Current Issues

August, 2007

NEWS RELEASE: For Immediate Release:

Invasive Mussels Detected in Lake Powell - Boaters Asked to Inspect their Vessels for Mussels: Page, Ariz. – New test results indicate the presence of an extremely small number of individual, larval quagga or zebra mussels in Lake Powell. Two cooperative research and monitoring efforts, conducted on July 19 and 30 by the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, detected three individual mussel larvae at the Wawheap Marina and near the Glen Canyon Dam.

To read the full news release, please click here (23 kb pdf). We also have available Quagga and Zebra Mussel frequently asked questions (45 kb pdf).

Detailed descriptions about how to clean your boat and equipment are available online at: www.wildlife.utah.gov/quagga/pdf/boat_inspection.pdf. Further information about quagga and zebra mussels and how to prevent their spread is available online at www.100thmeridian.org, www.protect yourwaters.net, and www.nps.gov/glca.

July, 2007

Developer’s Study of Projected Groundwater Impacts at Kaloko-Honokōhau NHP Deemed Sufficient by County: The County of Hawaii Planning Director has determined that the opinions of two consultants hired by the developer of the proposed Shores at Kohanaiki were sufficient to satisfy concerns that the development’s proposed golf-course irrigation system would not negatively impact anchialine pools in Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park. Both the NPS and the developer’s consultants agreed that the withdrawal of 2.2 million gallons per day of brackish water adjacent to the ocean and the national park would increase the salinity of anchialine pools in the park. However, the County determined that the increase in salinity would not have a negative effect upon these anchialine pool ecosystems because the organisms in them were believed to be adapted to a wide range of salinities. The decision was subject to several conditions, including monitoring requirements and participation in meetings involving other landowners and the NPS. However, the NPS Water Resources Division has initiated a study with the USGS Pacific Island Ecosystem Research Center to clearly demonstrate the potential impacts of rising salinity on anchialine pool communities in the park by providing detailed biological data on two candidate endangered anchialine pool arthropods. For further information, contact Paula Cutillo at 970-225-3537.

Accomplishments:

NPS Delivers Keynote Speech at International Seminar on Park Design, Planning and Monitoring, São Paulo, Brazil: The Department of Geography, Universidade de São Paulo, along with Intervales State Park and the Ribeirao Cement Company, convened an International Seminar entitled “Conservation Design at Protected Areas and Buffer Zones” from June 27-29 in São Paulo. Gary Davis, the NPS Water Resources Division’s Ocean and Coastal Resources Branch Chief, gave a keynote speech describing U. S. national park stewardship and monitoring. He also participated in a formal roundtable discussion of park planning and adaptive management, visited the Atlantic Rainforest’s Intervales State Park, and talked informally with state park, industry, NGO, and university scientists and managers about park planning, monitoring, and restoration. For more information, contact Gary Davis at 805-658-5707.

June, 2007

Adequacy of Developer’s Water Study Report for Kaloko-Honokōhau NHP Contested by NPS: The NPS Water Resources Division assisted Kaloko-Honokōhau NHP in responding to a study required for a residential and golf course development currently under construction adjacent to and on 18 acres of shoreline encompassed within the legislated exterior boundary of the park. The Shores at Kohanaiki development will provide up to 500 residences, an 18-hole golf course, and a coastal park and camping area. Irrigation of the golf course and common areas will require 2.5 million gallons per day of non-potable groundwater from wells. The study is a requirement of a County of Hawaii Use Permit issued to the developer, Rutter/KW Kohanaiki, LLC. Study results must demonstrate there will be no significant environmental effects to Kaloko-Honokōhau's anchialine ponds as a result of groundwater pumping and treatment. NPS is concerned that pumping will adversely impact groundwater-dependent resources (ponds, pools, wetlands, and ocean) in the park. At the County's request, the Water Resources Division submitted comprehensive comments on the study report, citing major shortcomings in the scientific bases for its conclusions. Among the report’s shortcomings are: 1) inadequate evaluation of saltwater intrusion, aquifer testing, and impacts to anchialine pool habitats and 2) lack of information on the operation of pumping and injection wells and disposal of wastewater. NPS also informed the County that it is opposed to a “trial and error” strategy to measure park resource responses. A decision regarding the sufficiency of the developer's report is pending. The NPS also objected to a State of Hawaii permit application for the irrigation wells. In taking into account NPS’s concerns, the State required a pump test to further demonstrate that park resources will not be adversely affected by the wells. NPS is cooperating with the developer in the design and implementation of the test. For further information, contact Paula Cutillo at 970-225-3537.

