Water Resources Divison 

National Park Service 

1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 250

Fort Collins, CO 80525

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C ATM

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science
Water Resources Division 

SUMMARY OF FY10 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The Colorado River, Canyonlands National Park. Photo by NPS

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science
Autumn Whirlpool, Great Smoky Mountains. Photo by Gavin Emmons.
Water Resources Division 

SUMMARY OF FY10 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 

1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 250

Fort Collins, CO 80525

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Washington, DC

A moose enjoying the Brooks River in Katmai National Park 

and Preserve, Alaska. (NPS Photo) 
A leaning pine. Yosemite National Park, California. (Photo By Dan Ng)
Appendix A - Technical Assistance ..................................................................................................................... 28 

Appendix B - Summary of Water Resources Division Funding ................................................................ 53

Appendix C - Awards/Publications/Presentations/Webinars .................................................................. 67

Appendix D - Staff .................................................................................................................................................... 73

Contents

Comments from the Division Chief ...................................................................................................................... 5

Examples of Water Resources Division 2010 Technical Assistance Activities ...................................................................................................... 6

Oceans and Coastal Resources Highlights ......................................................................................................... 8

Coastal Marine Natural Resource Condition Assessments Off er Insights ............................................................................................................ 9

The Development and Implementation of Zebra Mussels Response Plan for Isle Royale National Park ................................................. 10

Monitoring Ocean Acidifi cation in the National Park Service ................................................................................................................................... 11

The Water Resource Division Response to the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill ................................................................................................................. 12

Partnering with USEPA to Document Water Quality in Coastal National Parks .................................................................................................. 13

Planning and Evaluation Highlights .................................................................................................................... 14

Resource Stewardship (RSS) Workshop: Lessons Learned from Pilot Parks and the Future Course of the Resource Stewardship 

Strategy Process ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Climate Change: Planning for an Uncertain Future ...................................................................................................................................................... 16

Water Operations Highlights ................................................................................................................................. 17

Elwha River Restoration Project Update .......................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Sometimes the Well is Dry .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19

Completion of a Proposed Design Grade for Prisoners Harbor Coastal Wetland Restoration Project, Channel Islands Park .......... 20

Water Rights Highlights ........................................................................................................................................... 21

Automated Groundwater Monitoring System Completed at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve ...................................... 22

Solar Energy Company and NPS Agree to Protect Devil’s Hole (Death Valley National Park) ...................................................................... 23

Land Acquisition and Water Rights .................................................................................................................................................................................... 24

Long-Term Resource Monitoring along the Gunnison River in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park ............................. 25

Natural Resource Challenge Aquatic Resource Field Professionals Highlights .................................. 26

Mountain Lion looking for a cool drink in Grand Teton National Park,

Wyoming. (NPS Photo) 
4 Water Resource Division Summary of FY09 Accomplishments 

If space allows, it is recommended that the text begin on the opposite page and that this page contain photographic or illustrative material. 

Refelection of the Fins, Arches National Park (NPS Photo)
 Water Resources Division Summary of FY10 Accomplishments National Park Service 5

This report represents the 20th consecutive annual summary of the accomplishments of the National Park Service Water 

Resources Division (WRD), including a full 

account of our budget and the services 

provided to the various units of the 

National Park System. The report is a 

collaborative eff ort of the entire WRD staff , and in preparing it we 

have the opportunity to stand back and take stock of the variety and 

breadth of the issues with which we’ve been involved, and the great 

number of talented and dedicated people throughout the Service 

with whom we’ve worked. 

In 2010 the Water Resources Division (WRD) continued oversight 

and implementation of four Natural Resource Challenge Programs: 

Vital Signs Water Quality Monitoring; Natural Resource Condition 

Assessments; Field-based aquatic resource management specialist 

positions; and Water Resource protection projects. Vital signs water 

quality monitoring protocols have been approved and water quality 

monitoring is being conducted in all 32 Inventory and Monitoring 

Networks; WRD continues to assist the data management components of Network water quality monitoring. Updated service wide 

guidance was issued for conducting Natural Resource Condition 

Assessments and nine park condition assessment fi nal reports were 

completed in 2010. Fourteen fi eld-based aquatic resource professional positions were funded in 2010 with vacant positions being 

fi lled at Jean Lafette NHP and Chattanooga, TN. The WRD Water 

Rights Branch supported approximately $600,000 of park 

water resource protection projects in 12 parks in 2010; focus of these 

projects centered around the protection of ground water including 

resources at Great Basin NP, Great Sand Dunes NP, Lake Mead NRA, 

Death Valley NP, and Wind Cave NP.

The year also brought implementation of the fi rst year of new funding for NPS Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. The focus 

of the program has been on building park-based capacity to implement Regional NPS Ocean Park Stewardship Action Plans and to 

support implementation of a new 2010 Executive Order on Ocean 

Stewardship. Three fi eld-based Regional Ocean Stewardship Specialist positions were established, new park-focused senior ocean fi sheries, and marine water quality positions were fi lled, and a park project 

funding program was initiated.

A number of high visibility issues and programs of the Directorate 

were supported by WRD in 2010. The Division continued to be represented on the Superintendents’ Colorado River Steering Committee and supported a number of Colorado River water management 

issues aff ecting the 8 Colorado River parks including Black Canyon of the Gunnison Water Rights and Aspinal Unit Operations, 

Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management, Colorado River Annual 

Operations, and Quagga/Zebra Mussel prevention. The WRD 

supported an Administration priority to develop renewable energy resources on public lands by reviewing fast-track solar development project proposals to insure that park water resources 

would be protected, and participated in the BLM-lead development of a programmatic environmental impact statement for solar energy development. WRD is supporting implementation of 

the Secretary of Interior’s new WaterSMART program – a program 

to help better manage water shortages in an era of expanding 

demand and climate change. The Division continues to assist the 

Director in the implementation of the new NPS Wild and Scenic 

Rivers Program, and beginning in 2010 is providing leadership to 

the implementation of the Resource Stewardship Strategy component of the NPS planning program.

Response to the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill became a priority of 

the Division in 2010. Three WRD staff participated in details to 

incident command centers to assist in Natural Resource Damage 

Assessment aspects of the incident, and 2 WRD staff participated 

nearly full-time on working groups charged with developing and 

implementing damage assessment sampling protocols. In addition, 5 of the WRD fi eld-supported positions assisted in resource 

damage assessment aspects of the spill. 

The core component of WRD’s activities in 2010 continued to be 

the technical assistance and project support provided to parks. 

Over 120 parks obtained technical assistance by WRD in 2010. 

Examples of 2010 technical assistance highlights are provided in 

the sidebar to this article.

In 2010 WRD hosted the 9th bi-annual service wide water and 

aquatic resources meeting this past February in Fort Collins, 

Colorado. My (slightly biased) assessment was that this was the 

best and most informative gathering ever of water and aquatic 

resource professionals from throughout the Service. Through 

concurrent technical sessions and workshops, attendees shared 

many of the water and aquatic resource management issues and 

activities being addressed in parks, and we discussed ways to 

better share our expertise and collaborate. 

Comments from the Division Chief

Bill Jackson, PhD
Water Resources Division Summary of FY10 Accomplishments National Park Service 6

Through a series of impressive keynote addresses, we also took a hard 

look at many of the challenges confronting the NPS water resource 

management mission including: the emerging crisis in water availability; 

emerging contaminants in waters; legal and 

institutional barriers to addressing climate change; and the challenges 

stemming from the nexus between water use and energy development. 

As we look forward to 2011, WRD will continue to strive to meet the 

highest standards of professionalism in our work and in our service to 

our National Park managers. Over the years we have taken great pride in 

knowing that collaboratively, with our park-based peers, we have made 

a diff erence and the water resources and aquatic environments of the 

National Parks are better preserved for our eff orts. I hope you will enjoy 

reading about some of these many accomplishments in the short articles 

to follow, and we look forward to working with you in 2011.

 Marymere Waterfalls, Olympic National Park

 (Photo by Christopher Light)

Examples of Water Resources Division 2010 Technical Assistance Activities

• Big Bend NP: Worked with park and International Boundary Commission 

to develop protection strategies for achieving needed environmental fl ows 

in the Rio Grande River.

• Channel Islands NP: Prisoners Harbor coastal wetland restoration project: 

completed fi nal project design.

• Chickasaw NRA: Ground water protection - participated in state hearings 

on behalf of the park.

• Death Valley NP: Devil’s Hole Pupfi sh recovery team - NPS representative.

• Death Valley NP: Reviewed Mercury Nevada (Johnson Controls) DOE Solar 

Energy Project.

• Delaware Water Gap NRA and Upper Delaware SSR: Marcellus shale –

potential exploratory drilling impacts to ONRW status.

• Denali NP: Kantishna micro-hydro water withdrawal proposal.

• Great Lakes Parks: Partnered with EPA’s National Coastal Assessment 

Program to initiate water quality monitoring in all Great Lakes parks.

• Great Sand Dunes NP: Installed Monitoring Network to implement statebased ground water right.

• Grand Teton NP: Pond 5 site wetland restoration project.

• Hubble Trading Post NHS: Riparian vegetation planting – lead a crew of 

volunteers as part of a riparian restoration project. 

• Indiana Dunes NL: Hazardous Waste Site ground water contamination 

evaluation.

• Kaloko Honokohau NHP: Ground water and coastal waters protection; 

participation on the North Kona Roundtable; participation in administrative 

hearings re: park water right protection.

• Lake Mead NRA: Participated in analyses of proposed Las Vegas Sewage 

Plant Expansion – emerging contaminants monitoring plan.

• National Capital Mall: Federal Water Rights analysis

• Olympic NP: Elwha River Dam Removal - preparation of Lake Mills delta for 

erosion: removed alder thicket and constructed a “training” channel. 

• Organ Pipe Cactus NP: Implemented Quitoboquito Spring and Pond 

restoration project.

• Pecos NHS: Pecos River and Lower Glorieta Creek riparian condition assessment; Natural Resource Condition Assessment; assistance with Resource 

Stewardship Strategy planning.

• Point Reyes NP: Worked with the park to fi le for transfer of unused acquired 

water rights to instream fl ows; resolution of this fi ling will have implications for 

other California parks.

• Saguaro NP: Rincon Creek instream fl ow fi ling, and assistance in addressing 

questions from the state of Arizona.

• Initiated Climate Change studies at Theodore Roosevelt NP, Wind Cave NP, 

and Kaloko Honokohau NHP.

• Tuzigoot NM and Montezuma Castle NM: Tavasci Marsh restoration design.

• Conducted water supply investigations for 29 parks; reports prepared on all 

of them.
7 Water Resource Division Summary of FY09 Accomplishments 

If space allows, it is recommended that the text begin on the opposite page and that this page contain photographic or illustra Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington. Photo by NPS tive material. 
Ocean and Coastal Resources Highlights National Park Service 8 

Oceans and Coastal Resources Highlights

Jeff rey Cross, Branch Chief

Ocean and Coastal Resources Branch

 The Ocean and Coastal Resources Branch (OCRB) is responsible for leadership and coordination of NPS ocean responsibilities, policies, and 

interests in the Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate. The goals of the Branch are to acquire broad-based support in ocean 

and coastal sciences and technologies, develop servicewide ocean policies and programs, and provide technical assistance and support to 

parks.

The NPS 2006 Ocean Park Stewardship Action Plan calls for increasing the organizational and scientifi c emphasis to manage over 12,000 

miles of coast and more than 2,500,000 acres of ocean and Great Lakes waters across 26 states and territories. The Ocean and Coastal Resources Branch provides the organizational structure and focus for coordination within the NRPC and with parks, regional 

offi ces, the Submerged Resources Center, and other entities to meet servicewide goals for ocean and coastal resource stewardship.

The branch provides leadership in developing short and long-term strategies for enhancing the NPS scientifi c, technical, and organizational 

capacity for ocean and coastal resource stewardship. The Branch works closely with the Geologic Resources, Biological Resources Management, and Environmental Quality divisions on critical park science and management needs. The Branch also works closely with National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency, other federal and state agencies, universities and private partners to further the goals of ocean and coastal stewardship. 

During 2010, OCRB staff provided a variety of servicewide and park-specifi c technical assistance, coordinated multiple Coastal Watershed 

Assessment and Benthic Habitat Mapping Program projects in ocean and coastal parks, and provided policy guidance and support to parks 

and regions. These programs are described in separate articles. Signifi cant accomplishments under the Ocean Park Stewardship Action Plan

include participation on DOI’s Senior Ocean Policy Team, which contributed to the development of the Administration’s new National Ocean 

Policy; the nomination and acceptance of 29 NPS units on the National System of Marine Protected Areas and participation in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. For more information, see http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff /oceans/conserve.htm and http://www.nature.nps.gov/water/

marine.cfm.
 National Park Service 9

Coastal Marine Natural Resource Condition 

Assessments Off er Insights

Jeff ery Cross, Branch Chief

Eff orts began in 2003 to assess coastal water resources and watershed conditions 

for coastal parks through the Natural Resource Challenge. Reports from these 

assessments characterize the relative health or status of upland, wetland, riparian, marine, estuarine and Great Lakes resources within the National Park System. 

Working through partnerships with universities in the Cooperative Ecosystem 

Studies Units, collaborations with other federal agencies and contracts with private organizations, 32 of these reports have been published and 15 others are in 

progress. In FY10, assessment reports were published for three coastal parks – 

Kenai Fjords National Park (KEFJ), Isle Royale National Park (ISRO) and Kalaupapa 

National Historic Park (KALA).

Assessment reports provide valuable insights into factors aff ecting the health of 

park 

resources for use by natural resource managers. Some interesting information 

from the

recently published reports includes:

• KEFJ-The northward migration of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon and 

other nonnative migrating species poses threats to indigenous salmon and trout 

through disease, colonization, interbreeding, predation, habitat destruction 

and competition. 

• ISRO-Although isolated from the mainland, ISRO is exposed to pollutants 

through Lake Superior waters and atmospheric deposition. Lake Superior 

contains measurable levels of mercury and other toxic metals, various pesticides and other organic compounds. Atmospheric deposition is the major 

source of mercury and persistent organic pollutants. Large facilities near ISRO 

produce compounds that are linked to smog and acid rain.

• KALA-Waikolu stream contains a rich assemblage of fi ve native amphidromous fi sh species, has one of the highest densities of stream gobies in the 

Hawaiian Islands and supports a dense population of the uncommon native 

stream snail Neritina granosa.

For more information on these and other coastal parks, please visit our website at: (http://www.nature.nps.gov/water/watershed_reports/wscondrpts.

cfm).
 National Park Service 10

The Development and Implementation of a Zebra Mussel Response Plan for Isle Royale National Park

In FY10 WRD funded a high priority project for Isle Royle National Park to develop and implement a Zebra Mussel Response Plan. The objectives of this project were to: 1) complete initial surveys to determine the extent and location of infestation(s); 2) contain and/or eradicate risk 

through management actions; and 3) indentify future responses to mitigate infestation vectors. Zebra mussels were observed at 12% of the locations surveyed in 2010. Twenty-eight live adult zebra mussels were found at fi ve locations and two shells from deceased animals were found 

at two sites (see map). All locations with zebra mussels were within 4 m laterally of a major dock that experiences signifi cant boat traffi c from 

NPS, concessions, and private vessels. One other signifi cant fi nding of the survey was the location of several previously unknown native mussel 

beds. Surface water temperatures at the 51 dive locations varied throughout the season from a low of 4 C to a high of 20 C, which extended 3-4 

m down into the water column. Water temperatures during 2010 approached and surpassed threshold levels required for the production and 

release of gametes during mussel spawning events.

An initial review of agency response plans to zebra mussel infestations was completed and a comprehensive Isle Royale-specifi c response plan 

was developed, along with educational outreach materials. New management regulations were adopted and the public was informed. These 

regulatory changes include mandatory cleaning of all boats transiting to Isle Royale, the closure of an outfall stream connecting McCargoe Cove 

to Chickenbone Lake, mandatory decontamination of dive gear, and required reporting of any mussels. Recreational vessel traffi c is likely the 

predominant vector of zebra mussels at Isle Royale, which coincides with previous reports and prevention plans. The management actions put 

into place in 2010 should help to signifi cantly limit the re-infestation of Isle Royale waters.

Zebra Mussel sampling map; NPS diver Paul Brown pointing out a Zebra Mussel to demonstrate how diffi cult they can be to spot. (NPS Photo 

by Susanna Pershern); Close-up during an inspection of a boat rudder of the Zebra Mussel infestation. (NPS photo by Paul Brown)
 National Park Service 11 

Housing for a multiprobe datasonde to monitor ocean acidifi cation in a low elevation tidepool at Sokol Point, Olympic National Park (NPS Photo Credit: Steve 

Fradkin); Housing containing a multiprobe data sonde to monitor ocean acidifi cation in a low elevation tidepool at Brown’s Point, Olympic National Park. (NPS 

Photo Credit: Steve Fradkin) 

Monitoring Ocean Acidifi cation in the National Park Service

One facet of climate change aff ecting marine ecosystems is the observed decrease in ocean pH over the past 20 years as a consequence of 

elevated CO2 levels. Atmospheric CO2 reacts with seawater to reduce pH and reduce the concentration of carbonate ions that are essential 

building blocks of shell-building marine organisms, such as corals, plankton and shellfi sh. NPS marine resources are particularly susceptible. 

While national ocean acidifi cation monitoring eff orts exist in off shore areas, there is a need to assess acidifi cation trends in NPS units because of 

regional and local variation in acidifi cation. Current methods for measuring ocean acidifi cation include chemical analyses targeting the ocean 

carbon dioxide system, which requires analytical laboratories and specialized instrumentation not feasible for routine implementation in NPS 

units. 

In FY10, the Ocean and Coastal Resources Branch funded a pilot project at Olympic National Park (OLYM) to monitor nearshore ocean pH using 

standard multi-probe datasondes. The objectives of this project are to: 1) deploy monitoring devices that measure physical/chemical parameters at two locations in the intertidal zone along the OLYM coast, and collect and analyze water samples from these locations; 2) use the data 

to model pH levels in coastal waters to develop a baseline for long-term monitoring of ocean acidifi cation; and 3) document project results into 

products that can be transfered to monitoring programs in other NPS units.
 National Park Service 12 

The Water Resources Division Response to the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

During FY 2010, the Water Resources Division (WRD) Fort Collins staff and WRD supported fi eld staff have contributed over 2,000 hours to oil 

spill eff orts. Support was provided to response eff orts by: 1) staffi ng interagency Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) eff orts colocated with the incident command centers at Houma (Jeff Cross, Gary Rosenlieb, Joe Chafey), in Mobile (Bill Jackson, Jalyn Cummings, Patty 

Raff erty) and in Roberts (Marie Denn) and 2) assisting the response by serving as NPS Resource Advisors with shoreline clean-up crews at Gulf 

Islands NS (Bill Jackson, Jalyn Cummings, Patty Raff erty, Mark Ford). 

 NRDA eff orts associated with this spill stem from the The Oil Pollution Act. This Act authorizes certain federal agencies, states and Indian tribes, 

collectively known as the ‘Trustees’ to evaluate the impacts of an oil spill on natural resources. As part of this process, scientists from each 

Trustee entity work together to identify potential injuries to natural resources resulting from the spill and to design studies that will be used 

to determine and measure spill-related injuries (or impacts) to natural resources and their human uses. Although this process started in 2010, 

those working on the NRDA case will remain involved until a settlement has been reached with the Responsible Party. Support provided by 

WRD for NRDA eff orts include: assisting in the fi eld implementation of shorebird protocols (Joe Chafey) and representing NPS on NRDA protocol 

work groups. Eva DiDonato serves as co-lead on the Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Technical Workgroup (TWG), Roy Irwin serves on the 

Chemistry, Water Column and Toxicity Technical Work Groups and also assists in data interpretation, Mark Ford serves on the Shoreline and SAV 

TWGs and Jeff Duncan serves on the Fish and Shellfi sh TWGs.

Tar balls on Pensacola Beach, Gulf Islands National Seashore. (NPS 

Photo)

Northern Gannet collected on West Ship Island, Gulf Island 

National Seashore for oil recovery treatment. (NPS Photo)
 National Park Service 13 

Partnering with USEPA to Document Water Quality in Coastal National Parks

Water quality is currently assessed within most National Park boundaries but the assessments are not consistent nationwide, nor do they 

extend outside park boundaries. With the development of the 2006 

Ocean Park Stewardship Action Plan and the formation of the Ocean 

and Coastal Resources Branch in the Natural Resource Program Center, the National Park Service is focusing more eff ort on water quality 

issues beyond park shorelines. The probabilistic survey design used by 

the USEPA National Coastal Assessment Program provides a mechanism to assess the quality of park waters and to identify water quality 

issues that may impact park resources, but originate beyond park 

boundaries. NPS benefi ts in several ways from using the probabilistic 

survey design to assess and monitor coastal water quality. At the individual park level, managers get a snapshot of resource conditions. At 

the regional level, combining both NPS and EPA data, managers can 

compare water and sediment quality inside and outside park boundaries increasing the big picture information for Great Lakes Parks. In 

FY’10 a partnership developed between the NPS Natural Resource 

Program Center (Fort Collins and Great Lakes staff ) and the EPA National Coastal Condition Assessment to survey water quality at Great 

Lakes National Parks in harmony with the planned 2010 EPA Great 

Lakes survey. A design for the Great Lakes Parks was developed, and 

30 sites within Lake Superior and 30 sites within Lake Michigan park 

boundaries were sampled during the summer of 2010. Data analysis 

and reporting will be completed in cooperation with EPA during 2011. 

The EPA is considering some of the NPS sites as reference sites for the 

Lakes.

Funding for this project was provided to NPS through the 

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for ‘Comprehensive Marine 

Assessments’, to acquire local data on water quality and 

ecosystem integrity.

Maps By NPS. 
Planning and Evaluations Highlights National Park Service 14 

The Planning and Evaluation Branch (PEB) provides technical assistance to parks and program leadership to NPS in three areas: water resources 

planning, wetlands protection and restoration, and fi sheries management. 

In the planning arena, PEB staff provided substantial assistance to the NPS Climate Change Response Program (CCRP) during 2010. This 

included involvement in CCRP eff orts to develop climate change scenario planning processes and tools, and participation in CCRP planning and 

technical advisory groups. PEB staff also led or participated in 10 park-based planning studies. Examples include a water resources information 

overview for Bents Old Fort National Historic Site, a water resources foundation report for Big Thicket National Preserve, and a physical resources issue report at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. PEB was also assigned the leadership role for implementing a fl edgling Resource Stewardship Strategy (RSS) Program. PEB staff is presently working to revise RSS project guidelines based on the outcomes from a Pilot RSS Project 

Workshop conducted during Spring, 2010.

During 2010, the wetlands program provided technical assistance to park units in all seven NPS regions. This included wetland compliance 

reviews for approximately 30 parks to ensure park activities or proposed actions were in compliance with NPS wetland policies and procedures. 

It also included a riparian functional assessment at Pecos National Historic Park, problem diagnosis and recommendation formulations for a variety of wetland related issues at Yosemite Natonal Park, and wetlands restoration related support for a number of park units. Examples include 

restoration planning at Channel Islands National Park and Tuzigoot National Monument, and oversight of earthmoving and 

revegetation work at John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. 

Fisheries program activities included a mix of policy support to national and regional offi ces and technical support to individual park units. 

Policy support included participation in developing quagga and zebra mussel (and other nuisance species) prevention plans, and acting as NPS 

representative in partnerships such as the Western Native Trout Initiative and the Desert Fishes Habitat Partnership. Park level support included 

peer review for the Devil’s Hole Ecosystem Monitoring Plan, onsite investigations and monitoring plan development in support of the endangered Topeka shiner at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, and assistance with native fi sh habitat restoration eff orts at a number of NPS sites 

including Great Smoky Mountains National Park and North Cascades National Park. 

Planning and Evaluation Highlights

Jeff Albright , Acting Branch Chief

Planning and Evaluation Branch
 National Park Service 15

Resource Stewardship Strategy (RSS) Workshop: Lessons Learned from Pilot Parks and the 

Future Course of the Resource Stewardship Strategy Process

by Guy Adema, Natural Resources 

Program Manager; Denali National Park and Preserve

David Vana-Miller and Don Weeks, 

Hydrologists; Planning and Evaluation Branch

Resource Stewardship Strategies were initiated in 2006 to provide 

a framework for establishing integrated strategic plans for resource 

management. RSS were envisioned to provide an interdisciplinary and 

comprehensive approach to park management and to defi ne activities for investment that would directly aff ect a park’s fundamental resources and values. In January 2010, the senior author began a detail 

to the Water Resources Planning Program to evaluate the funded RSS 

eff orts at pilot parks, and, based on the experience of those eff orts, 

develop recommendations for implementation of a RSS program. The 

review included interviews with park, regional, and Washington staff 

and culminated in a workshop convening thirty-two participants from 

both natural and cultural resources from April 13-15 in Ft Collins, CO. 

Fourteen park staff , nine members of the Natural Resource Program 

Center, seven regional staff , and two Denver Service Center planners 

attended. Participants assessed pilot RSS from HEHO, DENA, PORE, 

and MONO, on four main themes: 1) What are the most and least useful elements of each pilot product? 2) Are there innovative ideas from 

a pilot worth adopting programmatically? 3) What are the reported 

and observed strengths and weaknesses of existing guidance? and 

4) What specifi c changes in guidance would have produced a better 

product? This assessment also included a broader discussion on eff ective interdisciplinary integration, implementation of the RSS process, 

and the relation of the RSS to other planning eff orts, such as how to 

eff ectively integrating climate change. Additional topic areas covered 

during the workshop included the purpose of RSS and their role in 

the NPS planning framework, the RSS draft Director’s Order and ideas 

for improvement of NPS RSS policy, and the NPS resource planning 

program identifi cation of core functions. Participants developed recommendations for these topics, such as suggesting what eff ective 

support and leadership is ideal for the fi eld, what are the regional 

needs for successful program implementation, regional needs for a 

successful program, and the need for an organizational home and 

program manager at the WASO level. 

After the workshop, the administration of the RSS pilot program and 

the responsibility for charting its future course was transferred to the 

junior authors in the Water Resources Planning Program.
 National Park Service 16

Alaska Climate Change Scenario Planning Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska (Weeks, 2010)

The NPS Water Resources Division’s (WRD’s) Planning Program has progressed over the past two decades, changing services and planning 

products to meet the evolving needs of parks and regions. 

A changing climate presents our latest planning challenge as science reveals a range of potential climate futures park managers could be 

addressing. Some of the climate-related infl uences are unprecedented and test traditional park planning and management as we move 

toward these uncertain futures. 

In 2009 and 2010, WRD’s Planning Program staff worked with the NPS Climate Change Response Program (CCRP) to explore the use of 

scenario planning as an approach for park management within a range of plausible climate futures. Scenario planning is a proven process 

used over the past several decades in the private and public sector to manage for uncertain futures, and it seemed an appropriate process 

for the NPS to explore within the context of a changing climate. The CCRP completed fi ve case studies to test the use of Climate Change 

Scenario Planning in the NPS, with favorable reaction. 

