MWMC Webinars
An Overview of PFAS: Status, Monitoring, and Remediation in Surface Waters
January 22, 2025
9 AM to 4:15 PM
In-person:
USGS Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center
5522 Research Park Drive
Catonsville, MD 21228
Virtual:
Microsoft Teams
REGISTER NOW
The workshop agenda is now available.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are a group of synthetic chemicals that are resistant to heat, water, and oil. They have been used in a variety of products since the 1940s, including nonstick cookware, stain- and water-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foam. PFAS chemicals are long lasting and persistent, accumulating in the environment and organisms’ overtime as they do not break down easily. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a number of health problems, including cancer and immune system problems. The low levels at which PFAS chemicals manifest their health impacts, coupled with their ubiquitousness and very low exposure levels at which these impacts are thought to occur, make the presence of PFAS an urgent water quality problem. The purpose of this workshop is to provide a broad understanding of the sources, impacts, and possible remediation techniques needed to remove these chemicals from the environment.
There is no fee for this workshop.
Best Practices For Continuous Monitoring
September 12, 2024
1:30 –2:30 PM EDT
Speaker:
Leah Ettema
EPA Region 3
Water Division Standards and TMDL Section
Regional Monitoring and Assessment Coordinator
Wheeling, WV Field Office
In 13 years at EPA, Leah has focused on how to turn science into actionable information with a career that covers every step of the process, from data collection and analysis to policy implementation. The emergence of readily-available continuous water quality data opened new frontiers of water quality assessment opportunities and challenges. Leah works at a national level to support EPA continuous data quality assurance and analysis recommendations with a tilt towards 303(d) list and integrated report development. Leah's passion for understanding the natural environment and anthropogenic impacts initially emerged during her time as a Coastal Resource Management Peace Corps Volunteer (Philippines), National Park Service Biological Science Technician (Isle Royale), and University of Michigan student. Leah enjoys making her 1-year old son giggle and playing underwater hockey (yes, it's a real sport!).
Webinar presented by the Maryland Water Monitoring Council's Information Management and Communication Committee
The Information Management and Communication Committee proudly presents two data quality webinars:
January 30
10 AM EST
Quality Assurance in the Office of Water, EPA: Perspectives on Best Practices to Ponder
February 27
10 AM EST
The Three Rs of QAPPs – wRiting, Reviewing, and Realization (Implementation)
The webinars will feature speaker Joe Beaman, Quality Assurance Manager from the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water.
Mr. Beaman is a Senior Biologist and the Quality Assurance Manager for the Office of Water in the Office of Science and Technology (OST). He is responsible for implementation of the Office of Water Quality Management Plan as well as the aquatic life criteria lead for pollutants such as mercury, selenium, and zinc.
Prior to being appointed to the position of OW QA Manager in June 2022, Joe served as the Quality Assurance Officer for the Office of Science and Technology and the Quality Assurance Coordinator for the Health and Ecological Criteria Division in OST over the previous six and a half years. Joe also served as a Senior Biologist in the Ecological Risk Assessment Branch (ERAB), working full time on aquatic life criteria, assisting with Endangered Species Act consultations and serving as the EPA HQ technical liaison supporting criteria and standards implementation assistance to EPA Regions, States, and Tribes. Earlier in Joe’s career at EPA, Joe served as the Branch Chief for ERAB, as well as its Criteria Team Leader. Prior to Joe coming to the EPA, in 2006, Joe served as a Toxicologist, Section Head and Division Chief for the Maryland Department of the Environment (2000-2006), leading efforts in developing nutrient criteria for the Chesapeake Bay as well as the Fish Consumption Advisory Program. Joe also served as an Army contractor for Geo-Centers Inc. (1992-2000) working on aquatic toxicology projects at the US Army Center for Environmental Health Research. In the US Army (1985-1992), Joe served as a Biological Sciences Assistant (01H), performing research on mosquito and tick-borne viruses and anthrax, and served as the Team Leader for the Aeromedical Isolation Team at USAMRIID (Fort Detrick) for the Ebola Outbreak in Reston VA (1989. Joe earned a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science from Hood College, Frederick, MD, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Forest Biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University.
