Project Summary

1. Project ID
Name	Bioassessment of the Yellow River Aquatic Preserve
Region	Gulf of Mexico Region
State	FL
Location	Santa Rosa County
Date of this update	8/17/00

2. Problem(s) addressed (check one or more)

Habitat Restoration/Protection
Wetlands
River systems
Beaches/Dunes
Offshore areas
Mangroves
Assisting Species at Risk
Pollution Mitigation
Non-Point Source Pollution
Other (describe)

3. Project description (100 words or less)

Problem Statement:

Introduction: Waterfront housing along Gacon Peninsula, East Bay, and Blackwater Bay is increasing at an alarming rate and is expected to continue. As a result, a decrease in water quality and aquatic ecosystem health is expected due to nonpoint source stormwater runoff and loss of wetland habitat. Bioassessments are utilized to characterize the existence and severity of impairment to a water resource, identify sources and causes of impairment, and assess cumulative impacts. In addition, bioassessments are useful in characterizing reference conditions and evaluating restoration activities.

The Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve (YRMAP) is one of 42 state managed Aquatic Preserves in the state of Florida and we selected as such to help maintain the biological communities within its boundaries. Little research work has been done in the YRMAP with respect to aquatic macroinveretbrtes. The importance of this proposal is critical due to the pristine nature of this preserve and the several threatened or endangered species that may depend on the macroinvertebrate community for food.

There are currently no resources to conduct bioassessment activities within the YRMAP. Aquatic Preserve staff are involved in other ongoing projects that do not allow sufficient time to undertake a study of this magnitude. Supplies and personnel are needed to initiate this work.

Background: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Northwest District Watershed Management Section has a Bioassessment Program that involves field sampling of aquatic biological communities to characterize community structure (i.e. diversity, pollution tolerance). This Program includes measuring water quality indicators such as dissolved oxygen, evaluating habitat conditions, and determining the health of aquatic insect communities. The response of aquatic insects and benthic invertebrates to changes in water quality can indicate early warnings of possible harm to a waterbody. The aquatic insects and invertebrates in a waterbody show the effects of physical habitat alterations, point and nonpoint source contaminants, and cumulative pollutants. Bioassessments are currently used in the following FDEP programs: 1) Basin-wide assessments to assess watershed health; 2) Fifth year inspections to evaluate discharge of municipal wastewater treatment plants; 3) Evaluate effectiveness of forestry best management practices (BMPs) for nonpoint source stormwater runoff; 4) Mitigation assessment to evaluate success of created or restored aquatic ecosystems.

Proposed Projects: Depending on the area, two different methods of biological assessment are utilized. In small streams, bio-recons (rapid bioassessments) involve taking dip net sweeps through the stream and evaluating the ecology by qualitatively analyzing aquatic insect diversity. Alternatively, PONAR grab samples are taken at larger river deltas and across bayous to assess aquatic invertebrates within the sediment. In both methods, water quality parameters such as ph, temperature, dissolved oxygen, bacteria counts, chlorophyll a, and nutrients are analyzed.

Bio-recon sampling: Samples collected at eight predetermined sites within and adjacent to the YRMAP. Sampling will occur in summer, every other year.

PONAR grab sampling: Petite Ponar grabs will be collected as transects across specific bayous, river deltas, and bay areas within the YRMAP. Each transect will include several replicates of each habitat type (i.e., sand bottom, seagrass, mud) across that transect. A total of fourteen transects will be established within the Preserve and will be sampled on a yearly basis.

Analysis of the results of this project will describe the existence and severity of impairment to the habitat within and adjacent to the YRMAP. Potential sources and causes of impairment will be identified, and cumulative impacts will be assessed. Pristine areas of the Preserve will be characterized for use as reference conditions.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list) Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

5. Partners (include each participant's responsibilities - funding, permitting, etc.)

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

Cash

Federal

Non Federal

State government
Local government
Private industry
Public interest groups

Total


In-Kind Services (hours, equipment, or other forms of assistance and estimated dollar value)

Volunteers (number of people and hours, and estimated dollar value)

7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

8. Value added by Coastal America Partnership including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals achieved through this collaboration (500 words or less)

9. Project Status

• Initiation date:
• Completion date:
• Current stage (Initiated - I, Underway - U or Completed - C)

10. Contacts

11. Any additional information/comments