Building from the lessons learned during these case studies, a NPS core team, including WRD staff , implemented the next phase of Climate 

Change Scenario Planning. Under guidance of the Global Business Network, the world’s largest consultancy integrating scenarios and 

strategy, this second phase centered around training land managers from both within and outside the NPS on the Climate Change Scenario 

Planning process. Introducing this process as a planning tool to other land managers makes sense as we move toward cooperative

management within larger landscape scales (i.e., Landscape Conservation Cooperatives).

Four training workshops were scheduled to accomplish the training, each focused on specifi c bioregional landscapes. The fi rst workshop, 

Alaska’s Arctic and Coastal bioregions, was completed in August 2010. The NPS Alaska Region, building from this training workshop, will be 

applying the Climate Change Scenario Planning process to all four Alaska networks starting in FY2011.

The knowledge and experiences gained from participating in this eff ort have been brought back to WRD’s planning program, as we 

continue to evolve in an ever-changing world.

Climate Change: Planning for an Uncertain 

Future

Don Weeks, Hydrologist;

David Vana-Miller, 

Planning Program Leader;

Planning and Evaluation Branch
Water Operations Highlights National Park Service 17 

Water Operations Highlights

Gary W. Rosenlieb, 

Branch Chief

The Water Operations Branch (WOB) manages servicewide programs in Water Quality, Hydrology and Watershed Management 

and Water Resources and Information Management. Program 

funds managed for servicewide distribution by these programs 

include the Watershed Condition Assessment Program, Vital Signs 

Water Quality Monitoring, and the USGS-NPS Water Quality 

Partnership. 

The branch provides technical assistance to parks, regions and 

monitoring networks in each of these areas and 2010 proved to 

be a very busy and rewarding year for us. The entire National Park 

Service was mobilized to help respond to the Deep Water Horizon 

oil spill and WOB was no exception. Roy Irwin contributed to and 

is still active on several Technical Working Groups working on the 

assessments of resource damages, including the Chemistry, Water 

Column and Toxicology workgroups. Branch Chief Gary Rosenlieb 

was mobilized to the Houma , Louisiana Incident command center where he served two weeks on the National Oceanographic 

and Atmospheric Administration’ s Natural 

Resource Damage Assessment group. 

The branch provided full funding and technical assistance to 

32 Vital Signs Monitoring Networks. In support of servicewide 

water quality data analysis and archiving, Dean Tucker 

Released NPSTORET v.1.82 which featured a variety of 

enhancements and new features suggested by users, including the ability to compare water quality data to multiple standards including: user-defi ned, state, or national water quality 

standards. Water quality analyses could then be displayed 

spatially using Google Earth. In addition the Branch provided 

reviews and/or approvals of 11 water quality protocols submitted by the networks. A notable new technical assistance 

eff ort acquired this year included Pete Penoyer’s support of 

parks in the Northeast Region by serving on an interagency 

team that developed expert witness testimony on potential 

impacts to water resources from natural gas development in 

the Marcellus shale. 

Natural Resource Condition Assessments are now being completed in increasing numbers after issuance of revised guidelines under the stewardship of Jeff Albright. Final assessment 

reports were completed at the following 5 parks: John Day 

Fossil Beds National Monument, Minute Man National Historical Park, Mount Rushmore 

Rocky Mountain National Park. Drafts were submitted for review 

from 5 other parks including: Wrangell St. Elias National Park and 

Preserve, Assateague National Seashore, Delaware Water Gap 

National Recreation Area, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational 

River and Isle Royale National Park. 

The Hydrology and Watershed Management Program continued 

to provide leadership for the implementation of fl oodplain management and Natural Resource Condition Assessments and water 

supply investigations. Gary Smillie and Mike Martin provided 

assistance on 31 Floodplain Statement of fi ndings, including a successful re-scoping of a contract to perform engineering analysis of 

fl ood risk and stormwater management in the Black Rock Campground. This project itself saved the NPS about $150,000. Larry 

Martin conducted or assisted with 29 groundwater supply investigations. Unfortunately, not all of them are successful as his article 

exhibits in the following pages on exploring for water at Capitol 

Reef National Park.

Restoration of ecosystems comprises an ever increasing number of 

technical assistance requests received by the Hydrology program. 

Two articles following this introduction provide some examples 

into our assistance eff orts. Gary Smillie provides interesting insights into the very initial phases of the Elwha River restoration at 

Olympic National Park in his article promoting effi cient erosion of 

the Lake Mills Delta. Restoration of a coastal wetland at Channel 

Islands National Park is the subject of an article contributed by 

Mike Martin.

We in WOB enjoy working with all of the parks on any water resources management issue. We are available to assist you through 

a phone call, email or a visit to your park.
 National Park Service 18

Elwha River Restoration Project Update

Gary Smillie, Hydrology Program Team Leader

Water Operations Branch

Lake Mills delta and Elwha River, November, 2010. Notice: 1) most river fl ow is in the recently constructed 

center channel, 2) “bathtub” ring in the lake is due to reservoir draw down, and 3) active erosion and redistribution of delta sediments. (Photo by NPS)

Two dams on the Elwha River on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State are scheduled to be removed starting fall 2011, to restore an 

important anadromous fi shery and other natural fl uvial and riparian conditions. The upper dam and reservoir, Glines Canyon Dam and Lake 

Mills, are located in Olympic National Park. In the approximately 90 year period since Glines Canyon Dam was completed, a large delta, 

approximately 70 feet high has developed at the head of Lake Mills. Restoration of fl uvial conditions through this region of the lake 

requires redistribution of these delta sediments. As such, effi cient erosion of the delta by the river during dam removal is a crucial aspect 

of the sediment management component of the project. In recent years, however, woody vegetation became established on the delta 

surface and a large debris jam formed, blocking the river from fl owing down the center of the delta. These conditions made rapid erosion of 

the delta by the river unlikely. WRD staff working with engineers from the Bureau of Reclamation identifi ed the problem and collaborated 

to correct the situation. Heavy equipment was brought to the delta during the fall of 2010 to remove vegetation and construct a pilot 

channel down the center of the delta. Additionally, the debris jam at the head of the delta was removed and relocated into a position to 

direct future fl ows into the pilot channel. As of late fall 2010, the Elwha River is fl owing primarily down the newly excavated center channel 

(see picture above). To encourage incision of the new channel, Lake Mills has been drawn down approximately 15 feet from full pool level, 

increasing the fl ow gradient over the delta. The lake will continue to be periodically drawn down prior to dam removal to give a “head 

start” to the erosional processes necessary for successful restoration of fl uvial conditions.
 National Park Service 19

Sometimes the Well is Dry

Larry Martin, Hydrogeologist

Water Operations Branch

The Capitol Reef Field Station was established in 2008 as a cooperative venture of Utah Valley University and Capitol Reef National Park to 

provide a facility for education and research opportunities in the Parks natural history. The fi eld station currently obtains water from a shallow 

well completed in the alluvium of Pleasant Creek. Water from the well is classifi ed as “under the direct infl uence of surface water” due to the 

shallow depth and close association with water in Pleasant Creek. Since treatment of surface water at this remote location would be expensive, 

it was decided to drill a test well to explore for groundwater in the Sinbad Limestone Member of the Moenkopi Formation and the Kaibab Limestone Formation. Test drilling in August 2010 to a depth of 860 feet resulted in dismaying results: a deep hole that was totally dry. The borehole 

was subsequently plugged and abandoned, and the university was left with no option. They will need to upgrade the water treatment facilities 

to comply with Utah regulations for treatment of water from a surface-water source.

“When the well is dry, we 

know the worth of water.”

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, 

(1706-1790), Poor 

Richard’s Almanac, 1746

Test Well comes up dry. Capital Reef National Park, Utah. (Photo by Larry Martin)
 National Park Service 20 

Areial photograph of Prisoners Harbor with 

surveyed boundary of the proposed restoration 

area. Green points are recoverable reference 

points. 

Restoration area (90 percent design grade) with 

blue mean annual water table contours (CI = 0.05 

m), black topographic contours (CI = 0.2 m) and 

vegetation communities. X and Y coordinates are 

derived from UTM zone 10, elevations are NAD83, 

all units are meters. The following colors represent 

the diff erent vegetation communities:

Dark Blue – open water

Light Blue – deep fringe marsh 

Light Green – shallow marsh

Dark Green – wet willow

Tan – salt grass, dry willow

Completion of a Proposed Design Grade for Prisoners 

Harbor Coastal Wetland Restoration Project, Channel 

Islands National Park.

Michael Martin, Hydrologist; Joel Wagner, Hydrologist; 

Water Resources Division and Paula Power 

WRD is assisting Channel Islands National Park in restoring a coastal wetland at Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island. The former wetland was fi lled in the late 19th century to 

support a sheep ranching operation. During FY2010, WRD staff completed a detailed 

topographic survey of the site using total station and geodetic platforms. We used 

these data to produce detailed topographic maps of the existing land surface and 

the mean annual water table, which in turn were used to create a restoration design. 

Topographic and water table contours were developed with spatial analysis software; 

Surfer TM using standard kriging grid development. The restoration design was based 

on information gathered at a reference transect established in a remnant, undisturbed 

wetland area where diff erent vegetation communities were correlated with mean annual water table elevations. These communities ranged from very wet environments 

that support California bulrush (Schoenoplectus californicus) through less saturated 

willow environments and into relatively dry salt grass (Distichlis spicata) elevations.

The restoration design began as a conceptual drawing with the various vegetation communities represented as polygons. To produce the 

proposed grading plan, we started with the mean annual water table elevations and either added or subtracted increments of elevation 

to reach grades that correspond to desired vegetation communities. Careful consideration was given to wetland function in designing the 

orientation of the communities. For example, most of the perimeter of the project area is surrounded by elevations that will support willow 

stands to provide screening and cover for waterfowl. Additionally, several vistas were maintained to enhance visitor experience and provide 

opportunities for interpretation. Lastly, the existing topographic map and the proposed design plan were “merged” to accurately estimate 

the amount of fi ll that will need to be excavated for the restoration. Project implementation is scheduled for fall 2011.
 Water Rights Highlights National Park Service 21

Water Rights Highlights

Bill Hansen and Dan McGlothlin, 

Acting Branch Chiefs 

The year was marked by signifi cant accomplishments and a major transition in the Water Rights Branch (WRB). After serving nearly thirteen 

years as chief of WRB, Chuck Pettee retired in May. Over a 22 year career in the National Park Service, Chuck provided leadership to resolve 

many of the Service’s most diffi cult and protracted water resource and water rights protection issues, including quantifi cation of water rights at 

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and fi ve NPS units in Montana. Chuck believed in 

the application of sound science to resolve complex water allocation issues and, with this approach, WRB has earned the respect of state 

regulators and other agencies nationally under his leadership. Chuck’s presence will be missed; however, he will continue to volunteer his wisdom and experience on a few important water resource protection issues. 

During 2010, WRB contributed to several important servicewide issues and continued to protect water resources through settlements. As part 

of the Secretary’s commitment to develop new energy sources, WRB represented the NPS response for the Bureau of Land Management Solar 

Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and worked closely with the Directorate, Geological Resources Division and regions to 

recommend to BLM strategies for protecting national parks. In addition, WRB continued to lead the NPS Wild and Scenic Rivers Program and 

provided technical and policy guidance to the park, region, Directorate and Department regarding litigation associated with the St. Croix river 

crossing. Five settlements were reached to protect park water resources and rights in 2010. WRB reached agreement with the State of Utah 

after 12 years to recognize and protect water rights at Natural Bridges, New Mexico. We also completed two settlements for Great Basin NP 

and Kaloko-Honokahau NHP that resolve water right issues in administrative proceedings in Nevada and Hawaii. Additionally, we reached a 

precedent setting water rights settlement agreement with the BLM, USFWS and a solar energy company that secures water rights to mitigate 

impacts of solar energy development in the Amaragosa Desert and protects Devils Hole. 

WRB staff and partners continued to develop the scientifi c data to support complex water resource protection and allocation strategies. 

Forty-four publications and reports were produced in 2010. In addition, WRB staff made seventeen presentations at professional meetings and/

or conferences. The articles that follow illustrate some of the work WRB accomplished in 2010. A common thread through these activities is 

the development of hydrologic data and interdisciplinary approaches to address water quantity protection issues. 

Looking ahead to 2011, we will continue to see increased water development pressures around national parks. WRB will continue to develop 

the tools necessary to support water protection eff orts, including monitoring data, surface and ground water models, and physical and 

biological evidence necessary to proactively participate in water resource protection and allocation decisions. We will also continue to work 

closely with local conservation districts, state and other federal agencies to discuss and negotiate water use and allocation issues throughout 

the United States. 

We want to especially thank dedicated park staff and our talented team for working so hard in 2010. Our successes are a product of their fi ne 

work. We encourage fi eld managers to call on the WRB whenever water resource and rights issues are a concern. 
 National Park Service 22 

Great Sand Dunes National Park. (NPS Photo)

On August 4, 2008, Judge O. John Kuenhold signed a historic decree approving an in-place right to groundwater for Great Sand

Dunes National Park and Preserve (GRSA). The water right entitles the National Park Service to specifi c water levels at ten monitoring 

wells located near the west park boundary and allows the NPS to challenge any changed or expanded use of existing water rights and 

new rights.

Construction of the ten groundwater monitoring wells was completed in October 2009, through an interagency agreement with the 

US Geological Survey, and Central Region Research Drilling Project (CRRDP). In 2010, GRSA and the Bureau of Reclamation San Luis 

Valley (BOR), entered into an Interagency Agreement (IA) for installation of automated instruments, operation, maintenance, and data 

management for the ten monitoring wells. The instrumentation will be managed to measure and record water table elevation every

fi fteen minutes, providing essentially real-time data, and transmit the data via radio to the BOR offi ce in Alamosa, Colorado where it will 

be stored and managed. As directed by the 2008 Decree, the BOR will publish quarterly data reports and provide the reports to the 

Colorado State Engineer and the NPS.

Following the fi rst ten years of data collection the court will revisit the 2008 decree to determine if the water table elevations listed in 

the decree are reasonable or if they will be adjusted to refl ect the ten-year data record. The long-term data record should show the effects of current and future groundwater pumping outside of the Park and possible related eff ects of climate change on the water table 

elevation beneath the Park. The water table elevation data will be used by the Colorado Division of Water Resources (CDWR) and the 

NPS to administer and protect the Park’s in-place groundwater right for future generations.

Automated Groundwater Monitoring System 

Completed at Great Sand Dunes National 

Park and Preserve

James Harte, Hydrologist

Water Rights Branch
 National Park Service 23 

On July 23, 2010, NPS reached an agreement to withdraw its protests of water right applications for a proposed solar thermal project in the 

Amargosa Desert of Nevada. The project is proposed by Solar Millennium, Inc., and includes a concentrating solar thermal facility on 6,320 

acres of BLM-administered lands. The project is designed to generate 500 megawatts of power utilizing parabolic trough and dry-cooling 

technologies; water uses include steam-generation, equipment cooling, solar mirror washing, and dust suppression.

Due to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the United States (by virtue of a 1952 presidential proclamation) has a federal reserved right to 

suffi cient water for the protection of the Devils Hole pupfi sh and its habitat, the NPS water right for Devils Hole is eff ectively the most senior 

groundwater right in the Amargosa Desert. Numerical modeling suggests that current groundwater pumping in Amargosa Desert will lower 

the Devils Hole pool level, and adversely impact the NPS right. The Nevada State Engineer recently determined that because the Amargosa 

Desert is over-appropriated, no new water rights will be granted in the basin. This means the numerous proposed solar energy projects in the 

Amargosa Desert must satisfy their water needs through existing water rights. However, approved solar projects may face future curtailment 

of their water use since NPS believes current pumping is adversely aff ecting Devils Hole. 

The NPS expressed concerns regarding planned water use during BLM’s public scoping for the project in 2009, when the initial proposal 

included water-cooled technology. Following the company’s commitment to revise its proposal to incorporate dry-cooling technology, NPS 

entered into discussions with Solar Millennium and BLM in early 2010 to address additional measures that avoid impacts to Devils Hole. 

NPS fi led protests to Solar Millennium’s water rights applications because the applications represented a potential increase in basin-wide 

pumping. The Water Rights Branch and Offi ce of the Solicitor assisted Death Valley NP in negotiating an agreement to establish water use limits and monitoring measures, ensuring that the project will not result in increased use of water. The NPS, working with BLM and the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service, also negotiated a commitment that the company will obtain “Minimization Water Rights” in order to achieve an overall 

reduction of pumping in the Amargosa Desert. The four-party agreement is incorporated in BLM’s decision to approve the project. 

The WRB and SOL view the agreement with Solar Millennium as a potential model for other proposed solar energy projects in the 

Amargosa Desert.

Solar Energy Company and NPS Agree to 

Protect Devils Hole (Death Valley National 

Park)

Dan McGlothlin, 

Supervisory Hydrologist

The Amargosa Desert, Nevada. (Photo credit: basinandrangewatch.org)
 National Park Service 24 

View of the Marin Headlands from the south 

tower of the Golden Gate Bridge. 

(Photo courtesy of Jeff Weisenburger)

Many water rights held by the National Park Service were acquired as appurtenances to private lands acquired through purchase or 

donation. Issues regarding such rights may arise, after acquisition, and may require signifi cant investment of resources to resolve. In 

many cases, such issues may be identifi ed and resolved prior to purchase, thereby avoiding unnecessary expenditure of resources. Some 

typical issues are: vulnerability to forfeiture due to nonuse, the inability to use a right in its current form, or the need to invest considerable resources to align the right with park purposes. In general, the identifi cation of such issues prior to purchase will lead to more 

effi cient resolution of the issues and provide the park with a right, well-aligned with park purposes.

The Water Rights Branch has made good progress this year, through cooperation with the NPS Land Resources Division (“Lands”), in 

assessing water rights prior to purchase of associated lands. This progress has come in two forms. A presentation was made in November 2009 entitled, “Water Rights and Land Acquisition” at the Lands conference. The presentation focused on water rights basics and 

viewing water rights as a critical component of the land to be acquired. In addition to the basics of a water right—i.e., amount, source, 

priority date, location—the presentation focused on the historical use of the right. The historical use of the right is critical to its valuation 

and a park’s ability/inability to use the right in the future.

In addition to this presentation, the WRB collabrated with Lands in assessing land acquisition water rights for Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This assessment highlighted a wide variety of water right issues that needed resolution prior to acquisition. It is hoped that 

this process, occurring prior to purchase, will allow the parties involved to reasonably meet their water needs, as well as protect riparian 

areas located within the subject land. This project has been a valuable learning experience for the WRB and we expect this experience 

will translate into wise acquisition of water rights and land in the future. The WRB will continue to work with Lands to develop tools to 

secure valid and desireable water rights associated with future land acquisitions.

Land Acquistion and Water Rights

Eric Lord, 

Water Rights Specialist
 National Park Service 25 

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (BLCA) was established in 1933 to preserve one of the most spectacular, 

steepest, and narrowest canyons in the country. Formed by 

the constant grinding of water and sediment of the Gunnison 

River, the 53-mile long Black Canyon is, in places, deeper than 

it is wide, with canyon walls towering more than 2,000 feet 

above the river.

Since 1966, three upstream Bureau of Reclamation reservoirs 

(collectively known as the Aspinall Unit) have modifi ed fl ow 

of the Gunnison River through BLCA, which lies immediately 

downstream of the lowermost reservoir. In 2008, the United 

States quantifi ed and was decreed a Federal Reserved water 

right for annual peak, shoulder, and base fl ows. These fl ows 

mimic the historical natural hydrograph, yet remain a subject 

of controversy among some local water interests and river 

users. In addition, the Gunnison River downstream of BLCA 

is designated critical habitat for two endangered Colorado 

River fi shes. The Bureau of Reclamation is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement to reoperate the Aspinall Unit 

to meet the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Flow Recommendations for these fi sh. Thus, the NPS fi nds itself in the position 

of having to defend its instream fl ows and at the same time 

respond to and evaluate eff ects of diff erent reservoir 

operation alternatives on park resources.

Recently, BLCA staff , the NPS’ Northern Colorado Plateau 

Inventory and Monitoring Network, scientists from the United 

States Geological Survey, and Water Resources Division staff 

joined forces to develop and initiate a long-term monitoring 

program to document fl ow-related changes to sediment, 

riparian vegetation and aquatic resources within the park. 

While all the details have yet to be worked-out, the intent is 

to capture the eff ects of the decreed fl ows and diff erent 

reservoir releases on riparian vegetation dynamics, sediment 

entrainment and transport, and abundance and distribution 

of aquatic macroinvertabrates. Long-term monitoring of 

these resources will hopefully better inform reservoir management decisions and illustrate the importance of more 

natural fl ows at maintaining the unique resources and natural 

processes of this national park

Long-Term Resource Monitoring along the Gunnison River in Black Canyon of 

the Gunnison National Park

Mark Wondzell, Hydrologist

Gunnison River, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. 

(Photos by Mark Wondell)
Natural Resource Challenge: Aquatic Resource Field Professionals Highlights National Park Service 26

Natural Resource Challenge: Aquatic 

Resource Field Professionals Highlights

Funding from the Natural Resource Challenge helped support 15 

fi eld-based aquatic resource professional positions in FY10. The 

aquatic professional positions were developed to provide the 

National Park Service with both an extension of the functions and 

capabilities provided by the Water Resources Division and the water 

and aquatic resource professional positions base-funded in parks and 

regions. Positions are designed to provide locally-based expertise to 

address water resource, fi shery, and/or other aquatic issues that are 

substantial and ongoing in a particular watershed or area. The 

positions are unique in that they are designed to support the needs 

of multiple parks. 

Examples of fi eld-based Aquatic Resource Professionals’ 

Accomplishments FY2010:

• Worked with Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore staff to facilitate 

a re-do of the INDU Coastal Watershed Condition Assessment, using 

funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and provided 

reviews of work plans and progress reports

• Provided technical and logistical assistance to university 

cooperators conducting the Isle Royale National Park/Acadia nitrogen 

critical loads project. 

• Facilitated use of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funds to place 

archival geolocator tags on breeding loons, in order to track migratory 

movements through northern Lake Michigan.

• Conducted additional analysis of a 30-year water quality dataset 

covering eight sites in and near MISS, focusing on trends in nutrient 

and sediment loading in the corridor. 

• Continued drafting fi nal report on spatial, seasonal, and long-term 

water quality trends in and near MISS; fi nal report expected in FY11

• Facilitated the use of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funds to 

conduct biological surveys as part of a previously funded vernal forest 

pools project.

• Conducted detailed analysis of data from the 2008 nitrogen study 

of the Lower St. Croix River; prepared presentation for the October 

2010 St. Croix Research Rendezvous (“The other nutrient: nitrogen in 

Lake St. Croix water and biota”); contributed to presentation at the 

International Paleolimnology Symposium (“Nitrogen isotopes in mussel shells record anthropogenic nutrient loading to the Lower St. Croix 

River, Minnesota, Wisconsin, USA”).

• Gave a guest lecture for an environmental science course at Metropolitan State University (“Water and mud: environmental history of 

the St. Croix River”).

• Provided dive assistance related for a USGS SACN zebra mussel 

eff ects study and a climate change eff ects study.

• Participated in St. Croix Basin Water Resources Planning Team 

activities, particularly those of the Monitoring and Assessment Subcommittee

• Helped plan and conduct a suite of studies in SLBE’s Lake Michigan 

waters through and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (see below).

• Developed Lake Michigan-related proposals for the FY11 Great 

Lakes Restoration Initiative.

• Provided technical assistance and input related to year two of the 

NRPP-NRM botulism project.

• With USGS partners, completed a historical data analysis evaluating 

potential causes for avian botulism outbreaks since 1960; drafted a 

related manuscript (“Links between type E botulism outbreaks, lake 

levels, and surface water temperatures in Lake Michigan, 1963-2008”) 

which was accepted for publication in FY11 in Journal of Great Lakes 

Research.

• Provided hiring assistance related to the GLRI project “Comprehensive Marine Assessments: Benthic Habitat Mapping” and contributed 

to discussions related to boat and multibeam sonar purchase.

• Reviewed sampling plans and provided aquatic invasive species 

prevention suggestions related to the GLRI project “Comprehensive 

Marine Assessments: Nearshore Ecological Survey”, conducted in 

cooperation with EPA.

• Provided fi eld assistance to NPS staff and cooperators at Apostle 

Islands and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores as part of the GLRI 

project “Implement Recommendations from Watershed Condition Assessments: Inventory and Ecological Survey of Coastal Rock Pools”.

• Reviewed work plans, contracts, and draft products related to the 

GLRI project “Implement Recommendations from Watershed 

Condition Assessments: Develop Spill Response Plans”.

• Helped develop scopes of work and coordinate fi eld sampling for 

the GLRI projects “Research Nearshore Lake Michigan Changes: 

Paleolimnological Study” and “Research Nearshore Lake Michigan 

Changes: Intensive Food Web Study”.

• Assisted with developing purchase materials for the GLRI project 

“Research Nearshore Lake Michigan Changes: Purchase Nearshore 

Monitoring Buoy”.

 • Served as one of two NPS points of contact for the Gulf Hypoxia 

Task Force Coordinating Committee, and provided NPS information 

for the Annual Reports and Operating Plans. 

 • Provided oversight and reviewed progress reports for the NRPPNRM spiny water fl ea project at ISRO, PIRO, SLBE, and VOYA.

• Conducted pre-proposal reviews for Midwest Region NRPP-NRM 

projects.

• PWR – NPS Liaison, Deepwater Horizon incident command, 4 weeks. 

Assembled NPS boundary maps for NOAA Geographic Information 

System; with interagency team, co-developed and implemented BMPs 

for protecting cultural resources and special status species during 

response activities.

• PWR – Co-taught a Bureau of Land Management class entitled 

Measuring and Monitoring Plant Populations to increase the quality 

of government vegetation restoration and monitoring projects in the 

Pacifi c West Region.

• PWR – Co-coordinated PWR conference for natural resource 

managers.

• SFAN – designed long term monitoring plan to track integrity of 

wetlands and riparian habitats at PINN. Monitoring plan completed 

and approved by PWR regional I&M program FY2010. 

• CHIS – Co-led project to design Prisoners Harbor Coastal Lagoon 

Restoration Project to restore degraded wetland on Santa Cruz Island. 

Project to benefi t migratory birds and archeological resources. 

Completed EIS/EIR FY2010. Project to be implemented FY2011.

• DEPO – NPS Natural Resource Specialist for the joint NPS/USFS 

General Management Plan team. Team developed management 

alternatives to protect natural and cultural resources while providing 

appropriate visitor experiences. Drafted “Aff ected Environment” 

chapter of EIS in FY2010.

• GOGA – Co-led project to complete monitoring program to assess 

ecological impacts of Big Lagoon Coastal Wetland Restoration Project 

in Marin, CA. Project to benefi t salmonids and other protected 

species. Monitoring Plan completed in FY2010.