Accomplishments:

Two Groundwater Pumping Proposals Adjacent to Wind Cave NP Resolved: The NPS resolved protests for two water right applications to pump groundwater from the Madison Aquifer adjacent to Wind Cave NP. Wind Cave was formed within the Madison Limestone of the Black Hills. Several lakes and pools in the lower reaches of the cave define the ground-water table in this region of the aquifer, and NPS is concerned for the cumulative, adverse affects pumping could have on cave and other water-related resources. An application by Fall River Water Users District (WUD) proposes to pump from the aquifer within 8.5 miles of the park. The Water Resources Division and the Office of the Solicitor completed a stipulated agreement that allows the WUD to pump in exchange for important information, including an aquifer test, metering and reporting of water withdrawals, and water quality analysis. These key provisions were accepted by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and incorporated in the DENR recommendation for permit approval. This information will be used by NPS to further define aquifer properties in the area. In another action, NPS withdrew its objection to an application by United Land Management that proposes to pump from the same aquifer, but at a greater distance from the park than the WUD's pumping. In a letter to the South Dakota Water Management Board, NPS stated that additional analysis shows United's pumping would not impact park resources; however, NPS is concerned that the combined effects of this application and existing permits could adversely affect the park. NPS files a petition to intervene (objection) with the State of South Dakota when it is determined that proposed groundwater development may impact a park. This action ensures NPS the opportunity to further describe its concerns before the South Dakota Water Management Board. For further information, contact Jeff Hughes at 970-225-3527.

Settlement Achieved on Groundwater Pumping near Chickasaw NRA: The NPS, along with several other entities, reached a last minute settlement agreement with Meridian Aggregates, Inc., concerning Meridian's application to pump ground water from the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer upgradient from Chickasaw NRA. Meridian's application to expand its withdrawal of groundwater from the aquifer was protested by NPS, USFWS, and numerous other parties, and a hearing before the Oklahoma Water Resources Board was set for June 7-15. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board subsequently cancelled the hearing since all parties were included in this last minute agreement. Meridian agreed to limit its pumping from the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer and report production data. This is the second agreement in two years between NPS and Meridian. In August 2005, Meridian applied for 1,400 acre-feet of groundwater for an aggregate mine located about seven miles southeast of the park. NPS stipulated to withdraw its protest of that application pursuant to an agreement with Meridian that monitors the effects of pumping. Meridian continues to pursue other groundwater sources for the mine. For further information, contact Jennifer Back at 970-225-3533.

Progress:

Colorado Water Court Holds Status Conference on Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Reserved Water Right Claim: A case status conference was held on June 29 by the Colorado Water Court on the federal reserved water right claim for Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. Litigation proceedings have been on hold since last January as the parties are conducting negotiations. At this conference, the parties reported progress in the negotiations and were in agreement that many of the issues can be settled provided more time is allowed. The Court subsequently granted a continuance of the stay on major litigation activity until January 18, 2008, when the next status conference will be held. To encourage a diligent negotiation and because the complexity of the case will require the participants to set aside a large block of time, the Court set a trial date of June and July, 2009. The parties have hired a professional mediator to facilitate the negotiations over the next several months. For more information, contact Chuck Pettee at 970-225-3505.

