Department of the Interior – Integrated Modeling Tool Grant

The presence of methylmercury (MeHg) in many western reservoirs has led to the identification of state-level water quality standards and control programs, e.g., in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado and other states. Operators will be required to comply with these new standards as they need to develop and implement various reservoir mercury management practices. A number of current research projects have demonstrated that some management practices can lead to MeHg reduction, but that there is no standard for the reservoir environment. Research has also indicated that each aquatic environment should be evaluated individually; similar conditions in separate reservoirs have been shown to produce different rates of mercury bioaccumulation. The reasons for these mercury bioaccumulation differences are often specific to the particular water body. Therefore, management practices should be evaluated at an individual reservoir basis. Untested management practices may be ineffective at providing the appropriate level of mitigation and can be cost prohibitive for large reservoir operators.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The presence of methylmercury (MeHg) in many western reservoirs has led to the identification of state-level water quality standards and control programs, e.g., in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado and other states. A number of current research projects have demonstrated that some management practices can lead to MeHg reduction, but that there is no standard for the reservoir environment. Research has also indicated that each aquatic environment should be evaluated individually; similar conditions in separate reservoirs have been shown to produce different rates of mercury bioaccumulation. The reasons for these mercury bioaccumulation differences are often specific to the particular water body. Therefore, management practices should be evaluated at an individual reservoir basis. Untested management practices may be ineffective at providing the appropriate level of mitigation and can be cost prohibitive for large reservoir operators. This research will assist in finding the most efficient and cost effective solutions. At the present, a reliable modeling tool to assess methyl-mercury processes is the best alternative.

Key goals and objectives of the current three year project are as follows:

• Review current watershed scale mercury/methylmercury contamination theories, mechanisms and available models/tools and their applications.
• Select among candidate reservoir and upstream watershed(s) for modeling study.
• Develop conceptual model/tool based on review results, management requirements, data availability, available funds and cooperator time availability.
• For the selected reservoir and contributing watershed work with project team to assemble existing maps, GIS coverages, water quality and sediment quality datasets.
• Assist in calibration and beta-testing of the mercury management model. Assist in formulation of model scenarios and review model analysis of these scenarios.

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement by Reclamation is anticipated during the performance of activities funded under this cooperative agreement. In support of this Agreement, Reclamation will be responsible for the following:

The Grants Officer Technical Representative (GOTR) will collaborate with the recipient partner together with students, technicians and other scientists involved in carrying out the scope of work. This will involve working with University of California, Merced collaborating analysis and facilitating cooperative work with others as determined by the GOTR in fulfilling the Project goals.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION
Reclamation did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

Single Source Justification Description:

The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of the real-time water quality management program. The key person Dr. Nigel W.T. Quinn of the Recipient is one of the original developers of this real time water quality management concept and has written the majority of the technical documents associated with the concept that have been published in scientific journals.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Public Law 108-361, Section 103(c)(1)(d)(2)(D) Water Supply, Reliability, and Environmental Improvement Act.

SEC. 103. BAY DELTA PROGRAM. (c)(1),(d)(2)(D)
(c) Authorizations for Federal Agencies Under Applicable Law.—
(1) Secretary of the interior.–The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to carry out the activities described in paragraphs (1) through (10) of subsection (d), to the extent authorized under the reclamation laws, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (title XXXIV of Public Law 102-575; 106 Stat. 4706), the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and other applicable law.

(d) DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.
(2) CONVEYANCE.
(D) PROGRAM TO MEET STANDARDS.—
(i) IN GENERAL.—Prior to increasing export limits from the Delta for the purposes of conveying water to south-of-Delta Central Valley Project contractors or increasing deliveries through an intertie, the Secretary shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, in consultation with the Governor, develop and initiate implementation of a program to meet all existing water quality standards and objectives for which the Central Valley Project has responsibility.