• LABE – Provided technical assistance for creation of LABE Resource 

Stewardship Strategy. LABE RSS to be completed FY2011.
 National Park Service 27 

• Provided technical assistance for wetlands protection and compliance for Sandy Creek Bridge reconstruction project. Project to protect 

resources while replacing necessary infrastructure. Site 

Assessment conducted, EA initiated FY2010.

• Lead Author for the Resource Stewardship Strategy as part of the 

national NPS pilot RSS program. Final draft RSS completed FY2010.

• Co-led project to map wetlands at Mineral King in Sequoia NP to 

support upcoming site management strategy. Strategy will inform 

management of leased lands in park while protecting wetland 

resources. Completed draft report, datasheets, and maps in FY2010. 

• Participated on the NPS Resource Management Team and interagency Technical Working Group regarding the Pebble Mine, a proposed copper and gold mine in southwest Alaska; attended meetings, 

reviewed study plans, and commented on fi sheries resource issues. 

• Provided technical review and comments for the Southwest Alaska 

Salmon Habitat Partnership monitoring strategic plan.

• Drafted proposal and received funding for a juvenile sockeye salmon project in Lake Clark.

• Assisted with logistics and implementation of water quality monitoring in the Chulitna River watershed, a watershed adjacent to the 

proposed Pebble Mine.

• Provided project oversight, completed data analysis, and wrote annual and fi nal reports for a monitoring project estimating the number 

of sockeye salmon returning to Lake Clark. 

• Worked cooperatively with the Alaska Department of Fish and 

Game (ADF&G) to radio track the seasonal movements of northern 

pike captured and tagged in Chulitna Bay, Hardenburg Bay, and Long 

Lake.

• Coordinated logistics, hiring, and implementation of a new sockeye salmon escapement project in the Kuskokwim River drainage in 

southwest Alaska.

• Assisted a University of Washington graduate student with a freshwater fi sh inventory in the upper Mulchatna River drainage to model 

distribution.

• Coordinated logistics and assisted with an assessment of the 

feeding ecology of Arctic char in Lower Tazimina and Caribou Lakes.

• Reviewed monitoring protocols and annual reports, and provided 

technical assistance with various fi sh and water resource projects. 

• Planned and facilitated collection of bathymetry data for Turquoise, 

Snipe, Lachbuna, and Fishtrap Lakes.

• Provided input on objectives for resource condition assessment for 

Yukon-Charley Rivers and Gates of the Arctic

• Participated as a member of the unit compliance team for YukonCharley Rivers and Gates of the Arctic

• Initiated cooperative agreement to document impacts of 2009 

spring fl ood on moose habitat, wetland communities and structures 

(GAAR and YUCH)

• Cored Six-Mile Lake to assess the impacts of global climate change 

in GAAR nad YUCH. 

• Served as agency lead on Fish Technical Working Group for the 

NRDA component of the Deepwater Horizon Incident

• Served on 16-day detail to the Unifi ed Incident Command as a 

Resource Advisor with SCAT Team 1 evaluating the extent of oil on 

NPS beaches and developing Shoreline Treatment Recommendations

• Served on Work Group for new designations of Wild and Scenic 

Rivers pursuant to a NLC directive

• Assist park in evaluating potential impacts associated in assessing 

potential impacts to aquatic resources associated with the Roberta 

Landfi ll (BISO). 

• Conducted site visit with partner agencies and park staff as part of 

ongoing eff ort to avoid and/or mitigate adverse eff ects of the Roberta 

Landfi ll project (BISO).

• Assisted park in evaluating the potential for bycatch associated 

with mechanized beach sifting (GUIS).

• Conducted fi eld assessment to Horn Island in August to observe 

mechanical sifting during night operations and evaluate potential 

bycatch (GUIS).

• Co-authored whitepaper on the implications of beach clean-up 

activities on natural resources (GUIS).

• Conducted site visit and participated in workshop hosted by 

University of California Santa Barbara NCEAS on ecotoxicology of the 

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

• Acted as Regional Goal Contact for FY 07-11 and FY 08-12 NPS 

Strategic Plan Goal 1a1H—Land Health -Acres in Condition

• Represented the NPS at the Gulf Of Mexico Alliance meetings and 

participated as a member on the Habitat Conservation and Restoration Team. Continued to develop a sediment budget for restoration 

in the northern Gulf of Mexico Coast

• Participated in regions role in administering the annual Servicewide Combined Call (SCC) including projects that resulted in

protection and/or restoration of wetland habitat. Assisted Jean 

Lafi tte National and Historic Park with obtaining funding for canal 

reclamation project. Funding used to degrade spoil banks and fi ll 

previously dredged canals, restoring natural hydrology.

• Participated in DWH Oil Spill response and NRDA activities

• Reviewed Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Phase 1 Draft Integrated 

Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact 

• Review of Historic Structure Report (HSR) for the rehabilitation of 

the historic structures at Boca Chita Key

• Visited endangered coral reefs to develop DHW Oil Spill response 

document protecting the reefs in the event oil reached these endangered ecosystems

Ochre Sea Stars in Redwood National Park, California 

(NPS Photo) 
 Appendix A : Technical Assistance Servicewide National Park Service 28

APPENDIX A

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 

SERVICEWIDE

Servicewide

Prepared and presented a class regarding water rights at the Land 

Resources Division Conference in Palm Desert, CA. The class focused 

on water rights in the context of land acquisition.

Hosted the Water Resources Aquatic Professionals meeting.

Represented WRD by co-teaching the water-related sessions of 

Denver University’s Earth Science in Context course for Middle and 

High School teachers held July 6-17, 2010.

Completed 19 station folders and 3 survey/history folders for WRB 

gages to support water rights eff orts in Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma 

and Wyoming.

Implemented a quality control/assurance review process with the U.S. 

Geological Survey for WRB streamgage and water level folders.

Developed and executed a plan to place water rights dockets into 

NRINFO.

Co-lead a WRD team to evaluate water resource information needs 

and provide recommendations to the Chief of WRD.

Completed the 2007-2009 Wild and Scenic Rivers Program 

Accomplishment Report.

Co-taught at the Interagency Wild and Scenic River Train-the-Trainer 

Course.

Member of the Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating 

Council.

Led the development of a Section 7 fl owchart for the Interagency 

Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council.

Represented the NPS on the Navajo Nation-Hopi Indian Federal Water 

Rights Negotiation Team. Elevated NPS issues to the Counselor to the 

Secretary and Chairman of the Working Group on Indian Water Settlements for resolution and incorporation into the proposed 

Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement and draft legislation.

Member of the Colorado River Steering and Technical Committees.

Supported NPS resource protection by participating the NRDA 

coordination eff orts associated with the Deepwater Horizon (MC 252) 

Oil Spill. 

Directed the Servicewide implementation and use of GPRA Goals 

1a4C and 1a4D.

Represented the NPS as the primary lead on the BLM Solar Energy 

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. Coordinated NPS

responses to preliminary EIS documents with Intermountain and 

Pacifi c West regional offi ces and parks.

Served on the conference planning committee for the 2010 NPS 

Aquatic Professionals Meeting.

Organized and chaired two wetlands sessions (restoration and 

management) at the 2010 NPS Aquatic Professionals Meeting 

(February 9-11 in Fort Collins, CO). 

Co-authored a 2012 OFS Statement titled “Restoring Disturbed 

Ecosystems in America’s Most Treasured Landscapes” (OFS Number 

28096B). The requested $27.5 million would establish a dedicated 

funding source to address the backlog of natural resource restoration 

projects in parks. 

Evaluated and ranked six proposals for 2010 NRPC Climate Change 

Program funding.

Provided support to the ADNRSS in reviewing and commenting on 

Development Advisory Board proposals.

Responded to the NPS Offi ce of Legislative Aff airs regarding an 

inquiry from Senator Wyden (after DOI testimony on climate change) 

regarding adaptation of climate change restoration priorities in the 

NPS. 

Served as a proposal reviewer for the joint USGS and NPS Park 

Oriented Biological Support Program funding. 

Alligator stare in Everglades National Park, Florida Photo by NPS 
 Appendix A : Technical Assistance Servicewide National Park Service 29 

 

Served as a Development Advisory Board project reviewer, of eleven 

construction projects totaling over $78.6 million for cost effi ciency 

and technical feasibility, to advise the Natural Resource Stewardship 

and Science Associate Director.

Provided the Environmental Quality Division staff with an evaluation 

and rank ordering of 45 parks according to the amount of wetlands in 

the parks and the current and proposed levels of impacts to wetlands 

from oil and gas development activities. 

Served as a member of the 2010 National Wetland Awards Selection 

Committee. 

Served as a member of the Water Resources Division evaluation panel 

and helped write the 2010 request for Division funding from the 

Offi ce of Financial Services for four water-related areas of emphasis.

Served as a member of the Natural Resource Protection Program, Disturbed Lands, Proposal Ranking Panel. 

Presented at the 2010 NPS Aquatic Professionals Meeting Conference. 

Presentation titled: Wetland Banking and No Net Loss of Wetland 

Ecosystem Services.

Served as the primary reviewer of, and compiled the National Park 

Service response comment letter for, the Department of the Army, 

Corps of Engineers, Notice of Proposal to Re-issue and Modify

 Nationwide Permits.

As part of the NRPC External Energy Issues Team, reviewed and 

evaluated the proposed BLM-DOE Solar Energy Programmatic 

Environmental Impact Statement, Chapter: Aff ected Environmental 

and Impact Assessment for proposed Solar Energy Zones in Colorado. 

Recommended language relative to the potential impacts to

surrounding parks in the region.

Served as an independent reviewer of a wetland delineation proposal 

project for this years’ NRPP-NRM project funding. 

Served as a Contracting Offi cers Technical Representative on a 

Technical Evaluation Panel for the Prisoners Harbor Coastal Wetland 

Restoration construction project at Channel Islands National Park. 

Developed and revised Natural Resource Condition Assessment 

program guidelines for standard report outline, standard boilerplate 

for chapter 1, and peer review form.

Member of the WASO Rivers/Dams workgroup.

Represent the NPS on sensor QC, Emerging Contaminants, and Statistical subgroups of the National Water Quality Monitoring Council 

Methods and Data Comparability Board. 

Participated in NPS discussions with National Parks and Conservation 

Association (NPCA) Center for State of the Parks staff to identify appropriate, useful ways that NPS and NPCA can share data and information pertaining to resource conditions in national park units. 

Represented the NPS on the Chemistry, Water column and Toxicology 

Technical Working Group in support of the Deep Water Horizons oil 

spill Natural Resources Damage Assessment.

In a cooperative eff ort with Cultural Resources developed an agenda 

for a shared session at George Wright Society titled “Taking Stock: 

Assessing Cultural and Natural Resource Conditions in National Parks”

Continued development of NPSTORET - a series of Microsoft Access 

templates/forms for entering and documenting the results of water 

quality monitoring projects as per the National Water Quality 

Monitoring Council’s guidelines in a format compatible with uploading to modern STORET using the STORET Import Module or Water 

Quality Exchange (WQX) format. NPSTORET versions v1.80 and v.1.81 

were released adding new functionality and fi xing reported bugs.

Chaired a six-member NPSTORET User Board to help oversee the 

development and implementation of NPSTORET.

Updated the website for Vital Signs Water Quality Data Management 

and Archiving at http://www.nature.nps.gov/water/infoanddata/index.htm.

Setup a trial, shared/network installation of Aquatic Informatics’ 

Aquarius Workstation and Aquarius Database for parks, networks, and 

the Water Resources Division staff to evaluate their utility for processing and managing continuous water resource (both quantity and 

quality) data.

Hosted a meeting with the Inventory and Monitoring Division, Water 

Resources Division, two network data managers, and others in Fort 

Collins, CO during June to map a strategy for managing continuous 

water resource data streams.

Prepared a proposal to acquire a shared/network installation of 

Aquatic Informatics’ Aquarius Workstation that was subsequently 

approved.

Pelican, Dry Tortugas National Park. (Photo by 

Kimberly Ropp)
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Servicewide National Park Service 30 

Prepared contracting materials as requested by contracting to shepherd the acquisition of Aquatic Informatics’ Aquarius Workstation, 

Aquarius Database, and Aquarius Data Portal through purchasing.

Maintained the Water Resources Division’s STORET infrastructure: a 

data entry workstation version of STORET containing NPS’ production 

data and servers hosting copies of Legacy STORET, National STORET, 

and the STORET Data Warehouse.

Produced quarterly Capital Planning and Investment Control reports 

and the Offi ce of Management and Budget’s Exhibit 300-1 

documenting WRD’s STORET investment.

Created a SharePoint site on the topic of Water Resources Data 

Management (http://nrpcsharepoint/wrd/data/default.aspx) with a 

subsite of Continuous Data Management (http://nrpcsharepoint/wrd/

data/continuous/default.aspx).

Coordinated and wrote report on Water Resources Division’s Information Management Strategy.

Coordinated Water Resources Division’s review of a constrained set of 

keywords (categories) to be used to categorize ‘References’ entered 

into the Integration of Resource Management Applications (IRMA) for 

the Inventory and Monitoring Division.

Represented the Water Resources Division during NRPC Integrated 

Resource Management Applications (IRMA) meetings.

Represented the Water Resources Division during NRPC Information 

Technology Technical Advisory Group (IT-TAG) meetings.

Assisted the Environmental Protection Agency, several states, and 

Gold Systems Inc. in developing and debugging the Ambient Water 

Quality Monitoring System (AWQMS), a possible successor to the 

stand-alone copies of STORET.

Provided numerous corrections, additions, and suggestions to EPA 

regarding characteristics and other aspects of the STORET database 

and WQX schema, including reporting a major issue with STORET 

database updates going back to 2003 that, under certain circumstances, were making erroneous changes in user data due to faulty 

programming logic.

Notifi ed other organizations when problems were encountered with 

their data in the STORET Data Warehouse.

Maintained inventory fact sheets for the water quality and water 

resources inventories.

Updated webpages (http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/inventory/waterquality/index.cfm and http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/inventory/

water/index.cfm) for the Servicewide Inventory and Monitoring 

Program to explain the water quality and water resources inventories.

Participated in meetings with the DSC Planning Division, Alaska 

Regional Offi ce, and WRD staff on Wild & Scenic River planning.

Prepared the 2009 Annual Administrative Reports and Workplans for 

the water quality and water resources inventories.

Hosted a data management session and made a presentation at the 

Water Resources Division’s Aquatic Professionals Meeting in Fort 

Collins, CO during February.

Attended the Servicewide Inventory and Monitoring Program’s Data 

Manager’s Meeting in Fort Collins, CO during March.

Attended the National Water Quality Monitoring Council biennial 

conference in Denver, CO during April.

Attended Aquatic Informatics’ Aquarius Users Group Meeting in 

Denver, CO during April.

Provided assistance and slides to the Air Resources Division regarding 

accessing water quality data in the STORET Data Warehouse

Maintained NPSEDD v1.10, the NPS Electronic Data Deliverable 

specifi cation used by parks and networks for contributing water 

quality data for inclusion in STORET.

Maintained NPSCol2Row v2.11, a data formatting utility used to 

prepare data for the STORET Import Module, on the NPS’ Vital Signs 

Water Quality Data Management and Archiving website and EPA’s 

STORET Tools website (http://www.epa.gov/storet/otherapps.html) for 

anyone to download.

Continued to oversee the development of the Hydrographic and Impairment Statistics database (http://www1.nrintra.nps.gov/wrd/his/) 

built on a framework of the National Hydrography Dataset and state 

303(d) Clean Water Act listings.

Notifi ed the U.S. Geological Survey and state National Hydrography 

Dataset stewards of issues encountered in processing the National 

Hydrography Dataset.

Maintained and enhanced the software used to quality-assure,

compile, and calculate hydrographic statistics in the Hydrographic 

and Impairment Statistics database.

Provided support to the U.S. Geological Survey on a U.S. Agency for 

International Development eff ort to assist Pakistan in developing 

water quality database management systems.

Gray Wolf, Grand Teton National Park. (NPS Photo) Gray Wolf Grand Teton National Park (NPS Photo)
 Appendix A : Technical Assistance Servicewide National Park Service 31 

Coordinated the upgrade to Terrain Navigator Pro v.8.70 and troubleshot issues for Natural Resource Program Center users.

Coordinated peer review for proposals submitted for funding from the 

POBS program.

Responded to public water resource inquiries generated by NPS 

Internet Web Site.

Committee member for biannual Water Resources Professionals 

meeting.

Attended Line Item Construction meeting in Galveston, Texas for 

NRSS.

Attended Development Advisory Board Meeting in Washington DC for 

NRSS.

Participated in an April 2010 Resource Stewardship Strategies (RSS) 

workshop to assist good linkages between Natural Resources 

Condition Assessments and RSSs and review lessons learned from a 

set of pilot RSS projects. 

Participated in Dam Removal Workshop II organized by Bureau of 

Reclamation and US Geological Survey.

Reviewed and commented on Director’s Order 40, NPS Dam Safety 

Policy

Participated in Climate Change Program meetings related to 

fl oodplain management.

Served as coordinator for NRPC reviews of submissions to the 

Development Advisory Board.

WRD Point of Contact for position supported by the Natural Resources 

Challenge, Fluvial Geomorphologist at MORA.

Member of the Restoration Technical Advisory Group.

Represented Natural Resource Stewardship & Science on NPS Dive 

Control Board.

Worked with DOI Senior Ocean Policy Team and the NPS regions and 

parks on the implementation of the new National Ocean Policy (EO 

13547).

Worked with NOAA’s Marine Protected Areas Center on an MPA Climate Change working group to develop “climatologies” for marine 

sanctuaries, refuges and national parks. 

Represented NPS at the Houma Incident Command Center during the 

DeepWater Horizon oil spill.

Represented NPS of the Federal Geospatial Data Committee and 

Coastal Spatial Data.

Subcommittee to develop the Coastal Ecological Mapping Classifi cation Standard (CMECS) as a national habitat classifi cation for oceans, 

coasts and estuaries.

Funded Geological Resources Division contact hire of a solicitor to 

develop a jurisdiction handbook for ocean and coastal park superintendents.

Developed a marine invasive species database for all ocean and coastal parks; hosted a Webinar to demonstrate database functionality.

Developed Servicewide Comprehensive Call ocean and coastal resources program funding guidance and approved and funded projects at KAHO, KALA, ASIS and AKSO.

Working with the Lands Resources Division and NRPC GIS, developed 

shoreline maps for 84 ocean and coastal parks.

Worked with NOAA MPA Center nominate and list 19 NPS units in the 

National System of MPAs under EO 13158

Worked with USFWS and NOAA National Estuarine Reserves and

National Marine Sanctuary staff s to implement the interagency 

Seamless Network Agreement.

Worked with Russ Wilson, superintendent at CALO, on detail to WASO 

to develop a framework for director’s order on ocean and coastal 

parks.

Worked with Geological Resources Division and the Lands Resources 

Division to develop solicitor opinions to deal with park boundary issues for 12 ocean and coastal parks.

Taroko National Park Republic of China (ROC) - Provided technical 

consultation, conducted three workshops, and authored technical 

report regarding geologic/hydrologic hazards.

2010 NRPC Planning Technical Advisory Team (PTAG) member 

2010 NPS Climate Change Planning Working Group member that 

serves the NPS Climate Change Response Steering Committee. The 

steering committee serves as an advisory body to the NPS Director 

and the National Leadership Council (NLC) on climate-related topics

2010 NPS Resource Stewardship Strategy Workshop participant (April 

13-15, 2010). 

2010 NPS Water Resources Planning Lead, March – June 2010

Quagga/Zebra Mussels. Photo by David Britton 
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Servicewide National Park Service 32 

2010 NPS Climate Change Scenario Planning Detail. 

NPS participant in the Crown of the Continent Climate Change 

Scenario Planning Workshop.

NPS core-team participant for training federal and state agencies on 

Climate Change Scenario Planning (CCSP). 

Reviewed/commented on the fi rst draft of a Natural Resource 

Condition Assessment for VAFO.

Participated in the April 2010 Pilot RSS workshop.

Participated in several meetings with DSC Planning Division and WRD 

staff on Wild & Scenic River planning. 

Represented WRD, NRPC and PTAG at regular meetings of the DSC 

Planning Division.

Provided oversight and support for the fi eld-based aquatic ecologist 

(Natural Resource Challenge funded) position that supports Great 

Lakes park units. 

Reviewed and provided technical comments on DOI policy regarding 

Fish and Shellfi sh Consumption Advisories for water bodies within 

DOI properties.

Participated in conference calls and other activities of the Organizing 

Committee for the Fourth Interagency Conference of Research in the 

Watershed (4th ICRW) to be held in Fairbanks, Alaska in September 

2011.

Reviewed the science and public opinion regarding transport of 

Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) on felt soled wading boots in consideration of proposing a service-wide recommendation on the use of 

felt soled boots in National Parks.

Worked with other WRD and BRMD staff to ensure that NPS is 

represented on the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.

Represented the National Park Service on the Western Regional Panel 

(WRP) of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. 

Represented NPS on QZAP implementation committee. 

Represented the National Park Service on fi sh habitat partnerships 

established under and recognized by the National Fish Habitat Action 

Plan.

Represented the National Park Service at the Annual Meeting of the 

Desert Fishes Council in Death Valley National Park.

Worked with staff from GRSM to fi nalize the Manual for the Use of 

Antimycin A for Restoration of Native Fish Populations. 

Cooperated with BRMD and park staff to draft responses to letters 

from western states requesting information on NPS Quagga/Zebra 

Mussel containment activities.

Worked with western parks to estimate expenditures and needs for 

quagga/mussel prevention and response programs.

Worked with other WRD staff on an NRPP Servicewide proposal to 

develop a distribution database and risk assessment for aquatic 

invasive species in NPS units. 

Represented the National Park Service at the annual meeting of 

Colorado – Wyoming Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.

Represented NPS at Wild Trout X in West Yellowstone, MT. 

Moose at Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National 

Park (Photo by Dan Ng ) 
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Alaska Region / Intermountain Region National Park Service 33 

Funded development of digital shorelines for ocean and coastal parks 

in Alaska.

Provided oversight and management support for the fi eld-based 

aquatic ecologist position responsible for the Alaska Arctic and 

Central Alaska Networks. 

Served as a selecting offi cial for the NPS Alaska Regional Hydrologist 

position advertised in FY10.

Provided technical assistance to Katmai National Park and Preserve to 

address a deteriorating fi sh ladder that was built in the 1970s without 

NPS approval. 

Provided technical and policy review and evaluation of several draft 

Statements of Findings for the Brooks River Visitor Access, Katmai 

National Park and Preserve. Comments were used to redefi ne the 

project design to minimize wetland impacts.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 

REGIONS AND PARKS

ALASKA REGION

Regionwide

Denali National Park and Preserve 

Assessed proposed use of park water for hydropower by inholder 

Doyon Corporation in Kintishna area. Prepared assessment in context 

of Director’s Order 35 A and B and considered possibility of policy 

waiver.

Reviewed and evaluated the Environmental Assessment for Improving 

Visitor Access to the Sled Dog Kennels and Demonstrations at Denali 

National Park and Preserve. Provided guidance on the preparation of 

the wetlands and compliance sections. 

Provided guidance on the preparation of a Wetland Statement of 

Findings for Improving Visitor Access to the Sled Dog Kennels and 

Demonstrations at Denali National Park and Preserve. Recommended 

approval for the WRD Chief’s signature that certifi ed the technical 

adequacy of the wetland analyses and consistency of the project with 

Director’s Order #77-1. 

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Reviewed and provided technical comments on WRD Technical Report 

concerning the meteorology and hydrology of the Alsek River delta 

area within the Dry Bay Preserve, and its potential eff ects on salmon 

populations

Partnered with USGS to develop benthic habitat map for the West 

Kenai Fjords National Park 

Completed the watershed condition assessment.

Lake Clark National Preserve

Provided technical assistance support related to potential impacts to 

ground and surface waters from a proposed copper-gold-molybdenum mine adjacent to the park.

Presented a poster at the annual National Water Quality Monitoring 

Conference in Denver explaining the challenges facing the park and 

baseline monitoring needs the park has for the Chulitna watershed 

prior to the proposed Pebble Mine development.

Reviewed IMR OFS statement for Quagga/Zebra Mussel prevention at 

CURE and GLCA. 

Katmai National Park

Provided consultation related to the replacement of a fl oating bridge 

in the Brooks Camp area of the park and reviewed fl oodplain 

Statement of Findings.

Reviewed and evaluated the report Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination of Waters of the US, Including Wetlands at the Brooks River 

Bridge Project, Katmai National Park and Preserve. Provided advice on 

mitigating impacts to the wetland hydrology and the need for a 

Wetland Statement of Findings.

Sitka National Historical Park

Provided advice regarding water diversions by the Sitka Sound 

Science Center from the Indian River. Gathered and analyzed 

information to estimate eff ect of diversions on discharge of the Indian 

River. 

Beautiful Sitka Sunset, Sitka National Historical Park. 

NPS Photo

Wrangell-St.Elias National Park and Preserve

Re-uploaded water quality data to STORET from environmental 

geochemical investigations conducted between 1994 and 1997 to 

determine the extent of possible environmental hazards.

Provided consultation and biological data from two projects to park 

staff .

Completed draft Natural Resources Condition Assessment.

INTERMOUNTAIN REGION

Regionwide
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Intermountain Region National Park Service 34 

Arches National Park 

Coauthored Report entitled, Groundwater Age Dating in and Near 

Arches National Park.

Completed draft water rights agreement with State of Utah.

Provided technical review of USGS study proposal entitled, Quantifi cation of Changes in Surface-water Quantity and Quality in Arches 

National Park in Response to Changes in Climatic Conditions and 

Anthropogenic Alteration of Groundwater Resources.

Provided oversight/consultation in collection of spring discharge data.

Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site

Determined the adequacy of water rights to meet needs of park 

irrigation project.

Provided on-site technical review and recommendations to improve 

drainage ditch issues associated with the maintenance facility and 

the administration buildings at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site. 

Evaluations and recommendations were documented in a trip report.

WRD staff reviewed and commented on the Bent’s Old Fort Historical 

Site Water Resources Information and Issues Overview Report.

Completed a draft of the Water Resources Information and Issues 

Overview Report. This draft was peer reviewed and I revised the 

document. It will be printed in October 2011.

Bandelier National Park

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Submitted annual report as required by the Montana – United States, 

National Park Service Water Rights Compact.

Conducted hydrogeological analysis and recommendations for construction of a new water supply well at Horseshoe Bend.

Participated on one conference call to discuss Quagga/Zebra Mussel 

prevention.

Big Hole National Battlefi eld

Submitted annual report as required by the Montana – United States, 

National Park Service Water Rights Compact.

Big Thicket National Preserve

Reviewed and evaluated the Wetland Delineation Report prepared for 

a project to plug and reclaim oil and gas wells at Big Thicket National 

Preserve. Comments were used to refi ne the fi nal draft. Provided 

advice on mitigating impacts to the wetland hydrology and the need 

for a Wetland Statement of Findings.