Preliminary Decision on Great Sand Dunes NP Water Right Claim: The Colorado Water Court has issued a preliminary decision on NPS’s in-place groundwater claim for all unappropriated water at Great Sand Dunes NP. The claim was filed by the NPS in 2004 after the Baca Ranch was purchased as required by the "Great Sand Dune National Park and Preserve Act of 2000." Objector Mattingly filed a motion to deny the NPS claim in 2006. The Court issued an Order denying Mattingly's motion on June 13, 2007, and confirmed that the NPS is entitled to make an in-place appropriation of water for maintaining ground water levels, surface water levels, and stream flows on, across, and under the national park and preserve. The Court also required that the NPS file an amended application to estimate a range of values of the water appropriated under varying historic and projected climatic conditions. This is an important decision recognizing a unique NPS water right in the State of Colorado. The NPS is working with the Department of Justice to amend the claim and the Court has set a trial date in 2008 to hear the remaining contested issues. For more information, contact Bill Hansen at 970-225-3532.

EPA to Cease Support for Local STORET Water Quality Data Bases: EPA will cease support of the local enterprise STORET Water Quality Data Bases used by the NPS Water Resources Division and many states in September 2009. In order to develop a replacement, there was a meeting in Helena, MT, June 18-19, 2007, to draft a scope of work. Participants included the NPS Water Resources Division staff, EPA, and representatives from Montana, Utah, Colorado, Alaska, and Minnesota. EPA is providing some financial support to assist states in developing a replacement enterprise database for STORET that can generate WQX files for the STORET Data Warehouse. For additional Information visit http://www.epa.gov/storet/wqx.html or contact Dean Tucker at 970-225-3516.

Tour of the Carbonate System in Nevada: Sponsored by the Nevada Water Resources Association the week of June 18, the NPS Water Resources Division and Great Basin NP staff participated in the Regional Tour of the Carbonate System located in eastern and southern Nevada. The tour provided water and land managers, scientists, and citizens a chance to examine and understand geologic, hydrologic, and biologic conditions associated with regional carbonate aquifer systems. This gathering was timely because the Southern Nevada Water Authority and other water developers are proposing to withdraw large quantities of groundwater to supply growth in Clark and Lincoln Counties. The Tour included scientific presentations at various locations along the way to show how the water flow system operates and appreciate the resources it supports. Stops included Great Basin NP. For further information, contact Bill Van Liew at 970-225-3549.

Publications:

Technical Report on Water Resources in Ozark National Scenic Riverway: The NPS Water Resources Division has published “Water Resources Foundation Report for Ozark National Scenic Riverways (Natural Resource Report NPS/NRWRD/NRR-2007/363). The report describes the park’s water resources, identifies stakeholders, and outlines pertinent laws and policies. This treatment of the park’s water resources will form one component the Riverway’s more comprehensive resource Foundation Document and will also serve as a reference for its general management plan. Copies are available at: [http://www1.nrintra.nps.gov/wrd/planning/region_reports/midwest.cfm]. Hard copies may be requested from David Vana-Miller at 303-969-2813.

Technical Report on Hydrogeology and Water Supply Wells at Lava Beds NM: The NPS Water Resources Division has published “Hydrogeology and Water Supply Wells at Lava Beds National Monument,” (Technical Report NPS/NRPC/WRD/NRTR-2007/373). The document compiles all available information for water wells and test holes in the Monument and considers that data in the context of the area’s hydrogeologic environment. Key report findings follow: there are abundant supplies of good quality groundwater in the Monument, groundwater pumping for irrigation in adjacent areas is unlikely to affect that groundwater availability, and earlier (now abandoned) proposals for geothermal development in the area would have unlikely affected the Monument’s water resources. For further information, contact Larry Martin at 970-225-3515.

