EPA 601/R-15/002 | October 2015 | www.epa.gov/research

Nitrogen and Co-PollutantsRESEARCH ROADMAP

Office of Research and DevelopmentResearch Roadmap: Nitrogen and Co-Pollutants

Nitrogen and Co-PollutantsResearch Roadmap

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYOFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

EPA 601/R-15/002

Table of Contents

Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................1

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................4

Background ................................................................................................................................4

Purpose ......................................................................................................................................5

Research Scope ..................................................................................................................................7

Expanded Problem Statement ...................................................................................................7

Science Challenges .....................................................................................................................8

ResearchAlignmentandCoordination ....................................................................................10

Cross-Cutting ORD Research ............................................................................................................11

Current and Planned ORD Research .........................................................................................11

ExamplesofORDIntegration ...................................................................................................16

OpportunitiesforFurtherIntegration ......................................................................................21

Research Gaps & Priority Research Needs ......................................................................................24

SynthesisofExistingGaps ........................................................................................................24

PrioritizedResearchNeedsforORD .........................................................................................25

Informing 2016 - 2019 ORD Research Planning .......................................................................26

Summary ..........................................................................................................................................27

Appendix A. Authors and Contributors ..........................................................................................28

Appendix B. Acronyms and Abbreviations .....................................................................................31

Appendix C. References ..................................................................................................................33

Appendix D. Inventory of ORD Nr and Co-Pollutant Research Projects (2012) Relevantto SAB Recommendations ...............................................................................................................34

Appendix E. Summary of Research Gap Analysis ...........................................................................46

Appendix F. Inventory of EPA Research Related to Nitrogen and Co-Pollutants ...........................65

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Executive SummaryHistorically,EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),state,andlocalgovernments,andnumerousstakeholdershavemadeprogresstoreducethereactivenitrogen(Nr)andco-pollutantloadingsthatcontributetotroposphericozoneandacidrain,andcancausetheadverseimpactsofaquaticecosystemcollapse(viaharmfulalgalblooms,hypoxia,andfishkills),terrestrialbiodiversitychanges,anddegradationofdrinkingsourcewatersthatresultincostlywatertreatment.Howev-er,despitesucheffortsthesepollutantscontinuetobereleasedanddischargedatconcentrationsthatcausesignificantadverseimpactsonhumanhealthandwell-beingandaquaticandterrestrialecosystems.Theseimpactswilllikelybeexacerbatedincomingyearsbythepressuresoflandusechange,climatechange,andtheresourceneedsofanincreasinghumanpopulation(MillenniumAssessment,2005).

Asapartofthe“OneEPA”concept,EPA’sresearchandprogramoffices(OfficeofResearchandDevelopment(ORD),OfficeofWater(OW),OfficeofAirandRadiation(OAR))andregionalofficesarecollaboratingonthedesignofacross-media,integrated,multidisciplinaryapproachtosustain-ablymanageNrandco-pollutants(inparticularphosphorus,butalsosulfurandsediments)load-ingstoair,surfaceandgroundwatertoreduceadverseimpactsontheenvironmentandhumanhealth.ThegoaloftheNitrogenandCo-pollutantResearchRoadmap(henceforth“Roadmap”)is to develop a common understanding of the Agency’s nitrogen and co-pollutant management goals;theresearchprogramportfoliosdevelopedbytheORDNationalProgramDirectors(NPDs)inrelationtotheOWandOARprogramoffices’priorityresearchneeds;andtoidentifymajorfo-cusareasandopportunitiesforintegrationacrosstheAgency,researchgaps,andfutureresearchdirections.Assuch,theRoadmapisnotaresearchprograminandofitself.Rather,theresultsoftheRoadmap’sanalyseswillbeusedbyprogramofficesandORDResearchProgramstoinformthedesignofintegratedresearchportfoliosandpolicymechanisms.

ThisRoadmapwasdevelopedjointlybyrepresentativesfromORD(includingfournationalre-searchprograms),OW,OAR,andtheregionaloffices.TheimpetusfortheRoadmapisthe2011EPAScienceAdvisoryBoard’s(SAB)IntegratedNitrogenCommitteereport,Reactive Nitrogen in the United States: An Analysis of Inputs, Flows, Consequences, and Management Options. The SAB madeseveralresearchandmanagementrecommendationsbasedontheiranalysis,includingtak-ing an integrated approach to the management of Nr, forming an intra-Agency task force to build ontheexistingresearchandmanagementcapabilitieswithinEPA,andworkingwithotheragen-ciesanddepartmentsthroughaninteragencyworkinggrouptomanagereactivenitrogenmoreeffectivelyandefficiently.

This Roadmap is structured around a series of ordered Science Challenges that evolved from the 2011memofromtheOWAssistantAdministratortoRegionalAdministrators(U.S.EPA,2011,orthe“StonerMemo”),describingthestepsthatcouldbetakentoreducenutrientpollutionusingexistingprogramsandauthorities.TheScienceChallengedescriptionswereexpandedtoincludeairpathwaysanddirecteffects.Tomakethetaskofresearchcollaborationandcooperationmoremanageable,thegoalofnitrogenandco-pollutantreductionhasbeenbrokendownintosixmajorresearch topics or “Science Challenges.”

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TheScienceChallengesaresummarizedbythefollowingquestions:

1. Where should we be targeting to reduce nitrogen and co-pollutant loads?

2. What information do we need to set nitrogen and co-pollutant reduction goals for priority areas?

3. What’s in our toolbox to manage and reduce nitrogen and co-pollutant loads and does it work?

4. What are some new, innovative approaches we haven’t tried before?

5. Are we getting the reductions and ecosystem and human health benefits we expect?

6. How do we best maintain inter-office accountability, assess progress, and communicate results to the public?

TheseScienceChallengesformapathwaytoachievetheoverallgoal.ThegeneralrolesofORD,regionalofficesandprogramofficesalongthispathwayareshowninFigure2.

EachofthesesixScienceChallengesisbrokendownintothesubsetofkeyresearchactivitiesneededtoachieveasolutiontothatChallenge.TheScienceChallengesandtheirsub-components(researchsteps)translateamanagementgoaltoascienceobjectiveandgeneralresearchpath.The Science Challenges are composed of a Sub-outcomethataddressesprogramoffice,regionaloffice,stateandstakeholderneedsbydefiningmanagementgoalsandobjectives;aSub-output thatdefinestherelevantscientificobjectives;andaGeneralized Research Paththatdefinesthestepsrequiredtoachieveasub-outcome(managementgoal)fromasub-output(scienceobjec-tive)(seeAppendixE).Thegeneralizedresearchpathbroadlydescribestheessentialstepsneededtoaccomplishasub-outputrelatedtoairandwaterqualitygoalsgenerally,andalthoughthere-searchprioritiesoftheregulatoryprogramsareembedded,itisnotdirectlyintendedforaspecificdecisionsuchasairqualitystandardsornumericnutrientcriteria.

UsingthisRoadmapframework,currentEPA-ORD,OW,andOARresearchactivitiesweremappedontoeachScienceChallenge,whichallowedidentificationofkeyareasofexistingintegration,areaswherefurtherintegrationisneededorwouldbeuseful,andwherecriticalgapsandoppor-tunitiesexist.Keyareasofintegrationincludedresearchincommonplaces(GulfofMexico,Chesa-peakeBay),commontopics(ecosystemservicesandeconomicresearch)andcommonregulatoryobjectives(airandwaterqualitystandards).

Thekeyresearchareasthathavebeenidentifiedare:

• Developempiricaldataandmodelsthatbettertienitrogen-andco-pollutant-relatedwater qualityandterrestrialecosystemimpairmentstoquantitativeloads,andbetterpredicthow impairmentsvarywithchangesinload,concentration,andbiogeochemicalconditions.

• Determinehowthemagnitude,frequency,anddurationofnitrogenandco-pollutantloading affectexpressionofimpairmentforaquaticandterrestrialendpoints.

• Developbettertoolstodeterminenitrogenandco-pollutantsourceapportionmentin watershedsatarangeofscales.

• Incorporateclimatechange(temperature,storms)intomodelspredictingenvironmental impacts of future nitrogen and co-pollutant loads.

• Betterintegratepollution-responsemodelsacrossair,land,andallwaterbodytypes.

• Developandintegrateecosystemservicemetricsandaccountabilitymeasuresforsocialand economic endpoints of concern that are integrated into exposure-response models for nitrogen andco-pollutants.AssesstheabilitytoexpandandadaptexistingmodelssuchasBenMap versus novel model development.

• Continueeffortstointroducenewtechnologicalapplicationstonitrogenandco-pollutant managementproblems,suchasgenomicindictorsofsourcesandeffects,satellitemonitoringof conditions,andimprovedsensortechnologies.

• Supportandenhancemonitoringprogramsthatprovidetheinformationneededtoassess system-level, long-term responses to policies and management.

IdentifyingmitigationpathwaysandpracticesthatwillleadtoareductionofNrloadingintheUnitedStates,asrecommendedbytheScientificAdvisoryBoard(SAB),requirescross-agencyco-operationbetweenEPA,UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture(USDA),UnitedStatesGeologicalSurvey(USGS),DepartmentoftheInterior(DOI)andotheragencies,aswellascross-officecoordi-nationwithinEPA,i.e.,acrossORD,OW,OAR,andregionaloffices.ThisperspectiveissupportedbytheNationalResearchCouncilreport,Science for Environmental Protection: The Road Ahead(NRC,2012),whichrecommendsthatEPAuseasystemsapproachtoimproveintegrationandcoordina-tionofscienceacrossagencyprogramsandregionaloffices.Alackofsystems-levelunderstandingwillcontributetocontinueddegradationoftheenvironmentandincreasedpublichealthrisksduetoNrandco-pollutants--withpopulationpressuresonlyexacerbatingtheproblem(NutrientInnovationsTaskGroup2009,SAB2011).Significant,sustainedreductionsinNrandco-pollutantsmustbeeconomicallyefficient;sociallyacceptable;environmentallysound;adaptabletoclimate,land-useanddemographicchanges;andpermanent.Theserequirementscanbemetonlythroughintegratedresearchthatinformsthesystematic,collective,andadaptivemanagementofair,land,andwateratmultiplescales.

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IntroductionBackground

Nitrogen(alongwithphosphorus)additioninagriculturehasenabledtheUnitedStatestosig-nificantlyincreaseitsfoodandfuelstock-per-acreproduction.Otheruses,suchasgardensandlandscapingfromhometocommunityscales,haveprovidedaestheticandeconomicappealtobusinessesandproperties.Itisalsoawasteproductfromwatertreatment,airemissionsfromcombustion,andothersources.Aswithallgoodthings,toomuchcanresultinunintendednega-tiveimpactsonnon-targetsystems.Thechallengehasbeentomanagetheadditions,removals,treatments,andalternativesacrossthecontributingsourcestoprovidethebenefitswithouttheunintended costs.

InAugust2011,theEPAScienceAdvisoryBoard’sIntegratedNitrogenCommittee(SABINC)re-leased Reactive Nitrogen in the United States: An Analysis of Inputs, Flows, Consequences, and Management Options(SAB,2011).Thisreportprovidesacomprehensivesummaryofthecurrentsciencerelatedtonaturalandanthropogeniccontributionstoreactivenitrogen(“Nr”;allbiologi-callyactive,chemicallyreactiveandphotochemicallyactivenitrogencompounds)sources,uses,andcycling,andrelatedimpactsonhumanhealthandtheNation’secosystems,aswellastheregulatory and non-regulatory approaches currently used to manage Nr. The SAB report clearly recognizestheimpactofhumanactivitiesontheNcycle,andtheassociateddegradationofairandwaterquality,notingthathumansintheconterminousUnitedStatesintroducefivetimesmore Nr into the environment than do natural processes.

Reactivenitrogenmanagementposesmanychallengestotraditionalregulatorysystemsbecause:effectsareacrosstraditionalmedia-specificregulatoryboundaries,effectsarenotdueprimarilytodirecttoxicitybutrathertochangesinecosystemstructureandfunction,thepollutantcanbeconvertedamongchemicalformswithdifferenteffects,andecologicalsensitivitytopollutantsmayvaryspatiallydependinguponecosystemcharacteristics(Comptonetal.,2011).Asubstantialportionofthepollutantsmaycomefromnon-pointsourceswhicharenotexplicitlyregulatedbyEPAundertheCleanWaterAct(CWA).Avarietyofscalesareaddressed,includingnational,re-gional,andlocalecosystemsaswellasmultiplemedia(air,land,water),policies,sources,impacts,and decisions.

SignificantreductionsinNrandco-pollutantloadingsarenecessarytomeetEPA’sair,waterqual-ity,anddrinkingwaterstandards,criteria,andgoals.Tosuccessfullyachievethisend,EPAdecidedtodeveloparesearchroadmapusingacross-AgencyteamtoidentifyresearchforincorporationintotheORDResearchProgramportfoliosthatinformthedevelopmentofeffectiveregulatoryandvoluntarypoliciescraftedbyEPA,states,andtribesforsuccessfulimplementationofanintegratedandsustainableNrandco-pollutantmanagementprogram.Understandingnitrogenpollutionforthisrangeofscalesandmovingbetweenthemwillprovidetotheseentitiesthescienceneededtoconstructflexiblepoliciesthatcanmeetmultipleneeds.

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Purpose

ThevisionunderlyingtheRoadmapisthatEPAwillconductnitrogenandco-pollutantresearchthat informs the policy choices and decision-making of EPA and its partners and stakeholders as theystrivetoreducepollutionfromnitrogenandco-pollutantsintheUnitedStates.TheRoadmapdoesnotreplaceprogramofficepriorityresearchneededtoinformregulatorydecisions,butlooksforefficienciesbetweenofficesandagenciestomeetmultipleneeds.TheobjectivesofthiseffortaretodevelopacommonunderstandingoftheAgencyresearchprogramportfoliosdevelopedbytheORDresearchprograms,OW,OAR,andregionalofficesandcomparethemwiththeOWandOARprogramoffices’priorityresearchneedstoidentifymajorfocusareas,opportunitiesforintegrationacrosstheAgency,researchgaps,andfutureresearchdirections.ThisRoadmapcre-atesapathforunifyingandintegratingEPAnitrogenresearcheffortsacrossmultiplemediaandvarioustemporalandspatialscalesasdisplayedintheNitrogenCascade(Figure1).ORDresearchprogramsandOWandOARscienceandpolicyrelatedtoreactiveNareoperatingatavarietyofscalesfromlocalandstatetoregionalandnational.

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Figure 1. Simplified diagram of the ecological effects caused by nitrogen and sulfur air pollution (Greaver et al., 2013).

TheRoadmaphasbeendevelopedtoaddresstheSABrecommendationsforintegratedscienceandintegratedmanagementtoincludebothatmosphericandaquaticsourcesandcontrols.Forexample,basedontheSABrecommendations,itwillbeimportanttofocusonefficient,effective,andequitablesolutionstoachievereductiontargetsfornitrogenandco-pollutants,whilerecog-nizingthattheoptimallevelsofcontrolwilllikelyvarybylocationandscale.InresponsetotheSABreport,wehavedevelopedatableofORD’scurrentresearchprojectsthataddressmanyoftheSABrecommendationsfullyorinpart(seeAppendixD).

TheRoadmapconsistsofsixScienceChallenges(describedbelowinthesection“ResearchScope”),developedbasedonprogramandregionalofficeinput.Therelevanton-goingnitrogenandco-pollutantrelatedresearchintheORDResearchPrograms(ACE,HHRA,SHC,andSSWR),OW,OAR,andregionalofficeswerecompiledandsummarizedastohowwellthisongoingworkaddressesthestepsineachScienceChallenge(seeSupplementaryDocument1).Wherepossible,researchaddressingtheseareasinotherFederalagencieswasalsoincluded,butisrecognizedasincompleteasofthisdateandinneedofexpandedeffort.Thegapassessmentaidsinidentifyingresearchareas,whichresearchprogramsorotherareas(i.e.programoffices,regions,otherFed-eralagencies)thisworkisbestsuitedfor,prioritizingtheseareasandmakingrecommendationsforresearchprojectstobeincludedinthe2016-2020ORDStrategicResearchActionPlans.

TheRoadmapisnotastandaloneresearchprogram,butisaframeworkforintegratingresearchrelatedtoNrandco-pollutantsacrosstheORDresearchprograms,OW,OARandtheregionaloffices.Assuch,theroadmapfocusesonorganizingresearchinawaythatindividualresearchprogramorprogramofficeeffortscannotsothatinnovativeapproachesandsustainablesolutionswhicharecentraltoaddressingnitrogencanbedeveloped.Theresultoforganizingresearchinthismanneristheabilityofintegratedresearchprogramstocompletetheirinvestigationsandthen prepare synthesis documents that inform decisions on endpoints, thresholds, exposure, sources,andservicesfromaholisticandintegratedperspective.Synthesiscanalsoenableintegra-tionacrossdisciplinestoidentifyresearchgapsaswellasgeneratescientificevidencethatinformsdecisions.

OneofthebenefitsofthisRoadmapishighlightingwheretheconnectionsare(orshouldbe),notonlyacrossresearchprojectsandresearchprograms,butalsobetweenpeople.Achievingtheex-pectedoutcomeswillinvolveimprovedcommunicationandimprovedintegrationofeffortacrossFederalagenciesandwithinEPA.AsindicatedbythediversityofEPAOffices,regionalofficesandORDlaboratoriesandcenters,theRoadmapefforthasbroughttogetherresearchersacrosstheseorganizationsandresearchprogramstodevelopapathforwardtowardacommongoal.ThedevelopmentoftheRoadmaphasbeenhighlydependentonconnectingpeopleacrossOfficesandmaintainingcommunicationacrossdisciplines,programboundaries,anddecisions.Thevalueofmakingtheseconnectionsandmaintainingthisdialoguewillbealong-termbenefittotheAgency.

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Nitrogen & Co-Pollutant Roadmap Goal

To protect human health and public welfare and ecosystem health through the restoration of air and water quality by integrating Agency

research that supports the management of Nr and co-pollutants.

Research ScopeExpanded Problem Statement

Overthepast40years,EPAhasuseditsregulatoryandvoluntaryprogramswithinthestatute-drivenoffices(CleanWaterAct(CWA)–OfficeofWater(OW),CleanAirAct(CAA)–OfficeofAirandRadiation(OAR),SafeDrinkingWaterAct(SDWA)–(OW))toaddresswaterandairnitrogendeposition/volatilizationpollutionproblems.EPAandstakeholdershavemadeprogresstoreducetheNrandco-pollutant(e.g.,P,S,C)loadingsthatcausetheadverseimpactsoftroposphericozone,acidrain,aquaticecosystemcollapse(seenviaharmfulalgalblooms,hypoxia,andfishkills),terrestrialbiodiversitychanges,degradationofdrinkingsourcewaters,andcostlywatertreatment.However,thesepollutantsarestillreleasedanddischargedatconcentrationsthatarehavingsignificantadverseimpactsonhumanhealthandwell-being,andaquaticandterrestrialecosystems.Theseimpactswilllikelybeexacerbatedincomingyearsbythepressuresoflandusechange,climatechange,andtheresourceneedsofanincreasinghumanpopulation(MA,2005).

TheEPAScienceAdvisoryBoard’sIntegratedNitrogenCommitteereport(SAB,2011),providesa comprehensive summary of the current science related to natural and anthropogenic contri-butionstoNrsources,uses,andcycling,andrelatedimpactsonhumanhealthandthenation’secosystems,aswellastheregulatoryandnon-regulatoryapproachescurrentlyusedtomanagereactivenitrogen.ThereportclearlyrecognizestheimpactofhumanactivitiesontheNcycle,andtheassociateddegradationofairandwaterquality,notingthathumansintroducefivetimesmoreNr into the environment than do natural processes. The SAB made several research and manage-mentrecommendationsbasedontheiranalysis,includingtakinganintegratedapproachtothemanagementofN,forminganintra-Agencytaskforcetobuildontheexistingresearchandman-agementcapabilitieswithinEPA,andworkingwithotheragenciesanddepartmentsoutsideEPAtomanageNmoreeffectivelyandefficiently.WehaveusedtheseoverarchingrecommendationsasthefoundationoftheNRoadmapeffort.InresponsetotheSABreport,wehavecompiledaninventoryofORD’scurrentresearchprojectsthataddressmanyoftheSABrecommendationsfullyorinpart(seeAppendixD).

Reactivenitrogenpollutionposesmanychallengestotraditionalpollutionregulatorysystemsbe-cause(1)effectscrosstraditionalmedia-specificregulatoryboundaries(e.g.,NrcancauseeffectsregulatedbytheCAA,CWA,andSDWA);(2)effectsareoftennotdueprimarilytodirecttoxicitybutrathertochangesinecosystemstructureandfunction,someofwhichcouldbeseenasbenefi-cial;(3)thepollutantcanbeconvertedfromonechemicalformtoanother,eachofwhichhasdif-ferenteffects;and(4)ecologicalsensitivitytopollutantsisvariablefromplacetoplacesuchthatthesameairorwaterqualitystandardmaynotbeequallyprotectiveeverywheredependingupontheecosystem(Comptonetal.,2011).Akeyregulatorychallengeisthatasubstantialportionofthepollutants,bothnitrogenandphosphorus,maycomefromnon-pointsourceswhicharenotexplicitlyregulatedunderCWA.Whilepercentagesvarywidelyamongwatersheds,non-pointsourcecontributionsinheavilyagriculturalwatershedsmayapproach100%forbothnitrogenandphosphorus(Puckett,1994;WoodsideandHoos,2014).

IdentifyingmitigationpathwaysandpracticesthatcouldleadtoareductionofNloadingintheUnitedStates,asrecommendedbytheScientificAdvisoryBoard(SAB),willrequirecross-agency

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cooperationbetweenEPA,UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture(USDA),UnitedStatesGeo-logicalSurvey(USGS),DepartmentoftheInterior(DOI)andotheragencies,aswellascross-officecoordinationwithinEPA,i.e.,acrossOfficeofResearchandDevelopment(ORD),OfficeofWater(OW),OfficeofAirandRadiation(OAR),andregionaloffices.ThisperspectiveissupportedbytheNationalResearchCouncilreport,Science for Environmental Protection: The Road Ahead(NRC,2012),whichrecommendsEPAuseasystemsapproachtoimproveintegrationandcoordinationofscienceacrossAgencyprogramsandregionaloffices.Whilethisisachallengingtask,withoutintegrationofresearchtoinformdecisionsacrossEPAandotheragencies,therewillbeaninsuffi-cientsystems-levelunderstanding.Thislackwillcontributetocontinueddegradationoftheenvi-ronmentduetoNrandco-pollutants--withpopulationpressuresonlyexacerbatingtheproblem(NutrientInnovationsTaskGroup,2009;SAB,2011).Significant,sustainablereductionsinNrmustbeeconomicallyefficient;sociallyacceptable;environmentallysound;adaptabletoclimate,land-use and demographic changes; and perma-nent.Theserequirementscanbemetonlythrough integrated research that informs the systematiccollective,adaptivemanagementofair,land,andwater.

Science Challenges

The Roadmap is structured around a series of ordered Science Challenges that evolved from the 2011memofromtheOWAssistantAdministratortoRegionalAdministrators(U.S.EPA,2011,or“StonerMemo”),whichdescribedthestepsthatcouldbetakentoreducenutrientpollutionusingexistingprogramsandauthorities.TheScienceChallengedescriptionswereexpandedtoincludeairpathwaysanddirecteffects.Tomakethetaskofresearchcollaborationandcooperationmoremanageable,thegoalofnitrogenandco-pollutantreductionhasbeenbrokendownintosixmajorresearch topics or “Science Challenges”.

TheScienceChallengesaresummarizedbythefollowingquestions:

1. Where should we be targeting to reduce nitrogen and co-pollutant loads?

2. What information do we need to set nitrogen and co-pollutant reduction goals for priority areas?

3. What’s in our toolbox to manage and reduce nitrogen and co-pollutant loads and does it work?

4. What are some new, innovative approaches we haven’t tried before?

5. Are we getting the reductions and ecosystem and human health benefits we expect?

6. How do we best maintain inter-office accountability, assess progress, and communicate results to the public?

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Solving the Nr problem must be based on the foundation of existing regulations,

voluntary approaches, research, and management programs coupled with effective interagency coordination.

TheseScienceChallengesformapathwaytoachievetheoverallgoal.ThegeneralrolesofORD,regionalandprogramofficesalongthispathwayareshowninFigure2.

EachofthesesixScienceChallengesisbrokendownintothesubsetofkeyresearchactivitiesneededtoachieveasolutiontothatChallenge.TheScienceChallengesandtheirsub-components(researchsteps)translateamanagementgoaltoascienceobjectiveandgeneralresearchpath.The Science Challenges are composed of a Sub-outcomethataddressesprogramoffice,regionaloffice,stateandstakeholderneedsbydefiningmanagementgoalsandobjectives,aSub-output thatdefinestherelevantscientificobjectives,andaGeneralized Research Paththatdefinesthestepsrequiredtoachieveasub-outcome(managementgoal)fromasub-output(scienceobjec-tive).ThesixScienceChallengesaboveareshowninexpandedforminAppendixE.Thegener-alizedresearchpathbroadlydescribestheessentialstepsneededtoaccomplishasub-outputrelatedtoairandwaterqualitygoalsgenerally,andalthoughtheresearchprioritiesoftheregula-toryprogramsareembedded,itisnotdirectlyintendedforaspecificdecisionsuchasairqualitystandardsornumericnutrientcriteria.ThefirststepinanyResearchPathelementistocompileandsynthesizetheavailableinformationtoinformpolicy,integrateacrossdisciplines,andidentifyresearch gaps.

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Figure 2. Framework of the nitrogen and co-pollutant research roadmap incorporating the science challenges. Numbers correspond to the Science Challenge question.

Research Alignment and Coordination

ThisRoadmapenvisionsacross-AgencyteamtoidentifyresearchthatinformsthedevelopmentofeffectivepoliciesneededforsuccessfulimplementationofanintegratedandsustainableNrandco-pollutantmanagementprogram,inadditiontowell-definedregulatoryprogramsundertheCAA,CWA,andSDWA.ItrepresentsthecollaborativeproductofdiscussionsacrossORD,OW,OAR,andtheregionaloffices.Theoverarchinggoalistoprotecthumanhealth,publicwelfare,andecosystemhealththroughtherestorationofair,land,andwaterqualitybyintegratingAgencyresearch that supports the management of Nr and co-pollutants.