The Natural Resources Foundation Report for the park was published.

Amistad National Recreation Area

Provided consultation regarding reconstruction of dock facility.

Retrieved fl oodplain information from WRD fi les and provided interpretation and advice regarding Frijoles Canyon developed area.

Big Bend National Park / Rio Grande Wild & 

Scenic River

Provided technical review of the detailed implementation plan for the 

project: Reconnaissance of Water Chemistry and Spring Flow from a 

Trans-border Aquifer along the Rio Grande (PMIS #109567) and 

recommended the release of funds to begin work.

Participated in discussions with Rio Grande Science Team to frame 

instream fl ow needs and fl ow requests from the Rio Conchos (Mexico) 

to Rio Grande.

Attended Population Viability Assessment workgroup meetings for 

Rio Grande silvery minnow, Albuquerque, New Mexico in support of 

recent reintroduction to Big Bend National Park, Texas.

Reviewed and fi led objections to water rights applications as needed 

to protect park water rights.

Evaluated settlement proposals and coordinated with park, SOL, and 

other federal agencies to resolve objections to adjudication claims.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Evaluated water rights applications in Water Division 4 to determine 

eff ects of diversions on park water rights.

Provided technical input to the park on eff ects and operations of 

Aspinall Unit on park resources, review of Aspinall Unit Re-operations 

EIS, and exercise of decreed water right for Gunnison River.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Provided technical advice on how to complete the wetland delineation for a proposed sewer line upgrade and construction of a road 

pullout area in. Provided advice on mitigating impacts to the wetland 

hydrology and the need for a Wetland Statement of Findings.

By the light of the moon, Bryce Canyon National Park. 

NPS Photo. 
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Intermountain Region National Park Service 35

Continued to monitor DOE news releases and communicate with park 

staff concerning the Moab site groundwater remediation and 

construction activities. 

Canyonlands and Arches National Parks

Capital Reef National Park 

Provided assistance in fi ling for a permit to drill a water well on Pleasant Creek.

Provided assistance in researching land status, legislation, and water 

rights for possible fencing of wetlands to exclude grazing.

Supervised drilling and conducted geologic logging and evaluation of 

a test well at the Utah Valley University Field Station.

Chiricahua National Monument

Reviewed and commented on fl oodplain statement of fi ndings.

Colorado National Monument

Evaluated water rights applications in Water Division 5 to determine 

eff ects of diversions on park water rights.

Uploaded water quality data from the 2000-2001 Level I Water Quality 

Inventory conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey to STORET.

Coronado National Memorial

Reviewed the Arizona Department of Water Resources subfl ow report 

for the San Pedro watershed. Submitted comments to the US Department of Justice.

Dinosaur National Monument

Evaluated water rights applications in Water Division 6 to determine 

impacts of diversions on park water rights.

Participated in and led discussions with park and region staff , DOJ, 

SOL, and expert scientists to begin to develop strategy for instream 

fl ow protection for Yampa River.

Alerted Park staff to fi ndings in a national endocrine study of 

importance for Park natural resources. 

Reviewed and provided technical comments on report concerning 

the potential impacts of non-native predatory fi sh (small-mouth bass) 

on native fi shery on the Yampa River within Dinosaur National Park, 

Colorado.

Worked closely with park staff to fund several temporary employees 

that spent week long trips fl oating the river and clearing tamarisk 

from potential spawning areas. 

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Evaluated water rights applications in Water Division 4 to determine 

impacts of diversions on park water rights.

Provided funding for a project to Colorado State University to determine the dietary preferences of non-native lake trout and brown trout 

in Blue Mesa Reservoir. 

Devil’s Tower National Monument

Reviewed and commented on fl oodplain Statement of Findings.

Conducted analyses of groundwater level monitoring data.

Submitted Application for Due Diligence to the water court for Sawmill Trail Well.

Uploaded fi sh data to STORET from a 2002 inventory of the presence 

and relative abundances of fi sh species in some of the smaller park 

units of the Rocky Mountain Network.

Provided on-site consultation on riparian/wetland restoration opportunities.

Assisted park staff with evaluation of Sawmill Trail Well.

Evaluated reported head-cutting and channel incision in several of 

the park’s wet meadows. 

Fort Bowie National Historic Site

Provided advice during construction and testing of a new well.

Fort Laramie National Historic Site

Conducted river assessment and authored technical report.

Glacier National Park

Reviewed and fi led objections to water rights applications as needed 

to protect park water rights.

Represented the NPS on the Blackfeet Indian Federal Water Rights 

Negotiation Team.

Submitted annual report as required by the Montana – United States, 

National Park Service Water Rights Compact.

Reviewed contract specifi cations for a fl ood hazard study conducted 

for the Divide Creek developed area. Reviewed the fi nal report and 

provided comments and suggestions for park management.

Curecanti National Recreation Area. (Photo by Rian Houston)
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Intermountain Region National Park Service 36

Conducted hydrogeological assessments for the Cut Bank Ranger 

Station, Avalanche Creek Campground, and Fish Creek Campground 

water-supply. 

Reviewed the Detailed Implementation Plan for the NRPP T&E project 

Preservation of Threatened Bull Trout in Glacier National Park and approved the release of FY10 funds 

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Grant-Kohrs National Historic Site

Prepared a Preliminary Evaluation Report for a water supply well at 

Dangling Rope Marina.

Provided guidance on West Side Ditch Parshall fl ume and instrumentation and Clark Fork River pump.

Provided guidance and equipment in order to perform discharge 

measurements. 

Re-uploaded data from the U.S. Geological Survey’s reformatted 

National Uranium Resource Evaluation to STORET.

Uploaded physical, chemical, and biological data to STORET from a 

July 1996 Superfund site evaluation to assess fl oodplain deposits and 

support risk assessment.

Uploaded water quality data to STORET from 2000-2001 from two 

reports written by the University of Montana characterizing the park’s 

geology, soil water, and ground water.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and 

Preserve

Completed construction of 5 groundwater monitoring wells.

Completed GPS survey of 10 monitoring wells.

Completed interagency agreement with the BOR for the operation, 

maintenance, and data management for 10 monitoring wells.

Provided oversight/consultation for data collection, compilation, and 

quarterly report preparation for 10 monitoring wells.

Completed plugging and abandonment of 8 artesian wells.

Coordinated and approved the fi nal report jurisdictional Wetland 

Delineation along Sand Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park and 

Preserve.

Coordinated and approved the fi nal report Restoration Plan for Sand 

Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

Assisted Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve staff in developing contract Scopes of Work for removing 12 artifi cial ponds and 

restoring the Sand Creek riparian ecosystem. Also provided assistance 

with wetland permitting and compliance for the project.

Provided technical review for BLM, “Solar Energy PEIS for Proposed 

Energy Zones in Colorado.”

Uploaded fi sh data to STORET from a 2002 inventory of the presence 

and relative abundances of fi sh species in some of the smaller park 

units of the Rocky Mountain Network.

Grand Canyon National Park

Reviewed preliminary working drafts of uranium withdrawal Environmental Impact Statement.

Facilitated an Issues Workshop (May 6, 2010) for Grand Canyon 

National Park (GRCA) staff to begin eff orts to complete a Water

Resources Information and Issues Overview Report. 

Developed and submitted a funding proposal for a Water Resources 

Information and Issues Overview Report for the park. 

Grand Teton National Park

Planned, facilitated and presented at a workshop to determine the 

values for the newly designated Snake River Headwater Wild and 

Scenic River.

Completed inventory and assessment of water rights associated with 

proposed change in point of diversion and removal of low-head dam 

on Spread Creek.

Reviewed applications for new water rights by Trinity Ranch, Wolf 

Ranch, and Leshe Reservoir, and provided recommendations to park 

regarding possible protest.

Prepared draft notice review protocols and sent to park for approval.

Uploaded fi sheries-related data from 1891 collected under the direction of the U.S. Commissioner of Fish and Fishes, as instructed by 

Congress, to determine optimal locations for fi sh culture operations in 

Montana and Wyoming.

Reviewed fl oodplain Statement of Findings for Moose Developed 

Area.

Provided evaluation of well construction and testing at Triangle X 

Ranch.

Helped lead a week long workshop that developed the Outstandingly 

Remarkable Values for the recently designated wild and scenic segments in the parks.

Assisted park biologists in conducting humpback chub population

monitoring in Shinumo Creek, Grand Canyon National Park.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Initiated a comprehensive assessment of water rights. 

Uploaded physical and chemical water quality data to STORET from 

a 1987-1989 study of the invertebrate distributions between the 

branches of McKittrick Creek.

Assisted in developing a groundwater monitoring plan
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Intermountain Region National Park Service 37 

Hovenweep National Monument

Submitted annual water use report to the State.

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

Completed and published an “Assessment of Riparian-Wetland Conditions and Recommendations for Management: Pueblo Colorado Wash, 

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, Arizona” in the NRPC 

Natural Resources Report Series (Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/

NRR—2010/213).

Directed a coalition of volunteers, staff from several Navajo and Hopi 

Tribal agencies and schools, and NPS staff in planting over 12,500 

native wetland plants in Pueblo Colorado Wash.

Obtained funding to expand the shallow groundwater monitoring 

program for the Pueblo Colorado Wash restoration project

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Developed and implemented strategy for acquisition of instream fl ow 

water rights for Beaver and Wet Beaver Creeks.

Provided technical assistance for construction, operation, maintenance, and data management for automated stage gages on Beaver 

and Wet Beaver Creeks.

Continued progress of investigation by USGS to determine source and 

fl owpaths of groundwater in Montezuma Well.

Advised park staff regarding groundwater withdrawals of the 

Thiemann well of the Montezuma Rimrock Water Company and 

possible eff ects of the withdrawals on Montezuma Well and other 

monument water sources. Prepared analysis and talking points for 

park staff .

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Re-uploaded water quality data collected at two locations on the 

Pedernales River by the Lower Colorado River Authority to STORET.

Natural Bridges National Monument

Completed fi nal water rights agreement with State of Utah.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Park

Reviewed and commented on fl oodplain statement of fi ndings.

Assisted with analyses of cause and remedial action of declining water 

levels at Quitobaquito Spring.

Padre Island National Seashore

Provided technical review of a proposed park housing development 

of two sea turtle cabins along the Gulf shoreline at Padre Island 

National Seashore.

Worked with park staff to evaluate the potential for wetland impacts 

and provided guidance concerning wetland compliance.

Mesa Verde National Park

Evaluated water rights applications in Water Division 7 to determine 

impacts of diversions on park water rights.

Reviewed and provided comments to state regulatory agencies on 

semi-annual monitoring documents produced by Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program Responsible Party contractor. 

Advised on possible impacts that construction of a new water supply 

pipeline and associated “frac outs” could have on existing monitoring wells and ongoing remediation of the Far View Terrace gasoline 

plume. 

Palo Alto Battlefi eld National Historic Site

Established a network of continuously recording oxidation-reduction 

monitoring stations within unimpacted (reference) and degraded wet 

prairie areas of the battlefi eld. 

John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway

Supervised the earth-moving and planting phases of the Pond 5 

wetland restoration project

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area 

Provided technical guidance and implementation strategies to 

prevent the spread and establishment of ANS (zebra mussels) in Lake 

Meredith .

Little Bighorn Battlefi eld National Monument

Submitted annual report as required by the Montana – United States, 

National Park Service Water Rights Compact.

Reviewed Basin 43O claims to determine whether NPS should object. 

Assisted SOL in requesting extension of deadline for fi ling objections 

to the water court.

Uploaded fi sh data to STORET from a 2002 inventory of the presence 

and relative abundances of fi sh species in some of the smaller park 

units of the Rocky Mountain Network.

Conducted river assessment and authored technical report.

Padre Island Turtles (Photo by Laura Pascavis)

Pecos National Historical Park

Organized and participated in meeting between US Department of 

Justice, Offi ce of the New Mexico State Engineer, and park staff regarding status of water rights.
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Intermountain Region National Park Service 38 

Gave presentation at and participated in public meeting regarding 

the work completed by NPS to secure an instream-fl ow water right for 

Rincon Creek.

Provided gauging station troubleshooting and training, documented 

gage needs in trip report.

Completed a riparian condition assessment for the Pecos River and 

lower Glorieta Creek at Pecos National Historical Park.

Participated in a Resource Stewardship Planning Workshop at Pecos 

National Historical Park.

Conducted riparian Proper Functioning Condition assessment.

Provided advice on testing and evaluation of the well at the Trading 

Post.

Through the ongoing PECO NRCA, worked with other NRPC Programs 

to improve information and data sharing between NPS science and 

planning programs. 

Advised park staff on interpretation of data on contaminants in fi sh 

tissues.

Participated in the PECO Foundation Workshop in FY08. Select representatives from the NRPC team participated in two PECO RSS workshops in FY10.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Reviewed and interpreted HEC – 1 output for support of fl oodplain 

Statement of Findings. Rocky Mountain National Park

Evaluated water rights applications in Water Division 1 to determine 

impacts of diversions on park water rights.

Estimated streamfl ow depletion caused by the Glacier Basin campground well. Prepared and submitted report to the US Department of 

Justice.

Installed water quality monitoring equipment at two sites on the 

Colorado River in support of the restoration of the Grand Ditch failure. 

Secured funding for Colorado State University project to study the

geomorphologic eff ects of the Grand Ditch failure. 

Completed and published Natural Resources Condition Assessment. 

Inspected conditions associated with the Fan Lake restoration work 

management.

Assisted in testing and monitoring a new well at Fall River Pass.

Conducted an inventory of wells and permits for the entire park.

Worked with ROMO staff and Utah State University to refi ne an 

existing park “Resource Assessment Workshop” process that helps the 

park plan near-term workload plans and priorities.

Tuzigoot National Monument

Provided water rights technical and policy advice to support the restoration of Tavasci Marsh. 

Prepared and submitted amendment to the National Park Service 

claim regarding a water right for Shea Springs and Tavasci Marsh. 

Consulted with the Salt River Project.

Participated in scoping meeting and provided technical advice regarding proposed wetland rehabilitation of Tavasci Marsh.

Assisted in setting up a network of eight shallow water monitoring 

wells in the Tavasci Marsh. Data will be used to design modifi cations 

in the hydrologic regime to improve habitat conditions.

Provided a Tavasci Marsh Wetland Enhancement Design Strategy to 

Tuzigoot National Monument. Provided strategies to manipulate 

hydrologic and hydraulic conditions in order to achieve pre-determined fi sh and wildlife enhancement objectives. 

Participated in the Tavasci Marsh Wildlife/Wetland Workshop.

Petrifi ed Forest National Park

Prepared and submitted statements of claimant for water rights

transferred from the BLM to the NPS. Prepared water right abstracts 

for the new water rights.

Pipe Spring National Monument

Uploaded data from 1976 through April 2010 to STORET from the 

park’s spring-fl ow monitoring program initiated in response to 

declining water levels.

Provided technical assistance for on-going studies of geology and

 hydrogeology and causes of springfl ow reduction.

Saguaro National Park

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

Wrote wetland and riparian fundamental resource values, desired 

conditions, target values, comprehensive strategies, priorities, and potential funding sources for the “Resource Stewardship Strategy Report 

for Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site.” 

Evaluated the need to restore the hydraulic fl ows from a tributary to 

the fl oodplain of Sand Creek. Formulated a restoration strategy and 

recommended funding sources to complete the project.

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Provided technical review and comment on a 2012 NRPP-Disturbed 

Lands proposal titled “Restore 500-Acre Bottomland at Tallgrass Prairie 

National Preserve” (PMIS 52732).

In collaboration with preserve staff and partners, developed a draft 

monitoring plan to accurately document the population status of the 

endangered Topeka shiner population within the preserve and allow 

resource managers to understand its response to the environment 

and future management actions. 
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Intermountain Region / Midwest Region National Park Service 39

Presented water rights workshop at August 24 and 25, 2010, at White 

Sands Groundwater Workshop.

Presented discussion of “State of the Science and Threats to 

Monument Resources” at White Sands legal strategy workshop.

Provided technical review for BLM, Alamogordo Regional Water 

Supply Project Draft EIS.

Provided technical review for BLM, Solar Energy PEIS for Proposed 

Energy Zones in New Mexico.

Provided technical assistance in evaluating hydrogeology and water 

resources of the park.

Co-authored “Physical Resources Foundation Report for White Sands 

National Monument. “ 

White Sands National Monument Provided advice on the merits of a proposed change in NPS water 

right 81-3608 (Flanigan Ditch).

Yellowstone National Park

Reviewed and fi led objections to water rights applications as needed 

to protect park water rights.

Provided guidance to U.S. Forest Service, Montana Bureau of Mines 

and Geology and park staff to oversee a pumping test at LaDuke 

Springs.

Submitted annual report as required by the Montana – United States, 

National Park Service Water Rights Compact.

Uploaded fi sheries-related data from 1891 collected under the 

direction of the U.S. Commissioner of Fish and Fishes, as instructed by 

Congress, to determine optimal locations for fi sh culture operations in 

Montana and Wyoming.

Oversaw and monitored USGS real time data collection, recording and 

records assessment from 5 water quality monitoring sites at Sylvan 

Pass.

Attended the McLaren Tailings pre-bid meeting in Butte, MT

Responded to USFS requests for document review of reclamation 

activities and surface water and groundwater monitoring plans 

designed to achieve restoration goals in the New World Mining 

District.

Provided support for operation of park gage on Soda Butte Creek operated by the USGS Montana Science Center for monitoring remediation of the McLaren tailings site. 

Conducted fl oodplain analysis at Pebble Creek for support of 

Environmental Assessment.

Zion National Park

Corrected clerical error in an appendix to the water rights agreement 

with the State of Utah.

Planned, facilitated and presented at a workshop to determine the 

outstandingly remarkable values for the newly designated wild and 

scenic Virgin River and tributaries.

MIDWEST REGION

Zion National Park, Utah. Photo by Howard 

Knudsen. 

Regionwide

Developed a partnership with the National Coastal Assessment 

Program to measure water quality in Great Lakes National Parks as 

part of the USEPA water quality survey of the Great Lakes. 

Reviewed and provided comments on various agency testimonies for 

House hearings on Asian Carp. 

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Assisted in analyses of groundwater monitoring data.

Arkansas Post National Memorial

Re-uploaded water quality data from the 1999-2000 Level I Water 

Quality Inventory conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey to STORET.

Badlands National Park

Reviewed and commented on fl oodplain statement of fi ndings.

Buff alo National River

Inspected several boat launch facilities associated with erosion issues. 

Provided technical assistance and advice to support development of a 

zebra mussel prevention program. WRD provided 45K out of the high 

priority fund to support this eff ort. 

Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Represented CHIC and NPS on the Meridian Technical Review Panel. 

Evaluated the eff ects on CHIC water resources based on a new mine 

application fi led by Arbuckle Aggregates for an aggregate mine 

overlying the Arbuckle Simpson aquifer. 

Continued the ongoing compilation and evaluation of hydrologic 

data collected at the park and adjacent areas including synoptic 

streamfl ow measurements collected by park staff and data submitted 

to NPS by Meridian. 
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Midwest Region National Park Service 40 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Uploaded results from the park’s long-term water quality monitoring 

program through mid-September 2009 from NPSTORET to STORET.

Reviewed and commented upon Phase I and Phase II site pre-acquisition assessment reports and sampling plans related to the transfer 

of property from the Cleveland Music Arts Association to the National 

Park Service. 

Reviewed and evaluated the proposed impacts to wetland resources 

that would result from the removal of a dam on the Cuyahoga River, 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 

Reviewed and provided comments on draft plan to restock VirginiaKendal Lake after restoration of pond.

Reviewed and provided technical comments on research proposal 

concerning the ecological factors aff ecting extreme genetic & 

phenotypic diversity in Lake trout at Isle Royale National Park, 

Michigan.

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Uploaded water quality data from the 2001-2002 Level I Water Quality 

Inventory conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey to STORET.

Grand Portage National Monument

Implemented and oversaw bio-stabilization of eroding river bank. 

Scotts Bluff National Monument

Provided review and evaluation of the Yenson Drain Project.

Hot Springs National Park

Participated in the initial Foundation Document planning discussions 

with NPS Denver Service Center (DSC) and Hot Springs National Park

(HOSP) staff . 

Indiana Dunes National Seashore

Reviewed and provided comments on the site Screening Level Risk 

Assessment (SLRA) to ensure that the Pines CERCLA Remedial 

Investigation would provide credible data that could better be used 

to evaluate threats and protect park resources. 

Reviewed and evaluated a Wetland Delineation Report for the Indiana 

Dunes National Lakeshore Municipal Water for Fire Suppression 

Project. 

Provided technical review and comment on a 2012 NRPP-Natural Resources Management proposal titled “Restore Cowles Bog Wetland 

Complex, Phase III” (PMIS 155239).

Provided technical review and comment on a 2012 NRPP-Disturbed 

Lands proposal titled “Restore Cowles Bog’s Globally Imperiled Lakeplain Wet-Mesic Prairie” (PMIS 147640).

Coordinated proposal development and obtained funding for a project titled “The Impact of the Great Marsh, Indiana Dunes National 

Lakeshore, on Water Quality in the Derby Ditch Watershed.” 

Provided technical assistance to develop a Shoreline Management 

Plan/EIS. 

Isle Royal National Park

Reviewed and provided comments on draft Coastal Natural Resources 

Condition Assessment.

Completed draft Natural Resources Condition Assessment.

Completed the watershed condition assessment.

Funded invasive zebra mussel surveys and eradication.

Mount Rushmore National Monument

Completed and published Natural Resources Condition Assessment

Niobrara National Scenic River

Provided funding and technical assistance to conduct a seepage run 

on the Niobrara River.

Provided technical guidance to complete hydrologic, economic and 

fi sh and wildlife studies to support state-based instream fl ows on the 

Niobrara River.

Completed and published Natural Resources Condition Assessment.

Reviewed proposal to conduct a MesoHabSim habitat modeling 

exercise on the Niobrara River in support of establishing a fl ow 

recommendation to protect aquatic habitats.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Uploaded results from the park’s long term water quality monitoring 

program through mid-October 2009 from NPSTORET to STORET.

Consulted on water quality issues related to watercraft horsepower 

limits in various parts of the river. 

Pea Ridge National Military Park

Re-uploaded water quality data from the 1999 Level I Water Quality 

Inventory conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey to STORET.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Provided technical review of the Croskey report entitled, “Glen LakeCrystal River Hydrologic Assessment, Leelanau County, Michigan.”

Sampled key springs believed threatened from nitrate contamination.

St Croix National Scenic Riverway

Provided technical comments on the Environmental Assessment 

entitled “Restore Big Woody Cover in the Namekagon River: Cap Creek 

Stretch.” 

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Reviewed and commented on fl oodplain statement of fi ndings.
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Midwest Region / National Capital Region National Park Service 41 

Completed hydrologic analysis of Medora Foundation diversions for 

golf course irrigation of Little Missouri River fl ows. Presented results 

to park staff .

Served as NRPC Project Coordinator for Climate Change Response 

project.

Voyageurs National Park

Provided technical review and comment on the U.S. Geological 

Survey’s National Park Monitoring Program proposal entitled “Land 

use trends and response of water quality and biology in National 

Parks, an example from Lake Kabetogama, Voyageurs National Park.”

Reviewed and provided technical comments on the USGS/NPS 

Technical Report regarding the eff ects of the water operations 

program for Rainy Lake and Namakan Reservoir on Lake Whitefi sh, 

Walleye and Northern Pike

Reviewed and provided recommendations regarding fi sh passage 

associated with the construction of the High Falls low head hydroelectric dam on the upper Namakan River and its potential eff ects on lake 

sturgeon and other migratory fi sh within Voyaguers National Park.

Reviewed the annual accomplishment report for the BRMD funded 

project “Lake Sturgeon Population Characteristics, Movements, and 

Habitat Use in Namakan Reservoir” and approved release of FY09 

funds. 

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

Anacostia Park

Reviewed and evaluated the internal Draft Wetlands and Resident 

Canada Goose Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement. 

Comments concerning compliance with Directors Order #77-1were 

incorporated into the fi nal draft.

Reviewed and evaluated the proposed adverse impacts to wetlands 

resulting from the Anacostia River Tunnels of the District of Columbia 

Water and Sewer Authority’s Combined Sewer Overfl ow Control 

Project (including drop shafts, diversion structures, and tunnel overfl ows). Comments were used to redesign outfalls and reduce wetland 

impacts.

Reviewed and evaluated the District of Columbia Water and Sewer 

Authority Long-Term Combined Sewer Overfl ow Control Program, and 

the Anacostia River Projects Wetland Statement of Findings at Anacostia Park. 

Arlington National Cemetery

Consulted with park staff about the implication of removal of headstones from a streambed. 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefi eld

Uploaded water quality and benthic macroinvertebrate data to 

STORET from a 1997 Masters Thesis in Biology at Southwest Missouri 

State University entitled “Biomonitoring an Impacted Stream Using 

Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Bioassay”.

Uploaded some miscellaneous benthic data collected by park employees as part of a discontinued monitoring program from 1992-

1993 to STORET.

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefi eld

Uploaded wet deposition data to STORET from the National 

Atmospheric Deposition Program collected at the park from 2002-

2009.

Uploaded precipitation data to STORET from the park’s Cooperative 

National Weather Service gage collected from 1940-2009.

Provide NPS technical representative at Glen Lake-Crystal River 

Technical Committee meetings.

Provided wild and scenic river program guidance and co-authored 

the Section 7(a) Evaluation and Determination for the St. Croix River 

Crossing Project.

Attended Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference. 

Reviewed and provided comments on draft macroinvertebrate report.

Reviewed and summarized discharge measurements collected at

 Beaver Creek Springs.

Boulder Bridge, Rock Creek Park. (NPS Photo)

Antietam National Battlefi eld

Provided historic baseline water quality data to the park.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National 

Historical Park

Provided technical review and comments on the “Final Draft EA for 

Proposed Eel Ladder Construction at Dams 4 and 5 on the Potomac 

River” at Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. 

George Washington Memorial Parkway

Reviewed and commented on a set of “Emergency Stabilization 

Concepts” prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect 

against excessive erosion in the Promontory area of Dyke Marsh.

Monocracy National Battlefi eld

Traveled to park and inspected conditions associated with fl ooding 

and bank erosion of creek fl owing through historic area. 
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / National Capital Region / Northeast Region National Park Service 42

National Capital Parks East

Reviewed fl oodplain Statement of Findings for Anacostia Park.

National Mall

Provided water right policy reviews (DO 35A) for a proposal to harvest 

rainwater.

Reviewed fl oodplain Statement of Findings for Lincoln Refl ecting Pool.

NORTHEAST REGION

Regionwide

Coordinated with Geologic Resource Division and regional staff to 

support parks in the region in commenting on proposed regulations 

of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) governing gas 

development from the Marcellus Shale.

Acadia National Park

Northeast Regional Hydrologist evaluated conditions associated with 

frequent fl ooding of Sieur de Monts developed area and aggradation 

of The Tarn. 

