 

Santelmann, M, K. Freemark, D. White, J. Nassauer, et.al. “Applying Ecological Principles to Land-use 

Decision Making in Agricultural Watersheds.” Applying Ecological Principles to Land 

Management, Dale, V., and R. Haueber, eds. Springer-Verlag. (2001). 

Vache, K. B. J. M. Eilers, and M. V. Santelmann, “Water Quality Modeling of Alternative Agricultural 

Scenarios in the U.S. Corn Belt.” JAWRA 38(3): 773-787, (2002). 

Wilson, D. and D.A. Morrison, “Farmers, Agriculture Practices and Identity; Re-Conceptualizing Our 

Understanding of Agriculture.” The Professional Geographer, (2001). 

STAR GRANT 82-5381 

Turco, R., R. Ambrose, R. Berk, et al. “Integrated Urban Watershed Analysis: The Los Angeles Basin and 

Coastal Environment.” Institute of the Environment Report, Final Report, EPA Grant R82-5831, 

UCLA, Institute of the Environment, (2002): #02-02.

References 3-7 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

APPENDICES 

Appendices 4-1 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

APPENDIX A. 1996 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS SUMMARY TABLE 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R824905 Large Scale

Disturbances and Small Scale Responses 

Cole, C.A. -Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center 

• Wetlands • Restoration • Multi-Criteria

Study

• Created wetlands in the 

restoration process did not meet standards of a“good”, natural wetland. 

• Course developed - 

“Introduction to Application of the HGM Functional Assessment Methodology”, presented toenvironmental professionals. 

• General predictive model of 

hydrologic characteristics that allows assessment without long-term data collection.

• Method for coring inland 

freshwater wetland soils. 

• Method for assessment of 

wetland probabilities basedon broad geologic features. 

• Surroundin

communiti

• Created we

“good,” na

• Biomass re

but soil orgshould, ov

• There is hi

impoundm

• NWI meas

underestimnearly 100Province. 

-R825159 Development and 

Application ofSpectroscopic Probes for Measurement ofMicrobial Activity inAquatic Ecosystems 

Arnosti, C. - Univ. of North Carolina atChapel Hill 

• Microbial 

Activity 

• Scientific

Techniques

• Product creates a faster 

method for analyzing the carbon cycling associated withmicrobial activity to beutilized in further research. 

• A method of fluorescent 

labeling ofmacromolecules.

• Methods to measure 

hydrolysis in natural systems.

• Creation of new methods 

that aid in research on carbon cycling. 

• Product cre

analytical tmicrobial ecarbon cycutilized in 

• Method ca

of a wide rthe cell to small, easiprovided to environme

Appendices 4-2 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R825284 Urban Stream 

Rehabilitation inthe Pacific Northwest: Physical, Biological, and SocialConsiderations 

Burges, S.J. -Univ. ofWashington 

• Restoration • Urban 

• Provides a clear system

to evaluate restorationplans. 

• Evaluates the effects of

landscaping practices of streamside residents.

• Strategy for pursuing 

effective rehabilitation.

• Evaluation methods for 

determining the effects of streamside resident landscaping practices. 

• Developing a set of 

products that provide guidance in the field of urban stream rehabilitation. 

• Provides a 

approaches

• Evaluates t

of streamsi

• This resear

rehabilitatiwhether re

• This data i

functional. 

-R825285 An Integrated

Approach toAssessing Water Management Options in a Major Watershed 

Sabatier, P.- Univ. of California, Davis 

• Economics • Harmful 

Toxins 

• Politics and 

Policies 

• This study used two 

existing models to create a larger, up to date modeling system to determine the effects ofmanagement decisions. They worked with elected and appointedofficials and decision makers to develop the model. 

• A model that can aid in the

prediction of the effects ofmanagement alternatives on hydrodynamic and waterqualitycharacteristics.

• CALVIN model for 

economics for urban andagricultural water use withenvironmental use. http://cee.engr.ucdavis.edu/faculty/lund/CALVIN/ 

• This study 

create a larintegrating fishery disdetermine decisions. 