ContributionsfromORD,OAR,OWandtheregionalofficesintermsofresearch,science,andpolicyexpertiseareessentialtodesigningthegoals,researchpaths,researchtasks,andworkplansaswellasconductingandusingtheresearch,science,andtoolsproposedineachoftheScienceChallengestoachievethesub-outcomes.OAR,OW,ORDandregionalresearchersandscientistswillcollaborateonthedesignofinvestigations,synthesisofdataandinformation,tools,andtheirimplementationinbothexistingandinnovativemanagementactionsandpolicydesign.Simul-taneously,OW,OARandtheregionalofficeswillbeencouragedtocollaboratetofindinnovativepolicyandmanagementapproaches,inadditiontocurrentregulatoryprograms,tooptimizenitro-genandco-pollutantreductionsbydevelopingvoluntaryinitiativesandexploringimprovedwaystolinkCAA,SDWA,andCWAauthorities.OnepossibleexampleisdetermininghowbesttoalignCAAsecondaryNationalAmbientAirQualityStandards(NAAQS)implementationwithCWATotalMaximumDailyLoads(TMDLs)toachieveneedednitrogenreductionsthatwillleadtoecologicalandhumanhealthbenefits.

Thevalueofcommunicationacrossdisciplinesandofficesshouldnotbeoverlooked.Continueddiscussionswithacross-officeRoadmapsteeringcommittee,annualengagementwiththeNation-alProgramDirectorsduringtheirplanningcycles,andannualface-to-facemeetingswithscientistsanddecision-makersacrosstheAgencywillbeimportant.Inthelongerterm,thistypeofeffortcanandshouldbeextendedtotheotherFederalpartnersandstatesaswell.

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Cross-Cutting ORD ResearchCurrent and Planned ORD Research

TomovefromtheRoadmaptoresearchimplementationacrosstheAgency,theprogramandregionalof-ficesmustidentifythegapsbetweentheongoingresearchandwhatisneededtoachievetheOutcomesoftheScienceChallenges.Otherorganizations,agencies,statesandstakeholdersthatareconductingresearchrelevanttoachievingtheScienceChallengesmustbeidentifiedtoavoidduplicativeeffortsandthenengagedininformationexchangeandcollaboration.Finallythecross-cuttingresearchagendamustbeagreedon,resourcesidentified,prioritiesset,andtheworkstarted.

Someofthesetransformativestepsarealreadyunderway.SupplementaryDocument1providesaninven-toryoftherelevantongoingresearchineachORDresearchprogram,OW,OARandtheregionalofficesthatisassociatedwitheachScienceChallengeandstep.Thisinformationisbeingusedtoconductagapanalysisto(1)identifycurrentEPAactionstoaddresseachstepofthegeneralizedresearchpath,(2)iden-tifythekeygaps/limitationstoattainmentofmajorclientneeds,(3)makerecommendationsforfuturere-search,and(4)identifyexternalcollaborators(USDA,USGS,NOAA,states,etc)forresearchneeds.OWandOARstaffshaveexchangedinformationonexistingauthorities,processes,andpoliciestoinitiateaprocessoffindinginnovativecross-officesolutionstomanagementofnitrogenandco-pollutants.ThegeneralrolesofeachoftheprogramsinthecurrentresearchareshowninTable1,withthefulldetailedtablegiveninSupplementary Document 1.

AsORDproceedsthroughthedevelopmentofitsStrategicResearchActionPlans(StRAPs)forFY16–19,theNationalProgramDirectorswillusetheRoadmaptoidentifytheareasofnitrogenandco-pollutantinvestigationthatmustbetakenupintheindividualStRAPsinordertodeliverintegratedresearchprod-uctsthatcanbeusedtofulfillthereactivenitrogenandco-pollutantsciencechallenges.TheRoadmapisthefirstconceptualcraftingofEPA’sresearchresponsetomanagingnitrogen.Acompletemapofthemulti-program,multi-office,integratedscienceplanwillbecompleteinSeptember2015.Forexample:withintheSSWRStRAP,attentionisbeinggiventothecollaborationthatmustoccurbetweenthosecon-ductingresearchintonewtechnologiesfornitrogenremoval/reusefromwastewaterandthoseconductingresearchtoquantifytheenvironmentalandhumanhealthoutcomesofusingthenewtechnology.BothofthesearesciencechallengesidentifiedbytheRoadmapthatareinneedofintegratedresearchastherearemanynewtechnologiesandapproachescomingon-lineandunderinvestigation.

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Table 1. Research and management efforts for Nr and co-pollutant Science Challenges (SCs) and Research Steps. Majoreffortsareindicatedbyblack,contributingprogramsingray,andwhiteindicatesminorornoeffort.ResearchonhumanhealthimpactsfromairqualityiswelldocumentedelsewhereandnotcoveredindetailinthisRoadmap.SeeAppendixEfordescriptionsoftheScienceChallengesandDetailedResearchSteps.

GeneralizedResearchPathway ACE SSWR SHC HHRA OW OAR OEI

SC1–Identifypriorityareas

 Step1.1Synthesis

 Step1.2EndpointsandThresholds

 Step1.3Exposure

 Step1.4Services

 Step1.5ClimateChange

 Step1.6Exceedance

 Step1.7Tools

SC2–Setreductiongoalsforpriorityareas

 Step2.1Synthesis

 Step2.2Sources

 Step2.3ExposureResponse

 Step2.4EndpointResponse

 Step2.5Services

 Step2.6ClimateChange

 Step2.7Tools

SC3–Currentmanagementoptions

 Step3.1Synthesis

 Step3.2Technologies

 Step3.3Data

 Step3.4Costimpacts

SC4–Newmanagementoptions

 Step4.1Synthesis

 Step4.2InnovativeStrategies

 Step4.3Futurefactors

 Step4.4AnalysisofStrategyEffectiveness

SC5–Assesseffectiveness

 Step5.1Synthesis

 Step5.2Models

 Step5.3Metrics

 Step5.4Verificationprocedures

 Step5.5Monitoringsystems

SC6–Reportoneffectiveness

 Step6.1Inter-officeAccountability

 Step6.2Inter-officePointsofContact

 Step6.3Synthesis

 Step6.4CommunicationStrategy

 Step6.5CommunicationsEval.&Meas.

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Summary of Current Research Efforts by Science Challenge

BriefsummariesofcurrentEPAresearchactivitieswithineachofthesixScienceChallengesareprovidedbelow,whileamorecompleteinventoryofpertinentresearchisprovidedinSupplementary Document 1.

Science Challenge 1 – Where should we be targeting to reduce nitrogen and co-pollutant loads?

EPAresearchiscontributingtoidentifyingpriorityareasforNrreductions.CurrentORDresearchsynthesesaddressatmosphericdepositionandterrestrialimpacts(CMAQ,ISA)aswellasaquaticimpactsofacidificationduetonitrogenandsulfurdeposition.SeveralOWeffortscompileinfor-mationrelatedtotheeffectsofNonfreshwater,wetland,andestuarineecosystems,includingtheNitrogenandPhosphorusPollutionDataAccessTool(NPDAT),NutrientIndicatorsDataset(NID),NationalRiversandStreamsAssessment(NARS),andWadeableStreamsAssessment(WSA).Thisprovidesagoodoverviewofat-risksystems.Endpointsandthresholdsresearchfocusesonestuarine,freshwater,andterrestrialsystems,butanumberofspecificresearchgapswereidenti-fied(AppendixE).CurrentExposureresearchincludesACE,SSWR,andSHCdevelopmentofdatalayersfortheEnviroAtlas.TheACEMDST-3projectprovidesamodelingframeworkthatshouldbebroadlyapplicabletothepredictionofdepositionfieldsthatwouldallowestimationofexposure.TheworkbybothORDandOWconnectingnitrogencriteriaandthesocialandeconomicimpactsofNrisrelativelynewandtherearealargenumberofgapsforunderstandingandquantifyingtherelationshipsandthecostandbenefitsofactionorinaction.However,theemergingworkonecosystemgoodsandservices,andecosystemserviceproductionfunctions(SHC)shouldprovideagoodframeworkwithinwhichtoevaluatetheresponseofsocialandeconomicsystemstoni-trogenloadsandconcentrationsinbothairandwater.CurrentORDresearchonclimatechangeimpactsonnutrientissuesislimited,andthereisaneedfordevelopinganensembleofpotentialfuturescenariosandassociatedanalysesofsystemresponsetobetterunderstandhowclimatechangewillaffectexposureandthresholds.CombiningtheACEMDST-3project’sestimatesofdepositionexposurewiththebodyofworkonthresholdsandendpointsprovidesanationalsetofexceedancevalues.Itwouldbehelpfultoknowtherangeofscalesatwhichthemodelsarepredictive.BothORDandOWhaveavarietyoftoolseithercompletedorindevelopment,andinformationtransferfortoolsetstoendusers(e.g.statesandtribes)isviawebsiteswithgeneralmenusthatincludevariousoptionsthatmightbeusefulforanassessment.Guidanceisneededfromprogramofficestodetermineifthisapproachisadequateorifamorestructuredapproachisneeded.AfewACEprojectsprovidestructuredtooltransferandtrainingaswellasusersupportatacentralwebsite.

Science Challenge 2 – What information do we need to set nitrogen and co-pollutant reduction goals for priority areas?

CurrentresearchacrossEPAisexamininghowtosetnitrogenandco-pollutantreductiongoalsforpriorityareas.ThroughIntegratedScienceAssessments(ISA)andIntegratedRiskInformationSystem(IRIS),thesynthesisneededforairdepositionimpactsarerelativelyadequate.OngoingworkunderACEappearstogenerallycoverneedswithregardtoairsources,andbecauseterres-trialsystemsareprimarilyexposedviaairsources,sourceapportionmentforterrestrialsystemsissimilarlycovered.ORDincombinationwithOARhasgoodprogramsfortrackingandmonitoring

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airloadsandsourcesthatarewellcentralizedandoperateatrelevanttemporalscalesbutthereisnothingsimilarforwater.Thereislittlecurrentworkidentifiedforwateronsourceattributionandloadquantification.ORDhasdevelopedandcontinuesalimitedamountofstableNisotoperesearchonsourceidentification,andtheapproachhaswideexternal(academic,USGS)researchefforts.OngoingworkinACEaddressesexposureresponseofairpathways.Forexposureresponseinwater,theORDVELMAmodelissupportedunderACE,SHC,andSSWR,andhasthepotentialtomodelsourcereductionsunderlandusechangescenariosatsmallwatershedscale.TherearefewORDstudiesexaminingstress-responseforterrestrialsystems.Whilethereisabroadspec-trumofrelevantresearchonecosystemservicesworkwithinSHCthatispotentiallyrelevant,itisnotexplicitlyfocusedondefiningthelinkagebetweenchangesinN-exposureandthederiva-tionofecosystemservices.PresentORDresearchonclimateimpactsonnitrogenarelimited,butincludestheregionalscalestudyontheMARB-GOM,amultimediamodelingstudyofstreamflowandnitrogen,andestuarinenutrientstress-responseworkwhichincorporateshydrologicflowandwatertemperaturevariationinassessingnutrientimpacts.AcriticalgapthatcrossesallSC2stepsappearstobethelevelofeffortfocusedonintegrateddecision-supporttoolswhichwillprovideinsightsinenvironmental,social,andeconomiccomponentsspecificallyrelatedtoNissues.Thereissomeworkwithhumanhealtheffectsofnutrients,particularlyondrinkingwaterandnitrates,yetthisaspectofthesocialdimensionislimitedtopublishedresponseandvaluationdata.SSWRtask2.3Cisaddressingthedistribution,causation,andmitigationofcyanobacterialbloomsandtheir impacts on ecosystems and on human health.

Science Challenge 3 – What’s in our toolbox to manage and reduce nitrogen and co-pollutant loads and does it work?

A variety of research across EPA is focused on tools to manage and reduce N and co-pollutant loads,andtodetermineiftoolsactuallywork.EPAandORDarekeenlyawareofandroutinelycon-ductsensitivityanduncertaintyanalysesusingvariousmethodsonawiderangeofmodels.Ongo-ingresearchwithinACEincollaborationwithOARappearstogenerallycovermanagementoptionsforairsources,includinghumanhealth-relatedbenefitsanalyses,andsupportingdatacollection.ACEmodelingtoolsprovideintegralsupportforairanalysesofmanagementoptions.ClimateeffectsofnitrogenemissionsarealsobeingaddressedinACE.OW,throughcollaborationwithUSGSontheNPDATtool,candeterminetherelativeimportanceofdifferentNsourcestoair,land,freshwaterandcoastalsystems.CollaborationwithUSDANRCSandlocalSoilandWaterConserva-tionDistrictsonlocalprojectswithinSHCandSSWRwillensureastrongerconnectionandcred-ibilityintheagriculturalcommunity.Informationonthesocialandeconomicfactorsiscurrentlylacking,butSSWRandSHCareconductingmodelingandeconomicstudiestoallowforinclusionofeconomicfactorsandtradeoffsinanNreductionstrategy,andalsotomodelfutureloadingscenariosandimpacts.RecentlywithinEPA,therehasbeenanincreasedefforttolookatthecostsassociatedwithreactivenitrogen,intermsofthedamage,mitigation,restoration,andreplace-mentcosts.OWhasaneffortdocumentingnutrientsintheeconomy,ORDSHChascompletedanationaldamagecostassessmentofNandotherworkonecosystemservices,andORDSSWRalsohasinitiatedaprogramandaccompanyingSTARgranttoexaminethebenefitsofwaterqualityimprovements,whichshouldincludenutrients.SHCisalsodevelopingadecisiontoolcalledN-SinkthatcouldassiststatesinplanningtheirreductionstrategiesbecauseitillustratesthespatialarrangementofagriculturalorurbanNsourcesandsoilandwetlandN-sinks.SSWRresearchon

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greeninfrastructure(GI)includesexaminationofwhatworksandwhatdoesn’tinNremoval,andtheeconomiccostsandbenefitsofGI.TheNARSprogram(OW)conductsunbiasedprobabilisticsurveysofconditionsinriversandstreams,lakesandreservoirs,estuarineandcoastalwaters,andwetlandsatregionalandnationalscales.SSWRProject1isdevelopingmethodstopredictwater-shedintegrityusingspatiallyexplicitmodeling.SSWRtasks2.3BandChavedevelopedsatelliteremotesensingtechniquesforuseincompliancemonitoringofstatewaterqualitystandards.

Science Challenge 4 – What are some new, innovative approaches we haven’t tried before?

Whilemoreworkisclearlyneeded,somecurrentresearchseekstofindnew,innovativeap-proaches to nutrient management that EPA has not tried before. The STAR program has recently fundedfourresearchcentersthatwillcontributetoaddressingthisneed.Thecentersarefundedfor a four-year period at a total of approximately $12 million including EPA and matching funds. AsecondRFAforadditionalcentersisproposedin2014,tobefundedatatotallevelofapproxi-mately$5millionincludingEPAandmatchingfunds.TheCentersare:Project1:CenterforInte-gratedMulti-scaleNutrientPollutionSolutions,PennsylvaniaStateUniversity;Project2:CenterforReinventingAgingInfrastructureforNutrientManagement(RAINmgt),UniversityofSouthFlorida;Project3:CenterforComprehensive,Optimal,andEffectiveAbatementofNutrients,ColoradoStateUniversity;Project4:NationalCenterforResourceRecoveryandNutrientManagement,Wa-terEnvironmentResearchFoundation.SSWR6.2isexploringnovelapproachestonitrogenreduc-tionatthesourceandthroughrestorationofecosystemservices.Oneresearchtaskiscomparingtheimpactofoysterreefrestorationandoysteraquacultureonkeyecosystemservicesofnitro-genremoval,waterqualityandthebenthicandfinfishcommunities.AsecondresearchtaskisexploringnovelwastewatertechnologyoptionsinsoutheasternNewEnglandthatcouldprovidecosteffectivedecentralizedtechnology.Athirdresearchtaskisexploringthepotentialforsocialenterpriseorganizations(SEO)todevelopinnovativebusinessopportunities/modelstoprovidecosteffectiveandsustainablesolutionstonitrogenpollution.Thereareasignificantnumberofnewtechnologiesandapproachescomingon-lineandindevelopmentfortreating,removing,andrecoveringnitrogenandco-pollutantsfromwastewateratscalesrangingfromhouseholdstolargewastewatertreatmentplants.ORD’sStRAPswilloutlineresearchtoevaluateandadvancethesetechnologiesandapproachestoinformstates,tribes,andlocalitiesastheymakeinfrastructuredecisions.

Science Challenge 5 – Are we getting the reductions and ecosystem and human health benefits we expect?

SomeresearcheffortsareongoingwithinEPAtoaddresswhetherwearegettingthereductionsandtheecosystemandhumanhealthbenefitsexpectedfrommanagementactions.Thereport“AnOptimizationApproachtoEvaluatetheRoleofEcosystemServicesinChesapeakeBayResto-rationStrategies”includesquantificationandvaluationof“bonusbiologicalservices”basedonvarious scenarios for achieving the nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment TMDL for the Chesapeake watershed.Currently,ORDandpartnersareworkingto(1)maketheoptimizationmodelavailableforusebytheChesapeakeBayProgramOfficeandmodelingcommunity,and(2)tocommunicatetheco-benefits,suchasimprovedhuntingandfishingopportunities,ofBMPimplementationtomanagersandstakeholders.TheGOM/MARBmodelingeffort(SSWR,ACE,SHC)includesanatmo-sphericdepositioncomponentandprovidesanapproachtomanyassessmentneeds,butdoesnot

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currently include a component to derive economic and social endpoints, other than the endpoints importanttoairpollutionthroughtheavailabilityofBenMAP.Someresearchtodeterminethestress-responserelationsofbioticendpointstonitrogenisconductedunderSSWR2.3A,butisnotdesignedtobeusedbyanyspecificmodelingframework.VerificationproceduresandmonitoringsystemimprovementsareaddressedtoamodestdegreeinACErelativetoatmosphericpathwaysofnitrogenandco-pollutantdelivery.ThisworkisconductedincollaborationwithOARtoaddressaccountability.

Science Challenge 6 – How do we best maintain inter-office accountability, assess progress, and communicate results to the public?

AparticularchallengefortheEPANrandco-pollutantresearchishowtobestmaintaininter-officeaccountabilitycommunications,assessmentofjointprogressintermsofachievingNrreductions,andinoptimizingcommunicationswiththepublic.Someofthiscommunicationwillrelyoncollab-orationwithotherentitiesoncommonissues,forexampleUSGSandwaterquality,andUSDAandsoilhealthandfoodsecurityissues,andavarietyofagenciesonsustainability.ThereislittleornocurrentEPAresearchinthisresearcharea,butwerecognizetheimportanceofinternalandexter-nalcommunication,andnewresearchinSSWRandSHCwillfocusoncommunicatingourscienceandalsoworkingmorecloselywithstakeholderstounderstandhowtobestinformdecisions.ThiseffortwillneedtodrawuponresearchersoutsideofEPAwiththisexpertise,potentiallyworkingwiththeNutrientCentersthroughEPA’sSTARgrantsprogramandwithotheragencies.

Examples of ORD Integration

WhilemuchgreaterintegrationacrosstheEPAresearchportfolioisclearlyneeded,severalresearcheffortsexemplifyintegrativeresearchapproachestonitrogenandco-pollutants.SuchresearchprojectsarehousedwithinmostoftheStRAPsthatcurrentlyincludenitrogen-relatedresearchintheirportfolio.HerewedescribefourORDresearchprojectsortasksthatpromoteintegrationinnitrogenandco-pollutantresearch:

NOxSOx Integrated Science Assessment (HHRA 2.2.1)

TheIntegratedScienceAssessment(ISA)oftheecologicaleffectsofnitrogenoxides(NOx)andsulfuroxides(SOx)ispartoftheperiodicreviewoftheNationalAmbientAirQualityStandards(NAAQS)requiredbytheCleanAirAct.ItservesasthescientificfoundationforOARriskandpolicyassessmentsthatguidetheEPAtodeterminewhetherornottoset,revise,orretaintheNOx and SOx NAAQS.ThisassessmentdrawsuponresearchfromacrosstheACE,SSWR,andSHCprograms,programoffices,regionalofficesandexternalresearch.

TheISAisasynthesisofallrelevantscientificinformationwithspecificfocusonatmosphericchemistryandecologicaleffectsrelatedtogas-phaseanddepositionofNOx and SOx (Figure1).Theassessmentconsidersmultipleenvironmentalmediaandthereforefollowsthepathandconsequencesofthenitrogenandsulfurpollutantsastheyareemittedtotheair,deposit,andcascadefromterrestrialtoaquaticenvironments.Thisnational-scaleassessmentdrawsuponinformationthatisgeneratedfromacrosstheORDRAPs,partneragenciesandthegreaterscien-tificcommunity,includingpeer-reviewedliteratureaswellastechnicaldocumentsanddatasets.

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Theatmosphericchemistryofoxidizednitrogencompoundsincludedaregasessuchasnitrogendioxide(NO2),nitricoxide(NO),nitricacid,particulatenitrate,sulfurdioxide(SO2),andparticulatesulfate.Ecologicaleffectsincludeacidification,nitrogenenrichment,eutrophication,andsulfur-inducedmercurymethylationofterrestrial,freshwater,wetland,andestuaryecosystemsintheUnited States.

Integrated Multimedia Modeling for Nitrogen Case Study

ACE MDST-3: Integrated Multimedia Systems Modeling for Sustainability

SSWR Task 2.3.D: Modeling the Linkage between Discharge and Nutrients from the Mississippi River Basin to Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia

SHC 3.3.1.1: Integrated Management of Reactive Nitrogen

HypoxiaintheGulfofMexicoisacriticallyimportantenvironmentalissueaffectingvitalityinthenorthernGulf.AsignaturecasestudywasdevelopedbetweentheACEMDST-3projectandtheSSWRTask2.3D,withparticipationbySHCTask3.3.1.1,toaddressthehypoxiaissue.ThejointprojectisdevelopingmultimediamodelsofthelinkagebetweendischargeandnutrientsfromtheMississippiRiverBasin(MARB)andtheresultantGulfofMexico(GOM)hypoxia.Thegoalistopre-dicthownutrientmanagementdecisionsandfutureclimatechangewillimpactthesize,frequen-cyanddurationofthehypoxicareathatformseverysummer.Theintegrated,multimediamodel-ingwillbeusedtopredictabroadsetofconsequencesintheMARBandtheGOMassociatedwithnitrogenmanagementdecisions.Withoutsuchamultimediaframework,theinterrelatedactionsofexcessnitrogencanleadtounintendedorunidentifiedconsequencesforparticulardecisions.ThemodelingframeworkshowninFigure3includesanorthernGOMmodelset(SSWR2.3D)andaMARBmodelset(ACEMDST-3;SHC3.3.1).

Theoceanmodelsetconsistsofstate-of-the-artlinkedhydrodynamic(NCOM),eutrophication(GEMandGoMDOM),andnutrientairdeposition(CMAQ)models.CollaboratorswithinORD undertheSSWRprojectincludemultipledivisions(GED,MED,AMAD)acrossmultipleNational laboratories(Figure3)includingtheOEIEnvironmentalModelingandVisualizationLaboratory.InteragencycollaboratorsincludetheNavalResearchLaboratory,whichprovidesthe3-Dhydro- dynamicmodelfortheGulfofMexicotowhichEPAmodelsarelinked.AcademiccollaboratorsincludefacultyatDalhousieUniversity,LouisianaStateUniversity,andTexasA&MUniversity.

TheMARBmodelsetincludesatmosphericmodels(WRFmeteorologyandCMAQairquality)coupledtoanagriculturalmanagement/BMPmodel(USDA’sEPIC)andwatershedhydrology(VIC)andwatershedmodels(NEWSandSWAT).ClimatedownscalingdrivesacoupledWRF-VICmodeltointurndrivewatershedmodels.CollaboratorswithinORDundertheACEProjectincludeSHC:NHEERL,WED(NEWS);SSWR:GED(GEM);SSWR:MED,NERL,ERD(SWAT);NERL,ESD(RiparianBuffers);NRMRL,APPCD(N2OFluxes);andACEMDST-4(climatedown-scaling).InteragencycollaboratorsincludePNNL(VIC)andUSDA(EPIC).AcademiccollaboratorsincludefacultyatUW(VICandwatertemperature),WSU(collaboratingwithSHC)(NEWS),TexasA&M(EPICandSWAT),Univ.ofMaryland(N2Obiogeochemistry),andRiceUniversity(SoilNO).

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TheproductsofthemultimediamodelingfortheGulfhypoxiarelativetotheoceanmodelsarescenarioanalysesofnitrogenandphosphorusloadreductionimpactsonthehypoxicareaunderpresentandfutureclimateconditionsdefinedbychangesinprecipitationandriverfreshwaterdis-charge,nitrogenandphosphorusloads,airtemperature,resultantwatertemperature,andwind.TheproductsofthemultimediamodelingfortheMARBthatprovideinputstotheoceanmodelsarescenariosdesignedtoilluminateanarrayofconsequencesandidentifywin-winsituationsaswellasunintendedconsequences.Whiletraditional,singlemediaapproaches,includingadditionofriparianbuffers,canreducenutrientsenteringstreamsandrivers,sidebenefits/harmmaybemissed,butthesecanbeilluminatedusingamultimediaperspective.Forexample,modifyingcornnitrogenuseefficiencycanreducetheamountoffertilizerneeded,therebyreducingammoniaemissions,andinturnreducingfineparticlelevels(improvinghumanhealth),reducingnitrateenteringgroundwater(improvinghumanhealth),andreducingN2Oemissions(reducedgreen-housegasemissions)aswellasreducingnutrientsenteringstreamsandrivers.Notillagriculturalmanagementreducessurfacerunoffintostreams,butitcanincreasepercolationofnitrateintogroundwater.Onlyconsideringairemissionreductionsonairendpointsmissesthesidebenefits

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Figure 3. Schematic diagram of the linked modeling components in the MARB – GOM hypoxia case study.

UPPERMISSISSIPPI

REGION

MISSOURIREGION

ARKANSAS-REDREGION

OHIOTENNESSEE

REGIONLOWER

MISSISSIPPIREGION

ofimprovedwaterqualityandreducedeutrophicationincoastalestuaries.Thegoalisamoreho-listicintra-AgencyanalysiscapabilitytoinformtheGulfHypoxiaTaskForcedecisionprocesswithamorecompleteaccountingofsidebenefitsinthewatershed.

LinkageandintegrationamongtheORDProgramsandacrossFederalagenciesandacademiaiscriticaltoaddresstheissueofnutrientsintheMARBandnutrientdrivenhypoxiaintheGOM,given the physical scale and complexity of the linked physical, geochemical, and biological models required.