Reviewed and recommended approval of an “Implementation Plan for 

Inventory and Protection of Salt Marshes from Risks of Sea Level Rise 

at Acadia National Park” (project funded by the NPS Climate Change 

Response Program). 

Reviewed and evaluated the “Wetland Delineation and a Wetland 

Statement of Findings for the Capital Improvement Program of Safety 

and Facility Improvements at the Provincetown Municipal Airport, 

Cape Cod National Seashore.” Provided additional language necessary 

to complete the Wetland Statement of Findings.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National 

Historic Park

Provided technical and policy review and evaluation of several draft 

Statements of Findings for the Proposed Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Stabilization of Big Slackwater Historic Stone Wall and 

Towpath in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. 

Provided technical and policy review and evaluation of the “Wetland 

Delineation Report for the Canal Operation at Williamsport” for Mile 

Post 98.78 to Mile Post 99.95 restoration project. 

Provided technical and policy review and evaluation of the “Wetland 

Delineation Report for Enhancing Visitor Experience at Hancock, MD. 

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.” Also provided recommendations to mitigate wetland impacts from a proposed project 

to reconstruct the historic canal.

Fire Island National Seashore

Uploaded water quality data to STORET from 1948-1953 from a report 

documenting the range in values of chemical constituents, radioactivity, and physical characteristics of the natural water supplies in central 

Suff olk County, N.Y.

Uploaded 1976-1998 bathing beach sampling results to STORET from 

the Suff olk County Department of Health Services.

Provided technical review and comment on the draft report “Salt 

Marsh Mosquito Ditches at Fire Island National Seashore, New York: 

Implications for Restoration.” 

Rock Creek Park

Reviewed and evaluated the “Klingle Valley Trail Draft Environmental 

Assessment for Rock Creek Park.” Recommended several additional 

tasks necessary to evaluate the need for compliance with Directors 

Order 77-1 and provided guidance on the completion of wetland 

compliance.

Reviewed and evaluated the “Klingle Valley Trail Design Concept 

Report, Stream Assessment Report, Wetland Delineation Report, Restoration Documentation, Proposed Treatments Report, and the draft 

Klingle Valley Trail Wetland Statement of Findings, Rock Creek Park. “ 

Comments were used to refi ne the design and minimize wetland 

impacts which eliminated the need for a Wetland Statement of 

Findings.

Partnered with the state of Maryland on a benthic habitat map.

Assateague Island National Seashore

Cape Cod National Seashore

Reviewed fl oodplain Statement of Findings for the Provincetown 

Municipal Airport.

Provided continuing technical assistance for the Herring River 

restoration project.

Provided review of municipal water supply projects at Wellfl eet and 

Eastham.

Funded Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to collect fi eld data 

and develop a predictive model for toxic red tides.

Fire Island National Seashore. (Photo courtesy of 

memorableimage)

Flight 93 National Memorial

Provided guidance on the preparation of the fi nal draft “Wetland 

Statements of Findings for Proposed Flight 93 National Memorial. “ 

Fort Washington Park

Traveled to and inspected areas of problematic storm water runoff 

causing hillslope and channel erosion. 
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Northeast Region / Pacifi c West Region National Park Service 43 

Gettysburg National Military Park

Provided historic baseline water quality data to the park.

Reviewed and provided comments/recommendations on draft report 

evaluating the eff ects of a municipal water supply system operations 

on aquatic habitats in Marsh Creek.

Upper Delaware Scenic River

Reviewed and commented on proposal to divert tributary water by 

Stone Energy Corporation for the purpose of energy development.

Completed draft Natural Resources Condition Assessment.

Valley Forge National Historical Park

Helped prepare a project proposal and cost estimate for a project 

titled Inventory of Springs and Wetlands at Valley Forge National 

Historical Park. 

Coordinated an eff ort to develop a Resource Stewardship Strategy. 

Reviewed/commented on the fi rst draft of a Natural Resource 

Condition Assessment.

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Park

Provided advice related to an engineering study being conducted by 

the Corps of Engineers.

Minute Man National Historic Park

Completed and published Natural Resource Condition Assessment.

Prince William Forest Park

Reviewed and evaluated potential wetland impacts from the project 

titled: Disturbed Land Restoration of the Headwaters of Quantico 

Creek, Prince William Forest Park. Recommended several additional 

tasks necessary to evaluate the need for compliance with Directors 

Order 77-1. 

Cresent Bridge, Prince William Forest 

Park. (NPS Photo)

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site 

Conducted technical review of Natural Resource Assessment for 

historic site.

Shenandoah National Park

Uploaded the 1979-2009 results obtained within the park by the 

Shenandoah Watershed Study conducted by the University of Virginia, 

Shenandoah National Park, and others to STORET.

Uploaded the 1987-2009 results obtained within the park by the 

Virginia Trout Stream Sensitivity Study conducted by the University of 

Virginia, Environmental Protection Agency, and others to STORET.

PACIFIC WEST REGION

Regionwide

Invited by the Pacifi c Islands I&M Network and the four Pacifi c coral 

reef parks to develop the Pacifi c Islands Coral Reef Strategy.

Reviewed draft Recovery Plan for evolutionary signifi cant units of 

Sacramento River winter-run Chinook Salmon and Central Valley 

spring-run Chinook salmon for potential impacts to Northwest Region 

parks

Reviewed and provided comments on fi sh sampling protocols for the 

Klamath Inventory and Monitoring Network

Conducted technical review and provided funding recommendations 

on proposals to remove non-native trout for high altitude lakes in 

Sequoia Kings and North Cascades National Parks for the benefi t of 

native amphibians

Reviewed the Draft Recovery Plan for Central California Coastal Coho 

Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Evolutionary Signifi cant Unit and the 

initiation of a 5-year status review for 27 Evolutionary Signifi cant Units 

and Distinct Population Segments of Pacifi c salmon and Steelhead, 

to assess the potential impact theses actions may have on national 

parks.

Reviewed proposals to eradicate non-native fi sh to restore biological 

integrity in fi ve NOCA mountain lakes (PMIS# 157091) and Restoration of Native Species in High Elevation Aquatic Ecosystems (PMIS# 

156170)

Big Hole National Battlefi eld

Re-uploaded water quality data from the 1999 Level I Water Quality 

Inventory conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey to STORET.

Cabrillo National Monument

Re-uploaded water quality data from Fairey et al. report “Chemistry, 

Toxicity and Benthic Community Conditions in Sediments of the San 

Diego Bay Region, Final Report 1996” to STORET.

Uploaded new and re-uploaded some old water quality data from the 

City of San Diego Ocean Monitoring Program to STORET.
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Pacifi c West Region National Park Service 44 

California Parks

Prepared and fi led Reports of Licensee and Statements of Water 

Diversion and Use for triennial fi lings. Approximately 60 statements 

fi led for DEVA, MOJA, WHIS, REDW, PINN, LAVO, and SEKI.

Channel Islands National Park 

Completed fi nal project boundary survey for restoration of Prisoners 

Harbor coastal wetland.

Completed a fi nal design and grading plan for a 5-acre coastal wetland/riparian restoration project at Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, 

Channel Islands National Park. Also for this project: 1) established 

a network of continuous water level recorders to monitor existing 

(baseline) and post-restoration hydrology and 2) assisted in developing Scopes of Work for nursery services and earthmoving.

Created interactive water rights .pdf fi le for non-NPS water rights 

within the Reserve.

Re-uploaded water quality data from the 2000 Level I Water Quality 

Inventory conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey to STORET.

Crater Lake National Park

Re-uploaded results to STORET from a 1987 stream ecology study 

designed to determine whether human activities have aff ected the 

biological communities of Munson and Dutton Creeks and the caldera 

springs.

City of Rocks National Reserve

Death Valley National Park

Researched methods for estimating aquifer properties from water 

level and barometric data collected at well BLM-1. 

Provided guidance and assistance removing instrumentation, stilling 

well and staff gages then reinstalling a staff gage in order to monitor 

water levels in Devils Hole. 

Reviewed and fi led objections to water rights applications as needed 

to protect park water rights.

Reviewed data stored on NWIS by USGS and made recommendations 

to USGS to correct water level data at Devils Hole Well. Reviewed 

pressure data collected at the Gravity Fault wells and made recommendations for corrections. 

Continued to compile and archive data from nine groundwater stations in the Furnace Creek Wash area at DEVA not processed by WRB 

data processing staff . 

Updated the Theis multiple regression analysis to evaluate the eff ects 

of historic pumping on water levels at Devils Hole. Presented a powerpoint presentation titled “One Fish, Two Fish, Pupfi sh, Blue Fish...

Protecting Water Levels at Devils Hole” at the 2010 American Fisheries 

Society Meeting held in Redding, CA.

Compiled Geneerco water use histories and evaluated the potential 

impacts to park resources from the water rights considered under 

change applications fi led by Solar Millennium.

Assisted in preparation of stipulation to resolve water rights concerns 

and provided comments on the draft EIS associated with the Amargosa Farm Road Solar Energy Project (Solar Millennium). 

Provided technical review for BLM, Solar Energy PEIS for Proposed 

Energy Zones in Nevada.

Evaluated water uses for DOI’s “Fast-Track” solar energy projects proposed near park, and coordinated water issues with Directorate, park, 

region, and NRPC external energy program manager.

Compiled Amargosa Basin pumping records from the Nevada State 

Engineer and evaluated the priority of water rights held in Amargosa 

Basin.

Participated in the biannual Amargosa Coordination Meetings, 

monthly and bimonthly conference calls, and coordinated with other 

federal agencies regarding common interests and concerns within the 

Amargosa Desert hydrologic basin, including solar energy development, land disposal issues, and the BLM Las Vegas proposed revision 

to the Resource Management Plan. 

Reviewed briefs fi led in the matter of Nye County, Rockview Dairies, 

Inc., et al., vs. Jason King, P.E., Nevada State Engineer concerning State 

Engineer’s Order 1197 and Ruling 5902.

Discussed issues related to movement of water rights closer to Devils 

Hole with Nevada State Engineer and representatives, and reviewed 

proposed method of evaluation contemplated by Nevada State Engineer per Order 1197. Provided Nevada State Engineer with concerns 

related to the proposed methodology. 

Reviewed Settlement Agreement and proposed monitoring plan submitted by Rockview Dairies per Ruling 5902 and provided comments 

to Nevada State Engineer. 

Coordinated with Nye County representatives regarding NPS water 

groundwater development concerns in the Amargosa Desert.

Contributed to the planning of the 2010 Devils Hole Workshop.

Managed USGS interagency agreements, including cost-share for the 

Southern Amargosa. Embedded Model project. 

Represented the National Park Service on the Incident Command (IC) 

team for the interagency eff ort to prevent the extinction of the Devils 

Hole pupfi sh (Cyprinodon diabolis). 

Acted as peer-review manager for the long term monitoring plan for 

Devils Hole. The plan has been fi nalized subject to NEPA review. 

Reviewed the Detailed Implementation Plan for the NRPP-BR funded 

project “Devils Hole Physical Model” and approved release of the fi rst 

year of project funding. 

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Reviewed design parameters and channel reconstruction for 

Redwood Creek.

Provided review of local government drainage and sediment plan.

Provided design work for the Rodeo Wetland - Surfer Parking Lot 

restoration project.
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Pacifi c West Region National Park Service 45 

Great Basin National Park

Obtained an agreement with Baker Ranches, Inc. whereby they will 

withdraw their protest to four instream fl ow water right applications 

by the park.

Reviewed and fi led objections to water rights applications as needed 

to protect park water rights.

Managed ongoing project to evaluate basin-fi ll aquifers in southern 

Spring and Snake Valleys and their connection with surface-water 

resources and with the Regional Carbonate-rock Aquifer. 

Prepared for future Nevada water rights hearing by conducting scientifi c investigations that include the collection of streamgaging, water 

quality, geology, and hydrogeology data.

Provided testimony in a Utah water rights hearing concerning the 

Central Iron County Water Conservancy District water right applications. Conducted fi eld reconnaissance of springs and provided 

supplemental information for the hearing record.

Served as NPS technical representative on hydrology issues for Spring 

Valley and the Delamar, Dry Lake, and Valley Stipulated Water Rights 

Agreements.

Participated in the Clark, Lincoln and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development EIS process. Reviewed groundwater models and 

draft EIS. Participated in hydrology meetings with cooperating agencies. Briefed BLM and Department on NPS concerns for the EIS.

Participated in the Nevada Water Resources Association annual 

conference.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Completed and published Natural Resources Condition Assessment.

Joshua Tree National Park

Provided technical review for BLM, Solar Energy PEIS for Proposed 

Energy Zones in California.

Evaluated water uses for DOI’s “Fast-Track” solar energy projects 

proposed near park, and coordinated water issues with Directorate, 

park, region, and NRPC external energy program manager.

Provided extensive review and consultation on development of a 

contract to perform engineering analysis of fl ood risk and stormwater 

management in the Black Rock Campground. 

Stella Lake, Great Basin National Park. (NPS Photo)

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Completed the watershed condition assessment.

Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park

Briefed new Superintendent on key groundwater quantity protection 

issues and prepared a briefi ng statement for the Superintendent and 

Natural Resource Program Center.

Participated in a water rights protection strategy session with the Superintendent, the Chief of Integrated Cultural and Natural Resources, 

the Director of the Pacifi c Area Network, and the Offi ce of the Solicitor. 

Represented the National Park Service at the sixth meeting of the 

Kona Water Roundtable in Kona, HI on September 23, 2010.

Summarized water level and water quality data for three monitor 

wells in the park and up to 16 monitor, pumping, and injection wells 

at the adjacent “The Shores of Kohanaiki” development and provided 

data in reports to the park and the Solicitor’s Offi ce.

Provided public comment to the Deputy Director of the Commission 

on Water Resource Management regarding the Well Construction / 

Pump Installation Permit for Well No. 3959-01 (Kamakana) – a new 

pumping well in the basal aquifer.

Provided public comment to the Deputy Director of the Commission 

on Water Resource Management regarding the Well Construction / 

Pump Installation Permit for Well No. 4157-02 (Honokohau 2) – a new 

municipal well in the high-level aquifer. 

Provided technical assistance in negotiating a monitoring plan for the 

proposed Ooma Beachside Village desalination plant requiring the developer to construct a deep monitor well and to monitor water level 

and conductivity in the well for at least two years. 

Provided continued technical assistance in preparing background information, written and oral testimony, and fi ndings of fact in support 

of Land Use Commission Docket A07-774 administrative hearing for 

the proposed Ooma Beachside Village, and attended the 

administrative hearing held on April 7, 2010

Provided technical review of the Draft Environmental Assessment for 

improvements to Well No. 3957-05 (Keopu-HFDC).

Developed and received funding from the Climate Change Response 

Program for proposal titled “Understanding Past/Future Eff ects of 

Climate Change on Water-Dependent Cultural Resources at KAHO.”

 

Provided technical review of the draft Federal Environmental Assessment for LaiOpua Community Center and provided comments to the 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding the 

fi nal Federal Environmental Assessment.

Provided technical review of an educational fl yer on the park’s 

groundwater resources for the NPS Inventory & Monitoring Program.

Managed USGS interagency agreements and CESU agreement in 

support of research to better understand the impact of groundwater 

withdrawals on cultural and natural resources in the park.
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Pacifi c West Region National Park Service 46

Reviewed contaminants-related technical papers and results from the 

Kohanaiki injection well. 

Reviewed and evaluated the “Kaloko-Honokohau Cultural Live-In 

Center Environmental Assessment for Kaloko-Honokohau National 

Historical Park.” Reviewed the fi nal site location for potential wetland 

impacts and provided language to complete the wetland compliance 

sections of the EA.

Provided on-site evaluation of a 30-acre estuarine cultural fi sh pond 

called Aimakapa. Made recommendations for restoring foraging and 

nesting habitat for endangered shore birds and provided objectives 

and construction tasks necessary to complete the restoration in a trip 

report. 

Provided advice related to the location of park visitor services in the 

coastal high hazard area.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Developed a proposal titled “Restoration Implementation Plan for 

Drakesbad Meadow.” 

Wrote an NPS wetland compliance section for the draft “Warner Valley 

Comprehensive Site Plan Environmental Assessment, Lassen Volcanic 

National Park.” 

Mojave National Preserve

Provided information on estavelles to park staff .

Assisted park with development of a management plan for springs 

and guzzlers.

Assisted on the Mountain Pass Mine groundwater plume. 

Received draft USGS Geologic cross section report covering the area 

of a groundwater fl ow model

Reviewed and fi led objections to water rights applications as needed 

to protect park water rights.

Managed ongoing project to produce a numerical groundwater 

model to support water rights protection.

Managed ongoing project to investigate the hydrogeology of hot 

springs in the Black Canyon below Hoover Dam.

Provided guidance on work activities of Water Resources Professional 

stationed at the lake. 

Reviewed and provided comments on technical groundwater report 

produced by the Moapa Band of Piutes.

Provided technical review for BLM, Solar Energy PEIS for Proposed 

Energy Zones in Nevada.

Participated in the Clark, Lincoln and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development EIS process. Reviewed groundwater models and 

draft EIS. Participated in hydrology meetings with cooperating agencies.

Participated in the Nevada Water Resources Association annual 

conference.

Provided guidance to the NPS’ Submerged Resources Center on 

obtaining water and sediment quality data for investigating invasive 

mussel issues at the park.

Represented the park in technical discussions to summarize past

information on limnology, ecology, contaminants, and endocrine 

disruption issues in Lake Mead. 

Minidoka National Historic Site

Compiled historical water quality data and information for the 

Solicitor’s offi ce in connection with a proposed confi ned animal

feeding operation near the park.

Re-uploaded water quality data from the 1999 Level I Water Quality 

Inventory conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey to STORET.

Provided on-site evaluation of the hydrologic conditions of the 

Weippe Prairie and made recommendations identifi ed wetland restoration opportunities including the restoration of Jim Ford Creek and 

the associated palustrine wetland meadow.

WRD and a cooperator from Colorado State University will prepare 

a proposal for funding to: 1) evaluate existing wetland hydrology at 

Weippe Prairie; 2) study land use and drainage changes over time 

through historical aerial photo analysis; and 3) conduct a pilot 

restoration study. 

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area 

Prepared memo to park superintendent regarding state’s 

determination that water from proposed well would not be “park” water subject to DO 35.

Mount Rainier National Park

Conducted hydrogeologic assessment for a new well at the Carbon 

River entrance.

Provided technical and policy review and evaluation of the Carbon 

River Area Access Management Environmental Assessment, Mount 

Rainier National Park. 

Reviewed and evaluated several drafts of the “Wetland Statement of 

Findings for the Carbon River Area Access Management, 

Environmental Assessment, Mount Rainier National Park.” 

Nez Perce National Historical Park

Nez Perce National 

Historical Park 

(Photo credits 

unknown)
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Pacifi c West Region National Park Service 47 

North Cascades National Park 

Reviewed Floodplain Statement of Findings for Stehekin River Corridor Plan.

Reviewed the annual accomplishment report for the NRPP project 

“Eradicate Non-native Fish from Seven High Priority Lakes in North 

Cascades National Park Service Complex (NOCA)” and approved

release of FY10 funds. 

Provided input on Senate legislation that would allow stocking to 

continue in 45 historically fi shless mountain lakes.

Concluded project non-native fi sh species. The project included the 

monitoring of native amphibian species and macro-invertebrates. 

Olympic National Park

Provided continuing assistance related to the Elwha River Restoration Project through the sediment management team. Results of tree 

removal and recommendations for further actions to prepare the Lake 

Mills delta for dam removal were investigated.

Evaluated potential to develop a groundwater source at Kalaloch and 

other areas in the park.

Funded development of ocean acidifi cation monitoring protocols.

Reviewed and evaluated the wetland impacts associated with a proposed rehabilitation of a wilderness campground. Recommended 

several additional tasks necessary to evaluate the need for compliance 

with Directors Order 77-1, and suggested a course of action necessary 

to achieve compliance with the Army Corps wetland permit process.

Conducted fl oodplain assessment/analysis of Sandy Creek and authored technical report.

Conducted cursory watershed assessment and provided on-site advice and technical report for restoration approaches.

Pinnacles National Monument

Provided on-site evaluation and technical assistance with a drainage/

erosion problem that is adversely impacting cultural features along 

the shoreline. 

Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site

Santa Monica Mountains National 

Recreation Area

Reviewed and commented on fl oodplain Statement of Findings.

Pinnacles National Monument. (NPS Photo)

Point Reyes National Seashore

Partnered with USGS to develop benthic habitat maps. 

Continued to work with and to fund and manage the removal of nonnative plant species, primarily cape ivy, along coho salmon habitat in 

the park. 

Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National 

Historical Park

Identifi ed, two issues signifi cant to the successful protection and 

management of wetland resources. Assisted in writing two proposals 

to address the primary issues titled: (1) “Anchialine Pool and Wetland 

Restoration at Keokea ahupua‘a, PUHO” and (2) “Delineation and 

Functional Assessment of Anchialine Wetland Pool and Riparian Ecosystems within PUHO” to provide information needed for the development of a wetlands management plan.

Redwood National and State Parks

Uploaded fi sh data to STORET from a 2000-2001 study by Douglas 

Parkinson and Associates designed to determine various aspects of 

outmigrating salmon and steelhead populations in the upper Redwood Creek drainage basin.

Uploaded sediment data from 1979-1999 to STORET from a joint National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey project to monitor Redwood Creek channel cross sections to document changes in geometry 

and the movement of sediments.

Mapped wetlands at the proposed Strawberry Creek Restoration Site 

and submitted maps and technical documentation to park management in the form of a trip report. The wetland map and report will be 

used in the compliance process for the proposed restoration. 

San Juan Islands National Historical Park

Coordinated with park staff and Univ. of Washington CESU cooperators use of a WRD continuous monitoring sonde to monitor water 

quality in Garrison Bay. 

Partnered with USGS to develop benthic habitat maps.
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Pacifi c West Region / Southeast Region National Park Service 48

Advised staff regarding wetland compliance requirements for the 

Tenaya Lake Area Plan Environmental Assessment.

Approved the fi nal “El Capitan Meadow Wetland and Stream Delineation Report, Yosemite National Park.” Recommended fi eld verifi cation 

procedures to verify the delineation results and complete the fi nal 

draft.

Reviewed and evaluated the “Ordinary High Water Delineation Report 

for the Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park. “ Comments were used to 

refi ne the delineation to include lacustrine wetlands under NPS 

jurisdiction.

Provided on-site evaluation and technical assistance after reviewing 

eight major wetland and fl oodplain issues. Comments and recommendations were recorded in a trip report which will be used to substantiate funding proposals.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

Reviewed fl oodplain Statement of Findings for Restoration of South 

Fork Kings River.

Conducted fl oodplain assessment for Mineral King area and completed fl oodplain analysis for Cold Springs Campground. 

Assessed potential to replace surface water sources with groundwater 

wells for public water supplies at several sites in the park.

Assisted in developing a scope of work to assess effi cacy of wastewater disposal systems at Mineral King.

Provided advice for construction of a test well in the Giant Forest area.

Conducted fi eld work for wetland delineations and mapping at Mineral King Valley. Park staff requested this assistance to support development of a management plan for 63 privately-owned cabins (with 

septic systems) located along the East Fork of the Kaweah River. 

Provided continued assistance in planning and designing the restoration of 4.5 acres of degraded wetlands in Lower Halstead Meadow. 

Assisted staff in determining how to repair damage to the pilot restoration in Upper Halstead Meadow that 

occurred after a large (roughly 15-year return interval) fall rainstorm. 

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Provided technical assistance regarding ongoing restoration of salt 

springs that support the only known population of Howell’s alkaligrass (Puccinellia howellii).Obtained WRD funding for supplemental 

hydrologic monitoring equipment. 

Provided review of Pulcinella restoration in the Environmental Assessment.

Wrangell – St. Elias National Park 

and Preserve

Reviewed and evaluated the “Wetland Delineation Report for the 

Wrangell – St. Elias National Park and Preserve Off -Road Vehicle Trails 

Environmental Impact Statement.” 

Yosemite National Park 

Reviewed Floodplain Statement of fi ndings for Tenaya Lake Area Plan.

Provided on-site consultation and co-authored a technical report for a 

variety of stream wetland issues within the park.

Produced grading plan and estimated fi ll volume for wetlands restoration in Wawona area.

Provided technical review and comment on a draft report “Delineation of Jurisdictional Waters, Including Wetlands for the Badger Pass 

Ski Lodge Area Rehabilitation Project” at Yosemite National Park.

Provided technical review and comment on a draft “Wetlands Statement of Findings for the Badger Pass Ski Lodge Rehabilitation Project” 

at Yosemite National Park.

SOUTHEAST REGION

Regionwide

Provided training and support to the SER’s newly appointed NRCA 

regional lead, who will oversee NRCA projects within that region to 

ensure consistency with national guidance.

Co-chair of the NRDA Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Technical Working Group for the DeepWater Horizon oil spill.

Facilitated meetings between EPA’s national water quality offi ce and 

Florida park water quality specialists to provide NPS perspectives and 

data for the new national water quality regulations for Florida coastal 

waters.

Big Cypress National Park

Reviewed Floodplain Statement of Findings for Lands Addition.

Reviewed and evaluated the wetland sections of the “Draft General 

Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Off -Road Vehicle Management 

Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for Big Cypress National 

Preserve.” 

Reviewed and evaluated the draft “Wetland Statement of Findings for 

the Protection of Wetlands at Big Cypress National Preserve.” 

Reviewed and evaluated several drafts of the “Owen Billie, Joe Jimmie, 

and Rainey Jim Camps New Home and Septic System Expansion Wetland Statement of Findings for Big Cypress National Preserve.”

Big South Fork National River and 

Recreation Area

Provided wild and scenic river program guidance regarding the 

construction of the Roberta Landfi ll.

Reviewed and evaluated the impacts to a riverine wetland system 

part of the proposed development of a Class I landfi ll in Scott County 

TN – a tributary to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation 

Area. 
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Southeast Region National Park Service 49 

Reviewed fl oodplain “Statement of Findings for Off -Road Vehicle Use 

Plan and for improvements to North Carolina Hwy 12.”

Assessed groundwater fl ooding in the vicinity of the Cape Point 

campground.

Provided review and analysis of eff ects of wastewater disposal in the 

Nags Head Area.

Served as point of contact and provided review and comment for

hydrodynamic model developed for Mosquito Lagoon 

Biscayne National Park

Provided technical contaminants feedback on contaminants issues 

related to the Turkey Point Power Plant adjacent to the Park. Provided 

feedback for options of showing long trends in water quality variables 

and worked with park staff on serial correlation issues.

Evaluated FPL (Turkey Point) proposal for Radial Collector Wells in 

Biscayne Bay associated with operating license application to Nuclear 

Regulatory Commission. 

Funded invasive lionfi sh surveys and eradication.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Historic Site 

Partnered with NOAA to develop a benthic habitat map.

Cane River National Historic Park

Reviewed fl oodplain Statement of Findings for Bank Erosion Control

Uploaded the 2000 results obtained within the park by the Virginia 

Trout Stream Sensitivity Study to STORET.