• The investi

appointed develop th

• Many elect

interviewecontext for decisions a

• The Consu

as an outgrmonitoring Sacrament

Appendices 4-3 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R825286 Effectiveness of 

RegulatoryIncentives forSediment Pollution Prevention:Evaluation Through PolicyAnalysis and Biomonitoring 

Reice, S. - Univ. of North Carolina atChapel Hill 

• Urban • Politics and 

Policies

• The results of this study 

aid managers indetermining the most effective regulation plans for construction sites near water sources. This is in an effort to reduce sedimentation, which degrades water quality,and reduces aesthetic andeconomic value 

• A chart displaying the 

effectiveness of various types of regulation and their effectiveness.

• The results 

in determinplans for csources. Thsedimentatand reduce

• Many deve

this study tacceptable 

• The freque

the swiftneprocedures 

-R825289 Geochemical, 

Biological, and Economical Effects of Arsenicand other Oxyanions on a Mining Impacted Watershed 

Miller, G. C. Univ. ofNevada, Reno 

• Restoration • Economics • Toxins • Politics and 

Policies 

• Mining sites that have 

been abandoned can produce poisons that enter the water systemand travel down stream to agricultural and recreational areas

• Models of the concentration

of poisons and transport were created as part of the study.

• Surveys of local residents 

were conducted. 

• Mining site

produce cosystem and and recreat

• Numerous 

investigatothe regulatthis study, because thimportant f

• The topics 

of the granand effort eincreased s

• One pit-lak

of the grandeveloped to accurateproducts thlake. 

Appendices 4-4 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R825290 Integrating 

Modeling and Management of AgriculturallyImpacted Watersheds, Issues of Spatial and Temporal Scale 

Brezonik, P.L. Univ. ofMinnesota

• Multi-Criteria

Study

• Agriculture• Economics • Politics and 

Policies 

• Scientists tend to

develop models that address cumulative effects at large scaleswhile managers need to make localized decisionsdue to policy shifts. 

• Computer models were 

created along with statistical evaluations of long-term stream, lake, and groundwater data. (Available from website:http://www.soils.umn.edu/ 

• Research/research5.htm)• An eight-step process to aid

decision makers to identify,assess and implement restoration measures in agriculturally intensive watersheds was created.

• Farmers were surveyed to 

explore the magnitude of transaction costs in thecontext of potential strategies to reduce agricultural pollution 

• Scientists t

cumulative managers ndue to poliagroecoregmanagers. 

• Targeting r

pollution i

• Residents s

increased tlevels of ph

• Watershed 

watersheds watersheds agroecoregwhere specagriculturaare most su

-R825306 Watershed 

Protection inAgricultural Environments: Integrated social, Geomorphological, and Ecological Research toSupport Ecosystem- based StreamManagement 

Rhoads, B. -Univ. Of Illinois 

• Agriculture• Politics and 

Policies 

• This plan integrates a

study on the values of farmers and stakeholders in the area withgeomorphological (stream channelization) data collected.

• Determined methods that 

impede and facilitateinfusion of scientificknowledge to farmers. 

• Charts and diagrams

available from study. 

• Results of interviews with 

farmers of the region todetermine their concerns and opinions of scientific research and findings. 

• This study 

and stakehecological 

• The investi

of linking factors moagricultura

• Educating 

must be dovalue systevaries from 

• Meanderin

abundance channelize

Appendices 4-5 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Grant Numbers 

Grant Title Principal 

Investigator 

Common Themes

Relevance Products 

-R825335 Modeling Effects 

of Alternative Landscape Design and Managementon Water Qualityand Biodiversity in Midwest Agricultural Watersheds. 

Santelmann, M.V.- Oregon State University

• Agriculture• Economics 

• Evaluation of alternative 

futures of agricultural watersheds based on a process of involving a diverse array of disciplinary experts indesign. 

• 

• Species habitat association

matrices for non-fish vertebrates, butterflies andplants. 

• Spatially Explicit

Population Models (SEPMs) performed on amphibian response to changes. 

• SWAT – Soil and Water

Assessment Tool 

• Information has been 

presented to state and localagencies (ex. Il EPA, IlDNR, Klamath tribe ofOregon) as well of plans for a project Web site. 