Informing Sustainable Nitrogen Decisions using an Ecosystem Services Framework (SHC 3.3.1)

Thiseffortcombinesnutrientinputmapping,modeling,decisiontools,andeconomicdamageinformationtoapplytodecisionsaboutnutrientmanagementandpolicy.Inputlayers(HUC12scale,year2006)forbackgroundNfixation,cropNfixation,manureNandsyntheticfertilizerNwereincludedintheEnviroAtlasandtheEstuaryDataMapper.Buildinguponthisdata,theNutri-entExportfromWatersheds(NEWS)isusedtopredictfuturenitrogeninputstothecoastalzonebasedonscenariosof“businessasusual”and“ambitious”approachestonutrientmanagementscenariosofbiofueluseincollaborationwithACEandSSWRprojectsoncoastalNloadingandim-pactsarealsoindevelopment.ThebalanceofagriculturalNcostsandbenefitsrelatedtonutrientimpactsisthemostimportantdriverofinputstomanycoastalareas.ThiseffortidentifiesareaswhereotherNsourcesareprojectedtoincrease,andprovidesregion-specificguidanceonwhichsourcesaremostimportanttomanagesustainably.Thisresearchexploresthepossibilitiesforthe25%reductioninNinputstotheU.S.landscaperecommendedbytheEPAScienceAdvisoryBoard’sIntegratedNitrogenCommittee.

InordertodevelopaframeworkforassessingthedamagesassociatedwithNreleasetotheen-vironmentfromhumanactivities,SHCisassemblingdataontheeconomicdamagesofNreleaseonhumanhealth,climateregulation,ecosystemsandagriculture.Damagesareassociatedwithspecificnitrogensources,sothatsource-specificcostscanbegenerated.EachimpactislinkedtotheecosystemclassandbeneficiarydefinedbytheSHCFinalEcosystemGoodsandServicesClas-sificationSystem(FEGS-CS).ValuesarecomparedwiththerecentEuropeanUnionassessmentofthecostsandbenefitsofnitrogenforEurope;manyofthevaluesarequitesimilar,orwithintherangefoundbytheE.U.assessmentteam.Thehighestcostsperunitnitrogenareassociatedwithhumanrespiratoryhealth,althoughsomeoftheimpactsoncoastalecosystemsarequitelargeaswell.Anumberofgapswereidentifiedintheassessment,includinglackofdataonharmfulalgalblooms,terrestrialimpacts,anddrinkingwatertreatmentorreplacementcosts.CurrenteffortsareconnectingwithACEandOW-OSTtoimproveandextendthesecostestimates.Thesedatawillbecombinedwithexistingdataonnitrogenflowtotheenvironmentinordertoassessthenation-alandregionaldamagesandfutureprojecteddamagesonecosystemservices.

Narragansett Bay and Watershed Sustainability – Demonstration Project (SSWR 6.1)

ThegoaloftheNarragansettBayDemonstrationProjectistodeterminewhethersystems-basedapproaches(Figure4)canbeusedtoidentifyandmanagecausesofdegradedwaterresources

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topromoteecosystemprotectionandrecovery.Thisprojectisdesignedto:(1)Provideabet-ter understanding of the historical context of environmental change and diverse environmental managementpolicyresponses,leadinguptothepresentcondition;(2)Addresscontemporaryenvironmentalstress-responserelationshipsincludingconsiderationofmultiplestressorsaffectedbynutrientloadingtosurfacewaterresources;and(3)Betterinformfuturegovernancedecisionsthatcontributetomoresustainablesolutionsinthefuture.

EPAresearchersaredocumentingdisturbancesandenhancementsinthiswatershedandestuarythatrelatetonutrienteffectsonkeyecosystemstructuresandfunctions.Theconceptualresearchandmanagementframeworkforlong-termenvironmentalgovernanceisscalable,andcanbeadaptedforuseinsouthernNewEnglandandotherpartsofthecountry.

ContributingresearchfromotherSSWRprojectsincludesworkonnationalindicatorsofwatershedintegrity(SSWR1.1b),workonmodelinginsupportofnumericnutrientcriteriadevelopmentforestuarineandcoastalsystems(SSWR2.3A),researchrelatedtoassessmentofcyanobacteriarisksinlakesandreservoirs(SSWR2.3C).EnvironmentaldatafromEPA’sNationalAquaticResourceSurveys(NARS)arebeingsupplementedwithadditionaldatacollectedintheNarragansettBaywatershed(SSWR1.1bforstreams,SSWR2.3Cforlakes).

TheresearchdrawsonemergingsciencefromtheACEprogramtoaccessresultsfromtheCMAQmodelrelatingtothemagnitudeandsourcesofNOxemissionsfromfixedandmobilesourcestospatialvariationsinatmosphericnitrogendeposition.SSWR6.1researchintegratesemerging

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Figure 4. A conceptual framework for integrated management of Nr in the context of ecosystem based management. SSWR Project 6.1 (Based on Collins et al., 2011).

scientificunderstandingrelatedtomultimediasourcesandconsequencesofnutrientfluxesthroughair,towatersheds,andtoassociatedestuaries.InteragencycollaborationwithUSGSinthewatershedinvolvestestingandrefinementofmethods,indicatorsandmodels,formoreeffec-tivedecisionsupport.

TheestuarineresearchcomponentoftheprojecteffortinvolvescollaborationwithanumberofacademicinvestigatorsfundedbytheNOAACoastalHypoxiaResearchProgram(CHRP).WewilllearnwhetherEPAregulatorywaterqualityandecologicalmodelsforNarragansettBaydobetterorworsethanthefinerscalehydrodynamicandmoresimplifiedecologymodelsdevelopedbyCHRP.BothEPAandNOAAfundedresearchcontributestodecisionsabout:(1)Theneedforaddi-tionalpointsourcewastewatertreatmentfacilitypermittingadjustmentsgoingforward,and (2)Neededmonitoringandmodelingtoinformrestorationandspatialplanningeffortsthatcouldbeadaptedforuseinotherwatershedsandestuaries.

Opportunities for Further Integration

Where could we better collaborate and leverage across programs?

AsindicatedbythediversityofEPAoffices,regionaloffices,andORDlaboratoriesandcenters,theNRoadmapefforthasbroughttogetherresearchersacrosstheseorganizationstodevelopapathforwardtowardsacommongoal.TheRoadmapgapanalysisshouldformakeyelementinformingthedevelopmentofthenextiterationsoftheORDStrategicResearchActionPlans(StRAPs).Asig-nificantorganizationalchallengewillbetooperationallycoordinateresearchplanningandimple-mentationamongtheStRAPsonacontinuingbasis.ClimatechangeissuesareidentifiedascriticaltoeffectivefuturemanagementofNandcopollutants,andmoreinteractionwiththeclimatechangeroadmapeffortcouldbebeneficial.Atthistime,theRoadmapteamhasnotyetconsultedwiththeEPAOfficeofEnforcementandComplianceAssurance(OECA)ortheOfficeofPolicy(OP)todetermineifthereareanyinitiativeswhichmightcontributetonewmanagementapproachesfor N and co-pollutants.

Where could we better collaborate and leverage other stakeholders?

AnumberofongoingeffortstiedtotheNitrogenRoadmapworktobettercollaboratewithandleverageresourcesfromotherstakeholders.Manyoftheseeffortsweredirectlyinitiatedoren-hancedthroughtheCross-ORDNitrogen&Co-pollutantRoadmapteam.

• AjointEPA-USDA-USGSresearchcollaborationworkshopwasheldJune24-26,2014,toidentify commonandcomplementaryresearchandoutreachactivitiesinsupportofjointdecision- making on N and co-pollutant management.

• TheUSGlobalClimateResearchProgram-NitrogenClusterworkgroupseekstoimprove interagencycoordinationofnitrogencycleresearchandtoidentifyopportunitiesfor interagencycollaboration.(EPAandNOAAco-chair;DOE,NASA,NSF,USDA,USGS).

• TheEPAOfficeofWaterInnovativeTechnologyBlueprintInitiativefocusesonpartneringwith andleveragingtheactionsofafullarrayofexternalpartnersandstakeholders,includingthe WaterEnvironmentFederation(WEF),theWaterEnvironmentResearchFoundation(WERF),

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theNationalAssociationofCleanWaterAgencies(NACWA),theAmericanWaterWorks Association(AWWA),andtheU.S.WaterAlliance,forthepurposeofadvancinginnovative waterandwastewatermanagementtechnology.

• Nutrientsprizechallengeswillexploreinnovativeideasthatwouldfundamentallychange managementorrecoveryofnutrients.ParticipantswillincludeFederalagencies,statewater and agricultural agencies, academia, industry, and the general public.

• Meanstoleverageotheragencynationalmonitoringnetworkscouldbedevelopedtodetermine changesinecosystemconditionresultingfrommanagementchoices(e.g.USForestService ForestInventoryandAnalysisdatabase,theNationalParksServiceInventoryandMapping database).

• ThereisongoingcollaborationwithUSDAtoimprovenutrienttrading,aswellastheNational WaterQualityInitiative,theWhiteHousenutrientchallenges,andthejointUSDA-USGS-EPA workshoponnitrogenandco-pollutantmanagement.

• Thedevelopmentoftheproposednationalmonitoringnetwork (http://acwi.gov/monitoring/network/)involvingprimarilyUSGS,EPA,NOAA.

• EPA’sSTAR(SciencetoAchieveResults)programhasfundedfournutrientresearchcentersto developscalable,transferable,sustainable,andinnovativemanagementapproaches.Thereis potentialtodevelopcooperativeresearchagreementswiththesecenters.

• NewMemorandumofAgreementbetweenEPAandlandgrantuniversitiesfrom12Hypoxia Task Force states; including the extension and research side of each university.

• SupportthenewSoutheastNewEnglandProgram(SNEP),designedtoemployinnovativeand sustainablesolutionstorestorecoastalwatershedsandestuariesofsoutheasternNewEngland, whichincludessupportfromEPA-ORD,EPARegion1,andtheNationalEstuaryPrograms.

• PotentialexpansionoftheBenMAPmodelcouldincludeeconomicandsocialcostsandbenefits associatedwithnitrogenandco-pollutantreductions,butwouldalsorequireappropriate exposure-responsefunctions.

• CollaborationwithUSDAcouldbeimprovedonanalysesofair,surface,andgroundwater qualitychangesassociatedwithlandmanagement.

• Externalcollaborationcouldbedevelopedtoleverageandextendcurrentresearchto acidificationofforestsoilsandtodeveloptherequiredconcentration-responsefunctions.

• Throughcollaborationwithotheragencies,expandworkontheimpactofnitrogenon biodiversityfromthenortheasternUnitedStatestothewesternUnitedStatesandinclude grasslandsandrangelands,encompassingresearchonacidificationofforestsoils.

• ASTARresearchcenterhasbeenawardedatPennsylvaniaStateUniversity,withafocusonthe ChesapeakeBaythatproposestodevelopanintegrated,holisticapproachtounderstanding driversandpressuresrelatedtonitrogenandphosphorus,valuationofecosystemservicesand alternativedecisionscenarios.

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• Investigationofcrossagencyeffortsisparticularlyneeded.TheUSDAledinteragencyMississippi RiverBasinHealthyWatersheds(MRBI)shouldbeassessedtodeterminewhetheritsmethods andresultsaretransferabletootherregionsofthecountry.TheUSFS-FIAandNPS-I&M programsshouldbesimilarlyassessedforrelevantinformation.

• Threeothernationalnetworksaddressandreportonregionaltrendsconnectedtononurban andecosystemexposure:TheNationalAtmosphericDepositionProgram(NADP),theClean AirStatusandTrendsNetwork(CASTNET)andtheInteragencyMonitoringofProtectedVisual Environments(IMPROVE).

Process to Stimulate this Integration

ThegapidentificationprocessfocusednotonlyonresearchgapsbutontherevisionstoorganizationalprocessthatwouldbeneededtoachieveandmaintainanintegratedNrandco-pollutantsresearchandmanagementeffort.Agreementwillbeneededongoals,roles,responsibilities,andresourcescommitments.Keyneedsintermsofbuildingamoreintegratedapproachareto:

• Developaprocesstoensureintegrativesuccessofnitrogenandco-pollutantresearchhousedin multipletasks,projects,ORDRAPs,andprogramofficeandregionalefforts.

• Developaprocesstoidentifyrelevantexternal(academic,Federal,state,NGO)researchefforts thataddresskeynitrogenandco-pollutantmanagementstepsidentified.

• Developaformal,collaborativeprocessbetweenORD,theprogramoffices,andregionaloffices todiscusshowbesttoprovidetoolsfortheprogramofficestomakenationaldecisions(e.g., NationalAmbientAirQualityStandardsorNAAQS)andfortheregionalofficesandstatestouse indevelopingprioritizedloadreductions.

• Developaformal,collaborativeprocessbetweenORDandOARtounderstandthedataand modelingneedsrequiredtoinformexposureandriskassessmentsforecosystemimpacts, includingcharacterizationofchangesinecosystemservices,tosupportthereviewsofthe secondaryNAAQS.

• Developanongoingprocessforidentifyingadditionalresearchgapsthatweremissedin this analysis.

• Ensurethatresultsofcasestudies(e.g.GOM,ChesapeakeBay,NarragansettBay)aremutually informativeandcanstarttoaddressresearchscalingissues.

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Research Gaps & Priority Research NeedsSynthesis of Existing Gaps

Toconductthegapanalysis,thewritingteamexaminedthe“needs”expressedbytheexplicitstatementofaResearchStepwithinaScienceChallenge,andreferredtoadetailedspreadsheetinventoryofcurrentresearchproductstodetermineiftheproductsidentifiedintheinventorywereadequatetocovertheResearchStepneeds,i.e.thattheStepcouldbeaccomplishedwithexistingresearchproducts.MissingneedswerethenenumeratedbytheindividualdoingtheResearchStepgapreview,mergedwiththoseoftheotherResearchSteplevelreviews,andevalu-atedandsynthesizedbytheentirecorewritingteamtodeterminewhatneedsweremissingtoaccomplishboththeindividualResearchStepsandtheoverallScienceChallenge.TheprocesswasrepeatedforeachScienceChallenge.ThecompletelistofresearchgapsidentifiedislistedinAp-pendix E.

An overarching research need is for development of integrated models and tools that include environmental, social, and economic components for management approaches that go beyond currentregulatoryprograms.Animportantdiscussionwithstakeholdersistodefinejustwhatmaybeneededformoreintegrateddecision-supporttoolswhichwillprovideinsightsinallthreeareas,specificallyrelatedtonitrogenandco-pollutantissues.Therehasbeenrelativelylittleresearchconcerninghumanhealtheffectsofnitrogen,particularlyindrinkingwaternitratecontamination,andthusresearchapplicationstoaddressthisaspectofthesocialdimensionareverylimited.ItmaybenecessarytointeractmorewiththeEPA-ORDChemicalSafetyforSustainabilityresearchprogramtodeterminewhethercurrenteffortsweremissedintheinventoryprocess,orwhetherthisconstitutesamajorgap.Researchonhumanhealthimpactsfromairqualityiswelldocument-edelsewhereandwasnotexplicitlycoveredinthisRoadmap.Researchonnitrogenandterrestrialsystemswasmuchmorelimitedintheinventorythanonaquaticsystems,andrequirementsmayneedtobefilledfromexternalcollaborators.AmajorgapforNAAQSisthelackofavailabilityofinformationonexposureresponsefunctionsformanynitrogenrelatedimpacts,whichpreventstheassessmentoftheimpactsofchangesinnitrogenloadingsthatwouldresultfromalternativeNOx standards.

TherearerelativelyfewEPAprojectsidentifiedwhichexamineclimateimpactsonnitrogensen-sitivity.Giventhedegreetowhichclimatechangeeffectsarelikelytoberegionallyspecific,theremaybeinsufficientspatialcoveragetoallowadequateextrapolationacrossallwaterbodytypesandecoregionsoftheUnitedStates.Itmaybecriticaltorelyonadditionalexternalresearchinthisareatoextendtheinferencespace,andtheseeffortsneedtobeexplicitlyidentified.

WhiletherearearangeofbothAgencyandexternalmodelsfornitrogenandco-pollutantsourceapportionmentinwateratvaryingspatialscales,itshouldbedeterminedwhetherthesemodels,augmentedbysitespecificmodelingtoolsusedinTMDLdevelopment,areadequateatintermedi-ate(smallwatershed)spatialscales.Acomparativeassessmentoftheutilityofcurrentmodelingtoolstomeetneedsofthestateswouldbegenerallyuseful,inconjunctionwitheffortsbyOW,statesandotheragencies.ThiswouldincludetheRecoveryPotentialScreeningtoolindevelop-mentbyOWthatcanhelpinformdecisionsforparticularwatershedsfornutrientissues (http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/tmdl/recovery/index.cfm).

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Prioritized Research Needs for ORD

KeysciencegapswereidentifiedthroughourexaminationoftheScienceChallengesandthecur-rentEPAresearchportfolio.Atotalofsome95researchneedswereidentified(seeAppendixE),andasummarylistofbroad,significantresearchneedswasidentifiedbasedonthisassessment:

• Developempiricaldataandmodelsthatbettertienitrogenandco-pollutantrelatedwater qualityandterrestrialecosystemimpairmentstoquantitativeloads,andbetterpredicthow impairmentsvarywithchangesinload,concentrationandbiogeochemicalconditions.

• Determinehowthemagnitude,frequency,anddurationofnitrogenandco-pollutantloading affectexpressionofimpairmentforaquaticandterrestrialendpoints.

• Developbettertoolstodeterminenitrogenandco-pollutantsourceapportionmentin watershedsatarangeofscales.

• Incorporateclimatechange(temperature,storms)intomodelspredictingenvironmental impacts of future nitrogen and co-pollutant loads.

° e.g.changinghydrologicalcycleimpactsonwaterqualityimpairments

° e.g.interactionsoftemperature,droughtandnitrogenandco-pollutantsingenerating impairments

° e.g.interactionsbetweennitrogenandco-pollutantsandcoastalacidification

• Betterintegratepollution-responsemodelsacrossair,land,andallwaterbodytypes.

• Developandintegrateecosystemservicemetricsandaccountabilitymeasuresforsocialand economic endpoints of concern that are integrated into exposure-response models for nitrogenandco-pollutants.Assesstheabilitytoexpandandadaptexistingmodelssuchas BenMap versus novel model development.

• Continueeffortstointroducenewtechnologicalapplicationstonitrogenandco-pollutant managementproblems,suchasgenomicindictorsofsourcesandeffects,satellitemonitoring ofconditions,andimprovedsensortechnologies.

• Supportandenhancemonitoringprogramsthatprovidetheinformationneededtoassess system-level, long-term responses to policies and management.

LeadershipoftheNRoadmapteamwasestablishedtoensurethatpolicyperspectivesandneedsoftheprogramofficeswerecentral.TheResearchFrameworkoftheNRoadmapwasstructuredto address science needs for decision making, using a policy document that described the steps thatcouldbetakentoreducenutrientpollutionusingexistingprogramsandauthorities(U.S.EPA,2011,or“StonerMemo”).LanguageintheFrameworkwasexpandedtoincludeairpathwaysanddirecteffects.AllresearchgapsthatwereidentifiedwerevettedagainstthedetailedResearchFrameworkstepstoensurethatresultswouldinformadecision-makingneed.ThisRoadmapeffortisledbyORD,buttheeffortrepresentsastrongcross-EPAteam.TheteamworkedacrossRAPsandregionalandprogramofficestosynthesizeinformationacrosstheexistingresearchprogramandidentifyopportunitiesforintegrationandareastostrengthen.

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Informing 2016 – 2019 ORD Research Planning

UponcompletionoftheNRoadmap,afirststepwillbetoholdawebinartointroducetheresearchgapsandneedstointerestedpartiesinORD(e.g.theNPDs,MIs,thosescientistsalreadydoingsometypeofNandco-pollutantresearchorassessment).TheobjectivewillbetoconveyanoverviewofthecurrentEPANrprogram,presentingasuccinctandwell-formulatedlistofprioritiesandtheclientneedssupported.

PendingapprovaloftheORDNPDs,anextstepcouldbeconveningaresearchintegrationsum-mit.Representativesofthekeyresearchprojects,currentorplanned,undertheStRAPsorofficescouldbeconvenedalongwithrepresentativesoftheprogramandregionalofficesandNPDstaffs.Inpreparationforthesummit,theidentifiedresearchgapsfromtheRoadmapprocesscouldbeorganizedaroundmajorscientificquestionsorresearchpriorityareas,eachclearlytiedtoclientneeds.ResearcherswithinthefourpertinentORDresearchprogramsandrepresentativesfromOAR,OW,andtheregionalofficescouldevaluatethegapsintheresearchpriorityarea,usingthegapanalysisasthestartingpoint.Thesummitgoalscouldbetoagreeonthescientificissues,determinewhatcapacity(FTE,$)existswithinthevariousresearchpartners,andbegintodevelopaplanforhowresearchmightbepartitionedamongpartners.Thisresearchplanningcouldbereinforcedwithannualface-to-facemeetings(orwebinars)withscientistsanddecision-makersacrosstheAgencyinordertokeepthiseffortontrack.

Atthesametime,asubgroupshoulddiscusshowtomanagethecrosscuttingresearchtoensurethatdesiredresearchoutcomesareachieved.ThisworkgroupshoulddeterminewherethecriticallinkagesarethatcrosstheRAPsanddeterminehowtheymaybestbesupported.Considerationofcross-rapfundingmechanismsshouldbegiven.CoordinationamongRAPs,andlaboratoriesandcentersrelativetoresourcedecisionswithinRAPswillbecriticalinorderthatprioritydecisionsmadeinoneRAPdonotnegativelyimpactthecross-RAPprojects.Thesearediscussionsanddeci-sionsbeingrecommendedtotheNationalProgramDirectorsinFY15sothattheFY16-19StRAPswillbereadyforimplementationatthestartofthenewfiscalyear.

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SummaryThisRoadmapistheproductofextensiveinteractionbetweenrepresentativesfromORD’sSSWR,SHC,ACE,andHHRAresearchprograms;OW;OAR;andtheregionaloffices.ThegoaloftheRoad-mapistodevelopacommonunderstandingoftheAgencyresearchprogramportfoliosdevelopedbytheORDNationalProgramDirectors(NPDs)andcomparethemwiththeOWandOARprogramoffices’priorityresearchneedstoidentifymajorfocusareas,opportunitiesforintegrationacrosstheAgency,researchgapsandfutureresearchdirections.

TheefforthasallowedforgreatercollaborationandcoordinationinNrresearchacrossEPA,identificationofgapsandthedevelopmentofintegratedresearchprojects.InaneraofdecliningbudgetsandFTE,effortslikethisthatbringtogetherstaffacrosstheagencytotackleimportantproblemsareneededmorethanever.Significant,sustainablereductionsinNrmustbeeconomi-callyefficient;sociallyacceptable;environmentallysound;adaptabletoclimate,land-useanddemographicchanges;andpermanent.Theserequirementscanbemetonlythroughintegratedresearchthatinformsthesystematiccollective,adaptivemanagementofair,land,andsurfaceandgroundwater.

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Significant, sustainable reductions in Nr must be economically efficient; socially acceptable; environmentally sound; adaptable to climate, land-use and

demographic changes; and permanent. These requirements can only be met through the comprehensive adaptive management of air, land, and water.

Appendix A. Authors and Contributors

AuthorsAnne Rea (NitrogenLeadforORD)Safe and Sustainable Water Resources ProgramOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAResearch Triangle Park, NC 27711Mary Reiley (NitrogenLeadforOW)Office of Science and TechnologyOfficeofWaterU.S. EPAWashington,DC20460Randy Waite (NitrogenLeadforOAR)Office of Air Quality Planning and StandardsOfficeofAirandRadiationU.S. EPA Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 Jana Compton (NitrogenLeadforORDSHCResearchProgram)National Health and Environmental Effects Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPACorvallis, OR 97333Robin Dennis (NitrogenLeadforORDACEResearchProgram,retired)National Exposure Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAResearch Triangle Park, NC 27711

Tara Greaver (NitrogenLeadforHHRAResearchProgram)National Center for Environmental AssessmentOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAResearch Triangle Park, NC 27711

Walt Nelson (NitrogenLeadforSSWRResearchProgram)National Health and Environmental Effects Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPANewport,OR97365Christopher ClarkNational Center for Environmental AssessmentOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAWashington,DC20460Donald HodgeRegion 9U.S. EPASan Francisco, CA 94105Stephen Jordan (retired)National Health and Environmental Effects Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAGulfBreeze,FL32561Blake SchaefferNational Exposure Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAResearch Triangle Park, NC 27711 Denice ShawNational Center for Environmental AssessmentOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAWashington,DC20460Dena VallanoNational Exposure Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPA San Francisco, CA 94105Henry WalkerNational Health and Environmental Effects Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPANarragansett,RI02882

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ContributorsSona ChilingaryanRegion 9U.S. EPASan Francisco, CA 94105Jay ChristensenNational Exposure Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPALas Vegas, NV 89193Phillip CrockerRegion 6U.S. EPADallas, TX 75202Katharine DowellOffice of Wetlands, Oceans and WatershedsOfficeofWaterU.S. EPAWashington,DC20460Heather GoldenNational Exposure Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPACincinnati,OH45268

Rick GreeneNational Health and Environmental Effects Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAGulfBreeze,FL32561Richard HaeuberOffice of Atmospheric ProgramsOfficeofAirandRadiationWashington,DC20460Matt HeberlingNational Risk Management Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPACincinnati,OH45268

Elizabeth HilbornNational Health and Environmental Effects Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAResearch Triangle Park, NC 27711 Charles LaneNational Exposure Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPACincinnati,OH45268

John LehrterNational Health and Environmental Effects Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAGulfBreeze,FL32561Darren LytleNational Risk Management Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPACincinnati,OH45268Michael McDonaldSafe and Sustainable Water Resources ProgramOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAResearch Triangle Park, NC 27711 Bryan MilsteadNational Health and Environmental Effects Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPANarragansett,RI02882Charles Noss (retired)Safe and Sustainable Water Resources ProgramOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAResearch Triangle Park, NC 27711

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Kris NovakNational Center for Environmental AssessmentOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAResearch Triangle Park, NC 27711Roberta Parry (retired)Office of Wetlands, Oceans and WatershedsOfficeofWaterU.S. EPAWashington,DC20460

Joe Piotrowski (retired)Office of Wetlands, Oceans and WatershedsOfficeofWaterU.S. EPAWashington,DC20460John Powers (formerly with EPA)Water Policy StaffOfficeofWaterU.S. EPAWashington,DC20460David SchmeltzOffice of Atmospheric ProgramsOfficeofAirandRadiationU.S. EPAWashington,DC20460

Daniel Sobota (formerly with EPA)Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (basedatNationalHealthandEnvironmentalEffectsResearchLaboratory,U.S.EPA)Corvallis, OR 97333Thomas SpethNational Risk Management Research LaboratoryOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPACincinnati,OH45268

Pam TeelOffice of International and Tribal AffairsOfficeofRegionalandBilateralAffairsU.S. EPAWashington,DC20460

Joe WilliamsSafe and Sustainable Water Resources ProgramOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentU.S. EPAAda,OK74820Margaret ZawackiOffice of Transportation and Air QualityOfficeofAirandRadiationAnn Arbor, MI 48105

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Appendix B. Acronyms and AbbreviationsACE Air, Climate and Energy AMAD Atmospheric Modeling and Analysis Division/ORDAWWA American Water Works AssociationBMP Best Management Practice CAA Clean Air ActCASTNET Clean Air Status and Trends NetworkCHRP Coastal Hypoxia Research ProgramCMAQ Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling systemCWA Clean Water ActDOE Department of EnergyDOI Department of InteriorEPA Environmental Protection AgencyEMVL Environmental Modeling and Visualization LaboratoryEPIC Environmental Policy Integrated ClimateFEGS-CS Final Ecosystem Goods & Services Classification SystemGEM Gulf Ecology Model GED Gulf Ecology Division/ORD GOM Gulf of Mexico GoMDOM Gulf of Mexico Dissolved Oxygen ModelHAB Harmful Algal BloomsHAWQS Hydrologic and Water Quality SystemHHRA Human Health Risk Assessment HNO3 Nitric AcidI/M Inspection and MaintenanceIOOS Integrated Ocean Observing SystemISA Integrated Science AssessmentMARKAL Market Allocation ModelMCL Maximum Contaminant LevelMED Mid-continent Ecology Division/ORDMI Matrix InterfaceMRB Mississippi River Basin N NitrogenN2O Nitrous Oxide NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality StandardsNACWA National Association of Clean Water AgenciesNAPAP National Acid Precipitation Assessment ProgramNARS National Aquatic Resource SurveysNASA National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNCAR National Center for Atmospheric ResearchNCOM Navy Coastal Ocean ModelNEWS Nutrient Export from WatershedsNH3 AmmoniaNH4

+ Ammonium

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NHx NH3, NH4+

NO Nitric oxideNO2

- Nitrite ionNO2 Nitrogen dioxide NO3

- Nitrate ionNO3 Nitrate radicalNOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationNOx Nitrogen oxides (NO + NO2)NOy Total reactive oxidized nitrogenNPD National Program DirectorNRC National Research CouncilNRL Naval Research LaboratoryNr Reactive nitrogenNSF National Science FoundationOAQPS Office of Air Quality Planning and StandardsOAR Office of Air and RadiationOECA Office of Enforcement and Compliance AssuranceOEI Office of Environmental InformationOP Office of PolicyORD Office of Research and DevelopmentOW Office of WaterPNNL Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryRAP Research Action PlanSO2 Sulfur DioxideS SulfurSAB INC Science Advisory Board Integrated Nitrogen CommitteeSAB Science Advisory BoardSDWA Safe Drinking Water ActSHC Safe and Healthy Communities SOx Sulfur oxidesSSWR Safe and Sustainable Water Resources StRAP Strategic Research Action PlanSWAT Soil and Water Assessment ToolTMDL Total Maximum Daily LoadUSDA U.S. Department of Agriculture USGS U.S. Geological SurveyUW University of WashingtonVIC Variable Infiltration Capacity Hydrological ModelWEF Water Environment FederationWERF Water Environment Research FoundationWRF Weather Research and Forecasting ModelWSU Washington State University

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Appendix C. References

Collins,S.L.,Carpenter,S.R.,Swinton,S.M.,etal.(2010).Anintegratedconceptualframeworkfor long-term social-ecological research. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 9, 351-357.

