Fall Creek Watershed Committee Minutes
Thursday October 3, 2002

Present: Yvette de Boer, Phil Koons, Joyce Gerbasi, Alexis Cefaratti, Steve Penningroth, Mark Vallely, Craig Schutt, Mona Barghout, Will Burnell, Dave Bouldin

1. Introductions and welcome to any new attendees. Yvette asked for any additions or revisions to last month's meeting minutes? Yvette read the minutes and they were accurate. Yvette also asked for a note taker, and Alexis volunteered. Yvette asked for any additions to the agenda? None were made. Yvette made an announcement for the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network's fundraiser, a hike/walk-a-thon. The hike will take place on Saturday, October 5th.

   Joyce made an announcement for a fund raiser to furnish large biological maps in every science classroom in town. The fundraiser is selling smaller versions of the biological maps at Wildware, on The Commons. Camile Doucet created the watercolor maps for sale. Joyce thought these maps would look nice in the FCWC display. Also Joyce added the maps are sold strictly for cash or check, and the money is sent right over to the fundraiser collections.

2. Phil reported on the latest progress with the BMI sampling and identification. Phil reported that the samples taken on August 21st, from the Cornell plantations are identified, except for the mayflies. They are all collected in test tube vials, which make them easier to ship over to Steve's laboratory. Phil said he would suggest some available dates and post them to the list serve, to finish the identification process. To recap, results are known of the March 2002 sampling round, and the results from the May 2002 sampling round have been check by Anne. The cost of both sampling rounds were covered by the DEC grant. The results for the sampling in July still need to be verified by Anne Gallagher, with approximately 98 bugs in this sample. The FCWC is willing to pay for the July and August samples to be checked by Anne, just as soon as Anne has the time and can put together a cost estimate together for her work. There are approximately 130 specimens in the August sample. Yvette asked Craig if FLLOWPA funds could cover the cost of Anne's work? Craig seemed to think so and it was left that the Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District would cover the costs. And Steve would report back as to when Anne is free to work and what her cost estimates are.
   
3. Results of the "dry run" sampling conducted at Freese Road. Steve applied standard methods against the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) he has been working on. Steve printed and handed out the results of his tests versus the hydrolab results. Steve noticed significant agreement and lack of agreement between the two sets of results. There was a huge difference between the TDS from Steve's test and the hydrolab. The pH was different by 2 units, and the DO was different by one unit. Steve reasoned that chloride in the water has an affect on salinity, which might have caused the DO to be off in calculations. Maybe more information needs to be collected on salinity when calculating the DO. Steve suggested that maybe there were problems with calibrating the hydrolab. Those present, who were also present for the "dry run", thought this could be true also.

   Steve then went on to explain that he tested the orthophosphate count in the water, taking a duplicate sample as well, and he felt very comfortable with the results. Steve also tested for total phosphorous, and tested for a duplicate also feeling he received good results. Dave suggested that during high flow, producing lots of sediment, may draw concern as to weather the sample is being filtered or not. During times of high flow, data results may produce results of what could happen during high flow. After reading the results for the ammonia count, Dave thought 110 micrograms/Liter was a high number. He asked if Steve was using the Nessler Procedure. And then suggested possibly using the phenol method.

   Steve also tested for the Chemical Oxygen Demand, which is the amount of material in a stream that can be oxidized, which is related to biological oxygen demand, empirically. Because the results were below detection limits, this indicates the water is clean, contains low algae and low sewage.

   Yvette questioned the value of the hydrolab, given that the results were so different from Steve's results. Steve suggested the FCWC take both samples, and then let the CSI lab check the results. (Note: it was later discovered that there had been some miscalculations. Only the pH on the hydrolab was off. The pH meter was then discovered to be malfunctionning.)

   Joyce questioned the TDS method and the relationship with conductivity of water. Dave thought the TS and TSS results from the "dry run" looked accurate, as well as the conductivity. Steve noted he would follow-up with Jose about finding a better understanding of the relationship between TDS and conductivity.

   The CSI Laboratory projected a price of $91.00 - $115.00 per sampling site, for all tests. This would calculate out to approximately $460.00 per sampling round. Steve would also like to add tests for sulfate, kjeldahl, nitrogen and total coliform, which would add up to about $4,000.00/ year.

   Steve is planning to send the CSI certification to ELAP in the next couple of weeks, before the October 4th sampling round. The next steps for the lab are proficiency tests. The lab needs to pass two consecutive tests in a row. Then an inspector comes out to check the lab's standard operating procedures. ELAP said they would work with CSI to make them a better lab, and help them pass all the requirements.