• This study 

agriculturainvolving a experts in t

• Ecologica

small (500that some cpractices reimprovemethe enterpr

-R825381 Integrated Urban

Watershed Analysis: The LosAngeles Basin and Costal Environments 

Turco, R. Univ. ofCalifornia Los Angeles 

• Wetlands • Multi-Criteria

Study

• Urban 

• This study integrated the

four major components of a coastal urban region: air, land, wetlands, andocean; all playing a rolein the overall quality andsupply of water to an area. They interact and affect levels of pollutionin the system. 

• Graphics in final report of 

all steps in project including charts and diagrams suitable for use bydecision makers. 

• Development of the 

regional oceanic modeling system.

• Evaluation method of an

urban watershed using maincomponents of an ecosystem. 

• This study 

of a coastaand ocean; and supply and affect 

• There are 

available aof watershincluding dand waters

• 

Appendices 4-6 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants

APPENDIX B. 1996 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS COMMON THEMES CH

Wetlands Restoration MultiCriteria 

Study 

Microbial Activity 

Urban Agriculture Economics Harmful

Toxins 

PoliAnd Poli

R824905 X X XR825159 X R825284 X XR825285 X X R825286 X R825289 X X X R825290 X X X R825306 X R825335 X XR825381 X X X

 Appendices 4-7 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

APPENDIX C. 1996 WATER AND WATERSHED GRANTS COMMON THEMES 

Wetlands: 

R824905- Large Scale Disturbances and Small Scale Responses- Cole C.A. 

Success of created wetlands contingent on location. 

R825381- Integrated Urban Watershed Analysis: the Los Angeles Basin and Coastal 

Environments- Turco, R. 

Wetlands component characterizes the flora and fauna of the urban salt marsh and estuarine 

environments, as well as the responses of organisms and ecosystems to various stresses. 

Restoration: 

R824905- Large Scale Disturbances and Small Scale Responses- Cole C.A. 

Preliminary evidence shows that landscape position, in addition to construction technique, is a 

prime determinant of function in created wetlands 

R825284- Urban Stream Rehabilitation in the Pacific Northwest- Physical, 

Biological and Social Considerations – Burges, S.J. 

Evaluates the degree to which rehabilitation efforts can recover lost functions, and determines the 

greatest impediments to successful rehabilitation in the urban environment. 

R825289- Geochemical, Biological, and Economical Effects of Arsenic and other 

Oxyanions on a Mining Impacted Watershed- Miller, G.C. 

Investigating the long-term chemistry and environmental risk of large pit lakes that will form

after the mines close, long-term drainage from cyanidization heaps, biological effects of arsenic, 

and economic effects of long-term alteration of the watershed. 

Multi-Criteria/ Multi Disciplinary Study: 

R824905- Large Scale Disturbances and Small Scale Responses- Cole C.A. 

Wetlands in the Landscape, Hydrology, Soils and Sedimentation, Macroinvertebrates, Biomass, 

PCMs, Cesium137 and A Method for Coring Inland, Freshwater Wetland Soils, and Historical 

Wetland Vegetation Community Response to Disturbance 

R825290- Integrating Modeling and Management of Agriculturally Impacted 

Watersheds, Issues of Spatial and Temporal Scale.- Brezonik, P.L.

Bio-physical and social-economic variables interact in agricultural watersheds of varying scales, 

landscape conditions, and land-use management practices to affect export of nutrients and their 

effects on in-stream biological communities. 

R825381- Integrated Urban Watershed Analysis: the Los Angeles Basin and Coastal 

Environments- Turco, R. 

Regional meteorology and climatology; basin hydrology, vegetation and land use; anthropogenic 

water consumption and disposition; runoff sources of sediments, toxics and nutrients; air 

pollutant transport, transformation and surface deposition; downstream wetlands ecology and 

impacts; and coastal water circulation, biogeochemistry and sediments 

Microbial Activity: 

R825159- Development of Application of Spectroscopic Proves for Measurement of 

Microbial Activity in Aquatic Ecosystems- Arnosti, C. 

spectroscopic probes that can be used to measure extracellular enzymatic hydrolysis rates of 

organic macromolecules in the water column and sediments 

Appendices 4-8 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Urban: 

R825284- Urban Stream Rehabilitation in the Pacific Northwest- Physical, 

Biological and Social Considerations – Burges, S.J. 

