19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC1 Our vision for monitoring in Maryland … The MWMC envisions a time when monitoring methods, programs, projects, and data are the product of collaboration and comparability among agencies and organizations. The resulting information will be accessible for use by all stakeholders and will facilitate sound decision-making in environmental management and protection.

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC2 MWMC board membership (monitoring stakeholder groups) State Agencies (4)--at least one each from Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Department of the Environment Local Governments (4) Federal Agencies (2) Volunteer Groups-Environmental Organizations (2)--one of which has statewide affiliation Academia (2) Intergovernmental Organizations (2) Consultants and Industry (2) At-large Members (2)

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC3 MWMC organizational structure AD HOC COMMITTEES Annual Conference Groundwater Level Monitoring Integrated Monitoring STANDING COMMITTEES Monitoring & Assessment Program Coordination Data Management Chair (Bill Stack, Baltimore City DPW) Vice-Chair (Bob Shedlock, USGS) Board of Directors

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC4 How is MWMC supported? 319 grant through DNR has provided CRITICAL part-time staff support (Executive Secretary)—GRANT ENDING… Time/in-kind resources volunteered by Board, committee members, and member organizations Without the 319 funding, how do we sustain momentum and level of activity??

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC5 Small Watershed WQ Sampling Program Design Workshops Flow Gauging Station White Paper Monitoring Program Survey Groundwater Level Workshop Stream Roundtable Online PCC Newsletter Past MWMC activities

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC6 Eight Annual Conferences ( ). The 2003 conference is scheduled for Nov. 13. MWMC activities—ANNUAL CONFERENCES Opportunity to –Explore statewide “big picture” issues –Showcase specific programs, studies –NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC7

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC8 Current MWMC activities Ninth Annual Conference (November 13, 2003) Bridging the Gap Between Tidal and Non-tidal Monitoring Programs Workshop Recommendations for a comprehensive groundwater monitoring network Hydrologic System Workshop: Development of a web-based metadata clearinghouse Maintenance of the MWMC website Restoration tracking Newsletter Overview brochure Strategic planning process

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC9 Strategic planning & capacity building Initial meeting held September 17, Work smarter not harder Focus energies Ensure we’re all working toward same goals Assess and adjust our direction in response to a changing environment

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC10 Initial MWMC strategic planning process What would water monitoring in Maryland look like if there were true collaboration and comparability among agencies & organizations? The MWMC envisions a time when monitoring methods, programs, projects, and data are the product of collaboration and comparability among agencies and organizations. The resulting information will be accessible for use by all stakeholders and will facilitate sound decision- making in environmental management and protection.

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC11 What is MWMC’s role in working toward the vision? Initial MWMC strategic planning process MWMC Role

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC12 What are the challenges and issues related to this role? Challenge s & Issues

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC13 Given our assets, what are the activities & projects we can undertake to address these challenges and fill the gaps? Initial MWMC strategic planning process Activities What are the current assets the Council has to successfully address these challenges/issues? 1) What are the assets members & member organizations bring to the Council? 2) What are the assets the Council brings to members & their organizations? 3) Where are the gaps? Assets

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC14 NWQMC ROLEISSUES & CHALLENGES IN FULFILLING OUR ROLE ACTIVITIES TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES FACILITATING COLLABORATION Assure a membership body that represents all water-related disciplines within the State of Maryland Provide a forum of open communication with water monitoring groups and individuals, where issues related to monitoring can be addressed ● Health Department Board Members ● New Local Governments ● Academic Community Meetings – New faculty ● MWMC newsletter ● Annual conference ● Monitoring roundtable ● MWMC website ● Topical Workshops ● PCC Support ● Board Meeting Announcements in the Maryland Register PROMOTING COMPARABILITY Develop an inventory of monitoring program goals and assess the monitoring needs of the community Support methods that focus on developing coordinated and collaborative approaches that will lead to comparable data collection methods that address local and regional needs Develop a meta-data, web-based clearinghouse that includes a description of the different programs and contains data sets, study results, and reports and link them to participating organizations ● Recommendations from the GW workshop ● Hydrologic system workshop ● Monitoring roundtable ● Topical Workshops (e.g., QA/QC, sampling design, etc.) ● Watershed Monitoring ● NWQMC – website for methods and comparability, National Methods Board ● Surf Your Watershed w/DNR ● PCC – minimum data elements for watershed and stream restoration BUILDING CAPACITY Establish a permanent, paid or volunteer staff to oversee various monitoring initiatives ● Annual Meeting ● Explore Nonprofit Status ● Retirees Putting it all together…

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC15 Next steps… Develop DOABLE plans for implementing activities… including filling gaps!

19-Aug-2003MWMC presentation to NWQMC16 THIS PROCESS IS NEITHER LINEAR NOR STATIC!