Uploaded the 1987 results obtained within the park by the Virginia 

Trout Stream Sensitivity Study to STORET.

Evaluated Responsible Party contractor proposed site characterization 

and mitigation actions related to the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority’s landfi ll discharges to surface waters and groundwater in the park. 

Provided guidance in minimizing the damage to an estuarine system 

that resulted from contractor error while constructing the Bodie Island 

Lighthouse Pond Wildlife Viewing Platform. Recommendations were 

used to stop further degradation of the hydrology and wetland conditions and to prepare a restoration plan. 

Identifi ed opportunities to increase piping plover nesting and foraging habitat, and identifi ed ways to manage the hydrology of Cape 

Point Campground and beach access roads. 

Blue Ridge Parkway

Buck Island Reef National Monument

Canaveral National Seashore

Reviewed and evaluated a proposed bridge, multi-use trail, boat 

ramp, and parking lot project on the Chattahoochee River, for any 

issues related to compliance with Directors Order #77-1: Wetland Protection.

Provided technical review and comment on a draft “Statement of 

Findings for E.O. 11988 (Floodplain Management) and E.O. 11990 (Protection of Wetlands): Shakerag WRF Discharge Diff user Right-of-Way 

Request, Forsyth County, GA.”

Reviewed/commented on Chattahoochee River National Recreation 

Area’s draft Resources Stewardship Strategy summary table.

Reviewed/commented on RSS Natural Resources Summary Table.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation 

Area

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. 

(NPS Photo)

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National 

Military Park

Consulted with park and FHWA engineers related to the development 

of information needed for the design of two bridges. 

Coordinated fi nal WRD review and approval of the “Wetland/Floodplain Statement of Findings for Bank Stabilization at Moccasin Bend 

National Archeological District, Chickamauga and Chattanooga 

National Military Park.” 

Congaree National Park

Advised staff regarding wetland compliance requirements for a project to improve the canoe launch and expand visitor parking at Cedar 

Creek.

Everglades National Park

Reviewed fl oodplain Statement of Findings for Tamiami Trail and Gulf 

Coast Visitor Center.

Reviewed and commented on a draft “Wetland Statement of Findings 

for Tamiami Trail Modifi cations: Next Steps, Everglades National Park.” 

Coordinated a proposal and obtained funding for a project titled “Do 

invasive hybrid cattails exist in Everglades National Park?” The project 

examines the DNA of cattails (Typha sp.) to determine if hybridization 

with non-native cattail species is producing highly aggressive hybrids 

capable of invading more open marshes in the park. 
Appendix A : Technical Assistance Regions and Parks / Southeast Region National Park Service 50 

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Reviewed fl oodplain Statement of Findings for Cockspur Lighthouse.

Wrote a $1.7 million project proposal titled “Restoration of Freshwater 

Wetlands to Estuarine Habitat at Fort Pulaski National Monument.” 

The proposal was a response to a request to provide a summary for 

climate-change funding consideration and at the same time serve as 

a fact sheet for Congress.

Coordinated fi nal WRD review and approval of the “Wetland Statement of Findings for Proposed Bank Stabilization of the Cockspur 

Island Lighthouse.”

Uploaded results from a 1986-1988 Gulf Coast Research Laboratory 

project to STORET designed to collect baseline data for developing an 

environmental monitoring program and rationale for interpreting, 

assessing, and documenting resource impacts.

Re-uploaded results from a NOAA Sea Grant sponsored 1989-1990 

study on the importance of seagrass communities to STORET.

Reviewed fl oodplain Statement of Findings for Fort Pickens Pier and 

Ferry Service.

Funded Dauphin Marine Laboratory to measure the impacts of oil on 

seagrass beds.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Uploaded water quality data collected during 2009 by park staff and 

the University of Tennessee from NPSTORET to STORET.

Uploaded the 2009 data from the Noland Divide long-term water 

quality monitoring project from NPSTORET to STORET.

WRD and GRD staff started work in 2009 on a “Physical Resources 

Information and Issues Overview report at Great Smoky Mountains 

National Park.” As part of the project eff ort, WRD staff facilitated a 

workshop in FY09 to focus on air, geologic, soil, and water resource 

issues at GRSM. 

Reviewed the annual accomplishment report for the NRPP T&E 

funded project “Recovery Evaluation of Introduced Endangered and 

Threatened Fish Species at Great Smoky Mountains National Park” and 

approved release of FY10 funds. 

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Reviewed and commented on multiple drafts of an “Environmental 

Assessment: Mississippi Coastal Improvement Plan, Barrier Island 

Restoration Plan, Ecosystem Restoration Near Fort Massachusetts on 

West Ship Island, Gulf Islands National Seashore.” The project involves 

beach nourishment in the intertidal zone using dredged sand.

Cockspur Lighthouse, Fort Pulaski National Monument.

(NPS Photo)

Natchez Trace Parkway

Uploaded water quality data from the 2007-2009 Level I Water Quality 

Inventory conducted by the Gulf Coast Network to STORET.

Reviewed fl oodplain statement of fi ndings for Multi-use Trail Segment 

3P16 and the Coley Road/Barnes Crossing Extended.

Coordinated fi nal WRD review and approval of the “Wetland Statement of Findings for the Coley Road/Barnes Crossing Extended Roadway Project.”

Provided technical and policy review and evaluation of several draft 

“Wetland Statements of Findings for the Natchez Trace Parkway MultiUse Trail, 3P18.” Recommended alternative alignments that would 

reduce wetland impacts and approved the wetland compensation 

design. 

Reviewed and evaluated a “Wetland Delineation Report for the 

Natchez Trace Parkway Multi-Use Trail, Milepost 105.8 to 108.3.”

Obed Wild and Scenic River

Received fi nal report on underwater video habitat mapping from the 

University of Tennessee.

Attended the annual meeting of the Cumberland Habitat Conservation Plan Science Advisory Committee.

Planned, facilitated and presented at a workshop to determine the 

outstanding resource values for the wild and scenic river.

Completed the hydrologic analysis portion of a Section 7 analysis for 

the proposed Lake Tansi Water Harvesting project.

Salt River Bay National Park and Ecological 

Preserve

Partnered with NOAA to develop a benthic habitat map.

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

Established contact with Saint Johns River Water Management District 

regarding proposed withdraw of waters
Appendix A : Technical Assistance to Networks National Park Service 51 

Appalachian Highlands Network

Provided assistance in creating benthic macroinvertebrate 

characteristic defi nitions in NPSTORET and example spreadsheetbased imports against the characteristic defi nitions.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO NETWORKS

Greater Yellowstone Network

Provided review and comment on “Data Management Procedures for 

Water Resource Monitoring Version 1.0 September 30, 2009: Standard 

Operating Procedure #13”.

Provided a variety of guidance on standardizing water quality data 

management across the Network in NPSTORET.

Great Lakes Network

Uploaded the 2009 water quality data for Apostle Islands National 

Lakeshore from NPSTORET to STORET.

Uploaded the 2009 water quality data for Indiana Dunes National 

Lakeshore from NPSTORET to STORET.

Uploaded the 2009 water quality data for Isle Royale National Park 

from NPSTORET to STORET.

Uploaded the 2009 water quality data for Pictured Rocks National 

Lakeshore from NPSTORET to STORET.

Uploaded the 2009 water quality data for Saint Croix National Scenic 

Riverway from NPSTORET to STORET.

Uploaded the 2009 water quality data for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore from NPSTORET to STORET.

Uploaded the 2009 water quality data for Voyageurs National Park 

from NPSTORET to STORET.

Cumberland Piedmont Network

Uploaded all water quality data through 2009 from NPSTORET to 

STORET for 14 Network parks.

Gulf Coast Network

Uploaded all water quality data through 2009 from NPSTORET to 

STORET for 8 Network parks.

Klamath Network

Provided review and comment on the “Klamath Network Integrated 

Aquatic Community and Water Quality Monitoring of Mountain Ponds 

and Lakes Protocol”.

Mid-Atlantic Network

Uploaded all available water quality data from NPSTORET to STORET 

for Network parks as of March 2010.

Early morning catch. Yellowstone National Park, 

Wyoming. (NPS Photo)

National Capital Region Network

Uploaded all water quality data through 2008 from NPSTORET to 

STORET for 10 Network parks.

North Coast and Cascades Network

Provided review and comment on the “Protocol for Long Term Monitoring of Mountain Lakes in the North Coast and Cascades Network of 

National Parks”.

Provided advice and materials for transmitting water quality data via 

the NPS Electronic Data Deliverable specifi cation, NPSTORET, and the 

Natural Resource Database Template.

Northern Colorado Plateau Network

Provided support and recommendations on importing data from 

disparate sources into NPSTORET, creating projects and organization, 

and conducting exceedance analyses.

Rocky Mountain Network

Provided support and recommendations on mapping the Network’s 

water quality data collection to the NPSTORET schema.

San Francisco Bay Area Network

Provided review and comment on various topics related to water 

quality data management and NPSTORET.

Uploaded the 2009 ambient water quality monitoring program data 

for several project from NPSTORET to STORET.

Coordinated peer review and approval of Streamfl owMonitoring 

Protocol.
Appendix A : Technical Assistance to Networks National Park Service 52 

SFAN Network

Assisted in development and review of stage discharge relationships 

for stream gaging stations using Aquatic Informatics, Inc. Aquarius 2.6 

Rating Toolbox.

Southeast Alaska Network

Provided review and comment on the “Glacier Bay National Park and 

Preserve Oceanographic Monitoring Protocol”.

Provided information on the NPS Electronic Data Deliverable fi le specifi cations for submitting data logger fi les for inclusion in STORET.

Sierra Nevada Network

Provided review and comment on the “Sierra Nevada Network Lake 

Monitoring Protocol”.

Provided background and status information on the Network’s water 

resource inventories.

Southern Colorado Plateau Network

Provided support and recommendations on mapping the Network’s 

water quality data collection to the NPSTORET schema.

Southwest Alaska Network

Provided review, consultation, and input on a draft schema for NPS 

continuous water resources data management using Aquarius Workstation and the Aquarius Database.
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 53 

APPENDIX B

SUMMARY OF WATER RESOURCES DIVISION FUNDING 

FY 2010 base funding for the Water Resources Division was $12,472,000 (see Figure 1). These funds are distributed among fi ve 

principal categories: 1) Water Resource Projects (Water Resource Protection, Competitive Projects, and Other) 2) Water Quality

 Monitoring 3) Water Resource Protection (Aquatic Resource Professionals) 4) Natural Resource Condition Assessment Program

 (including projects) 5) Water Resource Technical Assistance (see Figure 2).

Figure 1: Water Resources Program

 Funding

 $(000)

FY 2009 allocation 12,316,000

Classifi ed Pay Increase $173,000

2009 Travel reduction <$17,000>

Total Available in FY 2009 12,472,000

FY 2010 allocation 12,472,000

Classifi ed Pay Increase $148,000

Net FY 2010 Increase 1,250,000

Total available SUMMARY OF WATER RESOURCES DIVISION FUNDING 13,870,000

Figure 2: Water Resources Program Funding by Catagories

 Funding

 Water Resources Projects $(000)

Water Resource Protection 657,800

Other Projects 14.20

Water Quality Vital Signs Monitoring 2,737.90

 

Natural Resource Condition Assessment Program 2,335,700

 Natural Resource Condition Assessments Projects 1,998.5

 High Priority Projects 316.7

 Other Projects 20.5 

Water Resource Protection--Aquatic Resource Professionals 1,327,410

Legacy High Priority Projects 182,710

Water Resource Technical Assistance 5,364,250

Ocean & Coastal Resources 1,250,000 

Total 13,870,000
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 54 

A summary of accomplishments derived from the FY 2009 base budget and the FY 2010 increase is provided below

Water Resource Protection Projects

The Natural Resource Challenge resulted in an increase of $823,000 per year for water resource protection projects beginning in FY 2001. As 

shown in Table 1, FY 2010 expenditures funded data collection and analyses to describe surface and ground water fl ow regimes and investigate 

the dependence of park resources upon water. These studies support the Department of the Interior Water Quantity Strategic Goal and NPS 

water resource protection needs associated with water allocation decisions. Results are used to develop water resource protection strategies 

that are implemented through settlement discussions, state or federal regulatory processes (e.g, NEPA, 404 permitting actions,

reservoir operations), administrative hearings (e.g., water right protests), or state and federal court proceedings (e.g, basin-wide adjudications). 

In 2010 project funds were specifi cally used to: a) collect water resource data to meet data reporting requirements, b) develop predictive capabilities through surface or ground water models, c) monitor impacts of reservoir releases on riparian/wetland vegetation, d) monitor impacts of 

ground-water development on endangered fi sh, e) and investigate the importance of fresh and brackish water on anchialine ponds.

Many issues faced by NPS are also a concern to other federal entities including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Geological Survey. The NPS partners with these federal agencies to provide funding and expertise in supporting water resource investigations useful for resolving multi-agency issues in complex water 

allocation 

decisions. 

To increase the eff ectiveness of its water resource protection funding, the NPS also partners with non-federal entities. Collaboration with state 

or private entities increases the likelihood of reaching settlements that protect NPS water resources values while allowing future water 

development and economic growth. For example, hydrologic data collected by the NPS for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley 

National Park, and Great Basin National Park are shared with the Nevada State Engineer, southern Nevada water purveyors, and private 

developers. This contributes to a better understanding about the regional aquifer system and potential ground water availability in 

southern Nevada. In another example, groundwater monitoring data collected at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve will be used by 

the NPS, the State of Colorado and the local water conservation district to develop a basin-wide groundwater model for implementing recently 

decreed water rights. 

Finally, the results of these investigations must be presented in various legal forums to secure and protect water rights and water-dependent 

resources. Therefore, a portion of the water resource protection funds were used to support an attorney from the Offi ce of the Solicitor to 

provide advice and to represent the National Park Service in legal proceedings.

Aerial View of Lake Mead Recreation Area showing “bathtub” ring. (NPS photo) 
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 55 

Table 1: Water Resource Protection Projects -- FY 2010

Park Region Project Title FY 2010 

 Funding

 $(000)

ALL ALL Support to the Offi ce of the Solictor/Secure NPS Water Resources 197.0

BLCA IMR Hydrologic Collection and Development of a Monitoring Plan to Protect 15.0

 Decreed Instream Flows 

DEVA PWR Hydrologic Data Collection to Protect Devil’s Hole 4.0

LAME PWR Hydrologic Data Collection and Groundwater Modeling 15.2

KAHO PWR Development of Groundwater Model and Investigation of Water 276.0

 Dependent Values 

GRSA IMR Hydrogeologic Data Collection to Meet Court Decree 32.8

GRTE IMR Development of a Water Beudget for the Gros Ventre River 6.0

GRBA PWR Hydrologic Data Collection and Groundwater Modeling 55.8

ALL ALL Technical Support to All Projects and Technical Assistances 56.0

 TOTAL 657.8

WATER QUALITY VITAL SIGNS MONITORING 

The National Park Service is committed to a servicewide and DOI strategic goal to signifi cantly reduce the number of stream and river miles and 

acres of lakes and marine areas that do not meet water quality standards. As part of this goal, the NPS is also committed to protecting 

unimpaired water quality in parks from future degradation, including waters classifi ed as Outstanding National Resource Waters (ONRW) or 

State-equivalent listed waters. The NPS is committed to working with State Clean Water Act programs, as well as taking appropriate management actions within parks, to support the restoration of impaired water bodies in parks to an unimpaired condition. Presently, about 120 park 

units have one or more waterbodies that do not meet state water quality standards for one or more pollutant; approximately 1,800 miles of rivers and streams and 1,066,000 acres of lakes, reservoirs, estuaries and marine areas do not meet standards . Planning and design of the program 

continues to be implemented with the NPS Vital Signs Monitoring Program since water quality is key in determining overall aquatic ecosystem 

health. In addition, by fully integrating the design of these two programs, considerable cost effi ciencies have and will continue to be realized in 

staffi ng, planning and design, administration, implementation, data management, and reporting. 

Full program funding was allocated to all 32 Park Vital Signs Networks in FY 2010 (Table 2). In addition, funds supported the development of an 

NPS Servicewide water quality data management program within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) STORET national water 

quality database. While not shown in Table 2, WRD reallocated 10 work-months involving fi ve Division staff to support program administration 

and the development of program technical guidance, technical protocols, detailed study plan, and quality control/quality assurance plan 

guidance, and database management.
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 56 

Table 2: Allocation of Water Quality Park Vital Signs Monitoring Funding -- FY 2010

Network Region Number of Aff ected FY 2010 

 Parks Funding

 $(000)

Central Alaska Alaksa 5 94.2

Heartland Midwest 15 78.8

NE Coastal and Barrier Northeast 8 86.5

National Capital National Capital 11 68.2

Cumberland/Piedmont Southeast 14 56.7

Appalachian Highlands Southeast 4 67.2

North. Colorado Plateau Intermountain 16 103.7

Greater Yellowstone Intermountain 3 68.2

Sonoran Desert Intermountain 11 61.5

North Coast & Cascades Pacifi c West 7 78.8

San Francisco Bay Pacifi c West 6 67.2

Mediterranean Coast Pacifi c West 3 73.0

Southwest Alaska Alaska 5 133.6

Northeast Temperate Northeast 10 57.7

Southern Colorado Plateau Intermountain 19 119.1

Pacifi c Lakes Pacifi c West 9 145.1

Great Lakes Midwest 9 118.2

Gulf Coast Southeast 8 85.5

Rocky Mountain Intermountain 6 58.6

Sierra Nevada Pacifi c West 3 60.6 

Eastern Rivers and Mountains Northeast 9 60.6

Artic Alaska 5 144.1

Klamath Pacifi c West 6 73.0

Southeast Coast Southeast 17 116.3

Upper Columbia Basin Pacifi c West 8 48.0

Southern Plains Intermountain 10 27.9

Mojave Desert Pacifi c West 6 76.9

Southeast Alaska Alaska 3 40.4

South Florida/Caribbean Southeast 6 141.3

Mid-Atlantic Northeast 11 42.3

Chihuahuan Intermountain 6 70.2

Northern Great Plains Midwest 13 77.9

TOTAL: 2010 Network Monitoring 7 NPS Regions 272 2601.3

Servicewide Data Management 136.6

GRAND TOTAL 2,737.9
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 57 

Vital Signs Monitoring Networks: In FY 2010, 32 Park Vital Signs Monitoring Networks fully committed their water quality funding to compilation 

of background information, analysis of issues and threats, detailed program planning, supporting synoptic-level fi eld assessments, and fi ve networks have initiated fi eld-level monitoring. Network planning approaches included personnel hiring, in-house allocation of staff , university cooperative agreements, and USGS Interagency Agreements. In addition, some equipment acquisitions were made. All 32 Networks accomplished 

one or more of the following activities:

 • Historic data compilation and analyses

 • Information obtained on state-listed impaired waters and park “outstanding” waters

 • Documentation of signifi cant water quality stressors/threats

 • Synoptic inventory studies in support of detailed statistical design

 • Database management and GIS support programs

 • Development of water quality monitoring protocols

 • Field monitoring

Individual network accomplishments are summarized in Appendix A (detailed budgets are provided in individual NPS Network 

Administrative Reports).

Servicewide Data Management: The Water Resources Division continued to support network water quality monitoring programs by providing 

national program administration and reporting, establishing baseline inventories and analyses of available water quality data, supporting digitization of legacy data from analog reports and other archival materials, maintaining a Servicewide water quality database in the EPA-STORET 

National Data Warehouse, and enhancing the transfer of physical, chemical, and biological data from the Networks into STORET. Two water 

quality research associates and a student worked to support the database development, management, and reporting activities through 

cooperative agreements with Colorado State University. The Servicewide STORET database has served as the starting point for most network 

water quality data compilation and analysis eff orts and also WRD’s Baseline Water Quality Data Inventory and Analysis Reports. In addition to 

data from states and other entities, this archive now hosts more than 5.7 million results for 4,638 diff erent physical, chemical, or biological 

characteristics from 47,569 monitoring locations in support of 1,160 diff erent projects conducted in or near 258 units of the National Park 

System. 

Much eff ort went into enhancing NPSTORET, a series of Microsoft Access-based templates for entering, managing, reporting, and analyzing 

water quality data (projects, stations, metadata, and results) in a STORET compatible format. NPSTORET also includes import routines to allow users to import their own data or stations as well as data and stations from the three major national water quality databases. Additional 

capabilities added to NPSTORET v.1.82 this year included (1) closer compatibility with and support for exporting to the Water Quality Exchange 

(WQX) format; (2) a user-confi gurable security system; (3) station image/picture manipulation; (4) additional reports and exports; (5) quick fi lters on the Results Template; (6) more data import options; and (7) support for Windows 7 and Access 2007/2010. Many other minor bells and 

whistles were added at the request of users, such as updating existing documentation, on-line help, and video demonstrations. More and more 

parks and networks are now using NPSTORET, data entered into NPSTORET remotely continues to be successfully migrated into WRD STORET. 

NPSTORET is also being used by groups outside the NPS including the country of Pakistan, Native American tribes, and watershed associations 

such as the Big Thompson Watershed Forum.

WRD staff continued to help facilitate stewardship of the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) in sub-basins containing NPS lands. Staff also 

continued to enhance the Hydrographic and Impairment Statistics Database which contains hydrographic statistics and Clean Water Act 303(d)-

listed water resource impairment data for all parks based on the NHD. The intranet website for distributing this information was enhanced.

Continuously monitored water resource data was a signifi cant new focus area. WRD acquired network licenses for software to input, process, 

analyze, archive, and distribute water quality and quantity data collected continuously or near-continuously (i.e. hourly or every 15 minutes). 

Aquarius Workstation has been installed on the NRPC network for Servicewide access. The Aquarius Database and Data Portal have also been 

acquired and will be made available in 2011. WRD staff assisted the Southwest Alaska Network in creating a draft database schema for archiving Servicewide continuous water resources data. This schema will be fi nalized and implemented in the Aquarius Database in 2011.

Pothole-Point, Canyonlands National Park. 

Photo by NPS. 
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 58 

NATURAL RESOURCE CONDITION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

FY2010 Funding

The Natural Resource Program Center’s Water Resources Division (WRD) received $2.34 million in FY2010, as part of the Natural Resource Challenge, to assess watershed resource conditions in parks. WRD’s Natural Resource Condition Assessment (NRCA) Program provides technical 

guidance and accountability oversight for this eff ort. The NRCA Program is working toward the goal of funding a “natural resource condition 

assessment” project for each of the 270-plus parks in the NPS Vital Signs Monitoring Program. 

Parks receiving these assessments will be in an improved position to 1) defi ne natural resource conservation indicators and targets via park 

planning and 2) report to “resource condition status” accountability measures (e.g., land health goals in the Department of Interior’s Strategic 

Plan). Relying on existing data from multiple sources and best professional judgment, each assessment provides an interdisciplinary synthesis 

and report on current condition status, critical data gaps, and existing or emerging vulnerability/risk factors for important park natural resources. Assessments also strive to develop overall condition ratings for park areas, at the geographic scale(s) requested by the receiving park (e.g., 

by park watersheds, habitat types, or management zones).

FY2010 projects benefi ted greatly from academic partnerships with universities in Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESUs), as well as from 

collaboration with federal agencies that provided essential expertise in varied aspects of ecological assessment and reporting. 

Signifi cant program accomplishments in FY2010 are described below. Table 5 shows the budget allocation in FY2010 for the NRCA Program.

Implementation of Program Plan

 One full-time staff member provided dedicated support to implement the program plan to fund a natural resource condition assessment for 

nearly all of the 270-plus parks served by the NPS Vital Signs Monitoring Networks during the time frame of FY2006-FY2014. This plan is being 

implemented in close coordination with other NPS programs and activities related to resource planning, strategic planning and performance 

reporting, inventory and monitoring, and disturbed lands restoration. In FY2010, the NRCA Program provided funding to support 48 new or 

ongoing park condition assessments. This includes 26 parks associated with project startup in FY2010 and 22 parks for which an ongoing 

assessment project received additional funding (Table 6). 

Table 6: Natural Resource Condition Assessment Project Funding -- FY 2010

Region Agency, Cooperator/Partner, or Contractor State Parks FY 2010 

 Funding

 $(000s)

 Pacifi c Northwest CESU/Saint Mary’s AK YUCH, SITK 148.0

 University of Minnesota

Alaska

 Pacifi c Northwest CESU/Saint Mary’s AK Multiple Parks in 149.5

 University of Minnesota SWAN Network 

 Sonoran Desert Network CO, AZ, NM Multiple Parks in 50.0

 (geospatial products for use in multiple Intermountain

 Intermountain Region projects) Region

 Rocky Mountain CESU/Colorado State CO, MT, UT, AZ Multiple Parks in 53.0 

 (geospatial products for use in multiple Intermountain

 Intermountain Region projects) Region

Intermountain Northern Colorado Plateau Network/ CO, UT ZION, CURE 106.0

 Colorado Plateau CESU/University of Arizona 

 

 Northern Colorado Plateau Network/ CO BLCA 43.0

 US Geological Survey

Table 5: Natural Resource Condition Assessment Program -- FY2010 Budget

Program Element FY 2010 

 Funding

 $(000s)

Natural Resource Condition Assessments 1,998.5

WRD High Priority Projects 316.7

Other Projects 20.5

Total 2,335.7

 
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 59 

Table 6 . Continued: Natural Resource Condition Assessment Project Funding -- FY 2010

Region Agency, Cooperator/Partner, or Contractor State Parks FY 2010 

 Funding

 $(000s)

 Pacifi c Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem NM BIBE 33.0 

 Studies Unit/Saint Mary’s University of 

 Minnesota 

 Southern Colorado Plateau Network NM BAND, PETR 7.0

 (scoping) 

 Intermountain Southern Colorado Plateau Network AZ, NM, CO, UT Multiple 54.3

 (project management, contracting, and 

 science support for units on Colorado

 Plateau)

 

 Southern Plains Network/Utah State NM CAVO 32.0

 University/Colorado State University 

 Pacifi c Northwest Cooperative MT BICA 35.0

 Ecosystem Studies Unit/Saint Mary’s 

 University of Minnesota

 Intermountain Regional Offi ce Project Multiple Multiple 11.7

 Support (miscellaneous)

Midwest Great Rivers CESU/Saint Mary’s MN, NE, SD, WY KNRI, THRO, FOUS 277.0

 University of Minnesota 

 Chesapeake Watershed CESU/ University MD, VA MONO, MANA, 50.0

 of Maryland ANTI

 (ongoing project) 

National Capital 

 Chesapeake Watershed CESU/ University MD, VA CATO, HAFE, CHOH 24.0

 of Maryland 

 Southern Appalachian CESU/Virginia Tech VA APCO, RICH 14.6

 (ongoing project)

 Chesapeake Watershed CESU/ University PA ALPO, JOFL, 135.0

Northeast of Maryland FONE, FRHI

 

 Northeast Regional Offi ce Project Support Multiple Multiple 72.4

 (federal term position to assist with project 

 management)

 Pacifi c Northwest CESU/Southern CA, OR LABE, LAVO, CRLA 200.0

 Oregon University 

 US Geological Survey-Biological Resources WA MORA, NOCA 115.0

 Division – Forest and Rangelands Ecosystem 

 Science Center

 Californian CESU/University of California, CA SEKI 15.0

 Berkeley (ongoing project) 

Pacifi c West Yosemite National Park CA YOSE, DEPO 63.5

 (ongoing project)

 Northwest Management, Inc. ID, MT CRMO, CIRO, 10.0

 HAFO, BIHO

 (ongoing project)

 Pacifi c West Regional Offi ce Project Multiple Multiple 3.5

 Support (miscellaneous)

 South Florida/Caribbean Network FL BISC 107.6

 Piedmont – South Atlantic Coast CESU/ AL, FL, GA, NC, SC CHAT, CONG, KEMO 138.2

 North Carolina State Univ. MOCR, OCMU, HOBE

Southeast CAHA, CALO, CUIS, TIMU

 (ongoing project)

 Northeast Regional Offi ce Project Support Multiple Multiple 50.2

 (federal term position to assist with project 

 management)

TOTAL 48+ Parks 1998.5
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 60

Completed Reports 

In FY 2010, condition assessment reports associated with prior year projects were published for John Day Fossil Beds National Monument,

Minute Man National Historical Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Niobrara National Scenic River, and Rocky Mountain National Park. 