Compton,J.E.,Harrison,J.A.,Dennis,R.L.,Greaver,T.,Hill,B.H.,Jordon,S.J.,Walker,H.,Campbell,H.V.(2011).Ecosystemservicesalteredbychangesinreactivenitrogen:Anapproachto inform decision-making. Ecology Letters. 14, 804-815.

Greaver,T.L.,Sullivan,T.,Herrick,J.,Lawrence,G.,Herlihy,A.,Barron,J.,Goodale,C.,Novak, K.,Liu,L.,Dennis,R.,Dubois,J.J.D.,Lynch,J.(2012).EcologicaleffectsofairpollutionintheU.S.:Whatdoweknow?Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 10, 365-372

MillenniumAssessment(MA).(2005).EcosystemsandHumanWell-being:HealthSynthesis: AReportoftheMillenniumEcosystemAssessment.WorldHealthOrganization.

NutrientInnovationsTaskGroup.(2009).AnUrgentCalltoAction–ReportoftheState-EPA NutrientInnovationsTaskGroup.http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/nutrients/upload/2009_08_27_criteria_nutrient_nitgreport.pdf

NationalResearchCouncil(NRC).(2012).ScienceforEnvironmentalProtection:TheRoadAhead. http://op.bna.com/env.nsf/r?Open=smiy-8xuqup.

Puckett,L.J.(1994).NonpointandPointSourcesofNitrogeninMajorWatershedsofthe UnitedStates.U.S.GeologicalSurvey.Water-ResourcesInvestigationsReport94-4001.

SAB(ScienceAdvisoryBoardtotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency).(2011).Reactive NitrogenintheUnitedStates;ananalysisofinputs,flows,consequences,andmanagement Options.USEnvironmentalProtectionAgency:Washington,DC.EPA-SAB-11-013.

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.(2011).MemofromActingAA,NancyStoner. WorkinginPartnershipwithStatestoAddressPhosphorusandNitrogenPollution throughUseofaFrameworkforStateNutrientReductions.http://water.epa.gov/scitech/ swguidance/standards/criteria/nutrients/upload/memo_nitrogen_framework.pdf

Woodside,M.D.andHoos,A.B.(2014).NutrientsinstreamsandriversinthelowerTennessee Riverbasin.U.S.GeologicalSurvey.NationalWaterQualityAssessmentProgram.FS-025-01. http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs02501/

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Appendix D. Inventory of ORD Nr and Co-Pollutant Research Projects (2012) Relevant to SAB Recommendations

ACE:Air,ClimateandEnergyresearchprogram HHRA:HumanHealthRiskAssessmentresearchprogramSSWR:SafeandSustainableWaterResourcesresearchprogramSHC:SustainableandHealthyCommunitiesresearchprogram

NOTE: This Table was developed in 2012 based only on EPA/Office of Research and Development projects and does not reflect Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Water, or regional office research efforts. This is not EPA’s formal response to the SAB.

No. SAB Recommendation ORD Research Projects Research Summary

1 Increasethespecificityand regularity of dataacquisitionforfertilizerapplicationtoagricultural crops and facilitate monitoring andevaluationof impact from implemented policies andmitigationefforts.

ACE MDST-3 Modeling airqualityimpactsonpollutantdepositionandwaterqualitySHC 3.3.1 Informing sustainable decisions about nitrogen

ACE MDST-3AfertilizertoolfromUSDAtoallowcropfertilizermanagementscenarios to be easily incorporated in CMAQtoassessimpactsofagriculturalmanagement policiesSHC 3.3.1 IntegratedscalableframeworkofresponserelationshipsbetweenNloads and the ecosystem goods and serviceproduction,humanhealthandwell-being,andeconomicbenefitsfunctions

2a Generate data on NfertilizeruseefficiencyandNmassbalance based on measurements from productionscalefieldsformajorcrops.

SHC 1.2.3 EnviroAtlas SHC 1.2.3 Multiplenationaldatalayersdeveloped related to atmospheric deposition,pollutantloading,andNsources and sinks

2b Promoteeffortsto:(1)Increasetherateof gain in crop yields onfarmlandwhileincreasingNfertilizeruptakeefficiencyand(2)Explorethepotentialformorediverse cropping systemswithlowerNfertilizerinputrequirements.

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No. SAB Recommendation ORD Research Projects Research Summary

2c Identifyresearchandeducationprioritiesto support more efficientuseandbettermitigationofNrapplied to agricultural systems.

ACE MDST-3 Modeling airqualityimpactsonpollutantdepositionandwaterqualitySHC 1.2.3 EnviroAtlas

ACE MDST-3 AfertilizertoolfromUSDAtoallowgenerationandevaluationofalternativeagriculturemanagementscenariosSHC 1.2.3 Multiplenationaldatalayersdeveloped related to atmospheric deposition,pollutantloading,andNsources and sinks

3 Reduce uncertainty in estimatesofnitrousoxide emissions from crop agriculture.

SEE-2 Energy from Biomass:ManagingtheImpact of Emerging BioenergyPathwaysACE EM-2 Improving emissions inventories SSWR 1.2 Development andintegrationofmodelsrelatingtowaterresourceintegrityand sustainabilitySSWR 4.3 Green infrastructure modeling tools and data inventories

SEE-2 N2O agricultural emissions data for switchgrassandcornfordevelopmentofregional N2Obudgets.EnhancedCMAQmodelingcapabilitywithrespecttobiofuels,feedstockproductionandN2O fluxesACE EM-2EvaluatedEPICestimatesofnitrousoxideemissionsfromfertilizerapplicationandnitrousoxideemissionsincorporatedintoCMAQSSWR 1.2Improvemethodsforstatisticalmodeling of individual stressor-response relationshipsfromobservationaldatagiventheinfluenceofotherstressorsandspatialrelationshipsSSWR 4.3 Reliably predict natural infrastructure and engineered green infrastructurewaterqualityimpactsatwatershedscale

4 Improve understanding and predictionofhowexpansion of biofuel productionwillaffectNr inputs and outputs from agriculture and livestock systems.

SHC 2.1.2.1 (also ACE SEE-2) Ecosystem goods and services productionandbenefitfunctions(andconclusion of Future MidwesternLandscapesStudy, including air qualityimpacts)ACE EM-2 Improving emissions inventoriesSSWR 1.2 Development andintegrationofmodelsrelatingtowaterresourceintegrityand sustainabilitySSWR 4.3 Green infrastructure modeling tools and data inventories

SHC 2.1.2.1 (also ACE SEE-2) Enhanced CMAQmodelingcapabilitywithrespecttobiofuels,feedstockproductionandN2OfluxesACE EM-2EvaluatedEPICestimatesofnitrousoxideemissionsfromfertilizerapplicationandnitrousoxideemissionsincorporatedintoCMAQSSWR 1.2 Improve methods for statisticalmodelingofindividualstressor-responserelationshipsfromobservationaldatagiventheinfluenceofotherstressorsandspatialrelationshipsSSWR 4.3 Establish databases on green BMPsperformanceforstormwatermanagement under regionally-relevant conditions

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No. SAB Recommendation ORD Research Projects Research Summary

5 Monitor and assess gasesandparticulatematterprecursorsemittedfromagricultural emissions (e.g.,NO3

- and NH4+

utilizinganationwidenetworkofmonitoringstations.

ACE NMP-6 Atmosphericdepositiontools to inform secondaryNAAQSACE EM-2 Improving emissions inventories

ACE NMP-6Integratedfluxmeasurementplatformtomeasuredryandwetdepositionfluxesofozone,nitrogenandsulfur compounds to provide guidance on monitoring methodsACE EM-2Description,developmentandevaluationofcropresidueburningemissionestimates

6 Develop a policy, regulatory, and incentiveframeworkto improve manure management to reduce Nr load and ammonia transfer, taking into account phosphorus load issues.

7a Coordinate researchwithotheragencies and state extensions to ensure thatfertilizationrecommendationsareaccurate and promote awarenessoftheissue.

SHC 3.3.1 Informing sustainable decisions about nitrogen

SHC 3.3.1Newregionalworkcenteredongroundwaterandnutrienttrading

7b Promote improved turf management practices.

8a Reexamine the criteria pollutant “oxides of nitrogen” and the indicator species NO2 and consider adding Nr as a criteria pollutant, and NHx and NOy as indicators to supplement the NO2 NationalAmbientAirQualityStandard.

HHRA 2.2.1 Integrated Science Assessment (ISA)oftheEcologicalEffectsofNOx and SOx ACE NMP-6 Atmosphericdepositiontools to inform secondaryNAAQS

HHRA 2.2.1TheISAisareviewandintegrated synthesis of published literatureontheeffectsofNandSdepositiononUSecosystems.ItisthescientificfoundationfortheNAAQSreviewofNOx and SOx

ACE NMP-6 Improved methods for quantifyingNandsulfurconcentrationsandair-surfaceexchangefluxeswithhightemporalresolution

36

37

No. SAB Recommendation ORD Research Projects Research Summary

8b Monitor of NHx and NOy to supplement theexistingnetworkof NO2 compliance monitors.

ACE NMP-6 Atmosphericdepositiontools to inform secondaryNAAQSACE EM-1 Methods for measurement to inform policy decisions

ACE NMP-6Integratedfluxmeasurementplatformtomeasuredryandwetdepositionfluxesofozone,Nandsulfurcompounds to provide guidance on monitoring methodsACE EM-1 FRMs in support of other NAAQSreviews(i.e.,NO2-2014-2015, SO2 - 2014-2015, CO-2016, PM-2016, NOx-SOx Secondary-2016

8c Monitor and measure individual components of Nr, such as NO2, NO and PAN, and HNO3, and other inorganic and reduced forms.

ACE NMP-6 Atmosphericdepositiontools to inform secondaryNAAQSACE EM-1 Methods for measurement to inform policy decisionsACE EM-2 Improving emissions inventories

ACE NMP-6 Improved methods for quantifyingNandsulfurconcentrationsandair-surfaceexchangefluxeswithhightemporalresolutionACE EM-1 FRMs in support of other NAAQSreviews(i.e.NO2-2014-2015, SO2 - 2014-2015, CO-2016, PM-2016, NOx-SOx Secondary-2016)ACE EM-2 Revised soil NO emission estimatesfortheUS

8d Increase scope and spatialcoverageofNrconcentrationandfluxmonitoringnetworksand appoint an oversightreviewpanelforthesenetworks.

ACE NMP-6 Atmosphericdepositiontools to inform secondaryNAAQS

ACE NMP-6Integratedfluxmeasurementplatformtomeasuredryandwetdepositionfluxesofozone,Nandsulfurcompounds to provide guidance on monitoring methods

8e Improve measurements and models for the following:•Depositiondirectlyboth at the CASTNET sites and in nearby locationswithnonuniform surfaces. •Convectiveventingof the planetary boundary layer and of long range transport.•AtmosphericorganicN compounds in vapor,particulate,andaqueousphases.•NH3 fluxtotheatmosphere from majorsourcesespecially agricultural practices.•NOy and NHx species

ACE NMP-6 Atmosphericdepositiontools to inform secondaryNAAQSACE MDST-2 Regional tocontinentalscaleMPairqualitymodelingACE MDST-3 Modeling airqualityimpactsonpollutantdepositionandwaterquality

ACE NMP-6Integratedfluxmeasurementplatformtomeasuredryandwetdepositionfluxesofozone,Nandsulfurcompounds to provide guidance on monitoring methods

ACE MDST-2 Improved meteorological modelingfieldsforCMAQthroughrefinedPBLmixing,land-surfacecharacterization,anddataassimilationstrategies

ACE MDST-3CMAQwithbi-directionalNH3 air-surface exchange for improved fluxestimations

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No. SAB Recommendation ORD Research Projects Research Summary

9 QuantifyNbudgetsofterrestrial systems and definemagnitudesofmajorlossvectors.

ACE EM-2 Improving emissions inventoriesACE MDST-3 Modeling airqualityimpactsonpollutantdepositionandwaterqualitySHC 1.2.3 EnviroAtlasSHC 3.3.1 Informing sustainable decisions about nitrogen

ACE EM-2 Revised soil NO emission estimatesfortheUnitedStatesACE MDST-3 Improved sulfur and N depositionestimates,includingbi-directionalNH3,fromCMAQforcriticalloadssupportregardingacidificationandnutrientsSHC 1.2.3Multiplenationaldatalayersdeveloped related to atmospheric deposition,pollutantloading,andnitrogen sources and sinksSHC 3.3.1IntegratedscalableframeworkofresponserelationshipsbetweenNloads and the ecosystem goods and serviceproduction,humanhealthandwell-being,andeconomicbenefitsfunctions

10 Quantifydenitrificationinsoilsandaquaticsystems.

SHC 1.2.3 EnviroAtlasSHC 3.3.1 Informing sustainable decisions about nitrogen

SHC 1.2.3Multiplenationaldatalayersdeveloped related to atmospheric deposition,pollutantloading,andNsources and sinksSHC 3.3.1IntegratedscalableframeworkofresponserelationshipsbetweenNloads and the ecosystem goods and serviceproduction,humanhealthandwell-being,andeconomicbenefitsfunctions

11 Develop a uniform assessment and management frameworkthatconsiderstheeffectsof Nr loading over a range of scales reflectingecosystem,watershed,andregional levels.

ACE MDST-3 Modeling airqualityimpactsonpollutantdepositionandwaterqualitySHC 3.3.1 Informing sustainable decisions about nitrogenSSWR 1.2 Development andintegrationofmodelsrelatingtowaterresourceintegrityand sustainability

ACE MDST-3 A modeling system to allowtheassessmentoftheeffectsofNrloadingacrossair,landandwatermediaatthenationalscalethroughconnectionsoftheNcascadeACE MDST-3Throughincorporationofbi-directionalexchangeofNH3, improved estimatesoftheimpactofNH3onfineparticulateformationandlifetimesSHC 3.3.1IntegratedscalableframeworkofresponserelationshipsbetweenNloads and the ecosystem goods and serviceproduction,humanhealthandwell-being,andeconomicbenefitsfunctionsSSWR 1.2 Improve methods for statisticalmodelingofindividualstressor-responserelationshipsfromobservationaldatagiventheinfluenceofotherstressorsandspatialrelationships

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No. SAB Recommendation ORD Research Projects Research Summary

11 (Continuedfrompreviouspage.)Develop a uniform assessment and management frameworkthatconsiderstheeffectsof Nr loading over a range of scales reflectingecosystem,watershed,andregional levels.

SSWR 2.3 Optimalsolutionsforsustainable nutrient managementSSWR 4.3 Green infrastructure modeling tools and data inventoriesSSWR 6.1NarragansettBayandWatershedSustainability --DemonstrationProject

SSWR 2.3ScientificapproachessupportingthedevelopmentofnumericnutrientcriteriaandinterpretationofnarrativestandardsforinlandwatersanddownstreamestuarineandcoastalwatersSSWR 4.3 Reliably predict natural infrastructure and engineered green infrastructurewaterqualityimpactsatwatershedscaleSSWR 6.1 (1)Trendanalysisofstressorsandecologicalresponses,particularlynutrients,intheNarragansettBayWatershed;(2)Quantitativemodelsdescribing current and future nutrient fluxesandassociatedresponsesintheNarragansettBaywatershedandestuaryecosystem

12 Reevaluatewaterqualitymanagementapproaches, tools, and authoritiestoensureNr management goalsareattainable,enforceable, and cost-effective.

SSWR 2.3Optimalsolutionsforsustainable nutrient managementSSWR 6.1NarragansettBayandWatershedSustainability --DemonstrationProject

SSWR 2.3 ScientificapproachessupportingthedevelopmentofnumericnutrientcriteriaandinterpretationofnarrativestandardsforinlandwatersanddownstreamestuarineandcoastalwatersSSWR 6.1 Trend analysis of stressors andecologicalresponses,particularlynutrients,intheNarragansettBayWatershed

13 Account for the presence of Nr in appropriate forms (air,land,andwater)andthroughperiodicaccountingdocuments.

SHC 3.3.1 Informing sustainable decisions about nitrogen

SHC 3.3.1IntegratedscalableframeworkofresponserelationshipsbetweenNloads and the ecosystem goods and serviceproduction,humanhealthandwell-being,andeconomicbenefitsfunctions

14 Consider the impact ofdifferentmetricsand examine the range oftraditionalandecosystem response categories as a basis for expressing Nr impacts and supportingintegratedmanagementefforts.

SHC 2.1.2.1 (also ACE SEE-2) Ecosystem goods andservicesproductionandbenefitfunctions(andconclusionofFutureMidwesternLandscapes Study, includingairqualityimpacts)

SHC 2.1.2.1 (also ACE SEE-2) Synthesis document on use of sustainability metrics to complement life cycle approaches

40

No. SAB Recommendation ORD Research Projects Research Summary

14 (Continuedfrompreviouspage.)Consider the impact ofdifferentmetricsand examine the range oftraditionalandecosystem response categories as a basis for expressing Nr impacts and supportingintegratedmanagementefforts.

SHC 3.3.1 Informing sustainable decisions about nitrogenSSWR 2.3Optimalsolutionsforsustainable nutrient managementSSWR 6.1NarragansettBayandWatershedSustainability --DemonstrationProject

SHC 3.3.1IntegratedscalableframeworkofresponserelationshipsbetweenNloads and the ecosystem goods and serviceproduction,humanhealthandwell-being,andeconomicbenefitsfunctionsSSWR 2.3ScientificapproachessupportingthedevelopmentofnumericnutrientcriteriaandinterpretationofnarrativestandardsforinlandwatersanddownstreamestuarineandcoastalwatersSSWR 6.1SSWR1.1bcontributionsto:(1)Trendanalysisofstressorsandecologicalresponses,particularlynutrients,intheNarragansettBayWatershed;and(2)Quantitativemodelsdescribing current and future nutrient fluxesandassociatedresponsesintheNarragansettBaywatershedandestuaryecosystem

15a 1. Evaluate regulatory and non-regulatory tools to manage Nr in populated areas from nonpoint sources, stormwater,domesticsewage,andindustrialwastewatertreatmentfacilities.2. Determine regulatory and voluntary mechanisms to apply to each sourcetypewithspecialattentiontothe need to regulate nonpoint source and related land use practices.

SHC 3.3.1 Informing sustainable decisions about nitrogenSSWR 2.3Optimalsolutionsforsustainable nutrient management

SHC 3.3.1IntegratedscalableframeworkofresponserelationshipsbetweenNloads and the ecosystem goods and serviceproduction,humanhealthandwell-being,andeconomicbenefitsfunctions

SSWR 2.3Scientificapproachessupportingthedevelopmentofnumericnutrientcriteriaandinterpretationofnarrativestandardsforinlandwatersanddownstreamestuarineandcoastalwaters

41

No. SAB Recommendation ORD Research Projects Research Summary

15b 1.Reviewregulatorypracticesforpointsources, including wastewatertreatmentplantsandstormwater.2. Consider technology limitations,multiplepollutantbenefits,funding mechanisms, andpotentialimpactson climate change from energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

SSWR 4.1 Determine integrationofgreeninfrastructure in communitiesSSWR 5.2InnovationforwatertreatmentsystemefficiencyandintegrationSSWR 5.3WaterTechnologyInnovationClusterSSWR 5.4 Develop and implementinnovativeapproachestowaterinfrastructure based on resource recoverySSWR 5.6 Determine thenewandinnovativetechnologies and approaches that can be used to monitor andmitigateagingdistributionsystems

SSWR 4.1Developeffectiveintegratedgreen and gray approaches at the sewershed/watershedscaleSSWR 5.2Developinnovativetechnologies and approaches for small drinkingwaterandwastewatersystemsincludingthosethatcombinepollutionprevention,waterreuse,resourcerecoveryandpotentialeconomicadvantageswithlowcapital,operationsand maintenance costsSSWR 5.3 Develop sustainable processes forcontaminant(includingnutrient)removalbelowthelimitsofcurrenttechnologiesthatminimizescosts,energyconsumption,environmentalburden,chemicalconsumption,andassociatedgreenhousegasesproductionSSWR 5.4Identifyanddevelopanddemonstratetechnologiesthatoptimizerecoveryofenergy,nutrients,andwaterwithinwatersystemsSSWR 5.6Improvedwaterconveyancetechnologiesandinnovativeapproachesto assess and replace/rehabilitate aging waterinfrastructure

15c 1. Set Nr management goals on a regional/local basis. 2. Consider “green” management practicesalongwithtraditionalengineeredbest management practices.

SSWR 1.2 Development andintegrationofmodelsrelatingtowaterresourceintegrityand sustainabilitySSWR 2.3Optimalsolutionsforsustainable nutrient managementSSWR 4.3 Green infrastructure modeling tools and data inventories

SSWR 1.2Improvemethodsforstatisticalmodeling of individual stressor-response relationshipsfromobservationaldatagiventheinfluenceofotherstressorsandspatialrelationships

SSWR 2.3Scientificapproachessupportingthedevelopmentofnumericnutrientcriteriaandinterpretationofnarrativestandardsforinlandwatersanddownstreamestuarineandcoastalwaters

SSWR 4.3 Reliably predict natural infrastructure and engineered green infrastructurewaterqualityimpactsatwatershedscale

No. SAB Recommendation ORD Research Projects Research Summary

15d 1. Research best managementpracticesthatareeffectivein controlling Nr, especially for nonpoint andstormwatersources, including land and landscape feature preservationandset Nr management targetsthatreflectmanagement andpreservationcapacities.2. Construct a decision frameworktoassessand determine implementationactionsconsistentwithmanagement goals.

SSWR 1.2 Development andintegrationofmodelsrelatingtowaterresourceintegrityand sustainabilitySSWR 2.3Optimalsolutionsforsustainable nutrient managementSSWR 4.3 Green infrastructure modeling tools and data inventories

SSWR 1.2 Improve methods for statisticalmodelingofindividualstressor-responserelationshipsfromobservationaldatagiventheinfluenceofotherstressorsandspatialrelationshipsSSWR 2.3ScientificapproachessupportingthedevelopmentofnumericnutrientcriteriaandinterpretationofnarrativestandardsforinlandwatersanddownstreamestuarineandcoastalwatersSSWR 4.3 Establish databases on green BMPsperformanceforstormwatermanagement under regionally-relevant conditions

15e Develop programs to encouragewetlandrestorationandcreationwithstrategicplacementofwetlandswhereNrishighestinditches, streams, and rivers.

SSWR 1.3 Decision-support tools to aid development of market basedactivitiesthatpromotewatershedintegrity

SSWR 2.3Optimalsolutionsforsustainable nutrient management

SHC 3.3.1.5 Sustainable nitrogen management tools and case studies

SSWR 1.3 Decision-support tools to aid developmentofmarket-basedactivitiesthatpromotewatershedintegritySSWR 2.3ScientificapproachessupportingthedevelopmentofnumericnutrientcriteriaandinterpretationofnarrativestandardsforinlandwatersanddownstreamestuarineandcoastalwatersSHC 3.3.1.5Geospatialtoolformanagers to describe sources and sinksofnitrogeninawatershedforuseinconservationandrestorationprioritization

16 Adoptthecriticalloadsapproach concept in determining thresholdsforeffectsof excess Nr on terrestrialandaquaticecosystems.

HHRA 2.2.1 Integrated Science Assessment (ISA)oftheEcologicalEffectsofNOx and SOx

ACE MDST-3 Modeling airqualityimpactsonpollutantdepositionandwaterquality

HHRA 2.2.1TheISAisareviewandintegrated synthesis of published literatureontheeffectsofNandSdepositiononUSecosystems.ItisthescientificfoundationforthereviewofthesecondaryNAAQSforNOx and SOx

ACE MDST-3 Improved sulfur and N depositionestimates,includingbi-directionalNH3,fromCMAQforcriticalloadssupportregardingacidificationandnutrients

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No. SAB Recommendation ORD Research Projects Research Summary

16 (Continuedfrompreviouspage.)Adoptthecriticalloadsapproach concept in determining thresholdsforeffectsof excess Nr on terrestrialandaquaticecosystems.