The consequences of urban watershed alteration on physical and biological channel functions, 

evaluate the degree to which rehabilitation efforts can recover lost functions, determine the most 

successful types of such rehabilitation methods in the urban environment, and test the range of 

public visual acceptance for rehabilitation 

R825381- Integrated Urban Watershed Analysis: the Los Angeles Basin and Coastal 

Environments- Turco, R. 

The processes that control water availability and quality in a major urban watershed-the Los 

Angeles basin in Southern California. Including: regional meteorology and climatology; basin 

hydrology, vegetation and land use; anthropogenic water consumption and disposition; runoff 

sources of sediments, toxics and nutrients; air pollutant transport, transformation and surface 

deposition; downstream wetlands ecology and impacts; and coastal water circulation, 

biogeochemistry and sediments 

R825286- Effectiveness of Regulatory Incentives for Sediment Pollution Prevention: 

Evaluation Through Policy Analysis and Biomonitoring- Reice, S. 

Determine the effectiveness of different environmental policies, regulations and incentives in 

reducing the ecological risks and consequences of sedimentation to streams to create more

effective management strategies to provide environmentally sustainable social and economic 

development in our watersheds. 

Agriculture: 

R8285290- Integrating Modeling and Management of Agriculturally Impacted 

Watersheds, Issues of Spatial and Temporal Scale.- Brezonik, P.L.

Bio-physical and social-economic variables interact in agricultural watersheds of varying scales, 

landscape conditions, and land-use management practices to affect export of nutrients and their 

effects on in-stream biological communities. Evaluating the usefulness of agroecoregions 

(landscape units roughly comparable in size to major watersheds) in understanding and managing 

nutrient pollution in large, agricultural drainage basins. 

R825306- Watershed Protection in Agricultural Environments: Integrated social, 

Geomorphological, and Ecological Research to Support Ecosystem-based Stream 

Management. - Rhoads, Bruce L. 

The research will provide an improved scientific basis for stream-management strategies that 

enhance and protect the ecological integrity of agricultural streams, and also reveal the points of 

penetration for infusing this scientific knowledge into the social mechanisms by which 

empowered local stakeholders structure and restructure watersheds. 

R825335- Modeling Effects of Alternative Landscape Design and Management of 

Water Quality and Biodiversity in Midwest Agricultural Watersheds- Santelmann, M.V. 

Integration the following components into a watershed-level assessment of ecological and human 

resources: 1) development and evaluation of alternative future land-use scenarios for agricultural 

watersheds, farm planning; 2) modeling of biodiversity (aquatic organisms, terrestrial vertebrates, 

wetland plants); and 3) development of water quality models for watersheds, modeling of water 

quality.

Appendices 4-9 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Economics:

R825285- An Integrated Approach to Assessing Water Management Options in a 

Major Watershed- Sabatier, P. 

A model of California's statewide water system, including its surface water and groundwater 

sources, storage and conveyance facilities, and agricultural, environmental, and urban water uses. 

The model seeks to optimize economic returns from urban and agricultural water uses, subject to 

physical and policy constraints and focuses on the relationship between water diversions, crop 

mix, pesticide usage, and economic returns in a spatially explicit (GIS-based) model. 

R825289- Geochemical, Biological, and Economical Effects of Arsenic and other 

Oxyanions on a Mining Impacted Watershed- Miller, G.C. 

Examined the human behaviors and values for water flow changes accompanying the mine 

dewatering analyze recreational use on the main downstream reservoir on the river and its 

relationship to flows and water quantity using existing data. Miller et al. (2001) also analyzed this 

same recreational use and it relationship to agricultural uses downstream using a programming 

approach. Finally, the willingness to pay that Basin residents have to maintain "dewatering" flows 

or, failing that, to enhance recreation opportunities at the resulting pit lakes also were estimated. 

R8285290- Integrating Modeling and Management of Agriculturally Impacted 

Watersheds, Issues of Spatial and Temporal Scale.- Brezonik, P.L.

Improve understanding of how bio-physical and social-economic variables interact in agricultural 

watersheds of varying scales, landscape conditions, and land-use management practices to affect 

export of nutrients and their effects on in-stream biological communities, and in turn to assess the 

role of knowledge about those effects in decision-making processes affecting local level land use. 

R825335- Modeling Effects of Alternative Landscape Design and Management of 

Water Quality and Biodiversity in Midwest Agricultural Watersheds- Santelmann, M.V. 