These reports and additional information about the natural resource condition assessments and the coastal park assessment series can be 

accessed at: http://www.nature.nps.gov/water/NRCondition_Assessment_Program/Index.cfm 

View from Toney Bluff , Buff alo National River, Arkansas Photo by Mark Robinson. 

WRD High Priority Projects

In FY2010, WRD funded projects that addressed emerging, high-priority, park watershed condition issues, due to the applicable timeframes; 

these projects could not be appropriately directed through the competitive project funding program. Table 7 shows the funding allocated from 

the NRCA Program to support these projects. 

Table 7: High Priority Project Funding-- FY 2010 

Region State Park Project Title FY 2010 

 Funding

 $(000s)

Intermountain CO GRSA Plug and Abandon Nine Artesian Wells at Great Sand Dunes 39.7

 National Park and Preserve

Intermountain AZ GRCA Develop a Water Resources Information and Issues Overview 30.0

 Report for Grand canyon National Park 

Midwest MI ISRO Develop and implement Isle Royale National Park Zebra Mussel 53.5

 Response Plan 

Midwest MN, WI SACN Assess Pelagic Zooplankton in Lake St. Croix in anticipation of 22.0

 invasive Asian Carp 

 

Midwest AR BUFF Buff alo River: Zebra Mussel Prevention/Response Plan 50.0

Pacifi c West WA OLYM Enhance NPS Capacity to Monitor Ocean Acidifi cation 49.5

 

Pacifi c West CA SEKI Halstead Meadow Restoration Storm Repair 25.0

Southeast FL, GA, SC, NC Multiple Coastal Health of Southeast Parks: Multi-Scale Analysis and Synthesis 47.0

Total 7+ Parks 316.7
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 61

Examples of WRD Natural Resource Condition Assessment High Priority Projects that were funded in FY2010 are included below.

Repair of Storm Damage, Upper Halstead Meadow Pilot Restoration Project, Sequoia National Park 

FY2010 WCA High Priority Funding: $25,000

On October 13-14, 2009, the Halstead Meadow watershed in Sequoia National Park received an estimated 8 to 9.5 inches of rain in 24 hours. A 

pilot restoration project had been implemented in Upper Halstead Meadow in 2007-2008, but the plantings had not yet formed the characteristic wetland vegetation/root mat (sod) necessary to withstand fl ows from this extreme rain event. A 400-foot long erosion gully formed in the 

meadow during this storm, as approximately 511 cubic yards of soil material were washed away (approximately 6 percent of the 8,100 cubic 

yards placed in the incised channel during the pilot restoration project). A total of $56,300 of park recreational fee money was sought and 

obtained to conduct immediate storm repairs during Nov. 9 - 13, 2009, including fi ll placement and installation of erosion-control wattles and 

willow cuttings by volunteers and park staff . 

As the immediate repair work proceeded, an additional $25,000 was obtained from WRD’s Watershed Condition Assessment Program “High 

Priority” source to help ensure protection of the site against large storms until the protective wetland “sod” could be fully established. Project 

components included : 1) acquire additional hydraulic engineering expertise (Herrera Environmental Consultants) to evaluate and advise on 

erosion control methods and materials; 2) obtain on-site technical assistance from Colorado State University to oversee further repairs and 

evaluate/treat erosion during the coming spring runoff ; and 3) purchase and plant native, sod-forming wetland plants for the repaired areas. 

Repair/treatment of the erosion channel, funded (in part) by 

this money

Storm damage in the meadow (eroded channel)

Plug and Abandon Nine Artesian Wells at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

FY2010 WCA High Priority Funding: $39,700.

In 2004, the Baca Ranch property was added to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GRSA). This property included 9 unpermitted 

artesian wells. The state of Colorado asked GRSA to plug and abandon the wells but the park did not have the funding to accomplish this. The 

fl owing wells created a public relations problem for GRSA, an administrative problem with the Colorado State Engineer, and an elk management issue with the State Division of Wildlife (DOW). Using WRD funding and an Interagency Agreement with the USGS Central Region Research Drilling Program, the USGS plugged and abandoned 8 of the 9 artesian wells in April 2010. The last well was not plugged to comply with 

a request from the Colorado State SHPO to preserve a historical windmill tower located above the well. 

Coastal Health of Southeast Parks: Multi-Scale Analysis and Synthesis

FY2010 WCA High Priority Funding: $45,000.

Ocean and coastal resources have been identifi ed as emphasis areas within the NPS Natural Resources Stewardship and Science directorate. A 

signifi cant task for the WRD Ocean and Coastal Resources Branch is to assist parks in integrating results of coastal watershed condition

 assessments into park foundation and planning documents. Considering data and information for multiple NPS units within the southeast, 

the pilot project will allow us to develop scientifi cally sound and defensible methods for synthesizing water quality information for ocean and 

coastal parks Servicewide. The combination of water quality data from federal and state agencies combined with information from park 

monitoring and the coastal watershed condition assessments will give the parks local, statewide and regional perspectives on water quality

issues. On a regional level, the data synthesis will provide NPS with a snapshot of water quality inside and outside of park boundaries and a 

new perspective on ocean and coastal water quality. This better understanding of water quality issues will help parks identify the most eff ective 

areas to put their eff orts in protecting park water quality, and areas that will require partnerships with other federal, state and local agencies to 

address. Work on this project began in September, 2010 through a Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit agreement with the University of 

Colorado. Water quality data for southeast coastal parks is currently being collected and a database is being developed to manage that data. 
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 62 

Salt Pool, Death Valley National Park. NPS Photo. 

Projects Funded Through FY2010 Water Resources Division Salary Lapse

Table 8: High Priority Project Funding-- Projects Funded Through WRD Salary Lapse FY 2010 

Region State Park Project Title FY 2010 

 Funding

 $(000s)

Intermountain UT ZION Virgin River Bacterial Contamination Study 16.3

 

Intermountain NM WHSA Develop a Watershed Data Inventory for White Sands National 

 Monument and the Tularosa Basins 30.0 

 

 

Midwest SD WICA DNA Sequencing of Species in Lakes 20.0

Pacifi c West HI KAHO Kaloko Honokohau: Aimakapa Pond Wetland Restoration 38.0

 

Pacifi c West HI KAHO Kaloko Honokohau: Climate Change eff ects on Near-Shore Marine Resources 71.2

Pacifi c West CA DEVA NPS-USGS Interagency Agreement to Process Data and Develop a Monitoring 20.0

 Record for the Gravity Fault Wells 

 

Pacifi c West NV GRBA Support for Development of the Snake Valley Ground Water Model 25.0 

Southeast TN OBRI Wild and Scenic River Outstanding Resource Values Workshop 14.0

 (note: 2K of additional funding was provided by WRB)

Servicewide Multiple Multiple Acquisition of Aquarius Workstation, Database, and Web Portal to 114.0

 Manage Continuous Water Resources Data

Servicewide Multiple Multiple Research Associate to support development and delivery of water rights 15.0

 docket information through NRInfo

Servicewide Multiple Multiple Amendment to Existing NPS-USGS Interagency Agreement for Stream 5.3

 Gage Data Processing Support (ADAPS)

Total 8+ Parks 368.8
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 63 

An example of a WRD Natural Resource Condition Assessment High Priority Project Funded Through WRD Salary Lapse FY 2010 is included 

below.

Acquisition of Aquarius Workstation, Database, and Web Portal to Manage Continuous Water Resources Data

Water monitoring is increasingly being accomplished through the use of sondes with sensors programmed to collect measurements continuously or near continuously (e.g. at 15 minute intervals or less). Throughout the National Park Service, parks, networks, contractors, and cooperators are now routinely deploying data sondes to better understand the temporal variability of water quality and quantity. Although this 

technology nearly turns water sampling into water censusing, it also presents a number of data management (correction, fl agging, analysis, and 

storage) issues. The tremendous volume of data generated by data sondes rapidly overwhelms most data management systems. A single 

sensor recording a measurement every 15 minutes generates 35,040 results a year. Add multiple sensors to monitor several parameters and a 

particular monitoring station/location may yield a couple hundred thousand results a year. Multiply that by the number of data sondes 

deployed and a monitoring program can easily generate more than a million results annually.

To provide a servicewide solution for importing, storing, processing, distributing, and archiving continuous water resources data the Water Resources Division invested in a solution developed by Aquatic Informatics called Aquarius Workstation and the companion Aquarius Database 

and Data Portal. These products will allow parks, Vital Signs Monitoring Networks, and WRD to do the following: import time series from their 

sondes; do appropriate data corrections (e.g. drift, fouling, outliers, etc.); generate statistics, graphics, and reports; archive raw and corrected 

data as well as the entire correction history; and provide the data to the public. The system is in the process of being installed on a server in the 

Natural Resource Program Center. The current investment can support up to fi ve concurrent users. The Southwest Alaskan Network and WRD 

are in the process of designing a database schema implemented within the Aquarius Database and a separate metabase to store continuous 

water resources data in a common format along with the metadata about the time series.

Lava pouring into the ocean at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. NPS Photo
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 64

OCEANS AND COASTAL RESOURCES

FY 2010 Allocation: $1,250,000

Program summary

The National Park System contains substantial ocean and coastal resources with over 80 ocean and Great Lakes parks across 26 states and 

territories. These parks conserve over 12,000 miles of coast and 2.5 million acres of ocean and Great Lakes waters, including coral reefs, kelp 

forests, glaciers, estuaries, beaches, wetlands, historic forts, and shipwrecks. They attract over 80 million visitors each year and generate over 

$6 billion in economic benefi ts to local communities. Managers of ocean and coastal parks are confronted with multiple threats to natural and 

cultural resources from inside and outside of their boundaries. They need better information about the condition of submerged natural and 

cultural resources for making decisions, working with other agencies, and communicating to the public. 

Created in 2007, the Ocean and Coastal Resources Program received appropriated funds for the fi rst time in FY 2010. The program has adopted 

strategies from the 2006 Ocean Park Stewardship Action Plan and regional strategic implementation plans for ocean and coastal park stewardship. The program has focused on increasing the NPS organizational and technical capacity to address ocean and coastal issues and working 

through partnerships with state and federal agencies and local organizations to better understand and manage submerged resources. 

Technical specialists have been placed in the Southwest, Pacifi c West and Alaska regions. Positions in the Southwest and Pacifi c West regions 

were fi lled in FY 2010; the position in the Alaska Region will be fi lled in FY 2011. Technical specialists in marine pollution and marine fi sheries 

were hired in the Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate. Project funds were distributed to ocean and coastal parks through the 

competitive Servicewide Comprehensive Call. Projects were selected that strengthen the science-based foundation for managing and 

conserving ocean and coastal resources and assist park managers in better understanding these ecosystems and our roles aff ecting them. 

Project Summaries

Managing Marine Ecosystem Responses to Increasing Nutrients

• Funding: $84,000 ($83,000 in FY 2011, $83,000 in FY 2012)

• PMIS number: 146912

• Park(s) aff ected: Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park (KAHO) and Kalaupapa National Historical Park (KALA)

• Project description: Recent investigations at KAHO demonstrated that submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) supplies large

 volumes of nutrient-laden freshwater to coastal environments, increasing the potential for nuisance algal growth and adversely

 aff ecting the coral reef ecosystem. Herbivory may control some of the increased algal growth, but large herbivores have been greatly

 reduced by intensive fi shing. This project examines the response of algae to nutrient inputs, the eff ects of herbivores on algal growth, 

 the infl uence of herbivore abundance and biomass on algal and coral composition, and the potential for managing herbivores to 

 reduce algal biomass and improve coral reef health. The project will compare impacts at KAHO, an increasingly urbanized park, and 

 KALA, a relatively remote park with a large herbivore biomass and intact trophic structure and grazing intensity.

• Signifi cance: This partnership among KAHO, KALA, University of Hawaii, and Scripps Institute of Oceanography examines the impact 

 of increasing coastal development on the health of coral reef ecosystems.

Inventory Benthic Habitats and Ocean Resources, and Protect Recreational Fishing

• Funding: $154,000 (and an additional $91,000 from I&M Submerged Resource Inventories in FY 2010)

• PMIS number: 162077

• Park(s) aff ected: Assateague Island National Seashore (ASIS)

• Project description: Eighty percent of the 2 million annual visits to ASIS involve swimming, birding, fi shing, and boating. Coastal 

 processes, especially nearshore sand movement, aff ect visitor use; infrastructure management; an annual $1.5 million federal project 

 to restore coastal processes; habitat availability for shorebirds, commercially, and recreationally important fi nfi sh and shellfi sh; and six 

 federally-listed threatened and endangered species. The lack of basic information hinders the park’s ability to manage and protect 

 its marine resources, to assess future resource threats, to prepare for sea level rise, to evaluate changing resource conditions, and to 

 develop long-term resource monitoring protocols. This project will produce baseline information to identify critical marine habitats 

 and support plans to protect sensitive areas from destructive activities.

• Signifi cance: The partnership between ASIS and the State of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources will produce bathymetry, 

 sediment, and benthic habitat maps that ASIS will use to identify potential impacts of existing and proposed activities and to develop 

 science-based management plans.

Compilation of an Accurate and Contemporary Digital Shoreline for Alaska Coastal Parks

• Funding: $40,000 ($21,000 in FY 2011)

• PMIS number: 156683

• Park(s) aff ected: Aniakchak NM&P (ANIA), Bering Land Bridge NP (BELA), Cape Krusenstern NM (CAKR), Glacier Bay NP&P (GLBA), 

 Katmai NP&P (KATM), Kenai Fjords NP (KEFJ), Klondike Gold Rush NHP (KLGO), Lake Clark NP&P (LACL), Sitka NHP (SITK), and Wrangell- 

 St. Elias NP&P (WRST). 

• Project description: Coastal parks in Alaska lack an accurate, standardized digital marine shoreline referenced to a local tidal stage or 

 a vertical tidal datum shoreline referenced to Mean High Water (MHW). Park boundaries in Alaska are generally based on MHW or

 Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW). The lack of a consistent tidal datum reference in the National Hydrographic Dataset (NHD), the 
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 65 

 recognized source for hydrographic data, results in erroneously delineated NPS legal borders. Features for Alaska parks in the NHD 

 were derived from 1950s USGS topographical shoreline datasets that pre-date the 1964 earth quake and isostatic rebound. The 

 Alaska Regional Offi ce will take the best available, existing federal shoreline delineations of MHW and integrate these data into the 

 NHD. 

• Signifi cance: The Alaska Regional Offi ce will produce a professionally defensible shoreline dataset for 10 Alaska coastal parks of

 immediate utility to resource management, collaborators, and the public through the USGS’s National Map Program.

Investigations of the linkages between toxic red tides, hydrodynamics, and groundwater nutrient fl uxes at Cape Cod National Seashore

• Funding: $301,000

• PMIS number: N/A

• Park(s) aff ected: Cape Cod National Seashore (CACO) 

• Project description: Harmful algal blooms (HABs), commonly known as red tides, cause devastating impacts to local economies, 

 public health, and ecosystems. The most serious and widespread manifestation is paralytic shellfi sh poisoning (PSP) caused by human

 ingestion of shellfi sh that accumulate toxins from dinofl agellates. CACO has had annual episodes of red tides near maximum ground

 water and associated nutrient discharges since the 1970s. The characteristics of the PSP at CACO have changed in a dramatic and 

 negative manner over the last two decades, in some cases resulting in shellfi shing closures (and loss of jobs) for several months. This 

 project will examine and model the dynamics of anthropogenic nutrient discharges and harmful algal blooms, and produce tools to 

 assist park managers in developing policy and management for nutrient control and remediation.

• Signifi cance: This project will advance the research and educational partnership among CACO, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 

 and U.S. Geological Survey and increase public outreach by CACO on the need to protect and restore estuarine habitats that support 

 migratory birds, spawning horseshoe crabs, seagrasses, shellfi sh, and nursery areas for juvenile fi sh and crustaceans.

Legal and Regulatory Assistance on Ocean and Coastal Issues Faced by the National Park System

• Funding: $108,000

• PMIS number: N/A

• Park(s) aff ected: Acadia NP (ACAD), Apostle Islands NL (APIS), Assateague Island NS (ASIS), Biscayne NP (BISC), Boston Harbor Islands

 NRA (BOHA), Cape Cod NS (CACO), Cape Lookout NS (CALO), Channel Islands NP (CHIS), Cumberland Island NS (CUIS), Olympic NP 

 (OLYM) and Redwoods (REDW)

• Project description: An important component to increase NPS technical capacity in the Ocean and Coastal Resources Program is the 

 description and analysis of NPS jurisdiction, authorities, boundaries, and remedies. The number of ocean and coastal legal and

 regulatory issues warranting research and analysis exceeds the in-house capability of the program. A contract was awarded to 

 conduct research and develop park-specifi c legal memoranda regarding the location and modifi cation of unit boundaries. Park units 

 included in these analyses are faced with sea and lake level changes, dynamic geologic features and coastal processes, and other 

 factors that necessitate analysis of unit boundaries. 

• Signifi cance: The legal memoranda will be used by the NPS Land Resources Division to update park boundaries and by other NPS 

 offi ces to help parks apply available authorities within the updated boundaries.

Ocean and Coastal Resources Program

Total Available in FY 2009 0

Classifi ed FY Pay Increase 0

Net FY 2010 Decrease 0

Total available in FY 2010 1,250,000

Change from FY 2009 1,250,000

Ocean and Coastal Resources Program Funding by Categories

Servicewide Comprehensive Call and other Projects 687,000

Field-based Technical Specialists 104,000*

NRSS-based Technical Specialists 284,000

Natural Resource Program Center overhead (10%) 125,000

Program Administration 50,000

Total Available in FY 2010 1,250,000

Budget Summary

* The budget cost of three fi eld-based technical specialists, including support and travel, was $450,000. The salary lapse created by 

the lag in the hiring process was used to fund additional, high-priority park projects.
Appendix B : Summary of Water Resources Division Funding National Park Service 66 

NPS-USGS Water Quality Partnership Program

In 1998, the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) initiated the NPS/USGS Water Quality Partnership Program with 

support from the Clean Water Action Plan (Environmental Protection Agency 1998). Prior to 1998, NPS and the USGS National Water Quality 

Assessment (NAWQA) Program worked together to implement a pilot water quality monitoring program in national parks. To date, 155 

partnership projects have been implemented in 108 national park units. The program supports a range of science activities focused on 

providing park resource managers data and information necessary to make scientifi cally defensible management and policy decisions. These 

activities range in scope from basic technical assistance to fi xed station monitoring to intensive/synoptic projects. 

NPS-USGS WATER QUALITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM CONTINUING PROJECTS IN 2011

NPS Region Park Project Title FY 2010 

 Allocation

 $(1000s)

Alaska DENA Evaluate Water Quality of Streams Draining Abandoned and

 Reclaimed Mined Lands in the Kantishna Hills 100.00

 

Midwest VOYA Nutrient Cycling and Relation to Changes in Water Levels for Kabetogama Lake 85.90

Midwest SACN Monitor Progress Toward Nutrient Reduction Goals at Norway Point near Grantsburg 50.00 

 

Midwest SACN Characterize Sediment and Nutrient Loading from Urban Stormwater 20.00

Northeast FIIS Characterizing Submarine Groundwater Discharge to Great South Bay 99.80

 

Pacifi c West KAHO Use Stable Isotope Tracers to Determine Anthropogenic Inputs to Water Quality 100.00

Pacifi c West MORA Developing Critical Loads for Atmospheric Deposition of Inorganic Nitrogen in

 Network Lakes 98.00

 

Pacifi c West OLYM Nearshore Eff ects of Residential Wastewater-Infl uenced Groundwater on

 Lake Crescent 49.00

Pacifi c West YOSE Occurrence and Distribution of Current-Use Pesticides in Atmospheric Deposition 100.00

Southeast CONG Endocrine Disrupting Contaminant Compounds 20.00

 Total 722.70

Beach sunset, Fire Island National Seashore. NPS Photo.
Appendix C : Awards/Publications/Presentations/Webinars National Park Service 67 

AWARDS

Paul Christensen and Bill Hansen received STAR awards from Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments for crafting an amendment 

to the NPS water-right claim for Shea Springs at Tuzigoot National Monument, allowing for the legal storage of water in and restoration of 

Tavasci Marsh.

Nic Medley – Star Award from Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Nic assisted the Preserve with Topeka shiner (an endangered fi sh) and aquatic 

resource planning by reviewing and writing research proposals, reviewing data, visiting the Preserve and participating in planning and 

compliance meetings with state and federal partners. His participation and knowledge will help the Preserve for years to come. Superior 

Performance award for FY10.

Kevin Noon – Star Award from Tuzigoot National Monument for assistance with planning activities for the enhancement of Tavasci Marsh

including hydrologic analysis, wetland delineation, shallow well design and placement, functional assessment, and enhancement design. 

Superior Performance award for FY10.

Jim Harte received a STAR award for his coordination of the drilling of ten monitoring wells in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

Jeff Hughes received a STAR award for quantifying needs and fi ling instream fl ow applications fi led with the State of Nevada on behalf of Great 

Basin National Park. 

Chuck Pettee received the Department of the Interior’s Superior Service Award for his distinguished career directing the National Park Service’s 

water rights program. The award was presented in Washington, D.C. by Associate Director Bert Frost. 

Dave Vana-Miller – Superior Performance award for FY10.

Joel Wagner – Superior Performance award for FY10.

Don Weeks – Superior Performance award for FY10.

John Wullschleger – Superior Performance award for FY10.

PUBLICATIONS 

Asch, T.H., and Sweetkind, D.S. 2010. Geophysical characterization of range-front faults, Snake Valley, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File 

Report 2010-1016, 44 p.

Ayers, P. 2009. Obed Wild and Scenic River Habitat Mapping Project. Final Research Report. University of Tennessee, Department of Biosystems 

Engineering and Soil Science. Cooperative Agreement No. H5000 04 5040. 71 p.

Bennett, J. and D. Wilder. 2009. Physical Resources Foundation Report. White Sands National Monument. Natural Resource Tech. Rpt. NPS/NRPC/

NRR – 2009/166 NPS Natural Resource Program Center. Ft. Collins, CO. 70 pp.

Brunner, J.F. and J.N. Cross. 2010. 2009 NPS ocean and coastal park workshop results and proceedings: establishing a community of practice, 

formulating guidance and charting a course for the future. Natural Resource Report NSP/NRPC/WRD/NRR —2010/194. National Park Service, 

Fort Collins, Colorado.

Chafey, J. 2010. Groundwater records for Water Year 2007 for Station No. 343017096561501, Chickasaw National Recreation Area – East 

Observation Well. National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

Chafey, J. 2010. Groundwater records for Water Year 2008 for Station No. 343017096561501, Chickasaw National Recreation Area – East 

Observation Well. National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

APPENDIX C

AWARDS/PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS/WEBINARS
Appendix C : Awards/Publications/Presentations/Webinars National Park Service 68 

Christensen, P.K. 2010. Potential Streamfl ow Depletion Caused by the Glacier Basin Campground Well at Rocky Mountain National Park. 

Prepared for US Department of Justice and Rocky Mountain National Park. 10 pp.Proposal on Stream Discharge within Obed Wild and Scenic 

River. Fort Collins, CO: National Park Service, Water Resources Division, 10 pp + appendices.

Christensen, P.K., and Hansen, W.R. 2010. Amendment to Statement of Claim of Right to Use Public Waters of the State of Arizona, no. 36-

025460, Shea Springs and Tavasci Marsh. Submitted to the Arizona Department of Water Resources. 8 pp.

Christensen, P.K., and Hansen, W.R., 2010. Talking Points for the National Park Service regarding the Tiemann Well Issue. 1 p.

Christensen, P.K., and Hansen, W.R. 2010. NPS Briefi ng to Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Meeting for Superintendent regarding the Tiemann Well Issue. 1 p.

Cooper, D.J. 2010. Jurisdictional Wetland Delineation along Sand Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado. Department of Forest, 

Rangeland and Watershed Stewardship Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. 35 pp.

Cooper, D.J. and J. Shaw. 2010. Restoration Plan for Sand Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado. Department of Forest, Rangeland 

and Watershed Stewardship 

Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. 37 pp.

Corman, S.S. 2009. Salt Marsh Mosquito Ditches on Fire Island, NY: Sedimentation Rate, Nekton Community, and Implications for Restoration. 

Master of Science Thesis, Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI. 122p.

Converse, K.M. 2009. Spring pool stage records for Water Year 2007 for Station No. 343856111450701, Montezuma Well at Montezuma Castle 

National Monument. National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

Converse, K.M. 2009. Spring pool stage records for Water Year 2008 for Station No. 343856111450701, Montezuma Well at Montezuma Castle 

National Monument. National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

Converse, K.M. 2010. Spring pool stage records for Water Year 2009 for Station No. 343856111450701, Montezuma Well at Montezuma Castle 

National Monument. National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

Cutillo, P.A. 2009. Review of “Evaluation of FEMFLOW3D”, October, 21, 2009. Fort Collins, CO: National Park Service, Water Resources Division, 4 

pp.

Cutillo, P.A. 2009. Review of Draft Environmental Assessment for Keopu Well, Reservoir, and Water Transmission Lines Hienaloli 1-6, North Kona, 

Hawaii, November 4, 2009. Fort Collins, CO: National Park Service, Water Resources Division, 8 pp.

Cutillo, P.A. 2010. Review of the Federal Environmental Assessment for LaiOpua Community Center, March 18, 2010. Fort Collins, CO: National 

Park Service, Water Resources Division, 3 pp.

Cutillo, P.A. 2010. Supporting Information for Land Use Commission Docket A07-774, Groundwater Development Issues, April 7, 2010. Fort 

Collins, CO: National Park Service, Water Resources Division, 5 pp.