ACE MA-1 (also SCH 3.3.1) Vulnerable people and ecosystemsSHC 3.3.1 Informing sustainable decisions about nitrogenSSWR 1.2 Development andintegrationofmodelsrelatingtowaterresourceintegrityand sustainabilitySSWR 2.3Optimalsolutionsforsustainable nutrient managementSSWR 4.3 Green infrastructure modeling tools and data inventories

ACE MA-1 (also SHC 3.3.1) Analysis of terrestrial ecosystem exposure to nitrogenincomparisontocriticalloadsfor biodiversity in those ecosystemsSHC 3.3.1 IntegratedscalableframeworkofresponserelationshipsbetweenNloads and the ecosystem goods and serviceproduction,humanhealthandwell-being,andeconomicbenefitsfunctionsSSWR 1.2 Improve methods for statisticalmodelingofindividualstressor-responserelationshipsfromobservationaldatagiventheinfluenceofotherstressorsandspatialrelationshipsSSWR 2.3 ScientificapproachessupportingthedevelopmentofnumericnutrientcriteriaandinterpretationofnarrativestandardsforinlandwatersanddownstreamestuarineandcoastalwatersSSWR 4.3 Establish databases on green BMPsperformanceforstormwatermanagement under regionally-relevant conditions

17 Address NH3 as a harmful PM2.5 precursor.

ACE MDST-2 Regional- tocontinental-scalemultipollutantairqualitymodelingACE MDST-3 Modeling airqualityimpactsonpollutantdepositionandwaterqualityACE NMP-6 Atmosphericdepositiontools to inform secondaryNAAQS

ACE MDST-2 Advanced aerosol physics in CMAQtoaddresstheinteractionsoftheinorganicsystem,includingtheeffectsofNH3informingfineparticulatesACE MDST-3Throughincorporationofbi-directionalexchangeofNH3, improved estimatesoftheimpactofNH3onfineparticulateformationandlifetimesACE NMP-6 Improved methods for quantifyingNandsulfurconcentrationsandair-surfaceexchangefluxeswithhightemporalresolution

18 Develop integrated strategies for Nr management to be developed in cognizanceofthetradeoffsassociatedwithNrintheenvironment.

ACE MDST-3 Modeling airqualityimpactsonpollutantdepositionandwaterqualitySSWR 1.2 Development andintegrationofmodelsrelatingtowaterresourceintegrityand sustainability

ACE MDST-3 A modeling system to allowtheassessmentoftheeffectsofNrloadingacrossair,landandwatermediaatthenationalscalethroughconnectionsoftheNcascadeSSWR 1.2 Improve methods for statisticalmodelingofindividualstressor-responserelationshipsfromobservationaldatagiventheinfluenceofotherstressorsandspatialrelationships

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No. SAB Recommendation ORD Research Projects Research Summary

18 (Continuedfrompreviouspage.)Develop integrated strategies for Nr management to be developed in cognizanceofthetradeoffsassociatedwithNrintheenvironment.

SSWR 2.3Optimalsolutionsforsustainable nutrient managementSSWR 4.3 Green infrastructure modeling tools and data inventories

SSWR 2.3 ScientificapproachessupportingthedevelopmentofnumericnutrientcriteriaandinterpretationofnarrativestandardsforinlandwatersanddownstreamestuarineandcoastalwatersSSWR 4.3 Reliably predict natural infrastructure and engineered green infrastructurewaterqualityimpactsatwatershedscale

19 Support cross-disciplinary and multiagencyresearchon climate and Nr interactions.

ACE MDST-3 Modeling airqualityimpactsonpollutantdepositionandwaterqualityACE MDST-4 Hemispheric- to global-scalemultipollutantairqualityandclimatemodels SHC 3.3.1 Informing sustainable decisions about nitrogenSSWR 1.2 Development andintegrationofmodelsrelatingtowaterresourceintegrityand sustainabilitySSWR 2.3Optimalsolutionsforsustainable nutrient managementSSWR 4.3 Green infrastructure modeling tools and data inventories

ACE MDST-3 Withthecoupledmeteorology and hydrology in dynamicallydownscaledregionalclimatesimulations,assessmentsoftheimpactof climate change on N management inair,land,andwatermediawillbeconductedACE MDST-4 Methodologies for downscalingNASA/NOAA/NCARglobalmodelsusingWRFasaregionalclimatemodelSHC 3.3.1IntegratedscalableframeworkofresponserelationshipsbetweenNloads and the ecosystem goods and serviceproduction,humanhealthandwell-being,andeconomicbenefitsfunctionsSSWR 1.2 Improve methods for statisticalmodelingofindividualstressor-responserelationshipsfromobservationaldatagiventheinfluenceofotherstressorsandspatialrelationshipsSSWR 2.3 ScientificapproachessupportingthedevelopmentofnumericnutrientcriteriaandinterpretationofnarrativestandardsforinlandwatersanddownstreamestuarineandcoastalwatersSSWR 4.3 Reliably predict natural infrastructure and engineered green infrastructurewaterqualityimpactsatwatershedscale

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No. SAB Recommendation ORD Research Projects Research Summary

20 Developanational,multi-mediamonitoring program that monitors sources, transport andtransition,effectsusingindicatorswherepossible, and Nr sinks inkeepingwiththeNcascade concept.

SHC 3.3.1 Informing sustainable decisions about nitrogenSSWR 2.3Optimalsolutionsforsustainable nutrient management

SHC 3.3.1IntegratedscalableframeworkofresponserelationshipsbetweenNloads and the ecosystem goods and serviceproduction,humanhealthandwell-being,andeconomicbenefitsfunctionsSSWR 2.3Scientificapproachessupportingthedevelopmentofnumericnutrientcriteriaandinterpretationofnarrativestandardsforinlandwatersanddownstreamestuarineandcoastalwaters

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Appendix E. Summary of Research Gap Analysis

Science ChallengesOverarching EPA Nitrogen and Co-pollutant Roadmap OutcomeReduced and avoided ecological and public health impacts from nitrogen and co-pollutant pollutiontoair,water,andland.

Overarching EPA Nitrogen and Co-pollutant Roadmap OutputModels,toolsandtechnologiesthatincorporatescientific,social,economic,andcrossmediafactorstoinformregulatoryandnon-regulatorysolutionstonitrogenandco-pollutantissues.

Common gaps across all Science Challenges:

• Developaprocesstoinsureintegrativesuccessofnitrogenandco-pollutantresearchhousedin multipletasks,projects,ORDRAPsandofficeandregionalefforts.

• Developaprocesstoidentifyrelevantexternal(academic,Federal,state,NGO)researchefforts thataddresskeymanagementstepsidentified.

• Developaformal,collaborativeprocessbetweenORD,theprogramofficesandregionaloffices todiscusshowbesttoprovidetoolsfortheProgramOfficestomakenationaldecisionsand fortheregionalofficesandstatestouseindevelopingprioritizedloadreductions.

• Developanongoingprocessforidentifyingadditionalresearchgapsthatweremissedin this analysis.

• Ensureresultsofcasestudies(e.g.GOM,ChesapeakeBay,NarragansettBay)aremutually informativeandcanstarttoaddressresearchscalingissues.

Science Challenge 1 – Where should we be targeting to reduce nitrogen and co-pollutant loads? Nitrogenandco-pollutantloadingfromatmospheric,aquaticandterrestrialsourcesisfarfromuniform,regionallyornationally.Likewise,theeffectsofnitrogenandco-pollutantpollutionvaryacrossreceptors;sometypesofecosystems,humansubpopulations,andwatersuppliesaremorevulnerablethanotherstotherisksofexposuretoexcessnitrogenandco-pollutants.Locatingpriorityareasrequiresknowledgeofthemagnitudeandsourcesoftheloads,aswellastherisksassociatedwithexpectedecologicalandhumanexposures,bothwithinaparticulararea,andinotherareastowhichnitrogenandco-pollutantsareexported,suchascoastalwaters.Societalandeconomiccosts/benefitsshouldbeconsidered,whenappropriateandnotrestrictedbylaw,indeterminationofoptimizednitrogenandco-pollutantreductionstrategies.National-scaleassess-mentsrequireinformationacrossseveralfinerscalesonallrelevantpopulations,ecosystem-typesand regions.

Sub-outcome:Programsandstakeholdersknowwherenitrogenandco-pollutantreductionsaremost needed to prevent harmful ecological and public health impacts.

Sub-output:Effectiveapproachestoevaluate(a)Nandco-pollutantoccurrenceandsources, (b)ExposuretoNandco-pollutantpollutionbyreceptor,(c)Nandco-pollutantpathwaysthroughecosystems,(d)ecologicalandhumanendpointsandthresholds,(e)arangeoftargetlevels,and(f)decision-supporttoolsformeetingtargetsthatincorporatesocialandeconomiccostsandben-efitsofNandco-pollutantmanagement.

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Step 1.1 Synthesis: CompileandsynthesizeexistingscientificknowledgetoinformtheidentificationofgeographicareasthatarevulnerabletoNpollutionandidentifycriticalresearchgaps.

Needs:

• BetterintegrationofORD,OW,regional,andotherAgencyefforts,similartotheIntegrated ScienceAssessments(ISA)forNAAQS(SeedetailsinResearchInventoryTable).

• Anassessmentofnitrateandnitritesonhumanhealth.

Supporting research:

• ISA’sforNOx and SOxNAAQS(HHRA2.2.1);MappingNsourcesandN-impactedecosystemsat scalesfornational,regionalandlocaldecisions(SHC3.3.1.1).

• Multi-agencyrefinementofCriticalLoadsandimpactsdatabase(SHC3.3.1.3,ACE145).

Step 1.2 Endpoints and Thresholds: Determineno-effect(criticalconcentrations/levelsandcriticalloads,maximumcontaminantlevelgoal,waterandairqualitycriteria)exposurelevelsfornitrogenandco-pollutantsinecologicalsystemsorhumanpopulationsofinterest,includinganevaluationofimpactsofmultiplecontaminantsorotherconfoundingfactors(includesdose-responserelationships).

Needs:

• Betterdefinitionofatmosphericdepositioncontributiontothetotalnitrogenloadinaquatic systems.

• Determinewhetherchangingclimatepatternsmaythreatenendpointsorrequire reconsiderationofthresholdvalues.

• Quantifyingthenon-pointsourcecontributionofnutrientstodrinkingwatercontamination, bothsurfaceandgroundwater.

• Betterdataonhumanhealthresponses,particularlyrelatedtonitrateindrinkingwaterand harmful algal blooms.

• Identifytheendpointsandthresholdsthatcanbestbeusedinnationalassessments,including nitrogen enrichment of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity changes.

• Determinewaystoaggregateendpointsandthresholdswithinecoregionsandwatersheds.

Supporting research:

• ISAforNOx and SOxNAAQSperiodicallyevaluateallpublishedNdepositiontoecological responserelationships(HHRA2.2.1).ISAforNOx evaluates NO2 relationshipstohumanhealth response(HHRA2.1.4).

• EconomicandsocialaspectsofnutrientreductioneffortsareincludedintheNarragansettBay (SSWR6.1)andChesapeakeBay(SSWR6.5)watershedstudies.

• CriticalLoadsdevelopment(SHC3.3.1.3,ACE145,OARcriticalloadsdatabase).

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Step 1.3 Exposure: Determinethecurrentandprojectedfuturelevelsofnitrogenandco-pollutantexposureintargetedecologicalsystemsandhumanpopulationsacrossrelevantspatialandtemporalscales.

Needs:

• Betterdataondrinkingwaterandhumanexposurevianitrosaminesanddisinfection byproducts, and cyanotoxins.

• Developlowcostandtransportable,lowenergyNOy and speciated NOy instruments to characterizeambientnitrogenlevelsandcompletecertificationprocessforexistingNOy technology.

• Improvecharacterizationofnaturalsourcesofnitrogen(e.g.,soilsandlightning),organic nitrogen,andcloudandfogdepositioninhighelevationareas.

• Evaluatedrydepositionmodelperformance.

• Improveandexpandsoilweatheringrateestimatesnationally.

Supporting research:

• ResearchonmodelingemissionstoexposurepathwaysforNspecies(ACEMDST-3).

• ResearchonairmonitoringmethodswithtransfertoOAR/OAPandOAQPS(ACEEM-1and NMP-6).

• ACE,SSWR,andSHCdevelopmentofdatalayersfortheEnviroAtlas(SHC1.2.3.3).

• ORD,NationalParkServiceandForestServicedevelopmentoftotaldepositionmaps(ACE MDST-3).

• ORD/USGScollaborationonSPARROWmodeling.

• Assessmentofspatialspecificityofstatisticallybasedconditionassessmentsforprogramoffice needs(SSWR1.1).

Step 1.4 Services: Establishissue-definedmetricsbasedonenvironmental,societal,andeconomiccostsandbenefitsforuseinprioritizationoflocations,exposedpopulations,orecologicalsystemsfornitrogenload-ing/exposurereductions.

Needs:

• CoordinateexistingworkandestablishnewcollaborationswithUSGSforuseoftheNitrogen andPhosphorusPollutionDataAccess(NPDAT)tool.

• Developrelationshipsbetweenthresholds,incrementalchangesinnitrogenandco-pollutant loads,andeffectsonecosystemservices.

Supporting research:

• ResearchonNdepositionimpactsonbiodiversityleadingtoimpactsonrecreation,intrinsic valueandtimberproduction(SHC3.3.1.4).

• Determinationofeconomicandsocialcostsandbenefitsofnutrientreduction(SSWR1.2;6.5; SHC3.3.1.2;SSWR6.5;OW-OSTNutrientsintheEconomy).

• Effectsofnitrogenandco-pollutantloadsontheprovisionofecosystemservices(SHC3.3.1; SSWR6.5;OW).

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Step 1.5 Climate Change: Assessrobustnessofchosenmetricsunderscenariosofclimatechange;e.g.,increasedwatertem-peratureandprecipitationchanges.

Needs:

• Needtoimprovedownscaledclimatemodelstobetterpredictfutureairexposuresand threshold levels of nitrogen and co-pollutants.

• NeedtodeterminetotalNexposuretohumansandtheenvironmentfromtheemissionsof bothreducedandorganicN,whichhistoricallyhavebeenlessofafocusthanoxidizedN.

• NeedimproveddataonhowclimatewillalterterrestrialecosystemsensitivitytoNand co-pollutants.

• Needtodevelopapproachestoestimatetheanthropogeniccontributiontoacidification that comes from inputs of nitrogen to coastal/estuarine systems.

Supporting research:

• OWstudiesontheimpactofclimatechangeonNandco-pollutants.

Step 1.6 Exceedance: Identifyecosystems,humanpopulations,watershedunitsorareasthatareinexceedanceofthecriteriaorcriticalconcentration/levelorcriticalload;orthatarereasonablylikelytobeexposedtocriticalconcentrations/levels.

Needs:

• Determinehowmagnitude,requencyanddurationofnutrientloadingaffectexpressionof impairmentforaquaticendpoints,withcoordinationofeffortsinOWandORD.

• Determineextentofcriticalloadexceedanceonanationalscaleofmultipleendpointsfor aquaticandterrestrialacidificationandaquaticandterrestrialnitrogenenrichment.

Supporting research:

• Developmentofamodelingframeworkforpredictionofdepositionfieldstoallowestimation ofcriticalloadexceedances(ACEMDST-3).

• OWandORDmodelbasedapproachesmayaddresspotentialvulnerabilitiestoexceedancesof waterqualitystandards(SHC3.3.1.1).

• Physicalconditionassessmentapproaches(e.g.NARS)providestatisticallyvalid,scalable assessmentsofwhethercriticallevels(e.g.waterqualitycriteriavaluesfornutrients)arebeing exceeded.

• SatellitebasedmeasurementstodeterminewhetherTMDLvaluesarebeingexceededandfor measurementofcyanobacterialblooms(SSWR2.3B,2.3C).

• Numericnutrientcriteriadevelopment(SSWR2.3A).

• Developmentofnationalcriticalloadsdatabase(OAR).

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Step 1.7 Tools: Developapproachesandtoolstosupportprioritizationoflocations,systems,etc.formanagementactiontoreducenitrogenloadsandexposuresbasedonenvironmental,socialandeconomicrisks.

Needs:

• Aformalassessmentofexistingandproposeddecision-supporttools,togetherwithsome attempttowalkthroughsomescenariosofdesiredoutcomes.

• Toolsthatcanassesshumanhealthnon-attainmentareas,terrestrialeffectsfromdeposition, andwaterqualityissuesandrankanareaintermsofitspriorityforinterventions.

• Compilationinpubliclyaccessibleformatofexistinginformationonecologicalcriticalloadsfor terrestrialmetrics(e.g.terrestrialbiodiversity,soilacidification,aquaticacidification,etc.)

• Developaprocesstoensureintegrativesuccessofnutrientresearchhousedinmultipletasks, projects,ORDRAPsandOfficeandRegionalefforts.Inparticular,insureresultsofcasestudies (e.g.GOM,ChesapeakeBay,NarragansettBay)aremutuallyinformativeandcanstartto address research scaling issues.

• Developandintegrateecosystemservicemetricsandaccountabilitymeasuresforsocialand economic endpoints of concern into exposure-response models for nutrients.

Supporting research:

• OW’sRecoveryPotentialScreeningtoolincorporatesarangeofindicatorsandallowstheuserto examineparticularwatershedsforpotentialactionstoaddressNandotherstressors (http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/tmdl/recovery/index.cfm).

• CurrentecosystemserviceandeconomicworkbeingdoneinNarragansettandtheChesapeake Bayprograms(SSWR6.1,6.5);national-scalework(SHC3.3.1.2).

Science Challenge 2 – How do we set nitrogen and co-pollutant reduction goals for priority areas? Establishinggoalsfornitrogenandco-pollutantreductionisapolicymatter,butgoalsmustbegroundedinthebestavailablescience.Researchshouldbeappliedtoestimateeffectiveness,feasibility(economicandengineering),anduncertaintiesofarangeofpotentialreductiongoals.Narrativenutrientstandardsforambientwatersthatthemajorityofstateshaveinplacehavenotconsistentlyprovedeffectiveinadequatelyprotectingaquaticlifeanddownstreamecosystems.Similarly,currentambientairqualitystandardsdonotfullyprotectthemostsensitiveaquaticandterrestrialecosystems.Ozone,particulatematterandoxidesofnitrogenintheambientairalsocausesignificanthumanhealthconcernsandmustbeconsideredwhenmakingdecisionsaboutreducingnitrogenandco-pollutantsinageographicarea.Appropriatelyprotectiveandimplementablecriteriaandstandardswillbeimportantelementsofacomprehensivenitrogenandco-pollutantreductionstrategy.WeshouldalsoconsidergroundwaterqualitygoalsexpressedinstateregulationsaswellasMCLs,andunderstandthefateandtransportofnitrogenfromlandsurfacetogroundwaterandthentosurfacewater.

Sub-outcome:Eachprioritizedareahasarangeofscience-basedreductiontargetstoinformpolicy and management decisions.

Sub-output: Models, technologies, and decision-support tools that include economic and sustainabilityapproachestoaidwithsettingreductiongoalsandoptimizeimplementationapproaches.

Step 2.1 Synthesis: Compileandsynthesizeexistingscientificknowledgetoinformsettingreductiongoalsandidentifycriticalresearchgaps.

Needs:

• AsynthesisofNinputandeffectsfromsourcesotherthanair,specificallydesignedtohelpset reductiongoalsinpriorityareas.

• Anassessmentofnitrateandnitritesonhumanhealth.

• Nationaldatabaseorsynthesisofnutrient-relatedTMDLsandcriteria.

• Researchprovidingimprovedrelationshipsbetweennutrientsourceandnutrient-related impairments.Potentialsynthesesincludeimpairedwatersorwatersthatexceedtheproposed criteriawithsourceattribution,andexposureandeffectsindicatorsfromNARS.

Supporting research:

• HHRAconductstheIntegratedScienceAssessments(ISA)andIntegratedRiskInformation System(IRIS)ontheecologicalandhumanhealtheffectscausedbyspecificchemicalspeciesof N(HHRA2.2.1,2.1.4and1.1.17).

• OWiscreatingadatabaseof5000+nutrientTMDLswithNandPtargetvalues,waterbodytype, methodsetc.(AComparisonofNutrientWaterQualityTargetsandEPA–Recommended EcoregionalWaterQualityCriteria).

• OSTefforttocollateandpublishcriteriaviatheWebatthefollowingsite http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/nutrients/progress.cfm

Step 2.2 Sources: Determinethekeyassessmentendpointsandidentifythesourcesandtheirrelativecontributiontonitrogenandco-pollutantloadings,exposureandexceedancesaffectingpriorityareas,includingdownstreameffects.

Needs:

• Methodstoimprovesourceattributionestimatesfornitrogenandco-pollutantsatthe ecoregionandsmallwatershedscale.

• Formalassessmentofstrengthsandweaknessesofmodelsforuseinsourceapportionment (e.g.CMAQ,SWAT,SPARROW,VELMA,HAWQS)toprovideguidanceonappropriateusefor particular management or regulatory needs.

• Improvemethodstoestimateambientairconcentrationtodepositionratiosonabroadscale.

Supporting research:

• Nitrogensourceidentificationresearchusingstableisotopescanprovideatooltoestimate relativesourceimportance(SSWR2.3A).

• TheEnviroAtlas(SHC1.2.3.3)delineatesnitrogensourcestoterrestrialecosystemscharacterized at the 12 digit HUC level.

• SHC3.3.1.1providesinputsourceapportionmentbyHUC8andHUC12forlandandcoastal inputs.

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• ModelingeffortsusingNARSdataforinputwillapportiontherelativecontributionsofdifferent sourcescontributingtotheconditionsobserved(SSWR1.1).

• Transportandtransformationfromemissionstoexposure,andexposureofterrestrial ecosystemsfromatmosphericdeposition,aredealtwithintheEPAairqualitytools (ACEMDST-2,MDST-3).

• Sourceattributionfromemittingsectorsand/orfromgeographicregionsisavailableforair concentrationsandairdeposition,andupdatestoCMAQwilladdressammoniabi-directional exchange(ACEMDST-2).

• Receptororientedsourceattributiontoolsatthelocal,regional,andnationalscalesarebeing developed(ACEMA-4).

• Integratedair-waternitrogenbudgetsandsourceapportionmenttoattributethedeliveryof nutrientstotheGulfofMexico(ACEMDST-3).

• NsourceapportionmenttothecoastalzoneandscenariosofNloadingtoconterminousUS coastalzones(SHC3.3.1.1.).

• HHRAconductstheIntegratedScienceAssessments(ISA)andIntegratedRiskInformation System(IRIS)ontheecologicalandhumanhealtheffectscausedbyspecificchemicalspeciesof N(HHRA2.2.1,2.1.4and1.1.17).

Step 2.3 Exposure Response: Identifysourcetoexposurerelationships(howexposurerespondstosourcereduction)andquantifyairconcentration-to-depositionandterrestrial-to-aquaticrelationships.

Needs:

• ResearchisneededonNtransformationsinfreshwaterstreamandorlakesystems;linksto VELMAforsoiltostreamtransformationandCADDISshouldbeexplored.

• Assesshowchangesinemissionsaffectnitrogendepositionandtransportacrossterrestrial andaquaticecosystems.

Supporting research:

• ACEresearchaddressesmultipleissuesofconcentration,deposition,andtransportrelationships (NMP-6;MDST-3;MDST-2).

• Linkedocean,landatmosphericmodelsofNrtopredictGulfhypoxiaversussourcereduction (SSWR2.3D).

• Developingempiricalrelationshipsbetweenlanduseandnitrogenloadsforwestcoastestuaries (SSWR2.3A).

• SourcesofNassociatedwithlandusevariationaffectingloadstolakesandexpressionof cyanobacterialblooms(SSWR2.3C).DeterminesourcesofNrandexpressioninNarragansett Bay(SSWR6.1).

• HHRAconductstheIntegratedScienceAssessments(ISA)andIntegratedRiskInformation System(IRIS)ontheecologicalandhumanhealtheffectscausedbyspecificchemicalspeciesof N(HHRA2.2.1,2.1.4and1.1.17).

Step 2.4 Endpoint Response: Developsystem-wideecosystemexposure-responserelationshipsreflectingalternativeloadreductionscenarios(howecosystemrespondstochangesinreductionscenarios),includingdownstreameffects.

Needs:

• Researchonexposure-responseforterrestrialandaquaticecosystemcomponentsinrelation tonitrogenandco-pollutantdeposition.

• Improveunderstandingofhowotherstressors(e.g.ozone,pests,anddrought)mayexacerbate nitrogen and co-pollutant impacts.

• Linkingfreshwaterriverandstreamnutrientresponsemodels.

• Inclusionofsocietalandeconomicendpoints(inassessmentsofloadreductionscenarios).

Supporting research:

• Meta-analysisontheimpactsofnitrogendepositiononherbaceousbiodiversityusingseveral existingdatasourcesnationally(SHC3.3.1.3).

• TheISAforNOyevaluatesallrelevantpublishedliteratureregardingtheecologicaleffectsofNOy depositionasitcontributestoeffectscausedbytotalNloading.(HHRA2.2.1).

• Statisticalmodelsthatrelateconditionofspecificaquaticresourcestospatialindicatorsderived fromnationallyavailabledatasets(SSWR1.1B).

• Interlinkedexposure-responsemodelswhichdealwithmultiplemarineaquatictrophiclevels (SSWR2.3D).

• MethodsforestuarinesourcedeterminationofwhichNinputsaregoingtobiologicalresponse endpoints(e.g.macroalgae)(SSWR2.3.A).

• Humanhealthendpointsrelatedtocyanotoxins(SSWR2.3C).

Step 2.5 Services: Determineservicesofecosystemsandtheirvalueandquantifyecosystemserviceresponsefunctions,andmetrics,includingtoolsfortradeoffanalyses,toassessimpactsfromnitrogenandco-pollutantsourcesandloadsforecologicalsystemsorhumanpopulationsofinterest.

Needs:

• Nitrogenandco-pollutantimpactsonecosystemservicesandbenefitsshouldbequantifiedfor ecosystemscalemetricssuchasbiodiversityorproductivity.

• Ecosystemservicemetricsshouldbedevelopedforincrementalchangesinnitrogenand co-pollutant loadings.

• PublicwelfareimpactsofspecificNsourcessuchasammoniashouldbequantified.

• CurrentprojectsonWQtradingandTMDLsshouldbeconnectedtonutrientloadingand ecosystem services to inform regulatory and management decisions.

Supporting research:

• SHC3.3.1.2issynthesizingexistinginformationonconnectionsbetweennitrogenandsocialand economic systems.

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Step 2.6 Climate Change: Determinehowclimatechangemightaffectsystem-wideecosystemexposure-responserelationships.

