Wisconsin Guidance for Submittal of Surface Water Data

For Consideration in Preparing the 2010 Integrated Report on Wisconsin
Water Quality, including the 303(d) Impaired Waters List

OVERVIEW
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is in the process of considering all applicable surface-water data (biological, chemical and physical) and information to help identify:

• Waters that are attaining (i.e. in “good” condition) all of their designated uses, such as: Aquatic Life Use, Recreational Use, or Fish Consumption Use;
• Waters that are not attaining (i.e. in “poor” condition) all of their designated
uses (collectively called “impaired waters”); and
• Potential causes and sources of impairment (e.g., excessive nutrients, sediment;
or habitat alteration).

This information will be considered in preparing Wisconsin’s 2010 Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report (IR) required by the federal Clean Water Act. Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act requires that states prepare a water quality inventory of surface waters every two years. Section 303(d) requires that states prepare a list of impaired surface waters, or waters that do not meet water quality standards, and for which comprehensive water quality analyses (i.e., Total Maximum Daily Load studies) must be prepared to help guide restoration and other management efforts. This list is commonly called the “Impaired Waters List.”

WDNR is interested in surface-water quality data or other information, regardless of whether it suggests that the water body is in “excellent,” good,” “fair” or “poor” condition. This guidance provides information on how and when surface-water data/information can be submitted to WDNR for consideration.

WHAT TO SUBMIT
Data packages will be accepted through July 17, 2009. Data packages submitted after this time period will be considered in the preparation of similar reports subsequent to the 2010 Integrated Report.

Quality assurance and quality control considerations are especially important; knowing the quality of the data/information helps minimize the potential for errors in distinguishing “good” waters from impaired waters. To be considered by WDNR for this and future reporting cycles, submitted data/information must meet the following requirements:

1. All data must include a quality assurance project plan.

2. All environmental sampling that generated the data/information—including replicate and blank samples-- must be prepared/ collected according to the submitted quality assurance project plan.

3. Locations of the environmental sampling must be documented accurately via determination of latitude and longitude coordinates at a resolution (i.e., map scale) of 1:100,000 (real distance = + 167 feet) or finer.

4. All laboratory analyses related to generation of the data/information must be performed by a laboratory that is State-certified or accredited by the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP).

5. Analytical testing methods should be in accordance with Title of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 136, Guidelines for Establishing Test Procedures for Analysis under the Clean Water Act or with the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.

HOW TO SUBMIT DATA:

1. An on-line submittal form is available for submitting data (and attached at the end of this document if you wish to print out the form and mail a hard copy).

2. It is preferred that data and information be provided in electronic format, preferably as a Microsoft Excel”spreadsheet” file. (See example below).

HOW TO SEND DATA PACKAGES - Options

Option A) Send electronic files of the submittal form and dataset by e-mail to Nicole.Richmond@wisconsin.gov

Option B) Send electronic files of the submittal for and the dataset on compact disk (CD)
by regular mail to:

Nicole Richmond
Wisconsin DNR
101 S. Webster St. WT/3
Madison, WI 53707

Option C) Send copies of the submittal form and dataset by fax to 608-267-2800, Attention: Nicole Richmond

QUESTIONS
For questions regarding this guidance document, please contact Nicole Richmond (608- 266-0152) or Lisa Helmuth lisa.helmuth@wisconsin.gov or (608-266-7768).