Technical Report on Hydrogeology and Water Supply Wells at Catoctin Mountain Park: The NPS Water Resources Division has published “Hydrogeology and Water Supply Wells at Catoctin Mountain Park,” (Technical Report NPS/NRPC/WRD/NRTR-2007/374). The document compiles all available information for water wells and test holes in the park and considers that data in combination with the hydrogeologic environment of the area. The report determines that wells constructed in 2006 provide enough water to meet current park needs and provides recommendations for new well locations should more water is needed in the future. For more information, contact Larry Martin at 970-225-3515.

April, 2007

NPS Concerned Over Volume of Applications to Divert the Niobrara River: There has been a major increase in the number of applications proposing water diversion from the Nebraska’s Niobrara River. Since early 2007, more than 100 cubic feet per second of diversions have been proposed to the State. The NPS Water Resources Division has assisted Niobrara NSR and the Missouri NRR in preparing a letter to the State requesting that they delay considering these applications until the instream flow needs of the river are determined. NPS and FWS have been working with the State, the Niobrara River Council, and local water districts to establish state protection of the River. For further information, contact Bill Hansen at 970-225-3532.

Nevada State Engineer Approves Southern Nevada Water Authority Water Use Applications: The Nevada State Engineer (NSE) issued Ruling No. 5726 on April 16, 2007, approving applications by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) to export water from Spring Valley to the Las Vegas Valley area. A portion of Great Basin NP lies in the Spring Valley basin. As in prior rulings, the NSE determined there is water available for appropriation. In a departure from other rulings, the NSE ordered the completion of baseline biological and hydrologic studies prior to SNWA exporting any ground-water resources from Spring Valley. This enables NPS, other DOI bureaus, and SNWA to collect data pursuant to a monitoring, management, and mitigation plan reached with SNWA in September 2006; construct a ground-water flow model; and evaluate the current and predicted effects of pumping in Spring Valley before the water exports occur in 2017. The decision is significant for SNWA because Spring Valley is key to its plan for a massive ground-water development project to augment its Colorado River supply. For more information, contact Dan McGlothlin at 970-225-3536.

National Park Service Specialists Target Exotic Mussels: DENVER — An NPS All Risk Incident Command Team will meet in Fort Collins, Colorado, this week to develop a plan to prevent the infestation of non-native quagga or zebra mussels at national park sites throughout the western United States. Quagga mussels were first discovered in Lake Mead in January 2007. Lake Mead National Recreation Area had an aquatic species prevention program in place since 2002. As part of that program park and concession employees were trained in identification methods. This allowed quick identification of the mussel and notification of other agencies, parks and states in the region.Quagga mussels have also been found in Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu. The mussels are spread to other waters primarily by attaching to boats that have been launched in infested waters.

In response to the infestation at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the park promptly implemented an initial response plan to assess the extent of contamination, contain the existing infestation by requiring mandatory cleaning of slipped and moored boats, instituted new requirements for boat hauling permittees, increased the availability of boat washing facilities, and raised public awareness of how to avoid spreading quagga mussels into other waters by increasing signage in the park, and distributing thousands of information flyers to hundreds of regional marine businesses.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, located in southern Utah and northern Arizona, has had a zebra and quagga mussel prevention program in place since 1999 to prevent the exotic mussels from becoming established in Lake Powell. Given the recent discovery of quagga mussels in Lake Mead, Glen Canyon has expanded its prevention program. The park is building additional decontamination facilities, staffing entrance stations for extended hours, and requiring boaters to certify that their vessels are free of mussels.Both quagga and zebra mussels reproduce at incredible rates. Because they are microscopic as juveniles, they can be difficult to detect. Both quagga and zebra mussels filter large quantities of water, removing important food sources for other aquatic species. They can destroy boat motors and clog water intake pipes in reservoirs. In addition, beaches may become littered with rotting piles of dead mussels and the resulting shell debris. Neither species has a natural predator.