Needs:

• ModelsbeingdevelopedbyACE,SHC,andSSWRshouldbeextended,wherepossible,to provideestimatesoftheeffectofclimateonnutrientdeliverytocoastalestuaries nationwide.

• Ecosystemendpointsandthresholdsshouldbeevaluatedwithchangingclimateparameters, e.g.,droughtandweatherextremes.

Supporting research:

• Regionalscaleresearchisbringingtogethermeteorology,hydrology,deposition,andwatershed deliveryofnutrientstocoastalestuaries(MARB/GOM)underclimatechangeconditions (ACE,SHCandSSWR).

Step 2.7 Tools: Provide tools to conduct integrated environmental, societal and economic analyses to establish nitrogenandco-pollutantreductiongoalsfortheprioritylocations.

Needs:

• CrossRAPcoordinationonproductionofnitrogenandco-pollutantrelateddecision-support tools.

• Increasedresearcheffortonhumanhealtheffectsofnitrogen,particularlynitrateindrinking water.

• Developmentandtestingoftoolstohelpdevelopnitrogenandco-pollutantreductionplans thatincludetoolsforsourceapportionment(e.g.NPDat)togetherwithperformance monitoring.

Supporting research:

• StudiesofnitrateindrinkingwaterunderRESERVandRAREinYakimaRiverBasinGroundwater ManagementArea,andSouthernWillametteValleyGroundwaterManagementArea.

• OWOW’sNitrateEpidemiologicalDataScopingStudy.

Science Challenge 3 – What’s in our toolbox to manage and reduce nitrogen and co-pollutant loads and does it work? Asuiteoftoolsisavailableforsettingstandardsandthenmonitoring,managing, and reducing nitrogen and co-pollutant loadings. These include regulatory controls in the form of criteria, standards, and permits to limit the amount of nitrogen and co-pollutant indischargesfromwastewatertreatmentplants,concentratedanimalfeedingoperations,andotherpointsourcestowaterandlimitsonatmosphericemissionsfromstationaryandmobilesources.Technologiesfornutrientremovalareavailablebutadditionalknowledgeisneededintheareasofintegratedmanagement,sustainabletreatmentforsmallsystems,andinnovativeand sustainable nutrient treatment technologies. A variety of tools are generally lumped under theterm“bestmanagementpractices”(BMPs)and“inspectionandmaintenance”(I/M)practicesparticularlyfornonpointsources.Theseincludetechniquesformonitoringandmanagingnitrogen

and co-pollutants at any point in the life cycle, in inputs such as fuels and industrial feedstocks, inimprovedindustrialandagriculturaltreatmentprocesses,andinwastestreamsthroughsequestrationandremovalinwetlands,ponds,andvegetatedbuffers.

Sub-outcome: Effectivenessofexistingnitrogenandco-pollutantstandardsimplementationandmanagement tools to reduce nitrogen and co-pollutant loadings is understood and improved.

Sub-output: Improvedtechnologiesandmanagementpracticestomonitorandreducenitrogenand co-pollutant loadings to achieve regulatory targets for nitrogen.

Step 3.1 Synthesis: Compileandsynthesizeexistinginformationtoidentifycriticalresearchgaps.

Needs:

• Developbetterdataonammoniaemissionsandtheirenvironmentalandhumanhealthimpacts.

• ImprovecollaborationwithUSDAintheareasoftechnologicalimprovementstoreducelosses ofnutrientsfromagriculturalfieldsandterrestrialBMPstoimprovebothsurfaceandground water.

Supporting research:

• NPDATtooleffortstomapanddeterminetherelativeimportanceofdifferentNsourcestoair, land,freshwater,andcoastalsystems(OW-USGScollaboration),toaidstatesandregionsin prioritizingareasforoptimalmanagementaction.

• ModelingandeconomicstudiestoincludeeconomicfactorsandtradeoffsinanNreduction strategy,andtomodelfutureloadingscenariosandimpacts(SSWR6.1;SSWR6.5;SHC3.3.1).

• Developingofadecisiontool(N-sink)toassiststatesinplanningtheirreductionstrategiesby illustratingthespatialarrangementofagriculturalorurbanNsourcesandsoiland wetlandNsinks(SHC3.3.1.5).

• Evaluationoftheeffectiveness,theeconomiccostsandbenefitsofgreeninfrastructure(GI) (SSWR4.2A).

• OngoingcollaborationwithUSDAtoimprovenutrienttrading,theNationalWaterQuality Initiative,theWhiteHousenutrientchallenges,andthejointUSDA-USGS-EPAworkshopon nitrogen management.

• AsuiteofGIS-basedtoolsforsitingLowImpactDevelopmentinanurbanwatershedisbeing developedasoneBMPsitingtool(SSWR4.3;SSWR2.3E).

Step 3.2 Technologies: Developneworimprovedtechnologiesandevaluatetheireffectivenesstosupportplace-basedandproblem-basednitrogenpollutionreductiondecisions.

Needs:

• Developmentofrapid,costeffectivetechnologiesformonitoringofwaterqualityresponseto managementactionsisneededtodeterminewhichreductioninterventionsaresuccessful.

• Acriticalreviewofstrengths,weaknessesandinteroperabilityofthemodels(availableand underdevelopment)relatedtonitrogenandco-pollutantmanagement.

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• Conductanassessmentoftheimpediments(social,economic,environmental)toimplementa- tionofnitrogenandco-pollutantmanagementtechnologies,whetherestablishedornovel, at the scales necessary to solve the problem.

• EvaluateandimprovemobilesourceestimatesofNOx.

• Improveemissionfactorsforoilandgasextractionprocesses.

Supporting research:

• NationalCenterforSustainableWaterInfrastructureModelingResearch.STARRFAforCenter funding, 2014.

Step 3.3 Data: Developmechanismstoimprovequalityandquantity,includingnon-EPAdata,asinputintostep3.1formodelinputtoassessthepotentialeffectivenessofmanagementapproachesfornitrogensources.

Needs:

• Developmethodstodistinguishbetweenvariationsincontributionsofsurfaceandground waterinputs,andtheorganicandinorganicnitrogenspecies,insettingswherenon-pointsource nitrogenandco-pollutantsrepresentthemajorinput.

• Developacommongeoreferencedformatfordatamanagementanddataexchangetofacilitate evidence based nitrogen and co-pollutant management decisions.

• Developmeanstoleverageotheragencynationalmonitoringnetworkstodeterminechangesin ecosystemconditionresultingfrommanagementchoices(e.g.USForestServiceForest InventoryandAnalysisdatabase,theNationalParksServiceInventoryandMappingdatabase).

• IncreaseambientmeasurementsofNOy and NHx.

• IncreasemeasurementsinthemountainousWestofambientairandwaterquality.

Supporting research:

• TheEPAGeoPlatformhasbeenestablishedtoprovideacommongeoreferencedformat.

• Thedevelopmentoftheproposednationalmonitoringnetwork(http://acwi.gov/monitoring/ network/)involvingprimarilyUSGS,EPA,NOAA.

• Nitrogenloadingfrommultiplesourcestotheatmosphereandtoaquaticsystemsisbeing modeledatnationalscales(SHC3.3.3.1;ACEMDST-3).

• Aconceptualapproachforresearchintegrationdesignedtoinformavarietyofmanagement interventionshasbeendevelopedforNarragansettBay,andwilldocumentsomeofthe estuarineeffectsofmanagementinterventions,andcanbetransferredtootherlocations(SSWR 6.1).

Step 3.4 Cost impacts: Developscalableandtransferablemethodstoquantifyeconomiccostsandbenefitsofchangesinnitrogenloadandimpactduetocontroltechnologiesandmanagementpractices.

Needs:

• Developimproveddataontherelationbetweengreeninfrastructureapproaches,levelsof resultantreductionsinnitrogenandco-pollutants,particularlyingroundwater,andthe costsperunitreduction.

• Compileandsynthesizeindividualcasestudiesandsystems-levelapproachesthatdirectlyrelate decisionsbyaregulatororinstitutiontothetotalNloadreductionandassociatedsuiteofcosts.

• WithcollaborationofWERFandotherusergroups,developcommoncostaccountingunitsor currencyfordecisionsatPOTWsanddrinkingwatertreatmentfacilitiestohelpmakebetterand more reasonable comparisons in costs.

Supporting research:

• ChesapeakeBayRestoration:ecosystemservicesandmarketbasedaspectsofTMDL implementationfornutrientsandsediment(SSWR6.5).

Science Challenge 4 – What are some new, innovative approaches we haven’t tried before? Traditionalregulatoryandnon-regulatorymeasuresmaynotbesufficienttoachievethegoalsestablishedforapriorityarea.Innovativeapproachesthatgobeyondindividualsourcesmaybenecessarytobemoreeffective,efficient,sociallyacceptableandsustainable.

Sub-outcome:Costeffective,innovative,sustainablesolutionsforlargescale,multimedia,nitrogenandco-pollutantmanagementapproachesareavailabletoprogramoffices,regionaloffices,states,tribes,andcommunities.Thesesolutionsincludesustainablenitrogenandco-pollutant management of important unregulated sources of nitrogen and co-pollutants in high priority areas.

Sub-output: Provide technical support to design sustainable approaches, beyond current regulatoryapproaches,tomanagenitrogenandco-pollutantsthatconsidermultimediapathwaysofnitrogenandco-pollutants.Issuesmayinvolve:wholefarmanalysisofNrandco-pollutantpathways;modelingofnitrogenandco-pollutantemissionsgenerationfromalternativeenergysystems;co-managementofanimalmanureandmunicipalbiosolidsinanaerobicdigesters;WWTPnutrientrecoveryfromwastewaterstreams;andcalibrationoffertilizerapplicationratesforsite-specificconditions.

Step 4.1 Synthesis: Compileandsynthesizeexistingscientificknowledgetoinformthedevelopmentofnewstrategiestomeetreductiongoalsandidentifycriticalresearchgaps.

Needs:

• Compilationandsynthesisofnewapproachestomeetingnitrogenandco-pollutantreduction goals.

• Specificplanforfundingandstaffinginformationcompilationandsynthesisonnewstrategiesto meetreductiongoals.

Supporting research:

• Evaluationoftheeffectivenessofnewtoolsandtechniquesfocusedatlocalandregionalscales (SSWR4.2.C-STARgrantfocusedonChesapeakeBay).

Step 4.2 Innovative Strategies: Developscalable,transferable,sustainable,andinnovativemanagementapproachesthatinclude unregulatedsourcesofnitrogen(e.g.,agriculture,septicsystems,urbanstormwaterandunpermittedairsources).

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Needs:

• Increasedresearchoncontrolapproachesforunregulatedairsource.

• Compilationandintegrationofresultsfromthenumerouswater-focusedresearcheffortsin ORDandtheOfficesforinputintoStep4.4.

Supporting research:

• STARfundedfourresearchcentersbasedonanRFAthatisdirectlyrelatedtothegoalofthisRE (SSWR2.3F).

Step 4.3 Future Factors: Determinetherobustnessofinnovativenitrogenmanagementapproachesunderscenariosoffuturechange(climate,demography,landuse).

Needs:

• Furtherresearchtoconnectthemanagementpracticestogroundwatercontamination, particularlyingroundwaterdependentregions,requiresattention.Changesindemographyand agriculturalpracticeswillshiftpressuresofnitrogenpollutiontodifferentlocationsand theeffectofthosechangestonitrogenloadinginwatermaybesubstantial.

• Developabilitytopredicthowagriculturallandusechangesfromanimalhusbandryandcrop productionwillalterfuturenutrientinputs.

Supporting research:

• One-environmentmodeldevelopmenttoestimateagriculturalmanagementandlanduse changeeffectsonatmosphericandaquaticsystemsunderclimatechange(ACEMDST-3; SSWR2.3D).

Step 4.4 Analysis of Strategy Effectiveness: Determinetheeffectivenessintermsofenvironmental,economicandsocietalmetricsofproposedinnovativemanagementapproachesthatincludeunregulatedsourcesofnitrogen.

Needs:

• ExpandtheBenMAPmodeltoincludeeconomicandsocialcostsandbenefitsassociatedwith nitrogenandco-pollutantreductions.

• ExpandandimprovecollaborationwithUSDAonanalysesofairandwaterqualitychanges associatedwithlandmanagement.

• Developexternalcollaborationtoleverageandextendcurrentresearchtoacidificationofforest soilsandtodeveloptherequiredconcentration-responsefunctions.

• Throughcollaborationwithotheragencies,expandworkonimpactofnitrogenonbiodiversity fromthenortheasternUnitedStatestothewesternUnitedStatesandtoincludegrasslandsand rangelands,encompassingresearchonacidificationofforestsoils.

Supporting research:

• Researchonaquaticacidificationduetonitrogenandco-pollutantdeposition.

• Currentresearchonairdepositionimpactsonecosystemservicesincoastalestuaries, particularlytheChesapeakeBay,isconnectingtheHydrologicandWaterQualitySystem

(HAWQS)withCMAQtoaddressairdepositionimpactsonnutrientsinfreshwatersystems (OAR/OW/ORDcollaboration),withlinkagetoBenMAPforvaluations.

• STARresearchcenterhasbeenawardedatPennState,withafocusontheChesapeakeBay, thatproposestodevelopanintegrated,holisticapproachtounderstandingdriversand pressuresrelatedtonitrogenandphosphorus,valuationofecosystemservicesandalternative decision scenarios.

• OWisworkingtoimprovebenefitsanalysistools,including(1)updatingtheWaterQualityIndex toolusedtodefinedesignateduses,(2)updatingthemeta-analysisofwaterquality valuationstudiesformorerobustsupportofassessments,and(3)developingmethodstomore consistentlyincludeavoidedcostsinbenefit-costanalysesofregulations.

Science Challenge 5 – Are we getting the reductions and ecosystem and human health benefits we expect? Integratednitrogenandco-pollutantmanagementforpriorityareaswillrequireloadreductionsfromvariouscombinationsofatmospheric,terrestrial,andaquaticsources,involvingregulatoryandnon-regulatoryactions.Determiningoverallaccountabilityforthereductionsandverifyingtheexpectedameliorationofimpactsimpliestheneedfornovelapproachestomonitoringandassessment.ThisScienceChallengeunderscorestheimportanceof(1)collectingappropriate baseline data on nitrogen and other pollutants to provide a basis for tracking changes, and(2)collectinginformationonotherfactorsthatareexpectedtocausechangesinnitrogenloadings,suchaseconomicgrowthorcausechangesineffectsofnitrogenloadings,suchasclimate and land use changes.

Sub-outcome:Accountfortheimpactofnitrogenandco-pollutantloadingreductionsonhumanhealthandecosystemsandverifyco-benefitsofnitrogenandco-pollutantmanagement.

Sub-output: Metrics, monitoring designs, and methods to assess changes in accountability endpointsindicatingconditionoftheecosystem,humanhealth,andsocietalbenefitsresultingfromapplicationofmanagementactions.

Step 5.1 Synthesis: Compileandsynthesizeexistinginformationtoidentifycriticalresearchgaps.

Needs:

• Researchtoquantifytherelationofnitrogenandco-pollutantreductionsandecosystemand humanhealthbenefits.TheNAPAPreportdocumentsemissionreductionsundertheCAAbut wasunabletoquantifythemonetaryroleofdepositioninmanycases,anddefinedtheneedfor anadequateassessmentofecosystemservicebenefits.

• Establishmentofamorecomprehensivecross-Agencyeffortisneededtoanswerthisquestion for the United States.

Supporting research:

• NARSsurveyswillassessdatafromsurveysrepeatingovertimetotrackchangesinnutrient levels,butthesurveysitesaregenerallynottiedtomanagementorpolicyeffortstoachieve nutrientreductions.

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• TheUSGSNAQWAprogramprovidesrelevantdataforspecificwatershedsandmaycontribute to this issue.

• OAR’sannualAirTrendsReporttracksnitrogenreductionsintheambientair.

Step 5.2 Models: ForpriorityareasidentifiedinRE1and2,developmultimediamodels(conceptualorcomputer-based)ofthecausalchainfromsourcestoeffects,andestablishaccountabilitymeasuresforenvironmental, economic, and social endpoints of concern.

Needs:

• Socio-economictechniquesthatprovide(1)theabilitytomodelthespanofecosystem responsestochangesinexposureatnumerouslocations,and(2)theabilitytomodel the socioeconomic metrics of key ecosystem endpoints of concern.

• Modelingsystemsforterrestrialeffectsthatintegratebiogeochemicalandvegetationmodels andlinkwithecosystemservicesthatcanmodelbiodiversitychangeaspartofanaccountability assessment.

• Improvedmodelingcapabilitythatincludesaccountabilitymeasuresforsocialandeconomic endpoints,andimprovedabilitytotiequantitativebiologicalresponsesinarigorousfashionto quantitativeloadsorconcentrationsofnutrientsinnaturalwaterbodies.

Supporting research:

• EffortstolinkCMAQwithaquaticacidificationmodels,suchasMAGIC,andtolinkCMAQwith estuarinemodels,suchastheChesapeakeBaymodel(ACEMDST-3).

• ThesecondaryNOx-SOx standardreviewcouldbeusedtoprioritizeareasforadditionaleffortto support accountability assessments.

• DemonstrationstudiesinChesapeakeBayandNarragansettBayareevaluatingchangesin nutrientloadingfromatmosphericdeposition,non-pointsourcesfromland,andpoint sourcestowaterways(SSWR6.1and6.5).

• WatershedandestuarineindicatorsandmetricsarebeingtestedinSSWR6.1.

Step 5.3 Metrics: Incorporatemethods,models,andmetricsdevelopedforRE1throughRE4tocharacterizeenvironmental,economic,andsocialendpointsofconcernanddefineaccountabilitymetricsforkeypointsalongtheentirecausalchain.

Needs:

• Carefullydesignedlongitudinalstudiesfocusedonhumanhealthimpactsatlocaltoregional spatialscalestodetermineifmanagementinterventionsareeffective.

• Scalablesocioeconomicmethods,models,andmetricstoassesstheeffectivenessof managementinterventions,suchasterrestrialBMPs.

• Developmentofmethodsforquantificationofinterventioncosts,abilityandwillingnesstopay, multiplebenefitsandco-benefitsrelatedtoBMPs.

• Improvedaccesstorelevantmicro-economicdataisrequiredtoaddresssocialandeconomic metricstodocumentecosystemandhumanhealthbenefitsatfinerspatialscales.

• Improvedmethodsforcollaborativeknowledgesharingandproblemsolving.

Supporting research:

• Stateleveleffortfocusedontrackingandmappingasthmaincidenceatfinescales,inrelation tosocioeconomicandenvironmentalco-factors,todeterminetheeffectivenessoflocal managementinterventionsdesignedtoimprovehumanhealthoutcomes.

Step 5.4 Verification Procedures: Establishverificationandreportingprocedures(e.g.managementactiondatabase)toconfirmneededloadreductionpracticesareinplaceforpriorityareas.

Needs:

• Ifasystemiscurrentlylacking,programofficesshouldestablishaprocessforacquisitionofthe neededinformationandestablishadatabase.Thiscouldbeaccomplishedacrossprogramsor agencies.Forexample,theUSGSnitratemonitoringprogrammaybeoneexampleofsupporting research.

Step 5.5 Monitoring Systems: Develop scalable and transferable monitoring systems to detect changes in both exposure and human and ecosystem responses to changing levels of nitrogen.

Needs:

• Supportandenhancemonitoringprogramsthatprovidetheinformationneededtoassess system-level, long-term response to policies and management.

• Investigationofcross-agencyeffortsisparticularlyneeded.TheUSDA-ledinteragency MississippiRiverBasinHealthyWatersheds(MRBI)shouldbeassessedtodeterminewhether its methods and results are transferable to other regions of the country. The USFS-FIA and NPS- I&Mprogramsshouldbesimilarlyassessedforrelevantinformation.

Supporting research:

• Supportforongoingmonitoringnetworks(OAR)includingStateandLocalAirMonitoring Stations(SLAMS).NCoreisanewNAAQS-related,multipollutantnetworkthatintegrates severaladvancedmeasurementsystemsforparticles,pollutantgasesandmeteorology.

• Threeothernationalnetworksaddressandreportoutonregionaltrendsconnectedto nonurbanandecosystemexposure:TheNationalAtmosphericDepositionProgram(NADP),the CleanAirStatusandTrendsNetwork(CASTNET)andtheInteragencyMonitoringofProtected VisualEnvironments(IMPROVE).

• Thedevelopmentofscalableandtransferablemonitoringdesignsformeasurementofanyof arangeofenvironmentalmetricsiswelladvancedwithinthetechnicalsupporteffortsinORD (SSWR1.1)andtheNARSwithinOW.

• TemporallyIntegratedMonitoringofEcosystems(TIME)andLong-termMonitoring(LTM) Projectsprovidesomeconsistentmonitoringoflakesandstreamsforacidity.

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Science Challenge 6 – How do we best maintain inter-office accountability, assess progress, and communicate results to the public? Theprogramoffices,regionaloffices,andORDneedtohold each other accountable for fully engaging in the research planning process, carrying out the researchplan,andreportingonresearchprogress.AlsofollowingdirectlyfromtheaccountabilityestablishedunderScienceChallenge5,thepublic,whichhasultimateresponsibilityforthenitrogenandco-pollutantreductiongoals,needstounderstandtheimpactsofnutrientpollutionandtheimpactsofalternativeloadreductionactionsandtheirefficacyinachievingthereductiongoalsandtheimpactonhumanhealth,theenvironment,andco-benefits.

Sub-outcome: TheprogramOffices,regionaloffices,andORDstayfullyengagedandinformed.Thepublicunderstands(1)baselinenitrogenandco-pollutantloadingsandtheirimpactsonhumanhealth,ecosystems,andlocal/nationaleconomies;(2)theimpactnitrogenandco-pollutantloadreductionshaveonhumanhealth,ecosystems,andlocal/nationaleconomics;and(3)actionstheycantaketoreduceloadsandrecoverecosystemservices.

Sub-output:Communicationstrategies,tools,techniques,andreportstosupportEPAprogramoffices,regionaloffices,andthepublictoassessandinterprettrends,changesinaccountabilitymetrics,andpotentialoutcomesofimplementingalternativeloadreductionapproaches.

Step 6.1 Inter-office Accountability: Developefficientprocessestoinsureinter-officeaccountability.

Needs:

• Annualstakeholdermeetingsbetweenprogramoffices,regionaloffices,andORDtodiscuss researchpriorities,progress,andpotentialcollaborationsaroundspecifictopicsofcommon interest.

• AnannualNitrogenandCo-PollutantRoadmapmeetingtoimprovecommunicationand reviewprioritiesonongoingresearchacrosstheORD,OW,OAR,andtheregionaloffices.

Supporting research:

• ORDresearchprogramannualmeetings(ACEJamboree,SHCCommunique,SSWRL’eauDown) currently discuss nitrogen and co-pollutant research.

Step 6.2 Inter-office Points of Contact: Programofficepointsofcontactwillestablishregularinteractionandcommunicationonkeyindividualresearchprojects,andinformtheirmanagementofresearchstatus.

Needs:

• OAR,OWandregionalcontactsshouldbeassignedtotrackprogressofkeyindividualORD researchprojects,andmayparticipateinandcoordinatewithspecificprojects,asrequired.

Supporting research:

• ORDresearchprojectscurrentlyhavepointsofcontactintheofficesandregionaloffices, butinteractionstendtobeadhocandvariableamongindividualresearchprojects.

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Step 6.3 Synthesis: CatalogcurrentEPAeffortstocommunicatenitrogenandco-pollutanttoolsandinformation to the public.

Needs:

• AnassessmentoftheinventoryofcurrentOAR,OW,ORD,andregionalcommunicationsefforts and tools nutrient issues.

Supporting research:

• TheEPANutrientPollutionwebsite(http://www2.epa.gov/nutrientpollution)hasinformation andlinkstoCommunication,TeachingandTechnicalResources.

• Variousexistingreportingtools,(e.g.,ReportontheEnvironment,annualAirTrends Report,305breport,NAPAPreport).

• WaterSenseandEnergyStarwebsitesandstaffcanprovideinsight/howto’saboutempowering thepublicandstakeholderstotakeaction.

• “EconomicAnalysisofNitrogenandPhosphorusPollutionintheU.S.,”areportonthecosts associatedwithnutrientpollution(OST-SHPD).

• Developedamobilephoneapplicationforrapiddisseminationofsatellitedatatostakeholders (SSWR2.3B).

• Explorationofsocialmediacommunicationsstrategiesforcyanobacterialresearchresults, includingtheHarmfulAlgalBlog,anInternalEPABlog(SSWR2.3C).

Step 6.4 Communication Strategy: DevelopacoordinatedOne-EPApubliceducationstrategytoinformandeducatethepublic about nitrogen and co-pollutant issues.

Needs:

• DevelopacoordinatedEPApubliceducationcampaigntoinformthepublicabouttheimpactof nitrogen and co-pollutant loadings on ecosystems, human health, and the economy, and the actionstheycantaketoreducetheirimpacts.

• Assessstrategiestocommunicatewithdifferingstakeholders,e.g.individuals,schoolchildren, otherscientists,keydecisionmakers,homeowners,farmers,municipalities,stateorFederal agencies,environmentalorrecreationorganizations.

• Determinewhatbehavioralchangeswouldhavethemostimpactonreducingnitrogenand co-pollutants.

• Aclearplantogettheresultsofresearchfindingsintotheheadsandhandsofournon-EPA partners, NGOs, etc.

Supporting research:

• OWofferedtraining“WaterWordsthatWork,”whichwasveryhelpfulidentifyinghowtophrase and meet the target audience at its need.

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• SHC(3.3.1)isreachingouttoorganizationsthathavedevelopedanitrogenfootprinttoolforuse byindividualstoreducetheirNfootprint,inordertoapplythistoolatinstitutionaland community scales.

• TheEnergyStarprogramwouldbeagoodsourceofinformationondevelopingapublic communicationstrategy.

Step 6.5 Communications Evaluation and Measurement: DesignmeasurestodeterminewhetherpublicbehaviorschangedasaresultofEPAactions.

Needs:

• Developmetricsforimpactofprogramsandactions;e.g.evaluationofappearanceofmessages inmedia,speeches,changesinsales(ormarketing)ofproductsorprocessesthatuseorreduce Nrandco-pollutants;websitevisits;numberofdownloads;socialmediameasurements; researchcitations;meetingattendance.

Supporting research:

• ManyoftheNEPprogramshavedevelopednutrientreductionprograms,nutrientissue communicationprograms,andmaybeanimportantsourceofinformationforsuccessful evaluationapproaches.