Joe lives in Virginia with his wife and two high school-aged boys and is the proud grandfather of two elementary-aged granddaughters living in Virginia also.
Check back for more information as it becomes available.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) Workshop:
State of the Science and its Application in Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Date: December 8, 2023
Location: USGS MD-DE-DC Water Science Center Conference Room, Catonsville, MD
Format: This is a hybrid meeting.
Time: 9 AM to 3:30 PM (check in at 8:30 AM)
Agenda with links to presentations available.
MWMC eDNA Workshop took place on Friday, December 8, 2023 at the USGS Water Science Center in Catonsville, MD. Six eDNA researchers shared their experiences, knowledge, and wisdom on a range of topics that included development of eDNA as a monitoring tool, field and lab best practices, eDNA results interpretation and how to communicate them, and case studies of how eDNA is/can be used for natural resource management.
Stream Habitat Assessment Workshop for Citizen Monitors
On April 14, 2018, the MWMC’s Citizen Science and Community Stewardship Committee held a workshop on freshwater stream habitat assessment at the Howard Co. Conservancy Center in Woodstock. About 60 folks participated. Jeff Reagan (Biohabitats) took the lead in organizing the workshop. Presentations included 1) MBSS protocols (Dan Boward – Maryland DNR); 2) Protocols for use by teachers (Amanda Sullivan – Howard Co. Conservancy); and 3) EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (Jeff Reagan – Biohabitats). The indoor session ended with an overview of the Davis Branch restoration project by Mike Trumbauer (Biohabitats). Following the indoor presentations, registrants split into groups, hiked to Davis Branch and practiced their newfound skills.
Eastern Shore Data to Decisions: Making Your Data Matter Workshop
On June 21st, 2017 the MWMC sponsored the second in a series of workshops - Eastern Shore Data to Decisions: Making Your Data Matter, at The Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown. This was the follow-up workshop to the first one held at the Watershed Stewards Academy in Millersille on October 18th, 2016. The focus of the workshop was engaging volunteer/NGO water quality monitors to consider submitting their data for government use. The agenda included a series of presentations from state agencies, the Chesapeake Bay Program, The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, and the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative. Presentations provided attendees with information on data quality, data integration guidelines, and available resources and support. The workshop included question and answer sessions after each presentation to address specific questions and/or barriers that the attendees might perceive with working with government staff. The workshop also facilitated networking among volunteer groups, and with government staff.
Data to Decisions: Making Your Data Matter Workshop
On October 18th, 2016, the MWMC sponsored the workshop, Data to Decisions: Making Your Data Matter, at The Watershed Stewards Academy at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center in Millersville, MD. This event was at full capacity with 60 registrants. The focus of the workshop was on engaging volunteer/NGO water quality monitors to consider submitting their data for government use.
Workshop Summary - The agenda included a series of presentations from state agencies, the Chesapeake Bay Program, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative. Presentations provided attendees with information on data quality, data integration guidelines, and available resources and support. The workshop also included a question and answer session designed to address specific questions and/or barriers that the attendees might perceive with working with government staff. The workshop also facilitated networking among volunteer groups, and with government staff. The workshop planning committee is in the process of soliciting evaluations and determining if there is enough interest to hold additional regional workshops on the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland.
Road Salt
On April 13, 2016, the MWMC sponsored a workshop, Road Salt Usage and Environmental Impacts at the Patuxent Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, MD. There were 126 registrants. Topics included Practices and Alternatives, Impacts to Water Resources, Effects on Local Ecology, and Management Planning and Policy. Workshop Summary - Data collection and analysis across the Mid-Atlantic region has shown in recent years that the increasing usage of road salt during winter months has an impact on our local waterways and groundwater. This all-day conference provided information on current road salt operations, applications, and best management practices within the state and local counties. Presenters discussed current scientific analysis and monitoring efforts, and the effects of elevated chloride levels on surface water, groundwater, and local ecology. Lastly, the workshop provided an overview of management strategies, including regional policies. A panel discussion at the end of the workshop invited attendees to identify additional information and monitoring needs.
