1:00 PM. Scott Dossett chairing.

Introductions: Introductions were made around the room and a sign-in sheet was circulated.

Those present:

Scott described the strategics of the meeting.

Approval of minutes of Fall '97 meeting

Comments: Joel Frisch: he is not the chairman of any committees which was corrected in final minutes.
John Gordon: He is vice-chair of NOS, not chair as the last minutes reflect.
Mark Nilles: Wanted assurance that the minutes will be available over the web. Confirmed by Scott.

Motion to accept passed.

Note from Scott: For publication of appendices on the web - please use WP6/7/8, html, or Word Suite - images should not have to be scanned in, .jpg or .gif are preferred.

Program office report from Van Bowersox:

Van gave a report on the program review: NADP passed review and the program has another five years under the (National Research Support Project No.3) NRSP3 agreement. Copies of the executive summary of the review report were distributed to those present at the meeting and copies of the full report have been sent to the executive committee. Van, speaking from overheads described the review process: it was a two-and-a-half day process that took place starting January 26 in Champagne, Il. The review team was organized by Jack Barnes (now retired) and included Mary Ann Allen from EPRI, Rona Birnbaum from EPA Acid Rain Program, Jim Galloway from UVA, Bob Vet from Atmospheric Environment Services, Canada, Richard Alexander from USGS, Ellis Cowling from NC State, Mike Uhart from NAPAP. Dan Jones attended as Jack's replacement on the executive committee.

Topics of discussion included:

- functioning of the Illinois State Water survey and the types of activities such as nutrient deposition, excess nutrients in aquatic systems. The activities of the atmospheric sciences and chemistry divisions - where the activities of the CAL and the CO occur - were described.

- the organization of the NADP - budget process, the technical committee structure, goal setting, products, quality assurance and new dimensions.

- specific programs - NADP/NTN, MDN and AIRMoN and the CAL - CO interactions.

Draft report delivered at the end of the interview. The review process was developed around the NRSP3 proposal. In summary - concluded that NADP is an outstanding program with an impeccable record. The review committee also provided a list of comments and recommendations. The review committee raised seven issues to be addressed by the NADP program. The responsibility for developing strategies to addressing the issues on this list was divided between the CO and the three subcommittees. Each subcommittee chair received a handout that highlighted issues specific to their subcommittees.

Issue 1 : Is NADP achieving the NRSP-3 goals?

Subcommittee issues:
- ensuring web access to data and tracking the use of data on the web: to CO
- improve data utilization: to Data Subcommittee
- new products and services: to Effects Subcommittee
- increase NADP involvement in international involvement: to CO

Issue 2 - Can NADP fulfill NRSP3 mandate in future years?

- new ad hoc committee to review new analytes: to NOS & Effects Subcommittee
- closer coordination with CASTNet: to CO

Issue 3 - What is the quality value and utility of NADP data and data products?

- maintain timeliness of data availability: to CO
- ensure the timely inclusion of MDN and AIRMoN data: to CO
- use products for marketing NADP: to CO and Mark Nilles's ad hoc marketing committee
- include subnetworks into NADP data products: to Data Subcommittee
- make QA data available on the web page: jointly to Data and Network Operations Subcommittee
- provide an organizational chart and mission statement on the web: to CO
- reconsider data displays (as for Alaska, say) and include trends reports: to CO

Issue 4 Is the organizational structure efficient and effective?

- have regular conference calls with CO and Executive Committee. (Possible use of E-mail communication discussed): to CO
- hire Assistant Coordinator and QA Manager. Van indicated the intention to a QA Manager hired in June and that he'd hoped to an Assistant Coordinator hired already: to CO
-improve management structures to streamline process for certain decisions: to CO. There was discussion of the difficulty of streamlining the many individual agreements in NADP and the subnetworks. Joel suggested an approach that would have multi-year agreements that would be contingent on funding. Van gave the example of archive sample release as a case of developing protocols for expedited decision making.
- improve coordination between NADP and the subnetworks, especially MDN: to CO

Issue 5 Are products adequately marked?

- develop a marketing/communications strategy: to all Subcommittees/ Nilles ad hoc committee. Material submitted to subcommittee chairs based on Ellis Cowling's earlier proposal.
- need to coordinate with the data users - e.g. the CBP, CASTNET: to Effects Subcommittee
-encourage NADP participation in professional societies: to CO


Issue 6 Is NADP flexible enough to adapt to future environmental problems?

- maintain broad view of relevant issues: to Effects Subcommittee
- develop mechanisms for responding to significant future issues: to Effects Subcommittee.


Issue 7 Is NADP achieving is original vision and does it have a future vision?

- develop a program plan for MDN: to CO
- make available special/custom data products: to Data Subcommittee
- NADP strategic plan should strengthen and stabilize funding: to CO.