Appendix F. Inventory of EPA Research Related to Nitrogen and Co-Pollutants

ColorCodes: Air, Climate, and Energy

Sustainable and Healthy Communities

Safe and Sustainable Water Resources

Human Health Risk Assessment

Office of Water

Office of Air and Radiation

Office of Environmental Information

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

EM-1/Task 176 Development of Federal reference methods for NO2 and SO2

FY15 Russell Long

EM-2/Task 077 N2Oemissionsfromnitrificationanddenitrificationusingtracegasspectroscopy

FY15 DavidWilliams

EM-3/Task 109 Fusionofdataandmodeloutputsforspatialfieldsacrosstime

FY15 Dave Holland; Val Garcia

EM-3/Tasks 244, 245, 175

Satellite monitoring to track regional NH3 changewithtime

FY14, FY17 JimSykman; JesseBash

EM-3/Tasks 245,175

SatellitetopdownconstraintsonNH3 emissions

FY15 JimSykman; JesseBash

MA-1/Task 145 Modeling terrestrial individual and interac-tiveeffectsfromclimatechangeandnitrogendepositionchangeonecosystembiodiversityinlightofcriticalloads.

FY15 Chris Clark

MA-2/Task 137 Population,landusechangeandclimatechange tools

FY17 BrittaBierwagen

MA-2/Task 252 Streamflowandnitrogenfluxchangeunderclimate change

FY16 TomJohnson

MA-3/Task 041 Down-scaledregionalclimateapplication-driveairandwatermodels

FY15 Chris Nolte

MA-4/Task 110 CMAQadjointforreceptor-orientedsourceattribution

FY14/15 Rob Pinder

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Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

MDST-2/Task 174

Modeling regional and urban exposure of air pollutants

FY14, FY17 JonPleim

MDST-2/Task 174

Regionalairqualitywithmeteorology-airqualityfeedbacks

FY14 JonPleim

MDST-2/Tasks 174, 167

CMAQDDM-3Dforsource-orientedsourceattribution

FY16 Sergey Napelenok

MDST-3 Processeddepositionfieldsfornitrogendepositionexposureandcriticalloadesti-mates using state of the science modeling

FY14, FY17 Ellen Cooter

MDST-3 Multi-mediamodelingforGOMHypoxiaincollaborationwithSSWR2.3D

FY16 Ellen Cooter, JohnLehrter

MDST-3 Integratedair-waternitrogenbudgets FY16 Ellen CooterMDST-3 Modeledairconcentration-to-deposition

relationshipsFY14, FY17 DonnaSchwede

MDST-3/Task 008

Simulationofregionaldepositionandassociatedairquality

FY14, FY17 JesseBash

MDST-3/Task 008

ImprovementofCMAQsoilNOflux FY15 JesseBash

MDST-3/Task 008

Multi-mediamodelinglinkedtoBenMAPbenefitsmodel

TBD (unfunded)

ChristineDavis

MDST-3/Task 008

Multi-mediaCMAQmodelwithcropagriculture management

FY16 Ellen Cooter; JesseBash

MDST-3/Task 008

Oneenvironmentmodeling(incollaborationwithSSWR2.3D)

FY16 Ellen Cooter

MDST-3/Task 008

Oneenvironmentmodeling(incollaborationwithSHC3.3.1.2)

FY16 Ellen Cooter; JanaCompton

MDST-3/Task 008

Integratedmulti-mediamodelingofair-driven component

FY14, FY17 DonnaSchwede

MDST-3/Task 056

Couple meteorology and hydrology for climate studies

FY15 Tanya Spero

MDST-3/Task 057

Sensitivityofdepositiontodownscaledclimate

FY17 Ellen Cooter

MDST-4/Task 155

Down-scaledregionalclimatemethods-coupling meteorology and hydrology

FY16 TanyaOtte

NMP-1/six tasks

Research to determine human exposure andhealtheffectsofairpollutantmixturesaswellassinglepollutantsinamultipol-lutant context, spanning from in vitro to multi-citystudies

Robert Devlin

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Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

NMP-6/Tasks 064, 105

Development of reliable air-surface fluxmeasurementsandmodelparameterizationsusingempiricalmeasurement

JohnWalker; JesseBash

NMP-6/Tasks 064, 105

Air-surfacefluxmeasurementsdesignformonitoring system

FY14, FY17 JohnWalker, JesseBash

NMP-6/Tasks 064, 105

Morereliableair-surfacefluxmeasurements and model parameterizations

FY14, FY17 JohnWalker; JesseBash

NMP-6/Tasks 105, 064

Airconcentration-to-depositionrelationships

FY14, FY17 JohnWalker; JesseBash

SEE-1/Task 017 EnergysystemmodelingusingMARKALoptimizationtool

FY15 WilliamYelverton

SEE-1/Task 251 Waterdemandassociatedwithenergyproduction

FY14/15 Rebecca Dodder

SEE-2/Task 027 BiofuelsandoptimizedenergysystemwithMARKAL(incollaborationwithMDST-3)

FY14 Rebecca Dodder

SEE-2/Task 178 N2O emissions from agricultural systems FY17 Rebecca Dodder; Ellen Cooter

SHC 1.2.3.3 Atlas of modeled hydrologic N loadings underclimatescenariossummarizedat12digitHUCforNation

MeganMehaffey

SHC 1.2.3.3 SpatiallyconnectedmetricsforAgNsource-sinkrelationshipssummarizedat12digitHUCforNation

MeganMehaffey

SHC 1.2.3.3 CMAQNdepositionsummarizedat12DigitHUCforNation

FY13 Robin Dennis

SHC 2.61 ReportonthecharacterizationofbeneficiariesofFEGStosupportincorporationofecosystemservicesintocommunity-andnational-scaledecisionmaking

FY15 Dixon Landers

SHC 2.61 Reportonaframeworkandmetricsfor assessing the transferability of EGS productionfunctionsandestimates

FY16 TedDeWitt

SHC 2.61 Changeinair-qualityecosystemservices(Ozone,PM,SO2andvisibility)andstress-ors(NandSdeposition,aciddeposition)intheMidwest,associatedwithascenarioofincreasedcornproduction.

FY16 Ellen Cooter

67

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

SHC 2.1.2; SHC 2.1.5

Scaling and transferability of ecosystem servicesprovidedbyPNWestuaries[co-producedbyProject2.1.2(EcologicalProductionLibraryTask)andProject2.1.5(Uncertainty,scalability&transferabilityEGSTask)]

FY13 TedDeWitt

SHC 2.1.2.1 Web-ready,searchabledatabaseofecologicalproductionfunctionsformultiplescalesandmultiplegeographies.

FY14 Randy Bruins

SHC 3.3.1.1 ReportonSustainabilityandefficiencyinthenitrogencycle:Interventionstobenefithumanwell-beingandecosystems.(Pub-licationthatconnectsNinputsbyregionto the impacts of these sources and the managementapproaches)

FY13 JanaCompton

SHC 3.3.1.1 Quantificationofnitrogenloadingimpactsby source on community-relevant end-points to inform decisions in Mississippi Basin(3.3.1.4)andothersensitivecoastaldrainingwatersheds.(PaperpublishedFY14)

FY15 JanaCompton

SHC 3.3.1.1 PublicationsoncurrentandfutureNloadswithsourceattributiontowatershedsandcoastalwaters,includinginformationaboutthepotentialenvironmental,socialandeconomic impacts.

FY16 JanaCompton

SHC 3.3.1.1 Quantificationofnitrogenloadingimpactsby source on integrated environmental, social and economic endpoints for conter-minousU.S.toinformdecisionsinsensitivecoastaldrainingwatersheds.

FY16 JanaCompton

SHC 3.3.1.1 PublicationonrelationshipsbetweenfuturecoastalNloadingandpotentialcommunity-relevantcoastalwaterqualityandeutrophicationimpactsintheU.S.

FY15 JanaCompton

SHC 3.3.1.1 GISlayercompilationsofallNinputdataattheHUC12leveltoidentifydominantsources and rates of N inputs to the landscapeforwatershedsatthisscale.

FY13 JanaCompton

SHC 3.3.1.1 Report:Sustainabilityandefficiencyinthenitrogencycle:Interventionstobenefithumanwell-beingandecosystems

FY15 JanaCompton

68

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

SHC 3.3.1.1 Quantificationofnitrogenloadingimpactsbysourceoncommunity-relevantwaterqualityendpoints,includingNRSAwaterqualitydataandotheravailablewaterqualityinformation.

FY16 JanaCompton

SHC 3.3.1.1 LandscapeNsources-whatisthecurrentspatialpatternandamountofNinputtothelandscape,andwherearethegapsandlargestuncertainties?GISlayercompilationsofallNinputdataattheHUC8level(FY12)toidentifydominantsourcesand rates of N inputs to the landscape for watershedsatthisscale.

FY12 JanaCompton

SHC 3.3.1.1 EstuaryDataMapper:GeospatialdatalayerstodefineNloadingstocoastalwatershedsandestuariesoftheconterminous U.S.

FY13 Naomi Detenbeck

SHC 3.3.1.10 EvaluationsofnaturalandengineeredNremovingstructuresasacombinationofEPAreportsorjournalarticles.

FY14 KenForshay

SHC 3.3.1.11 Technicalreportonculturaleutrophicationeffectsonbelowgroundstructureofnortheast salt marshes.

FY14 CathyWigand

SHC 3.3.1.11 Modelandtechnicalreportrelatingcom-binedeutrophicationandclimatechangeeffectsonNewEnglandcoastalwetlandswillbedevelopedtoassistinforecastingcombinedeffectsofnutrientloadings,sealevel rise, and climate change.

FY14 CathyWigand

SHC 3.3.1.2 IntegratedscalableframeworkofresponserelationshipsbetweenNloadsandtheecosystemgoodsandserviceproduction,humanhealthandwell-being,andeconomicbenefitsfunctions.

FY13 JanaCompton

SHC 3.3.1.2 RESERVProjectfindings:EcosystemservicesimpactsofreactiveNloadinginLowerYakimaRiverBasin.

FY13 JanaCompton

SHC 3.3.1.2 Physical input-output tables for economic commoditiesandsectorsthatreleasereactiveNintotheenvironmentforuseinscenarios and LCA.

FY14 JanaCompton

69

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

SHC 3.3.1.3 Meta-analysis on the impacts of nitrogen depositiononherbaceousbiodiversityus-ingseveralexistingdatasourcesnationally.

FY14 Christopher Clark

SHC 3.3.1.3 Analysis on the impacts of nitrogen depositiononherbaceousbiodiversityusingnewlycollecteddatathatwillcoverimportant gap areas.

FY15 Christopher Clark

SHC 3.3.1.3 Workshopreport/journalarticleontheinteractiveimpactsofnitrogendepositionand climate change on ecosystems and ecosystemservices,focusingonwaterandhydrology, biodiversity, biogeochemical cycling,acidification,andozone.

FY12 Christopher Clark

SHC 3.3.1.4 NewnationalCMAQnitrogenandsulfurmulti-pollutantscenariosusingbi-direc-tionalammoniaair-surfaceexchangebasedon the latest regulatory rules.

FY13 Robin Dennis

SHC 3.3.1.4 Air-waternitrogenbudgetscenario(s)forthe Mississippi River Basin using the linked EPIC,CMAQ,VICandNEWSmodels.

FY14 Robin Dennis

SHC 3.3.1.4 Air-waternitrogenbudgetsandassociatedecosystemservicesscenarios(s)fortheMississippiRiverBasinconnectingecosys-tem service algorithms to the linked EPIC, CMAQ,VIC,NEWSsystem.

FY15 Ellen Cooter

SHC 3.3.1.4 Scenarios of the impact of climate change onair-waternitrogenbudgetsandassociated ecosystem services for the Mississippi River Basin.

FY16 Ellen Cooter

SHC 3.3.1.5 N-Sink:Simplegeospatialtoolformanagersto describe sources and sinks of nitrogen inawatershedandfieldtestattwocasestudy areas.

FY13 KenForshay

SHC 3.3.1.5 ScienceInAction:Explanationandsummary of the use of N-Sink as a nitrogen management tool.

FY14 KenForshay

SHC 3.3.1.9 Manuscript on N mass balance and the importanceofnitrification/denitrificationpotentialinpeatlandsoftheUpperMississippi River Basin.

FY14 Brian Hill

70

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

SHC 4.61 3.3.1.2Institutionalfootprinttool-Datatemplate and user’s manual to calculate anddisplayaninstitution’snitrogenuse.

FY15 JanaCompton

SHC 4.61 EstuaryDataMapper:Reportontoolstomap/predictpotentialseagrasshabitatzonesinestuariesandNloadingimpactswithpilotapplicationinmultipleestuarieswithdiversegeographicsettings.

FY15 Naomi Detenbeck

SHC 4.61 JournalarticleonthechangesinforesttreecompositionfortheNortheastU.S.fromNdepositionandclimatechangeandthe associated changes in key ecosystem services.

FY15 Christopher Clark

SHC 4.61 ReportfromREServprojectconnectingnu-trientstoaquaticecosystemservicesanddesignated uses in California streams.

FY15 Naomi Detenbeck

SSWR 1.1 1.1A.1 Development of an integrated assessment of large lakes using in situ sensortechnologies:linkingnearshoreconditionswithadjacentwatersheds.

FY13Q4 JackKelly

SSWR 1.1 1.1A.2Reportonoptionsforcombiningmicrobial,algal,macrobenthos,andfishin-dicatorsofconditioninlakesandstreams.

FY15Q4 Steve Paulsen

SSWR 1.1 1.1A.3ORDcontributiontoNationalCoastalConditionAssessment.

FY13Q4 Steve Paulsen

SSWR 1.1 1.1A.4ORDcontributiontoNationalWetlandsConditionAssessment.

FY13Q4 Steve Paulsen

SSWR 1.1 1.1A.5ORDcontributiontoNationalRiversandStreamsConditionAssessment.

FY13Q4 Steve Paulsen

SSWR 1.1 1.1A.6ORDcontributiontoNationalLakeConditionAssessment.

FY13Q4 Steve Paulsen

SSWR 1.1 1.1A.7 Develop causal analysis approach toincludemultiplestressorsatmultiplescales.

FY14Q4 Scot Hagerthey

SSWR 1.1 1.1A.8 Integrated assessment designs and indicators for large lakes.

FY15Q4 JackKelly

SSWR 1.1 1.1A.9 Report on the development and use of metagenomic methods for bioassessmentofaquaticenvironments.

FY14Q4 Erik Pilgrim

SSWR 1.1 1.1B.1:ElementsofawatershedclassificationsystemfortheU.S.

FY14Q4 ScottLeibowitz

71

72

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

SSWR 1.1 1.1B.2:Reportsummarizingresultsforextensivenationalstudyforpredictingaquaticconditionandwatershedintegritynationally

FY16Q4 Tony Olsen

SSWR 1.1 1.1B.3:Reportsummarizingresultsforintensivecasestudiesforpredictingaquaticconditionandwatershedintegritynationally.

FY16Q4 ScottLeibowitz

SSWR 1.1 1.1B.4:Reportsynthesizingresultsfromextensive and intensive studies for predictingaquaticconditionandwatershedintegritynationally.

FY17Q4 ScottLeibowitz

SSWR 1.1 1.1C.2Evaluatelinkedwatershed-waterbody models, including to develop alternativefutureforecasts.

FY14Q4 RussKreis

SSWR 1.1 1.1C.4Applicationofstressorgradientandcoralreefconditionmodelstolanduseandbestmanagementoptions.

FY16Q4 Pat Bradley; Bill Fisher

SSWR 1.1 1.1C.5Modeledwatershedsourcesofstress,includingclimate,formultipleaquaticresources.

FY16Q4 JackKelly

SSWR 1.1 1.1C1 Bayesian decision support system for sediment transport in coastal systems.

FY14Q4 Bill Fisher

SSWR 1.1 1.1C3 Status of an Integrated Coastal Observing/Modeling System for the U.S. Basin draining into the Great Lakes.

FY14Q4 JackKelly

SSWR 1.1 1.1D1PeerreviewedjournalarticleonEPA’sdefinitionofwatershedintegrity.

FY14Q4 JohnStoddard

SSWR 1.2 1.2.A.1 Systems modeling approach forlinkingwatershedandwaterqualityconditionsforeconomic-basedmanagement.

FY16Q4 Chris Nietch

SSWR 1.2 1.2.B.1TranslatingecologicalandeconomicindicatorsforWQtrading.

FY16Q4 MatthewHeberling

SSWR 1.2 1.2.C.1Reportsummarizingthederivationof landscape scale metrics for use in understanding ecological thresholds at localtowatershedscalesandcompletedanalysesidentifyingvarioussteady-statepopulationsandindicatorsoftippingpoints/thresholds for anthropogenic stressorsatmultiplewatershedscales.

FY16Q4 Charles Lane; Heather Golden

73

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

SSWR 1.3 1.3.A.1.ProjectPlanforTopic1Interoper-abilitywithcross-ORDdemonstration(SHCTask1.1.2.2).

FY14Q4 JohnJohnston

SSWR 1.3 1.3.A.2.DemonstrationProjectforTopic1Interoperability.

FY15Q4 JohnJohnston

SSWR 2.3 2.3.A.1 Report on determining depth ofcolonizationofseagrassesinFloridaestuariesforapplicationtonumericnutrient criteria development.

FY12Q4 JimHagy

SSWR 2.3 2.3.A.10Developmentofsimulationmodelingtoolstoexaminetheeffectof climate change and other drivers on estuarinewaterquality.

FY14Q4 JimHagy

SSWR 2.3 2.3.A.2 Report on determining the dissolvedoxygenrequirementsofFlorida-residentsaltwaterspecies,withapplicationtodevelopmentofmarinewaterqualitycriteriafordissolvedoxygen.

FY12 JimHagy

SSWR 2.3 2.3.A.5 Report on approaches for developing stream criteria to protect downstreamestuariesandcoastalwaters.

FY15Q2 JimHagy

SSWR 2.3 2.3.A.6 Technical synthesis of approaches for developing numeric nutrient criteria forestuarineandcoastalwaters:decisionsupporttoolsforapplicationatsite-specificto regional scales.

FY16Q4 JimHagy

SSWR 2.3 2.3.A.8Evaluationofsystemsmodelingapproaches to support nutrient management decision processes that considernutrientloading,nutrienteffectsonecosystemconditionandservices,aswellassocialandeconomicoutcomes.

FY16Q3 JimHagy

SSWR 2.3 2.3.A.9Methodevaluationoftheuseofexistinghydrodynamicmodelsforestimatingdistributionofnutrients,chlaanddissolvedoxygenwithinNarragansettBay,RI,andpotentialfortheirusethroughout the Northeast.

FY13Q4 JimHagy

SSWR 2.3 2.3.B.1Reportonsatellite(HICO)waterqualitymapsofenvironmentalresponsevariables and feasibility of technology to support compliance monitoring.

FY13 DarrylKeith

74

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

SSWR 2.3 2.3.B.2 An EPA Report to the State of NC DENRandtheAlbemarle-PamlicoNationalEstuaryProgramoneffectivenessofChlabased TMDL.

FY13Q4 DarrylKeith

SSWR 2.3 2.3.B.3Prototypesmartphoneapplicationtoreportwaterqualityconditions.

FY12 DarrylKeith

SSWR 2.3 2.3.B.4 Database and maps of satellite chlorophyllaformultipleNCestuaries.

FY12 DarrylKeith

SSWR 2.3 2.3.C.1Reportonapproachestopredictingcyanobacteria abundance and toxicity based on nutrient inputs and other ecosystemattributesinlakes.

FY15 Brian Milstead

SSWR 2.3 2.3.C.2 Report on models of cyanotoxin effectsonmammalianendpointsandtheidentificationofbiomarkersofexposureforhuman health risk assessment.

FY16 Brian Milstead

SSWR 2.3 2.3.C.3 Decision support system to predict the level of human health risk posed by cyanobacteriatoxinsbasedonanticipatedchangesinlanduseandconsequentalterationinnitrogenandphosphorusloadstoreceivingwaters.

FY17 Brian Milstead

SSWR 2.3 2.3.D.1 Report on the Gulf Ecology Model (GEM)andtheGulfofMexicoDissolvedOxygenModel(GoMDOM),stateofthearthypoxiamodelsthatwillbeusedtoassesstherelationshipbetweenfreshwaterdischarge and nutrient loads from the Mississippi River Basin and the extent and frequencyofhypoxiaontheLouisianacontinentalshelf.

FY13 JohnLehrter

SSWR 2.3 2.3.D.2 Report on GEM and GoMDOM predictionsoftheeffectsofnutrientloadreductionandclimatechangescenariosonGulf of Mexico hypoxia.

FY14 JohnLehrter

SSWR 2.3 2.3.D.3Reportonmulti-mediascenariosofairqualityanddeposition,watershedprocessing,waterquantityandwaterqualityusingstateofthesciencemodelsto address sustainability of nutrient management in the face of changes in climate and land use.

FY16 JohnLehrter

75

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

SSWR 2.3 2.3.D.4Nationalmapsofedge-of-fieldwateryieldandNandPlossesunderselected climate change scenarios and BMPs.

FY16Q4 Ellen Cooter

SSWR 2.3 2.3.E.3WatershedmodelingtoolsoftheeffectsofrestorationBMPsonstreamhydrologyandwaterquality.

FY16Q4 AnnKeeley

SSWR 2.3 2.3.E.4ReportonBMPeffectivenessforcontrollingPinwatersheds.

FY13Q4 AnnKeeley

SSWR 2.3 2.3.E.5 Decision support tool and user interface for Best Locator Tool.

FY15Q4 AnnKeeley

SSWR 2.3 2.3.E.6StreamdaylightingTechnicalReport.

FY15Q4 AnnKeeley

SSWR 2.3 2.3.E.7Watershedmodelingtoolsoftheeffectsofagriculturalconservationpractices/BMPsonstreamhydrologyandwaterquality.

FY15Q4 AnnKeeley

SSWR 2.3 2.3.E.8 Report describing an automated, online screening-level TMDL modeling system.

FY14Q4 AnnKeeley

SSWR 2.3 2.3.E.9Conceptualmodelsillustratinghowlanduseandclimatechangeaffectstreamflowpatterns,streamhealthandfloodingrisk,andhowBMPsandfloodplainstrategies can contribute to sustainable solutions.

FY13Q4 AnnKeeley

SSWR 2.3 2.3.F.1CenterforIntegratedMulti-scaleNutrientPollutionSolutions,PennsylvaniaState University.

FY19Q4 Dale Manty

SSWR 2.3 2.3.F.2CenterforReinventingAgingInfrastructure for Nutrient Management (RAINmgt):UniversityofSouthFlorida.

FY19Q4 Dale Manty

SSWR 2.3 2.3.F.3Project3:CenterforComprehensive,Optimal,andEffectiveAbatement of Nutrients, Colorado State University

FY19Q4 Dale Manty

SSWR 2.3 2.3.F.4Project4:NationalCenterfor Resource Recovery and Nutrient Management,WaterEnvironmentResearchFoundation(WERF).

FY19Q4 Dale Manty

76

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

SSWR 4.1 4.1.A.1Developaframeworkforincorporatingeconomicdataandstakeholderandcitizenpreferencesintothe planning of green infrastructure in neighborhoodsandcommunities.

FY13Q4 Bill Schuster

SSWR 4.1 4.1.A.2Guidanceforeffectiveuseofcommunity assets such as city/county parks,vacantlandsandbrownfieldsforgreeninfrastructureBMPsforstormwaterdischargepermittingandSSO/CSOmanagement.

FY14Q4 Bill Schuster

SSWR 4.1 4.1.A.3 Guidance on municipal-level best practicestofacilitateincreasedadoptionof GI BMPs by community stakeholders (commercial,institutional,privatehome-owners).

FY14Q4 Bill Schuster; Marilyn TenBrink

SSWR 4.1 4.1.A.4 Case study report on the green-greyimpactsataggregatesewershedscaleonhydrology,stormwaterrunoff,andcontaminants.

FY15Q4 Bill Schuster; Tony Tafuri

SSWR 4.1 4.1.A.5 Green Infrastructure and StormwaterUtilityCreditProgramDesign.

FY14 Bill Schuster; Olivia Green

SSWR 4.1 4.1.A.6ReportCatchment-scaleeffectsofdistributedandcentralizedstormwaterbestmanagementpracticesandlandcoveron urban stream hydrology.

FY13Q4 Bill Schuster

SSWR 4.1 4.1.C.1Casestudyreportonhowadaptivemanagement can be used to monitor and assessGIperformanceforstormwatermanagement,identifysocio-economicand ecosystem service impacts, respond tocitizenpreferences,andadaptorrefinegreen-gray approach as necessary during implementation.

FY16Q4 AhjondGarmestani

SSWR 4.1 4.1.D.1 STAR Grant - Bibliography of granteepublications;Finalreportspostedonwebsite.

FY17Q4 Angela Page

SSWR 4.2 4.2.A.1IdentifygreeninfrastructureBMPperformance data needs/gaps.

FY12 Michele Simon

77

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

SSWR 4.2 4.2.A.2 Evaluate select GI BMPs for their abilitytomanagestormwaterandreducecontaminantrunoffundervaryingregionalenvironmentalconditions.

FY13 Michael Borst

SSWR 4.2 4.2.B.1 Assessment report on the effectivenessofGIBMPsinprotectingstreamhabitatandaquaticcommunitiesinmultipleclimateregions.

FY16Q4 Naomi Detenbeck

SSWR 4.2 4.2.B.2DraftpublicationofacasestudyontheNuptakeandecosystemfunctionofburied and daylighted streams.

FY13Q4 Naomi Detenbeck

SSWR 4.2 4.2.B.3IntegratedWatershedManagementDecision Support Tool.

FY13Q4 Naomi Detenbeck

SSWR 4.2 4.2.B.4 Assessment of environmental outcomesofalternativegrowthscenarios(smart-growth/LIDalternatives)toinformMaryland county-level planning in the ChesapeakeBaywatershed.

FY14Q4 Naomi Detenbeck

SSWR 4.2 4.2.B.5 Meta-analysis of green infrastructure performance at the watershedscale.

FY13Q4 Naomi Detenbeck

SSWR 4.2 4.2.C.1 Highlights on improvements in urbanstormwaterconditionsthroughtheincreasedadoptionofhotspot-specificBMPsviaaCommunity-BasedParticipatoryResearch Process.

FY17Q3 Angela Page

SSWR 4.2 4.2.D.1Grant.Evaluationoftheeffectivenessofnewtoolsandtechniquesfocused at local and regional levels topromotesustainablestormwatermanagement in the Chesapeake Bay area, including examining the socio-behavioral reasonswhypastreductionprogramsfailed.

FY17Q4 Angela Page

SSWR 4.3 4.3.B.1HSPFBMPReferenceManual(withHSPFBMPapplicationexamplesandcasestudies).

FY15Q4 Yusuf Mohamoud

SSWR 4.3 4.3.B.2 Updated version of HSPF model withenhancedGI\BMPmodelingcapabilitiesneededtosupporttheimplementationofcomplexTMDLs(e.g.,pathogens)inurbanenvironments.