The discovery of quagga mussels at Lake Mead is the first known appearance of the invasive species in the western United States. Until the discovery at Lake Mead, zebra and quagga mussels were a problem primarily in midwestern and eastern states.The NPS Incident Management team that will meet in Fort Collins this week will focus on preventing the spread of quagga mussels from Lake Mead. The best management practices employed for controlling quagga mussels will also prevent the spread of other aquatic invasives, preserving valuable water resources and recreational opportunities.

The National Park Service’s incident management team will produce a plan for western national parks to prevent, promptly detect and rapidly respond to any appearance of quagga mussels and to prevent the damage to property and ecosystems that the mussels and other aquatic invasives can produce. The contingency plan is expected to be completed by May 10. For further information contact Kevin Schneider, Management Assistant at Glen Canyon NRA, at (928) 608-6208.

New Publications:

New Guidebook for Quagga/Zebra Mussel Prevention and Response: In April 2007, the NPS Biological Resources Management and Water Resources Divisions organized an All Risk Incident Command Team charged with developing a "Quagga/Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention and Response Planning Guide." The team also included staff from Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, Curecanti NRA, Glen Canyon NRA, Lake Mead NRA, and the NPS Intermountain Region. The guidebook is scheduled for completion on May 10, 2007, and will offer insight into Quagga/Zebra mussel risk assessment, prevention, detection, and response. For more information, contact John Wullschleger at 970-225-3572.

Technical Report on Water Resources at Pictured Rocks NL: The NPS has published an Assessment of Coastal Water Resources and Watershed Conditions at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan, Technical Report NPS/NRWRD/NRTR-2006/361. A cooperative effort between NPS and the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, it describes the condition of coastal and inland water resources and examines data pertaining to water quality, habitat condition, non-point source pollutants, and consumptive and non-consumptive utilization of resources in and adjacent to the Lakeshore. The report, prepared by NPS Water Resources Division staff, is available at http://www1.nature.nps.gov/water/watershedconds.cfm. For more information, contact Lora Loope at 906-387-2650 or Kristen Keteles at 303-969-2342.

Technical Report on Restoring Tidal Flow to Cape Cod NS’s Herring River Estuary: Cape Cod NS and partners are planning to restore tidal flow to Herring River estuary. To achieve this goal, NPS plans to enlarge the opening of an artificial dike at the mouth of the Herring River near Wellfleet. A report prepared by NPS Water Resources Division staff offers a preliminary assessment of the potential for saltwater intrusion at private, domestic wells adjacent to the estuary after restoration of tidal flow is achieved. That report is available at http://www.nature.nps.gov/water/technicalReports/Northeast/CACO_HerringFinal.pdf. The park is also planning to conduct detailed topographic mapping of the area and 2-D modeling of tidal range and salinity to better assess the potential for saltwater intrusion. For more information, contact Larry Martin, at 970-225-3515.

March 2007

Accomplishments:

New Technical Report on Mississippi NR&RA: The NPS Water Resources Division has published a Natural Resources Technical Report entitled: Water Resources Information and Issues Overview Report – Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (Technical Report NPS/NRWRD/NRTR-2007/364). A cooperative effort between the Water Resources Division, the NPS Midwest Region, and the Mississippi NR&RA, the report provides a synthesis of water resources information, an overview of water-related management issues, and considerations for future action on this 72-mile stretch of Minnesota’s Upper Mississippi River. Copies of this report can be downloaded at [http://www.nature.nps.gov/water/InfoOverviewsReports.cfm] or contact David Vana-Miller at 303-969-2813.

Progress:

Water Rights Compact for the Blackfeet Tribe: Most of Glacier’s NP’s water on the east side of the continental divide flows into the adjacent Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Reserved water rights for the Park were described in a water compact created in the early 1990’s, and now the State of Montana and Tribe are negotiating a compact to describe the reserved water rights for the Reservation. The United States is also party to the negotiations in it role as trustee for the Tribe. NPS Water Resources Division staff is representing Glacier NP during the negotiation to ensure consistency between the Park and Reservation reserved water rights. For more information, contact Chuck Pettee at 970-225-3505.