There was additional discussion by Rick Artz and Mark Nilles concerning the need for a documentation of needs to respond to funding availability. Mark referred to possible funds in FY00 from CENR under Environmental monitoring needs and refurbishment. Should have a needs and wants list prepared.

The CAL Report

Jane gave the CAL report.

-Sarah Milton started in January as a data management assistant.
-In the Electrode study update, the CAL is still working with Broadley James to improve life of electrodes.
-The 1996 CAL QA report is almost done and the '97 part about 60% done. There was a call for reviewers before publication prior to the fall meeting. Luther and John Sherwell volunteered.
- The CAL participated in intercomparisons and performed adequately.
-There will be no site operator training until September.
-Program underway to replace rusty bucket handles.
-The CAL is getting some databases up on Microsoft Access.
-The field component shipping containers are effective.
-The December site audit went off without significant comment.
-The CAL is changing to Gelman from Milipore for better blanks.
-The new bucket cleaning protocol is in place.
-Rick asked for clarification on filter blank analysis: a filter blank is associated with each analytical set.
-The development of a manual for site operators is underway.
-Old archive samples ('95) were distributed according to the current protocol.
-The new AIRMoN site in Sarasota is in operation.
-The snow gauge intercomparison is ongoing.


HAL/MDN Report

Clyde gave the MDN report.

Expansions in the network were presented along with new web site maps. Then there was discussion over presenting MDN data at the Southern States Mercury Task Force who are interested in using MDN data. Clyde will make a presentation at their May meeting in San Antonio.

The Transition Network Data is on the web. The '96 data was just put up (in April). The MDN is trying to get into sync. with NADP reporting. In the discussion of data format descriptions, Luther raised concerns over single letter Invar codes - er vs r, for example. This issue was referred to the Data Committee. Clyde made some concentration comparisons to '95 data.

Rick Artz suggested pursing Great Waters Program funds to support the MD & DE MDN sites that Joe Scudlark had operated. NESCAUM is to sponsor a method a method intercomparison.

Regarding a question about auditing of MD sites by ATS (the EPA contract NADP auditor) Gary Lear raised the issue of EPA contract requirements for the EPA contract for the MDN site visits. He indicated that he would send more details later. He also raised the issue of the EPA/ORD initiative on mercury monitoring and the fact that ORD was unaware of the MDN. The ORD program is a FY00 initiative. Eric Prestbo indicated the need to coordinate with the ORD program and encouraged MDN to be responsive to outside needs. There was little clarification of the details of the ORD program, but it was thought by Rick Artz that it would be daily or event based. Mark indicated the importance of differentiating between a research program by ORD and the NADP/MDN with a well defined collection method, QA/QC protocol, data handling and reporting.

Bob Brunette gave the HAL report.

He clarified that EPA Method 1631 was appropriate for all ambient water samples. QC comprised duplicates, spikes and blanks every 10 samples. The method detection limit is based on natural water samples.

The use of the Electronic MDN Observer Form (EMOF) was discussed. The data are complied in the HAL and passed to the CO.

The dry deposition intercomparison study was discussed. NM10 is the standby site. Eric indicated that the dry-side bucket is a poor receptor as it does not collect dry deposited vapor.

Nitrogen Brochure

Ellen Porter gave an update on the status of the nitrogen brochure being developed by the Effects Committee. The brochure will point out the effects of deposition and highlight NADP's role in assessing these impacts. The transfer of the CO to Champaign delayed the process. Eva Kingston will be the technical writer assigned to compile the final document that will be four pages in the style of USGS reports. A review draft is expected in early July.

The CWAP

Mark Nilles briefly mentioned the Clean Water Action Plan as a budget item for federal agencies in FY99. Kathy emphasized the need to highlight the role of deposition in water quality issues.

The Chesapeake Bay Initiative.

Rick Artz gave a brief description of the Chesapeake Bay Program's Shared Resource initiative to involve both the water and air state agencies in the Bay states. Reports from previous shared resources meetings are available from NOAA/ARL in Silver Spring, MD.

Webpage Update

Bob Larson gave the webpage update. The CSU site is now inactive and the site is operating from the Illinois State Water Survey. There is a new registration form that needs to be filled out once only.

Dennis Lamb raised the issue of the quality of maps that can be retrieved from the site. For some applications the resolution is too poor. Gary suggested using PostScript format with .pdf format for maps. Generally agreed that the maps should be available in some high resolution PC-friendly format in addition to the current versions. Steve pointed out that the MDN map is not yet clickable. Mark Nilles requested that the top page should better indicate what NADP has to offer - it is the mother load of precipitation chemistry in the U.S.

There was discussion about data reporting: MDN and AIRMoN allow invalid data to be requested, with the default being that the data is reported as missing. New data products will need QA protocols. This issue was referred to the Data Subcommittee. An E-mail and discussion page on the web was proposed.