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Hosted by: Monmouth University; Urban Coast Institute; Center for Coastal Watershed Management; and, the Coastal Watershed Seminar Series
Sponsored by: US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
In Collaboration with: Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension and The
New Jersey
Microbial Source Tracking Work Group
The importance and awareness of fecal bacterial contamination of our waterways continues to escalate. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) approximately 13% of surface waters in the
United States
do not meet designated use criteria as determined by high densities of fecal indicator bacteria. Utilizing emerging methodologies known as Bacterial Source Tracking (BST) or Microbial Source Tracking (MST) provides promise in detecting the specific nonpoint sources responsible for fecal contamination in local watersheds. This, in turn, allows for the proper design and implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP) in the watershed.
There is a great deal of interest in the application of MST tools to impaired waterbodies in the
New Jersey
coastal zone.
Monmouth
University
has been conducting MST research using Antibiotic Resistance Analysis (ARA) in several important
Monmouth
County
watersheds over the past several years, including the Manasquan River Estuary, the Shark River Estuary, Wreck Pond, and
Deal
Lake
. In addition, the NJDEP Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring has initiated MST work in several areas, including the
Navesink
River
and portions of
Barnegat
Bay
.
In June, 2005 Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension in collaboration with
Monmouth
University
and NJDEP hosted a seminar entitled “Bacterial Source Tracking: Methods and Applications.” We had an excellent response to this narrowly focused seminar - over 80 participants attended. Their interests range from responsibilities in NJDEP watershed management, Rutgers Extension Agents and Specialists, graduate students, private industry, USGS, county health boards, lake organizations and environmental groups.
As a result of this successful seminar, the New Jersey Microbial Source Tracking Work Group consisting of faculty from
Monmouth
University
,
Rutgers
University
, and representatives from the public and private sector was formed. The purpose of the work group is to further develop a more comprehensive, collaborative approach to the application of MST tools in
New Jersey
focusing in part on development of a program responsive to the issues and discussions contained in the recently released USEPA report “Microbial Source Tracking Guide Document”. The Microbial Source Tracking as a Monitoring and Management Tool seminar is intended to facilitate this effort.
The target audience for this seminar includes scientists, consultants and local, regional, state and federal regulatory and resource management agency staff. Topics may include, but are not limited to:
Practical Applications of MST Tools and Results
o Case studies
o TMDL Process
o Regional Stormwater Management
Emerging Methods
o Library Dependent Methods
o Library Independent Methods
o Chemical Indicators
o QA/QC Issues
Future Directions for MST as a Monitoring and Management Tool in
New Jersey
o Research needs vs. monitoring implementation
o Increasing NJ capabilities
o Coordinated approaches
o Funding Opportunities
Grant funding covers all training costs for this seminar at no cost to you. There is a $20 charge strictly for food costs – providing you with a continental breakfast and lunch. If you have any questions about the seminar or this fee, please email Dalynn Knigge, Program Coordinator - knigge@cook.rutgers.edu.
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