Ecological and socioeconomic impact of human land use and management decisions will be 

analyzed for six agricultural watersheds in Iowa, comparing the present landscape and three 

designed alternative visions of these same watersheds 25 years in the future. Explore how human 

attitudes and practical and economic constraints are translated into land-use and management 

decisions, and the spatial implications of these decisions at the watershed level. 

Harmful Toxins:

R825285- An Integrated Approach to Assessing Water Management Options in a 

Major Watershed- Sabatier, P. 

Work on mercury loadings, sources, and a flow begun at Clear Lake has now been expanded to 

the entire Sacramento watershed with the assistance of CALFED grants. 

R825289- Geochemical, Biological, and Economical Effects of Arsenic and other 

Oxyanions on a Mining Impacted Watershed- Miller, G.C. 

Arsenic and other contaminants are released during normal mining practices when mineralized

rock is crushed and exposed to oxygen and water. Pit wall rock, waste rock dumps and spent 

heaps are all potential sources of As. In addition, many of the large pits created in this watershed 

penetrate groundwater and, when mining and the associated dewatering activities are 

discontinued, will result in large lakes as the groundwater tables begin to recover.

Politics and Policies: 

R825285- An Integrated Approach to Assessing Water Management Options in a 

Major Watershed- Sabatier, P. 

Explore the impacts of a variety of politically-significant policy scenarios and the reaction of 

important constituencies to those impacts. The implications of large-scale mechanistic models for 

long-term system management also will be explored.

R825286- Effectiveness of Regulatory Incentives for Sediment Pollution Prevention: 

Appendices 4-10 
Synthesis of the Results of the 1996 STAR Water and Watershed Grants 

Evaluation Through Policy Analysis and Biomonitoring- Reice, S. 

Integrate the social and regulatory theory behind sediment ordinances and policies and the 

resultant ecological impacts of sedimentation on the rivers and streams. It will identify what 

policies and regulations really work to enhance stream biota and ecosystem health and determine 

the effectiveness of different environmental policies, regulations and incentives in reducing the 

ecological risks and consequences of sedimentation to streams. 

R825289- Geochemical, Biological, and Economical Effects of Arsenic and other 

Oxyanions on a Mining Impacted Watershed- Miller, G.C. 

Examined the human behaviors and values for water flow changes accompanying the mine 

dewatering analyze recreational use on the main downstream reservoir on the river and its 

relationship to flows and water quantity using existing data. Miller et al. (2001) also analyzed this 

same recreational use and it relationship to agricultural uses downstream using a programming 

approach. Finally, the willingness to pay that Basin residents have to maintain "dewatering" flows 

or, failing that, to enhance recreation opportunities at the resulting pit lakes also were estimated 

R8285290- Integrating Modeling and Management of Agriculturally Impacted 

Watersheds, Issues of Spatial and Temporal Scale.- Brezonik, P.L.

Many managerial frameworks and strategies have been proposed for managing and/or 

maintaining watershed resources. Nonpoint source pollutants are of concern in highly agricultural 

areas, and watershed management in these areas provides unique opportunities and challenges. 

The MRB provided a case study with which to demonstrate the consequences of management

decisions in a large, highly agricultural watershed. Brezonik et al. (2001) developed an eight-step 

process to aid decisionmakers to identify, assess, and implement restoration measures in 

agriculturally intensive watersheds. 

R825306- Watershed Protection in Agricultural Environments: Integrated social, 

Geomorphological, and Ecological Research to Support Ecosystem-based Stream 

Management. - Rhoads, Bruce L. 

The social dynamics of community-based watershed projects to find points of penetration for 

infusing scientific knowledge that informs ecosystem-based stream management into the social 

mechanisms by which empowered local stakeholders structure and restructure watersheds. 

Scientific Techniques: 

R825159- Development and Application of Spectroscopic Probes for Measurement of Microbial 

 Activity in Aquatic Ecosystems. - Arnosti, C.

Develop a new generation of sensitive and versatile spectroscopic probes that can be used to 

measure extracellular enzymatic hydrolysis rates of organic macromolecules in the water column

and sediments. Based on efficient intramolecular energy transfer between donor and acceptor 

groups covalently attached to single macromolecules, so hydrolysis rates can be measured using 

simple fluorescence techniques 

Appendices 4-11