Monitoring for Climate Change in Maryland’s Non-Tidal Streams
On January 27, 2015, the Monitoring and Assessment Committee sponsored and held a climate change workshop at the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge National Visitors Center. The workshop, titled Monitoring for Climate Change in Maryland’s Non-Tidal Streams, served to further the discussion and collaboration on climate change impacts and resiliency and served as a follow up to the previous MAC Climate Change Workshop held in 2009. The workshop, attended by approximately 100, included a variety of topics related to climate change and freshwater systems. Topics included a Regional Monitoring Network, the Chesapeake Bay Agreement, MBSS Sentinel Sites, Cold Water Taxa, Water Supply, Sediment Flux, Forests, Sensitive Species, and even Beavers. The workshop chair was Cherie Miller of the USGS.
Planning for the Future: Designing and Implementing a Climate Change Monitoring Network in Maryland’s Non-tidal Waters
On November 17, 2009, the Monitoring and Assessment Committee hosted the workshop titled Planning for the Future: Designing and Implementing a Climate Change Monitoring Network in Maryland’s Non-tidal Waters at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center in Millersville, MD. The workshop goal was to design and build a framework for a long-term (multi-decadal) statewide monitoring network focused on ephemeral aquatic habitats (e.g., vernal pools) and headwater streams---a network that can be used to detect/track the responses of these freshwater systems to climate change. About 60 people attended the workshop. The morning Plenary Session included talks from a US Department of Interior perspective (by Peter Murdoch, USGS), from EPA’s perspective (by Britta Bierwagen, US EPA), from the Chesapeake Bay Program perspective (by Peter Claggett, USGS), from a state perspective (by Zoe Johnson, MD/DNR), and from a headwater streams/ephemeral pools perspective (by Robert Brooks, US Forest Service). The afternoon session included talks by Robert Hildebrand (UMD/AL) on thermal regimes for Maryland streams and by Andy Becker (MD/DNR) on the MBSS Sentinel Site Network. Bob Shedlock (USGS) facilitated a panel discussion and group brainstorming session.
Seasonal Pools Workshop #2
On March 20, 2008, the Monitoring and Assessment Committee hosted the Seasonal Pools Workshop #2 at Flag Ponds Nature Park near Lusby, MD. Workshop Planning Committee members were Jim Cummins (ICPRB), Ron Klauda (DNR), Doug Redmond (M-NCPPC), Clark Howells (Baltimore City), Tina Schneider (M-NCPPC), Sherm Garrison (DNR), Keith Van Ness (Montgomery County), Rachel Gauza (Montgomery County), Jennifer St. John (Montgomery County), Wayne Davis (US EPA), Dennis Genito (Baltimore County), Butch Norden (DNR), Marian Norris (National Park Service), and Mark Southerland (Versar, Inc.). A CD containing the workshop presentations, photographs of participants/activities, and other information on seasonal/vernal pools was sent to all workshop registrants.
Seasonal Pools Workshop
On March 23, 2007, the Monitoring and Assessment Committee hosted the Seasonal Pools Workshop at the National Wildlife Visitor Center, Patuxent Research Refuge, on March 23. Workshop Planning Committee members were Jim Cummins (ICPRB), Ron Klauda (DNR), Doug Redmond (M-NCPPC), Clark Howells (Baltimore City), Tina Schneider (M-NCPPC), Sherm Garrison (DNR), Keith Van Ness (Montgomery County), Wayne Davis (US EPA), Dennis Genito (Baltimore County), and Mark Southerland (Versar, Inc.). CDs containing the workshop presentations, photographs of participants/activities, and other information on seasonal/vernal pools were sent to all workshop registrants.