4. Finalize plans for Virgil Creek/Fall Creek sampling day. First the date will change from October 19 to October 18th. In attendance for that day will be Joyce, Mark, Yvette, and possibly Mona. Roxy, Jose and Joyce will calibrate the hydrolab that day and the group will meet at the water treatment facility. Will said that the group would be using all the same sample bottles from Steve. Will also said that Friday afternoons worked for the Courtland County Soil and Water Conservation District, and they would bring their own field meters. They will collect data at 3 sampling sites. The Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation has 2 sampling sites and the Fall Creek Watershed Committee will collect data at 4 sites. There are a total of 9 sites. The early day samples can be dropped off to Steve early in day, so he can begin to process the lab tests. The rest of the samples will come in later on in the day. Mark offered to shuttle the bottles. Craig offered to meet up with Will and Pat to pick up their samples. Will and Pat will be conducting DO in the field and send their turbidity to be processed by Steve at the CSI lab. The Tompkins Soil and Water Conservation District will likewise send their pH and DO samples to Steve at the lab for processing. Steve will also process the Fall Creek Watershed Committee's collected DO sample, in the lab.

   Yvette confirmed with Joyce and Mark, that they know where the two other sampling sites are, and Phil explained about the confluence sites. Yvette reported that Roxy will test the hydrolab prior to the next sampling round, and will go out with the FCWC group. Yvette asked for clarification regarding collecting samples from a bucket, or grab sample and collecting samples from in the stream. The DO and pH should be performed in the stream, exposed to as little air as possible.

   Steve passed out suggested data sheets, showed sample bottles to the group, and asked for suggestions. Steve also asked for the names of each of the sampling sites, so he can label the collection bottles appropriately, ahead of time. Yvette said she would email Steve with the information. It was also suggested to have a cooler on hand to keep all the samples on ice and dark, until they reach the lab. On the data sheets, Steve has also suggested to look for and write down general flow conditions. Is the stream flowing at a low, medium or high rate? Also, to notice and write down, how wide, deep and the velocity of the stream, only a ball park range is necessary. Steve is also looking for gross observations such as, water color, clear, chocolate brown, and anything else unusual, such as floating solids.

   Steve gave some instructions on collecting water samples. The bottles should be capped under water, for the DO and pH and for the bacterial sample. The rest of the samples can be collected by, filling a bucket and then pouring into bottles. Because some of the bottles will be filled with a preservative of sulfuric acid, Alexis suggested placing a piece of red tape around the cap to indicate caution when using those bottles. Yvette questioned where in the stream to collect the samples, and Will suggested in the middle. Yvette also asked Mark to pick up 2 bags of ice and everyone pitched in to bring 4 small coolers for the sampling day. Mark offered to pick up bottles for the day. Will also suggested placing all of the sample bottles for each site in separate bags, to keep them from getting confused and separated.

   Dave asked why Steve performed a hardness test. And Steve thought it would be useful to obtain Calcium and Magnesium levels of the stream. Dave suggested that he has constant data on these two parameters. Yvette also asked if the FCWC group would need separate sampling sheets for the hydrolab versus the original sampling technique? Steve said that he would be performing just the tests in the lab, and when the FCWC designs a data sheet they will be using, to send a copy to Steve. Will also suggested having a chain of custody for the sample bottles and delivery from point A to point B. Everyone thought this was a good idea. Yvette asked the members if they thought collecting flow information would be helpful, or if they would be too busy already. It was decided that the sampling day would be full enough, with 4 sampling sites.

   Yvette passed out the telephone tree list. For a flush flow sampling round, Dave suggested 7-8 hours after a heavy rain. Dave also suggested only collecting sediment samples on big flood events. Joyce questioned nutrient run-off?

5. BMI refresher workshop. The date Thursday October 24th was suggested, from 6:00pm -9:00pm at Yvette's classroom. Refreshments and chips will be provided. Yvette will post this to the list serve and contact Anne Gallagher about the time and date.
   
6. New equipment update. Phil showed the new items:
   a.) 100 foot metric/English tape
   b.) counter, with 100 capacity for counting insects
   c.) stop watch for flow test
   d.) thermometer is on the way
   e.) secchi tube - for testing water clarity analysis, and is easy to use, about 5 min.

   Steve suggested comparing the secchi tube with the turbidity when collecting stream data. Yvette will buy a bucket with a spicket- to fill the sample bottles, and submit for reimbursement to the TCSWCD.

7. Web site updates. Yvette will send Karin FCWC stream and BMI monitoring data, with help from Phil.
   
   

Meeting adjourned at 9:02pm.

Notes submitted by Alexis Cefaratti, November 6, 2002.