FY14Q4 Yusuf Mohamoud

78

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

SSWR 4.3 4.3.C.1 Enhanced version of the VELMA ecohydrological modeling and decision supportframeworktoaddressengineeredandnaturalapplicationsofgreeninfrastructure for reducing nonpoint inputs of nutrient , contaminants and sediments.

FY14Q4 BobMcKane

SSWR 4.3 4.3.C.2GISDataLayer:Thegradientin natural green infrastructure across differentwatershedsandwatershedsegments.

FY16Q4 Tony Olsen

SSWR 6.1.A 6.1.A.1 Trend analysis of stressors and ecologicalresponses,particularlynutrients,intheNarragansettBayWatershed.Trendanalysiswilldocumentchangesinnutrient sources over the past century, and environmentalconsequences(assessmentendpoints),thatwillhelpinidentifyingopportunitiesfortargetingreductionsforcurrent nutrient sources.

FY15Q4 SuzanneAyvazian

SSWR 6.1.B Quantitativemodelswillrelatenutrientloading and sources to environmental responsesintheNarragansettBayandWatershed,tohelptargetnutrientloadreductionsfrombothpointandnon-point sources.Currently nutrient loadingreductionsareprimarilyrelyingonpointsourcepermits,andadaptivemanagement, in absence of an established TMDL. Monitoring data and models are usedtodocumentcurrent&futureNrloadingandecologicaleffects,andwillhelpdetermineifadditionalnutrientcontrolsare needed to restore and protect the aquaticecosystems.Nrrelatedestuarineacidificationcouldalsoaffectvaluedresources(e.g.shellfish),andthisworkcanbeusedwithparallelfundedeffortsfocusedonenvironmentalfinanceoptionsandlowimpactdevelopmentpoliciesthatcouldcontributetosolutions.

FY15Q4 Brenda Rashleigh

79

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

SSWR 6.1.C 6.1.C.1DecisionSupportTool(s)toinformdecisionsaffectingnutrientfluxandpos-siblechangestosystems(e.g.,ecosystems,communities,andeconomies)withintheNarragansettBayWatershed.Withthein-putof1-3keypartnerswewilldevelop,asademonstration,decisionsupporttool(s)whichincorporateandintegratedata,modeloutput,andmapswhichpromotesustainablemanagementofaquaticre-sources.

FY16Q4 JaneCopeland

SSWR 6.5 6.5A.1Contractreport:EcosystemServicesand Environmental Markets in Chesapeake BayRestoration.

FY14Q1 Brenda Rashleigh; Naomi Detenbeck

SSWR 6.5 6.5AContractreport:FinalUpstreamBenefitsreport,July31,2014.

FY14Q3 Brenda Rashleigh; Naomi Detenbeck

SSWR 6.5 6.5B.1ContractReport:OtherBenefitsofthe Chesapeake Bay TMDL.

FY15 Brenda Rashleigh; Naomi Detenbeck

HHRA 1.1.17 IRIS assessment of the Human Health EffectsofNH3.Literaturereviewandsynthesisofeffectsofammoniaonhuman health. Dose response metrics are evaluatedtodetermineeffectsonhumanhealth.

FY14Draft AudreyGalizia

HHRA 2.2.1 Integrated Science Assessment of the EcologicalEffectsofNOx and SOx. Includes aliteraturereviewofdepositionresponserelationships,asasynthesisofpublishedCL for ecosystems in the U.S.

FY16 Tara Greaver

HHRA 2.1.4 Integrated Science Assessment of the HumanHealthEffectsofNOx. Literature reviewandsynthesisofeffectsofnitrogenoxides on human health. Dose response metricsareevaluatedtodetermineeffectson human health.

FY16 Molini Patel

80

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

Hypoxia Task Force

TheDischargeMonitoringReport(DMR)PollutantLoadingToolisanewtooldesignedtohelpyoudeterminewhoisdischarging,whatpollutantstheyaredischargingandhowmuch,andwherethey are discharging. The tool calculates pollutant loadings from permit and DMR data from EPA’s Permit Compliance System(PCS)andIntegratedComplianceInformationSystemfortheNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(ICIS-NPDES).Dataisavailablefortheyears 2007-2011. Pollutant loadings are presented as pounds per year and as toxic-weightedpoundsperyeartoaccountforvariationsintoxicityamongpollutants.The tool ranks dischargers, industries, andwatershedsbasedonpollutantmassand toxicity, and presents ‘top ten’ lists to helpyoudeterminewhichdischargesareimportant,whichfacilitiesandindustriesareproducingthesedischarges,andwhichwatershedsareimpacted.

Completed KatePinkerton(OWOW) http://cfpub.epa.gov/dmr/

Hypoxia Task Force

Coordinated federal agency monitoring indesignatedMRBIwatersheds.CollaborationwithUSDA,USGS,EPA,states, and other partners to implement along-term,3-tieredmonitoringstrategytoassesstheeffectivenessofconservationsystems.

Ongoing KatieFlahive(R7)

Hypoxia Task Force

Gathercostbenefitanalysisinformationtoprovidetoagriculturalcommunitiesregardingnutrientpollutionbestmanagementpractices;characterizethesocioeconomicbarrierstowardsincreasedadoptionofpractices.

Completed KatieFlahive(R7)

OGWDW NutrientReductionPartnershipswithAgCommunity:Wisconsin,Wyoming,Pennsylvania.

FY13

OGWDW USDACollaboration–Onewatershed/State recommended for FY13 funding and monitoringforwaterqualityimpacts.

FY13 OGWDW

81

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

OGWDW SourceWaterWorkshops(nutrientreductionandCWA-SDWAcollaboration).

FY13 depending on funding

OGWDW

OGWDW AddnitrateMCLviolationstothepublicwatersystem(PWS)layeroftheNitrogenandPhosphorusDataAccessTool(NPDAT)–aGIStooltoidentifyHUC12swithhighNimpacts(pendingfunding).

TBD Mike Muse (OGWDW) http://www2.epa.gov/nutrient-policy-data/nitrogen-and-phosphorus-pollution-data-access-tool

OW Nutrient Indicators Dataset. This Dataset consists of a set of indicators and associated state-level data to serve as aregionalcompendiumofinformationpertainingtopotentialordocumentednitrogenandphosphoruspollution,impactsofthatpollution,andstates’effortstominimizeloadingsandadoptnumeric criteria for nutrients into state waterqualitystandards.

Completed CoreyBuffo(SHPD)http://www2.epa.gov/nutrient-policy-data/nutrient-indicators-dataset

OW Evaluateecosystemcostsandbenefitswithnutrient management.

Ongoing MarioSengco(OST)

OW Guidingprinciplesforintegratingnutrientcausalandresponsevariables-Offerclaritytostatesaboutanoptionalapproachfordeveloping a numeric nutrient criterion thatintegratescausal(nitrogenandphosphorus)andresponseparametersintoonewaterqualitystandard(WQS).

Completed CoreyBuffo (SHPD-OST)Dana Thomas (HECD-OST)

OW NutrientAdoptionToolkit(includingcost).Economic analysis of the costs of nutrient pollutioncomparedtothecostsofnutrientmitigation,treatmentandwaterbodyrestoration-2013-comingsoontotheWebsite-ToolkitofResourcestoProvideStateswithFlexibilityinAdoptingandImplementingNumericNutrientCriteria.

FY15 CoreyBuffo(SHPD)http://www2.epa.gov/nutrient-policy-data/toolkit-resources-provide-states-flexibility-adopting-and-implementing-numeric

82

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

OW RecoveryPotentialScreening-ToolsforComparingImpairedWatersRestorability.Thiswebsiteprovidestechnicalassistanceforrestorationprogramstohelpstatesconsiderwheretoinvesttheireffortsforgreater likelihood of success, based on thetraitsoftheirowngeographicarea’senvironmentandcommunities.Therearethreemainwebsitecomponents.Step-by-stepinstructionsinrecoverypotentialscreeningprovidewatershedmanagerswithamethodologyforcomparingrestorabilitydifferencesamongtheirwaters.Thestepsinthemethodologylinkto several online tools and resources that areusedinrecoverypotentialscreening.Alibraryofrecoverypotentialindicatorsofferstechnicalinformationonspecificrecovery-relatedfactors(ecological,stressor,andsocial),howtheyinfluencerestorability,andhowtomeasurethem.

Ongoing Doug Norton (OWOW) http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/tmdl/recovery/index.cfm

OW Geneexpressionmethodsfornitrificationinhibitionmonitoringandmanagement(collaboratingwithWERFstudy).

FY14Q1 Phil Zahreddine (OWM)

OW Workshoponindicatorsofnutrientpollution.Progresstowardsnumericnutrientcriteriaadoptionhasbeenlimitedin part due to the technical challenge of developingnumericnutrientcriteriawhenmultiplefactorsinfluenceresponsesandconfound nutrient response models. Such conditionscanmakeitdifficulttopredictnitrogenandphosphorusconcentrationsthatadverselyaffectaquaticlife.Statesareseeking improved methods to overcome such challenges and to reduce uncertainty whenimplementingnumericcriteria,forexample,byintegratingbiologicalresponseindicators into a numeric nutrient criterion decisionalframework.

Completed Dana Thomas (OST)

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Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

OW Reevaluate eco-region nutrient recommendationsforlakesandprovideatargetfordownstreamprotection.

FY16 Dana Thomas (OST)

OW Evaluateandsynthesizecurrentliteratureon the need to manage both nitrogen andphosphorusconcentrationsinwatertopreventeutrophicationandtheproliferationofharmfulalgalblooms.

FY15 Dana Thomas (OST)

OW Evaluate the state of the science of potentialassessmentendpointsfortheeffectsofnitrogenandphosphorusinstreams,suchasuserperceptionsurveysand diatom assemblage indices.

FY16 Dana Thomas (OST)

OW ImprovingbenefitsanalysisforOWbasedonestablishedpriorities.

JoelCorona

OW AnalysisofNARSNationalLakesAssessment 2012 data to include changes between2007and2012lakessurveys.UseofNARSNationalLakesAssessment2007and2012foranalysisofcorrelationandpredictivediscriminationamongcausalandresponse variables.

FY16 Amina Pollard; Lester Yuan (OWOW,OST)

OW AnalysisofNARSNationalRiversandStreams Assessment 2013/14 to include changes in nutrients since 08/09 for rivers and streams and since 2004 for streams. Analysisconductedfornational,regionalandmajorriverbasinpopulationestimatesand change.

FY17 Richard Mitchell (OWOW)andcollaborators in ORD, OST

OW, OWOW, WB

ApplicationofMaryland’sAssessmentandScenarioTool(MAST)toevaluatealternativemanagementscenariosinordertomeetpollutantallocationsderivedinTMDLs.

Completed Michael Haire (OW,OWOW,WB)

OW, OWOW, WB

CollectionofresourcescontainingBMPinformationvaluableforTMDLdevelopment including BMP applicability, cost,and/orpollutantreductionefficiency.

Completed MenchuMartinez(OW,OWOW,WB)

OWM, OST, OWOW

CaseStudiesonImplementingLowCostModificationstoImproveNutrientReductionatWastewaterTreatmentPlants.

FY15 TimConnor(OWM);LisaLarimer(OST);KatharineDowell(OWOW)

84

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

OWOW RecoveryPotentialScreening-ToolsforComparingImpairedWatersRestorability.Thiswebsiteprovidestechnicalassistanceforrestorationprogramstohelpstatesconsiderwheretoinvesttheireffortsforgreater likelihood of success, based on thetraitsoftheirowngeographicarea’senvironmentandcommunities.Therearethreemainwebsitecomponents.Step-by-stepinstructionsinrecoverypotentialscreeningprovidewatershedmanagerswithamethodologyforcomparingrestorabilitydifferencesamongtheirwaters.Thestepsinthemethodologylinkto several online tools and resources that areusedinrecoverypotentialscreening.Alibraryofrecoverypotentialindicatorsofferstechnicalinformationonspecificrecovery-relatedfactors(ecological,stressor,andsocial),howtheyinfluencerestorability,andhowtomeasurethem.RecoveryPotentialScreeningToolsareavailable to implement these methods for awiderangeofwatershedcomparisonsettings,includingnutrientsmanagement.

Completed 2012

Doug Norton (OWOW) http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/tmdl/recovery/index.cfm

OWOW RecoveryPotentialScreening–StatewideWatershedComparisonTools.Basedon the approach above, user-friendly watershedcomparisontoolswithover200watershedindicatorsattheHUC12scaleweredevelopedanddistributedtostatewaterqualityprogramsthroughoutthelower48states.Eachtoolcontainsallstatewidedataandcancalculatewatershedconditionindices,displaydatatables,rankorderwatersheds,plotgraphsandmapsallwithinExcel.

Completed 2014

Doug Norton (OWOW)

85

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

OWOW RecoveryPotentialScreeningStateProjectsSupportingWatershedPrioritizationfor Nutrients Management. Using tools and approaches as above, EPA has demonstratedawatershednutrientsprioritizationapproachthatimplementsthe 2011 nutrients policy memorandum appendix.ReportsanddatawillbeavailableforseveralstateswhoengagedinjointRPSprojectswithEPA.

4thQFY2015

Doug Norton (OWOW)

OWM Evaluationofperformance,reliabilityandcostoffullscaleinnovativenutrientremovaltechnologies(planned,pendingavailabilityoffunds).

24 months from funding/startup

Phil Zahreddine (OWM)

OWM Spokane Regional Phosphorus BioavailabilityStudyPhaseII(collaboratingwithWERFstudy).

FY14Q3 Phil Zahreddine (OWM)

OWM PilottheNPDESPermitWritersTrainingonnutrientWQBELs.

FY15 Phil Zahreddine (OWM)

OWOW “Infographics”–Outreachtothegeneralpubliconnutrientpollutioneducationthrough pictures and graphics.

Ongoing OWOW

OWOW FarmerHerocampaignw/NationalAssociationofConservationDistricts,NEPs,and NGO partners.

Ongoing OWOW

OWOW Protocol for Developing Nutrient TMDLs, 2ndEdition.

Complete Carol Peterson (OWOW)

OWOW MOUw/HumaneSociety-Impactstopetsfrom HABs.

Complete OWOW

Region 1 NutrientPermittingActivities-NH@3.0 mg/LTNfromPOTWstoGreatBayEstuary;NHdraftMS4forreductioninphosphorus per TMDLs using BMPs and trackstormwatersourcestoGreatBayEstuary.

FY13 Toby Stover (R1)

Region 1 TMDLActivities–Maine(20TMDLsw/loadreductiontargetsforNPS/Agriculture;Vermont(8TMDLSwithloadreductiontargetsforphosphorusfromagriculture).

FY13–16 Toby Stover (R1)

Region 2 PRdraftnumericnutrientcriteriaforrivers. IzabelaWojtenko(R2)

86

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

Region 2 NYdraftnutrientcriteriafortotalphosphorus in rivers and lakes.

FY13 IzabelaWojtenko(R2)

Region 2 ConscienceBayStormwaterTreatment&WetlandEnhancement.NY,VillageofOldFieldw/EPA-LongIslandSoundStudy:35subsurfaceinfiltrationunitstotreat194milliongallonsofstormwaterrunoff,vegetationw/17,075uplandandwetlandplants to reduce N loading to Conscience Bay.

FY13 IzabelaWojtenko(R2)

Region 2 PeconicEstuaryProgramsepticsystemmanagementfornutrientreductionandNloadstogroundwaterfordeterminingcost-effectivereductionstrategies.

FY13 IzabelaWojtenko(R2)

Region 2 NutrientBioextractionbySeaweedinthe Long Island Sound. University of ConnecticutKelpdemonstrationproject.

FY13 IzabelaWojtenko(R2)

Region 3 VirginiaDraftNutrientAssessmentProtocols Pilot studies in priority watersheds.

FY13 Mark Barath (R3)

Region 3 TrendreportingontheSusquehannaRiver.TheUSGS,incooperationwiththe Maryland Department of Natural Resources and theU.S.EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program, calculates the loads of nutrients and suspended sediments contributed to the Chesapeake Bay from non-tidalareasusingdatacollectedattheninemajorBaytributariesthroughtheriverinput-monitoring(RIM)program.TheUSGScalculatesloadswithastatisticalmodelusingflowdataandnutrientandsuspended sediment samples collected at these sites. Calculated loads to the Bay areusedtoexaminetrendsforeffectsofmanagementactions,suchastheimplementationofbestmanagementpracticesandupgradestowastewatertreatment plants, and as input to the Bay watershedmodel.

Ongoing Mark Barath (R3) http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/monitoring/river/load_flow.html

Region 4 MSdraftnumericnutrientcriteria. FY13 Stephen Maurano (R4)

87

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

Region 5 MN proposed nutrient criteria for rivers and streams, nutrient criteria recommendationsfortheGreatLakes.

Brian Thompson (R5)

Region 5 TheOhioTrophicIndexCriterion(TIC)isa composite index that brings together the measures of nutrients, periphyton, dissolved oxygen, and biological assemblagesbyawardingpointstosuccessiverangesofeachindicator,wheretherangesaredefinedbybenchmarksidentifiedinthenutrientstudy.Hence,the TIC provides a structured method ofaggregatingdatacollectedonOhio’sstreams and rivers into a nominal scale thatisessentiallyatranslatorfortheconditionofawaterbodyrelativetonutrient enrichment.

FY13 Brian Thompson (R5)

Region 5 TMDLActivities(50nutrientTMDLS,40inMRB; integrate TMDL-319 for both point andnon-pointsourcereductions.)

FY13 Brian Thompson (R5)

Region 6 NM nutrient proof-of-concept for perennial wadeablesystems.

Completed ForrestJohn (R6)

Region 6 TX chlorophyll a criteria for reservoirs. Completed ForrestJohn (R6)

Region 6 LouisianaNutrientReductionStrategy. Completed ForrestJohn(R6)http://deq.state. la.us/portal/Por tals/0/permits/lpdes/pdf/Louisiana NutrientReduction Strategy.pdf

Region 6 NewMexicoEconomicAnalysis. Ongoing JackOliver(OST);BrentLarsen(R6)

Region 6 Louisiana TN-TP criteria development for rivers and streams.

FY15Q1 HenryBrewer(R6);ForrestJohn(R6)

Region 6 N-STEPSNewMexicoTN-TPNumericCriteriaforPerennialwadeablesystems.

FY15Q1 JackOliver(OST);ForrestJohn(R6)

Region 6 N-STEPSRedRiverMultijurisdictionalModeling for TN-TM numeric criteria for riverinesystem(OK,TX,AR,LA,UniversityofAR).

Completed JackOliver(OST); Interagency Agreement; MikeBira(R6)

88

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

Region 6 ArkansasWatershedMonitoring,L’Anguille,LakeConway,LittleRiverDitchesWatershed.Theprojectpartnerswillassistagriculturalproducersin15sub-watershedsoftheLakeConway-Point Remove basin to adopt a systems approachwithavarietyofcoreandsupportingconservationpracticestoaddressnaturalresourceconcernofwaterqualitypertainingtonutrientrunoffandwatermanagement.Theywillfocusonavoidingexcessapplicationofnutrientsandwateronfields;controllingtheamountofnutrientandwaterrunofffromfieldsintothewatershed;andtrappingnutrientsbeforetheyleavethefield.Theprojectareaincludes6adjacentsub-watershedsintheLittleRiverDitcheswatershedlocatedinCraighead,Mississippi,andPoinsettCounties.Thegoaloftheconservationpartners involved is to reduce the nutrient lossfromagriculturalland(primarilycroppedtocotton)throughimprovednutrientuseefficiencyandreducedrunofffromagriculturalfields.

Ongoing Brad Lamb

http://www.nrcs. usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ar/programs/?cid =nrcs142p2_0348 06 http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ar/programs/?cid =nrcs142p2_0348 17

Region 6 LouisianaWatershedMonitoring:TurkeyCreekWatershed;BayouCheneWatershed;BayouLacassineWatershedinsupportof MSRBI. The Mississippi River Basin Initiative(MRBI)WatershedWaterQualityMonitoring in Bayou Chene and Lacassine BayouProject.NRCShasbeenworkingwithagricultureproducersandlandownerssince2011toimplementvoluntaryconservationpracticestoimprovewaterquality.ThreesmallwatershedsinBayouLafourchewerechosentoimplementbestmanagementpracticestoreducenutrients,total suspended solids, and turbidity. Theseelementshavebeenidentifiedas suspected sources of impairment to fishandwildlife.Inaddition,foursmallwatershedswereidentifiedinTurkeyCreekaspartoftheMRBI.Thepracticesimplementedthroughthisinitiativearedesigned to reduce organic and sediment loadsinthewatershed.

Ongoing Robert Cook (R6)

89

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

Region 6 Nutrient TMDL for Illinois River Basin. Ongoing RichardWooster(R6)

Region 6 DOcriteriaforLouisianacoastalwaters.DecidewhethertolistcoastalwatersinLouisiana as impaired for dissolved oxygen (DO).WhileLDEQfoundthatthreecoastalsegmentswerenotmeetingdissolvedoxygen criteria, the state designated the watersascategory4b,aclassificationforwatersthatareimpairedbutforwhichpollutionlimits,knownasatotalmaximumdailyload(TMDL),isnotneededbecauseothercontrolswillleadtomeetingwaterqualitystandards.

Ongoing ForrestJohn (R6)

Region 6 WaterQualityMonitoringfortheLakeConway-PointRemoveWatershed(HydrologicUnitCode11110203)

Project11-600CWASection319(h).Monitoringstationswereestablishedinmultiplesub-basins(10-and12-digitHUCs)withintheLakeConway-PointRemovewatershedinordertoestimatepollutant loads as “unit area loads.” The environmental data and unit area loadswereusedasanefforttoidentifyproblematicsub-basins(12-digitHUCs)withexcessivenon-pointsourcepollution.

Completed Melissa Benfer (R6)

Region 6 FY15-300CWASection319(h).WaterQualityMonitoringfortheLakeConwayPointRemoveWatershed(HydrologicUnitCode11110203).ThisprojectaimsformonitoringwaterqualityintheLakeConwayPointRemoveHydrologicUnitCode.Theprimarygoalofthisprojectiscollecting,analyzingandreportingwaterqualityanddischargedatatoprovideparameter loadings and unit area loadings in assorted 12-digit HUC in the greater Lake ConwayPointRemoveHUC.

Proposed Melissa Benfer (R6)

90

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

Region 6 Texas,CityofWacoSurfaceWaterTreatmentEconomicAnalysis(drinkingwatercostsduetosourcewatercontamination).

Completed KimNgo (R6)

Region 7 KansasCityUrbanStreamMonitoringNetworkutilizessimilarprotocolsandapproachasNRSAefforts,butprovidesdataandinformationatamuchfinerresolution.36sitesaresampledfornumerous contaminants including TN,TPandmicrocystinsaswellasbiology(periphyton,phytoplankton,macroinvertabrates,andfishassemblages).

Ongoing GaryWelker; LauraWebb

Region 7 KansasCityUrbanLakesMonitoringNetworkissimilartotheUrbanStreamseffortcollectinginformationon~30Lakes(includingTN,TP,microcystins,andChl(a)).

Ongoing LauraWebb; GaryWelker

Region 7 Missouri and Mississippi Big Tributaries Nutrient Monitoring, conducts Spring, Summer,andFallsamplingat~45sitesincludingallofthemajortributariestotheMissouri and Mississippi River in Region 7 (aswellasseveralsitesinRegion5).

Ongoing GaryWelker; LauraWebb

Region 8 Montana, Utah, Colorado nutrient criteria rules/submittals.

FY13 TinaLaidlaw (R8)

Region 8 Nitrogenreductionsassociatedwithsepticsystems is an area that MT’s trading policy focuses on.

TinaLaidlaw (R8)

Region 8 NPSProgramengagementwithagriculture(NRCS).

FY13 JudyBloom (R8)

Region 9 CAnumericnutrientendpointprojectforstreams, bays, and estuaries.

FY13 Terrence Fleming (R9)

Region 9 AirandWaterworkshoptodefinenutrientsources and control strategies for loading reductiontoCentralValley.

FY13 Terrence Fleming (R9)

Region 10 NPDES permits for phosphorus in Idaho (50ppb).

FY13 Rochelle Labiosa (R10)

Region 10 ViatheNSTEPSHQfundingR10isworkingwithIdahoDEQtodevelopreferencesite analysis and stressor-response relationshipsforIdahostreams.

FY14–15 Rochelle Labiosa (R10)

91

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

Region 10 ViatheNSTEPSHQfunding,R10isworkingwithOregonDEQtodevelopecoregionallybasedstressor-responserelationshipsforall ecoregions that intersect the state of Oregon.

FY14–15 Rochelle Labiosa (R10)

Region 10 R10 is developing a GIS-based tool that combinesUSGSSparrowmodelingandlanduseparameterstodeterminewhetherpolicyactionsarecorrespondingtotheareasofthePacificNorthwestwiththehighest probability of nutrient loading per the available modeling and monitoring data.

FY14–15 Rochelle Labiosa (R10)

Region 10 EPAR10,EPAORDNewportareworkingwithOregonStateUniversity,tocollectdata to ascertain the range of temporal variabilityofoceanacidificationparameters in the nearshore in a more agriculturallyinfluencedsiteascomparedtoamoreocean-upwelling-influencedsite.

FY15 Rochelle Labiosa (R10,ORD)

Region 10 CityofBoisepermitphosphorusoffsetonagriculturaldrain(DixieDrain).TheEPAandIDEQconductedatechnicalanalysisofthewatershedandproposedoffsettodeterminewhether,andtowhatextenttheproposedoffsetwouldimproveconditionsintheBoiseRivercomparedtothealternativeofadvancedfiltrationtreatment to achieve the phosphorus goal fortheriver(70µg/L)atend-of-pipe.TheresultsareprovidedinPredictedEffectsofDixieDrainProjectonPhosphorusConcentrationsintheBoiseRiver,March2012.

FY13 Rochelle Labiosa (R10) http://www.epa.gov/region10/pdf/permits/npdes/id/west_boise_dixie_mod_fs_id0023981_091312.pdf

92

Project/Task RAP, Title, # Product End Date Point of Contact

OW - Nutrient Adoption Tool-kit (including cost)

Economic analysis of the costs of nutrientpollutioncomparedtothecostsofnutrientmitigation,treatmentandwaterbodyrestoration-2013-comingsoontotheWebsite-ToolkitofResourcestoProvideStateswithFlexibilityinAdoptingandImplementingNumeric Nutrient Criteria http://www2.epa.gov/nutrient-policy-data/toolkit-resources-provide-states-flexibility-adopting-and-implementing-numeric.

Operational http://www2.epa.gov/nutrient-policy-data/toolkit-resources-provide-states-flexibility-adopting-and-implementing-numeric

Office of Research and Development (8101R) Washington, DC 20460

Official Business Penalty for Private Use $300

PRESORTED STANDARDPOSTAGE & FEES PAID

EPAPERMIT NO. G-35