Cutillo, P.A. 2010. Review of proposed Modifi ed Theis Net Impact Analysis, May 18, 2010. Fort Collins, CO: National Park Service, Water Resources Division, 6 pp.

DiDonato, E.M., V.D. Engle, and L.M. Smith. 2010. Water quality in southeastern coastal national parks: Is “fair” good enough? Park Science. 27: 

32-37.

Dotson, K.E. 2010. Geochemical analysis of calcium carbonate cementation and its role in reducing loss rates along Snake Creek, southern 

Snake Valley, White Pine County, Nevada: University of Nevada, Reno, The Graduate School, Master’s Thesis, M.S. in Hydrogeology, Dr. David E. 

Prudic, Advisor, Aug. 2010, 72 p.

Durbin, T., and Loy, K.L. 2010. Development of a groundwater model , Snake Valley region, eastern Nevada and western Utah: West Yost Associates, Consulting Engineers. Prepared for the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Bureau 

of Indian Aff airs; 115 pgs, plus 138 fi gures, 21 tables, and 2 oversized plates.

Fung Associates Inc. and SWCA Environmental Consultants. 2010. Assessment of natural resources and watershed conditions for Kalaupapa 

National Historical Park.

Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/WRD/NRR—2010/261. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Appendix C : Awards/Publications/Presentations/Webinars National Park Service 69

Gable, C. A. 2010. Groundwater records for Water Year 2006 for Station No.362532116172701, Devils Hole. National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

Gable, C. A. 2010. Streamfl ow records for Water Year 2006 for Station No. 363031116501501, Nevares Spring near Cow Creek. National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

Gable, C. A. 2010. Streamfl ow records for Water Year 2006 for Station No. 362629116495601, Travertine Springs in Furnace Creek Wash. National 

Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

Gable, C. A. 2010. Streamfl ow records for Water Year 2007 for Station No. 362629116495601, Travertine Springs in Furnace Creek Wash. National 

Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

Gable, C. A. 2010. Streamfl ow records for Water Year 2008 for Station No. 362629116495601, Travertine Springs in Furnace Creek Wash. National 

Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

Gage, E. and D.J. Cooper. 2010. Riparian Baseline Data Collection Prior to Opening the Pecos River to Fishing Access in Pecos National Historical 

Park. Department of Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. 34 pp.

Gerber, G. and Chafey, J. 2010. Streamfl ow records for Irrigation Seasons 2006 through 2008 for Station No. 433825110350101, Gros Ventre 

River at Upstream NPS Boundary, WY. National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

HRS Water Consultants, Inc. 2009. Documentation of Boundary Piezometer Installation, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Colorado. 

Prepared for U.S. Department of Justice and National Park Service. Prepared by HRS Water Consultants, Inc., 8885 W. 14th Ave., Lakewood, CO 

80215. 93 pp.

Hughes, J.C. 2009. Evaluation of City of Crossville - Lake Tansi Water Harvesting Proposal on stream discharge with Obed Wild and Scenic River. 

(Part of a Section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Action evaluation for the proposed project). November 13, 2009. 10 p.

Hughes, J.C. 2010. Summary of the Theodore Roosevely Medora Foundation Golf course diversion on the Little Missouri River stream discharge 

at Medora, ND. April 7, 2010. 27 p.

Hughes, J.C. 2009. Preliminary Analysis in Regard to Application for Benefi cial Water Use Permit Number 30047262-76LJ for Terence and Jane 

Richmond. 5 p.

Hughes, J.C. 2009. Preliminary Analysis in Regard to Application for Benefi cial Water Use Permit Numbers 30046792-41D, 30046793-41D, and 

30046794-41D for Dick Hirschy Cattle, Inc. 5 p.

Hughes, J. C. 2010. Preliminary Analysis in Regard to Application for Benefi cial Water Use Permit Number 30047081-76I for Paul and Virginia 

DeToni. 4 p.

Hughes, J.C. 2009. Preliminary Analysis in Regard to Application for Benefi cial Water Use Permit Number 30047267-76LJ for Philip and Lynn 

Jones. 4 p.

Jackson, T.R. 2010. Evaluation of the hydraulic connection between streams and aquifers at Baker and Snake creeks near Great Basin National 

Park, Snake Valley, White Pine County, Nevada: University of Nevada, Reno, The Graduate School, Master’s Thesis, M.S. in Hydrogeology, Dr. 

David E. Prudic, Advisor, May 2010, 236 p.

Jackson, T.R., Hatch, C.E., and Prudic, D.E. 2009. Characterizing groundwater – surface water interactions along Snake Creek in Great Basin 

National Park, Nevada: University of Nevada, Reno, Hydrologic Sciences Program, Poster, 1 oversized sheet, Nov. 2009.

Jackson, T.R., Hatch, C.E., Prudic, D.E., Wallace, A.R., and Tyler, S.W. 2010, Evaluation of the hydraulic connection between streams and aquifers on 

Baker and Snake creek adjacent to Great Basin National Park, Snake Valley, White Pine County, Nevada: University of Nevada, Reno, Hydrologic 

Sciences Program, and U.S. Geological Survey, Western Mineral Resources Science Center, Reno, NV., Poster presented at Nevada Water Resources Association annual conference, Las Vegas, NV, March 4, 1 oversized sheet.

Kraft, G. J., D. J. Mechenich, C. Mechenich, J. E. Cook, and S. M. Seiler. 2010. Assessment of natural resource conditions: Isle Royale National Park. 

Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/WRD/NRR—2010/237. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Loy, K.L. and Durbin, T. 2010. Simulation results report, eastern Nevada – western Utah regional groundwater fl ow model: West Yost Associates, 

Consulting Engineers. Prepared for the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Bureau of 

Indian Aff airs; 24 pgs, plus 38 fi gures, 4 tables, 2 oversized plates, and 5 appendices.
Appendix C : Awards/Publications/Presentations/Webinars National Park Service 70

Masbruch, M. D., D. K. Solomon, and J. Harte. 2010. Groundwater Age Dating in and Near Arches National Park, Utah. University of Utah, 

Department of Geology and Geophysics, Salt Lake City, Utah. 48p.

Mason, D. 2009. Cowles Bog Wetland Complex History, Inventory, and Restoration. Final Completion Report for Restoration of the Biological 

Resources of the Cowles Bog Wetland Complex: Phase I – Inventory. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Porter, IN. 

McCreedy, C., R. Beavers, J. Eshleman, and J.N. Cross. 2010. Rising tide: Ocean and coastal program highlights. Natural Resource Program Center 

Newsletter. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Medland, J., Santiago, H., Hansen, W.R., Harn, J., Shanklin, I., and Ellsworth, A.C. 2010. Evaluation and Determination, Section 7(a) of the Wild 

and Scenic Rivers Act, St. Croix River Crossing Project, National Park Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, Sept. 2010, 66 p.

Nagorski, S., E. Hood, G. Eckert, and S. Pyare. 2010. Assessment of coastal water resources and watershed conditions: Kenai Fjords National Park. 

Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/WRD/NRR—2010/192. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Patana-Anake, P., J. Schoer, and J. Marburger. 2010. The Impact of the Great Marsh, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, on Water Quality in the 

Derby Ditch Watershed. Poster presented at the Summer Celebration of Undergraduate Scholarship, Valparaiso University, 27 July 2010.

Sobczak, R., G. Eckert, Jim Woods, and D. Vana-Miller. 2010. Natural Resources Foundation Report for Big Thicket National Preserve. Natural 

Resource Report NPS/NRPC/WRD/NRR – 2010/180.

Stevenson, S. A. 2010. Streamfl ow records for Water Year 1999 for Station No. 362629116495601, Travertine Springs in Furnace Creek Wash. National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

Stevenson, S. A. 2010. Streamfl ow records for Water Year 2000 for Station No. 362629116495601, Travertine Springs in Furnace Creek Wash. National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

Stevenson, S. A. 2010. Streamfl ow records for Water Year 2001 for Station No. 362629116495601, Travertine Springs in Furnace Creek Wash. National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

Stevenson, S. A. 2010. Streamfl ow records for Calendar Year 2002 for Station No. 362629116495601, Travertine Springs in Furnace Creek Wash. 

National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, CO.

Sweetkind, D.S. 2010. Integrating geologic and geophysical data near Great Basin National Park: U.S. Geological Survey, Geologic Discipline, 

Denver, CO, Poster, Jun. 2010, 1 oversized sheet.

Vana-Miller, D. 2010. Water Resources Information and Issues Overview for Bents Old Fort National Historic Site. Natural Resource Report NPS/

NRPC/WRD/NRR—2010/258.

Van Liew, W.P. 2010. Supplement to the record, Utah State Engineer’s water-rights hearing on applications in Pine and Wah Wah valleys fi led by 

the Central Iron County Water Conservancy District: NPS memorandum to Peter A. Fahmy and James E. Karkut, USDOI Solicitors, regarding 

examples of regional springs that have dried up from adjacent groundwater pumping, 5 p.

Wagner, J. and R. Inglis. 2010. Assessment of Riparian-Wetland Conditions and Recommendations for Management: Pueblo Colorado Wash, 

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, Arizona. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/NRR—2010/213. National Park Service, Fort Collins, 

Colorado.

Weeks, D.P. 2010. Overview presentation of the NPS Planning Framework with emphasis on the Resource Stewardship Strategy. Pecos National 

Historical Park. RSS Workshop, January 27, 2010. Pecos, NM.

Weeks, D.P. 2010. Overview presentation of the NPS Climate Change Response Program’s scenario planning eff ort. NRPC All-Hands Meeting, 

Lakewood Cultural Center. September 8, 2010. Lakewood, CO.

Weeks, D.P. 2010. Overview of the NPS Planning Framework and Climate Change Scenario Planning. Natural Resource Program Center, Academy 

Place. September 9, 2010. Lakewood, CO.

Weeks, D. and D. Vana-Miller. 2009. A Biosphere Reserve in Peril: Great Smoky Mountains National Park. WRD Annual Report.

ZARA Environmental, LLC. 2009. Groundwater macroinvertebrate survey at Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota. Final report. 36 p.
Appendix C : Awards/Publications/Presentations/Webinars National Park Service 71 

PRESENTATIONS

Back, J.T. 2010. One Fish, Two Fish, Pupfi sh, Blue Fish...Protecting Water Levels at Devils Hole, March 2010, American Fisheries Society Meeting, 

Redding, CA.

Christensen, P.K. 2010. Protecting Natural Resources at Saguaro National Park through Water Rights. NPS 2010 Aquatic Professionals 

Conference, Fort Collins, CO, poster session.

Christensen, P.K., and Hansen, W.R. 2010. Protecting Natural Resources at Saguaro National Park through Water Rights. Public Meeting, Tucson, 

AZ. Presentation and poster session.

Cross, J.N. 2010. Submerged Resources Inventories. I&M Regional Coordinators. Fort Collins, CO.

Cross, J.N. 2010. Implementation of the FY2010 Ocean’s Base Increase. WRD Aquatic Professionals Workshop. Fort Collins, CO.

Cross, J.N. 2010. Ocean Stewardship: A WASO Perspective. Pacifi c Islands Network Coral Reef Strategy Workshop. Honolulu, HI.

Cross, J.N. 2010. NRPC Ocean and Coastal Resources Program. Southeast Region Ocean Workshop. Miami, FL.

Cross, J.N. 2010. NRPC Ocean and Coastal Resources Program. NRSS All-Hands Meeting. Lakewood, CO.

Cutillo, P.A. 2009. An Inconvenient Park, Urban Development and Resource Protection at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, November 

17, 2009, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.

Cutillo, P.A., and J.D. Bredehoeft. 2010. Estimating aquifer properties from the water level response to earth tides, May 6, 2010, 2010 Annual 

Devils Hole Workshop, Death Valley National Park, CA.

DiDonato, E. 2009. Making the Most of Water Quality Data in National Parks. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation Biennial Conference. 

Portland, OR.

DiDonato, E., B. Lafrancois, J. Glase and U. Gafvert. 2010. Freshwater Foundations: Comprehensive Marine Assessments for the Great Lakes 

National Parks. 2010 NPS Aquatic Professionals Meeting. Fort Collins, CO.

DiDonato, E. 2010. Partnering with USEPA to Document Water Quality in Coastal National Parks. Seventh National Monitoring Conference: 

Monitoring From the Summit to the Sea. Denver, CO.

DiDonato, E.M., V.D. Engle, and L.M. Smith. 2010. Water quality in southeastern coastal national parks: Is “fair” good enough? Park Science. 27: 

32-37.

Halford, K.J. 2010. Directly assessing hydrologic eff ects with drawdown models – A Snake Valley example: U.S. Geological Survey, Nevada Water 

Science Center, Carson City, NV; Powerpoint slide-show presented at Nevada Water Resources Association annual conference, Las Vegas, NV, 

March 4, 16 slides, with animation.

Hansen, W.R. 2010. What is an Outstandingly Remarkable Value (ORV)? NPS Aquatics Professional Meeting, Fort Collins, CO. February 9-11, 

2010.

Hansen, W.R., Harn, J., Diedrich, J., Rylands, K., and Alston, J. 2010. Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Train-the-Trainer Course, April 13-15, 2010, 

Phoenix, AZ. 

Hansen, W.R. 2010. How Much Water Does a National Scenic River Need? A Flow Initiative for Nebraska’s Niobrara River, Bridging Conservation 

and Recreation, River Management Society and National Association of Recreation Resources Planners 2010 Symposium, May 18-20, 2010, 

Portland, OR.

Hatch, C.E., Prudic, D.E., Jackson, T.R., and Tyler, S.W. 2009. Geological controls on the characteristics and spatial distribution of streambed 

seepage in a Great Basin stream, southern Snake Range, Nevada: University of Nevada, Reno, Department of Geological Sciences and 

Engineering, Written abstract and verbal presentation at Geological Society of American Annual Meeting, Portland, OR., Oct. 2009.

Hatch, C.E., Prudic, D.E., Tyler, S.W., and Jackson, T.R. 2010. Role of geology and chemistry in defi ning reaches of Snake Creek likely to be 

susceptible to nearby groundwater pumping in southern Snake Valley, Nevada: University of Nevada, Reno, Department of Geological Sciences 

and Engineering, Written abstract and verbal presentation at the 44th Annual American Fisheries Society California–Nevada Conference, 

Redding, CA, Mar. 2010.
Appendix C : Awards/Publications/Presentations/Webinars National Park Service 72

Hatch, C.E., Prudic, D.E., Jackson, T.R., Dotson, K.E., and Tyler, S.W. 2010. What do you mean my stream is clogged? How geology, heat, and 

streambed chemistry defi ne surface water – groundwater interactions in a Great Basin stream: University of Nevada, Reno, Department of 

Geological Sciences and Engineering, Written abstract for presentation at the annual conference of the American Geophysical Union, San 

Francisco, CA, Sep. 2010.

Karst, Gary and S. A. Stevenson. 2010. Exploring the Use of Time Series Analysis to Aid Detection of Drawdown at a Monitoring Well Due to 

Nearby Groundwater Pumping. NPS Aquatics Professional Meeting, Fort Collins, CO. February 9-11, 2010.

Karst, Gary and S. A. Stevenson. 2010. Exploring the Use of Time Series Analysis to Aid Detection of Drawdown at a Monitoring Well Due to 

Nearby Groundwater Pumping. Nevada Water Resources Association Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV. March 2-4, 2010.

Lord, E.H. 2009. Water Rights in the Context of Land Acquisition, NPS Land Resources Division Conference. Palm Desert, CA.

McCreedy, C., D. Hallac. 2010. Ecosystem-based management and regional restoration: Tortugas ecological reserve and Dry Tortugas National 

Park. Department of the Interior ocean, coastal and Great Lakes workshop. Sheperdstown, WV.

Prudhomme, C., R. Beard, and E. DiDonato 2010. Managing Aquatic Invasive Species in Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Parks. 17th International 

Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species. San Diego, CA. (Poster)

Thompson, B., J. Cross, E. DiDonato, and R. Beard 2010. Rapid Assessment Surveys and Protocols for Lionfi sh Invasions in National Parks. 17th 

International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species. San Diego, CA. (Poster)

Van Liew, W.P. 2010. Estimates of Future Eff ects of the Proposed Groundwater Withdrawals in Pine and Wah Wah Valleys by the Central Iron 

County Water Conservancy District: Presentation to the Utah State Engineer at a water-rights hearing on applications by the Central Iron 

County Water Conservancy District in Pine and Wah Wah valleys, Beaver, Utah, July 14, 2010, 56 slides.

Van Liew, W.P. and Harte, J. 2010. The drilling and construction of monitoring wells adjacent to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Great Basin 

National Park: NPS Aquatic Professionals Meeting, Fort Collins, CO, February 9-11, 2010.

POSTERS

Prudhomme, C., R. Beard, and E. DiDonato 2010. Managing Aquatic Invasive Species in Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Parks. 17th International 

Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species. San Diego, CA. (Poster)

Thompson, B., J. Cross, E. DiDonato, and R. Beard 2010. Rapid Assessment Surveys and Protocols for Lionfi sh Invasions in National Parks. 17th 

International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species. San Diego, CA. (Poster)

TRAINING

COR/COTR 40-Hour Certifi cation. NPI, Inc., April 5-9, 2010. Lakewood, CO.
Appendix D : Staff National Park Service 73 

OFFICE OF THE DIVISION CHIEF STAFF

Bill Jackson: Division Chief, PhD in Hydrology. Specialty areas include sedimentation processes, fl uvial geomorphology, and river assessment, 

restoration, and management.

Sharon Kliwinski: Water Resources Wash¬ington Liaison, BS in Environmental and Pollution Sciences. Specialty areas include environmental 

legislation and regulations, natural resource policy issues, and mining laws, policies, and programs.

Debi Cox: Program Analyst, EEOCounselor, BA in Anthropology. Specialty areas include coordination of interagency and cooperative 

agreements and project funding. 

Kris Parker: Lead Administrative Assistant, EEOCounselor. Specialty areas include conference and meeting planning and coordination, PMIS, and 

report coordination and editing.

Carol Liester: Purchasing Assistant. Specialty areas include procurement, property management, and GSA vehicle coordination.

Laura Pascavis: Archivist, Web Developer, MA in Archival Science, MA in Historical Archeology, BA in History with 

specialization in environmental and western history.

Glenn Patterson: Colorado State University Research Associate serving as advisor to the NPS Water Resources Division for USGS Water Activities. 

Specialty areas include hydrology, water quality, sedimentation, and program coordination.

OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCES BRANCH STAFF

Jeff rey Cross: Branch Chief, PhD in Marine Fisheries, MS and BS in Zoology. Speciality areas include marine and freshwater ecology, fi sheries 

biology, and natural resource management.

Eva DiDonato: Marine Pollution Ecologist

Thom Curdts: GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist, MS in Forest Sciences (GIS/RS program). Specialty areas include GIS analysis, natural resource 

mapping, image analysis and data management.

Karl Bookins: Marine Fishery Scientist. Ph.D. in Fishery Science, M.S. Oceanography, B.S. Marine Biology.Specialty areas Marine Fishery & Estuarine Science

Jeremy Cantor: Colorado State University. GIS Technician, M.S. in Natural Resources Stewardship - Spatial Information Systems, BA in 

Geography. 

Cliff McCreedy: Marine Management Specialist, BA in Political Science with career emphasis on regulatory and ocean policy. Specialty areas 

include marine resource management and planning, marine protected areas, coral reefs, coastal watershed assessment, and interagency 

marine partnerships.

PLANNING AND EVALUATION BRANCH STAFF

Jeff Albright: Acting Branch Chief, Watershed Condition Assessment Program Coordinator, MS in Watershed Management. Specialty areas 

include hydrology data collection and data management protocols, watershed assessments, integration of science and policy in resource 

protection/restoration programs.

APPENDIX D

STAFF
Appendix D : Staff National Park Service 74 

Joel Wagner: Wetlands Program Team Leader, MS in Environmental Science (Water Resources). Specialty areas include wetlands science, 

hydrology, restoration and regulatory issues. 

Kevin Noon: Wetland Specialist, PhD in Wetland Ecology. Specialty areas include wetland evaluation, management, restoration, and regulatory 

issues.

John Wullschleger: Fisheries Program Team Leader, MS in Fish and Wildlife Science. Specialty areas include freshwater invertebrates, marine 

intertidal biota, fl uvial ecology, and stream habitat restoration. 

Jeff Wagner: Fisheries Biologist (SCEP), BS in Aquatic Biology with a minor in fi sheries biology. Specialty areas include native fi sh restoration and 

stream habitat restoration.

David Vana-Miller: Water Resources Planning Program Team Leader, MS in Marine Biology. Specialty areas include water resources planning, 

aquatic and marine resources management, water quality, and measures of biotic integrity.

Don Weeks: Hydrologist, MS in Geology (Hydrogeology). Speciality areas include water resources management planning, ground-water 

monitoring, and wetland management.

Lael Wagner: Administrative Assistant.

WATER OPERATIONS BRANCH STAFF

Gary Rosenlieb: Branch Chief, Water Quality Program Team Leader, MS in Water Resources. Specialty areas include water quality (chemistry and 

microbiology) ground-water quality, and hazardous materials management.

Gary Smillie: Hydrology Program Team Leader, Hydrologist/Hydraulic Engineer, MS in Civil Engineering. Specialty areas include fl ood frequency 

analysis, open channel hydraulics, fl oodplain management, and sedi¬ment transport.

Dean Tucker: Information Management Program Leader, Natural Resource Special¬ist, PhD in Forestry. Specialty areas include data

management and reporting, hydrographic analysis, computer graphics, and water resources applications in GIS.

Larry Martin: Hydrogeologist, MS in Hydrology. Specialty areas include ground-water management, ground-water modeling, surface-water/

ground-water interactions, water supply development, and source water protection.

Pete Penoyer: Hydrogeologist, Associate in Hazardous Materials, MS in Geology, Professional Degree in Hydrogeology. Specialty areas include 

ground-water analysis, ground-water contamination, site assessments under CERCLA, and water quality monitoring.

Rick Inglis: Hydrologist, BS in Watershed Science. Specialty areas include fi eld hydrologic data collection and analysis, watershed condition and 

riparian zone assessment and management, and stream restoration.

Michael Martin: Hydrologist, BS in Environmental Geology, MS in Watershed Science. Specialty areas include open channel fl ow, geomorphology, fl ood analysis, wetlands hydrology, geochemistry, and water quality.

Barry Long: Hydrologist, BS in Watershed Sciences, MS in Forest Hydrology. Specialty areas include physical-chemical aspects of water quality.

Roy Irwin: Senior Contaminants Specialist, PhD in Biology. Specialist in environmental contaminants, ecological/biological aspects of water 

quality, monitoring study design and development, measurement uncertainty, and QA/QC issues.

Mike Matz: Colorado State University Research Associate, Water Quality Database Manager, MS in Civil Engineering. Specialty areas include 

water quality planning and management, inventory and monitoring, and data analysis.

Nathan Elder: Colorado State University Research Associate, STORET Database Project, BS in Watershed Science.

Paula Galloway: Colorado State University Research Associate, NPSTORET Database Project, PhD in Chemical Engineering.

Caroline Goughis: Colorado State University Research Associate, STORET Database Project, MS in Marine Sciences.

Jia Ling: Impaired Waters Database Manager. B.S. in Wildlife Biology and presently a Master’s Degree Candidate in Forest Science. Specialty area 

is GIS.

WATER RIGHTS BRANCH STAFF

Bill Hansen: Acting Branch Chief, Supervisory Hydrologist, Adjudication Program and Information Management Program Leader, BS in Watershed Science, MS in Hydrology. Specialty areas include water rights policy and adjudication, surface-water hydrology, and wild and scenic rivers.
Appendix D : Staff National Park Service 75 

Dan McGlothlin: Acting Branch Chief, Supervisory Hydrologist, Monitoring and Enforcement Program Leader, BS in Watershed Hydrology. 

Specialty areas include water rights establishment and protection and water resources policy.

Jennifer Back: Hydrologist, MS in Watershed Science. Specialty areas include ground- and surface-water interactions and stable isotopes.

Paul Christensen: Hydrologist, MS in Geology. Specialty areas include hydrogeology, water resources, and water rights.

Paula Cutillo: Hydrologist, PhD in Hydrogeology. Specialty areas include subsurface hydrodynamics and hydrogeologic modeling.

Chris Gable: Hydrologist, BS in Watershed Science. Specialty areas include surface- water hydrology, fi eld methods, instrumentation, and data 

analysis.

Gwen Gerber: Hydrologist, BS and MS in Geology. Specialty areas include hydrogeol¬ogy and surface-water data collection.

Jim Harte: Hydrologist, BS in Forestry/Watershed Sciences. Specialty areas include surface-water hydrology, sediment transport, and watershed 

management.

Jeff Hughes: Hydrologist, MS in Watershed Sciences. Specialty areas include water rights and surface-water hydrology.

Eric Lord: Water Rights Specialist, BS in Mineral Land Management, JD, MS in Forestry.

Bill Van Liew: Hydrologist, BS in Civil Engineering, BS in Geology, MS in Ground-Water Engineering/Environmental Hydrogeology. Specialty 

areas include ground-water hydrol¬ogy and ground-water/surface-water interac¬tions.

Mark Wondzell: Hydrologist, BS in Forestry, MS in Agricultural Engineering.

Joseph Chafey: Colorado State University Research Assistant, BS in Natural Resource Management with a minor in Watershed Science. Specialty 

areas include ground- and surface-water data processing.

Kathryn Converse: Hydrology SCEP, BS in Earth Sciences, Masters Degree Candidate in Anthropology, International Development. Specialty

areas include ground- and surface-water data collection and processing.

Mallory Hall: Colorado State University Student Assistant. Bachelor’s Degree Candidate in Geology with a minor in Watershed Sciences.

Flora Romero: Colorado State University Administrative Assistant. Associates Degree in Business. Specialty area is water rights quantifi cation and 

protection projects.

Sharla Stevenson: Colorado State University Research Assistant, BS in Agriculture, Masters Degree Candidate in Watershed Science. Specialty 

areas include hydrologic modeling and geographic information systems.
 Water Resource Division Summary of FY10 Accomplishments 

Water Resources Division

Summary of FY10 Accomplishments

February 2011

National Park Service

Director Jonathan Jarvis 

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science

Associate Director Bert Frost

Deputy Associate Director Beth Johnson 

Natural Resource Program Center

Director George Dickison

Chief, Air Resources Division Christine Shaver

Chief, Biological Resources Management Division Jerry Mitchell

Chief, Environmental Quality Division Tamara Whittington

Chief, Geologic Resources Division Dave Steensen

Chief, Water Resources Division Bill Jackson 

Credits

 Editing Nina Dutton and Lael Wagner

 Project Coordinator Kris Parker

 Layout and Design Laura Pascavis 

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for use by the National Park Service. 

The Department of the Interior protects and manages the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; 

provides scientifi c and other information about those resources; and honors its special responsibilities to 

American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affi liated island Communities.