Development of watershed classification systems for diagnosis of biological impairment in watersheds. (Fellowships, grants, & awards).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development solicits grant applications for establishing watershed classification schemes in different U.S. regions to support the design of efficient monitoring strategies, diagnose the causes of biologic impairment, and prioritize watersheds for restoration activities. This will involve defining both the structural characteristics of a classification strategy (geographic dependence versus independence, scale, hierarchy, discrimination of natural features from anthropogenic alteration), functional characteristics (theoretical basis for defining categories), and pragmatic aspects of implementation (regional and national relevance, ease of application, flexibility, accuracy, and nature of technical transfer products).

This request for applications (RFA) seeks to address the development of methods to assess differences in ecosystem vulnerability to stressors and differences in restoration opportunities within a watershed context. The EPA is interested in building on current classification work by developing the strong underlying basic science that establishes a conceptual understanding of how baseline aquatic ecosystem condition relates to watershed attributes (physical, climatic, and terrestrial) and how anthropogenic activity alters baseline conditions. Research completed through this RFA will enhance the ability of state, tribal, and local agencies to protect the nation's waters.

The outcome of the research will help address these questions: 1) how can regionalized watershed classification schemes be developed within the context of a national framework to determine ecosystem vulnerability and opportunities for watershed restoration; 2) to what degree can ecologically relevant flow-regime metrics, including those describing base-flow and peak-flow conditions, be predicted based on watershed characteristics; 3) how can functional relationships between watershed attributes and hydrologic, water quality, and biologic responses at different scales be incorporated into a hierarchical classification scheme to predict regional, watershed, and water-body scale sensitivities to aquatic nonpoint source stressors; 4) to what degree can the sensitivity of aquatic ecosystems to the effects of anthropogenic changes to watersheds be predicted based on the inherent biophysical characteristics of watersheds; and 5) to what degree can relationships be quantified between hydrologic regime and nonpoint source pollution processes, such as sediment yields, nutrient loadings, aquatic thermal regimes, and riparian and in-stream habitat structure and quality, in a watershed.

Responses to this solicitation must also address how classification schemes and response models will be tested, either through analysis of existing data or through collection of new data. Preferably, collection of new data will be linked to existing monitoring programs, through collaboration with local, state, or tribal agencies, or watershed management or other nonprofit organizations. Proposers must discuss how difficult, expensive, or practical it would be for others, specifically state monitoring programs, to apply the classification methodology themselves. Ideally, watershed classification schemes will rely on the use of readily available GIS data or attributes that can be readily derived from such data so that they can be applied in the near term by public agencies. Proposals must include a means to assess the level of accuracy associated with a watershed classification system. Quality assurance plans will need to address how a classification system will meet proposed data quality objectives for a given quality assurance program plan management entity. This will help facilitate coordination with existing regional, state, or tribal monitoring organizations. Proposals also must specifically address how the watershed classification schemes will support more efficient monitoring efforts, improve diagnosis of causes of biologic impairment, and/or prioritize watershed restoration efforts. The nature of products must be clearly defined, e.g., whether the proposals will result in a solid, easily applied classification methodology, a classified set of watersheds for a given region, a database, and/or an expert system tool for classification.

It is anticipated that a total of approximately $4 million, including direct and indirect costs, will be awarded, depending on the availability of funds. The EPA anticipates funding approximately five grants under this RFA. The projected award range is $150,000-300,000 per year ($450,000-900,000 per grant) total costs for up to 3 years, depending on whether new field data are collected.

A set of special instructions on how applicants should apply for a National Center for Environmental Research (NCER) grant is found on the NCER Web site at http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/forms/ downlf.html. The need for a sorting code to be used in the application and for mailing is described in the Standard Instructions for Submitting a STAR Application. The sorting code for applications submitted in response to this solicitation is 2002-STARBI. The deadline for receipt of the applications by the NCER is 30 January 2002. Further information on this PA is available online at http://es.epa.gov/ ncer/rfa/02newwatclass.html.

Contact: Bill Stelz, Mail Code 8723R, U.S. EPA Headquarters, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 USA, 202-564-6834, e-mail: [e-mail] (e-mail communication preferred). Reference: 2002-STAR-B1