February 2007

New NPS Ocean and Coastal Resources Branch: On February 16, 2007, Associate Director Mike Soukup established an Ocean and Coastal Resources Branch in the NRSS Directorate’s Water Resources Division. Visiting Chief Scientist Gary Davis will act temporarily as Branch Chief. He will organize the new branch and develop strategies to enhance NPS scientific, technical, and organizational capacity for ocean and coastal resource stewardship. Contact Gary Davis at 805-658-5707 or gary_davis@nps.gov.

Accomplishments:

Canada’s Maurice Lamontagne Institute Briefed on NPS Ocean Stewardship: During an invited seminar on February 8, 2007 at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute in Mont-Joli, Quebec, Canada, NPS Visiting Chief Scientist Gary Davis shared some lessons he learned from four decades of marine protected area research, monitoring, policy development, and management. Davis described to more than 70 of the Institute’s scientists, fishery managers, and marine protected area specialists how the NPS developed an ocean park stewardship strategy and action plan. He also shared his practical experiences from more than 25 years of monitoring marine protected area effectiveness at Channel Islands NP. The Canadian Oceans Act directs the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to take the lead in developing a national strategy for ocean management, not unlike the National Ocean Park Stewardship Strategy which stemmed from the U. S. Ocean Action Plan adopted in 2005. The Canadian Oceans Act calls for the establishment of marine protected areas, regulations to conserve and protect ecosystem health, and integrated coastal zone management plans. For more information, contact Gary Davis at 805-658-5707 or gary_davis@nps.gov.

Progress:

Pilot Project Collaboration Meeting for Watershed Condition Assessment Program: The Watershed Condition Assessment (WCA) Program in the NPS Water Resources Division has 9 pilot projects underway involving 17 parks across all 7 NPS Regions. Investigators and NPS staff met in Fort Collins, CO, on February 15-16, 2007. Highlights from both the meeting and these pilot projects will be provided to the NPS regions when project design is finalized for FY2007. Two of the pilot projects have been collaborating on a unified design for condition assessments which should help parks report on their DOI-GPRA "land health" goals. For more information, contact Jeff Albright at 970-225-3528.

Professional Conferences and Training:

Eastern Rivers Summit February 26-March: The National Conservation Training Center in Shepardstown, WV, hosted the Eastern Rivers Summit February 26-March 1. It was attended by over 135 staff from four NPS regions and WASO. Topics addressed at the Summit included Watershed Science, Planning, Partnerships, Education, Communication, Water Law and Policy, Park Support and Technical Assistance. The goal of the Summit was to bring together experts on watershed issues and heighten NPS’s awareness of its watershed management role. Awards were presented to some NPS employees who have fostered exemplary collaborative watershed conservation efforts: Jeff Duncan, Jim Long, Jamie Fosburgh, Chuck Barscz, Paul Kenny, Bill Sharp, Liz Lacy, Lee Steppacher, Diane Wendland, Chuck Arning, Kevin Klyberg, Wink Hastings, Wayne S. Werkmeister, Steve Bakaletz, Randy Ferrin, and Don Hamilton. For more information, contact Bill Hansen at 970-225-3532 or visit the eastern rivers conference website at www.nps.gov/interp/ERS.

Inventory & Monitoring Data Management Conference: The annual I&M Data Management Conference was held February 12-16, 2007, in Las Cruces, NM. Eighty persons attended, including network data managers, park data management and GIS staff, and NRPC staff. A prototype of the "Natural Resource Data Portal," which will provide easy access to multiple sources of natural resource data, was presented to attendees. The Water Resources Division made a presentation on the roles, responsibilities, and status of Vital Signs Water Quality Data Management and gave an update on the NPSTORET User Board. For more information, contact Dean Tucker at 970 225-3516.

Archived 2005 Current Issues
Archived 2006 Current Issues