Quality Assurance Plan

Problem Definition and Background:

The Lower Nehalem Watershed Council is preparing and assessment of the impacts of commercial logging, development, farming, and other activities on the water quality in the Lower Nehalem Basin. Currently there is little baseline data on water quality. The data will be used to determine factors which are limiting water quality and to educate the public on the relationship between land use practices and water quality in the Lower Nehalem Basin,

Project Description:

Volunteers will monitor sites at major tributaries of the North and South Fork of the Nehalem to determine their effect on the main stems of the river. Sites on the main stem of the river have been chosen for their location in relationship to the North Fork Hatchery, farm activity and the Nehalem Wastewater facility. Sites will be monitored for dissolved oxygen, Temperature, turbidity, Ph, and fecal coliform, Macro-invertebrate sampling will be done yearly in September. Random sampling during winter peak flow events will be done to determine high water baselines. Results will be compared with state and federal standard for clean water and any historical information. Data will be entered into a computer program that is compatible with the Oregon DEQ.

Project Timetable:

Volunteers must complete a one day training session with state and local water quality monitoring personnel. Volunteers will be instructed how to calibrate field equipment and perform physical and chemical tests and analysis.

Documentation and Records:

All sites will be monitored over the course of one day by one or two teams of volunteers. The team leader will fill out a cover sheet containing the date, 24hr. rainfall reading from the North Fork weather station, time of Nehalem Bay high/low tide, river gauge reading from Foss and North Fork Hatchery, and the name of all volunteers for that day. Field data sheets will be filled out on site and include time, date, visual observations on river and weather conditions and sample data, Sample containers will be labeled with the time, date, site name and/or number, samplers name, and parameter taken.

When sampling is complete team leaders will return samples and field data sheets to the appropriate lab for analysis. Lab managers will test the samples and record results in the space provided at the bottom of the field data form and then return it to the LNWC office for filing and computer entry.

Sample Process Design:

Sites were selected to provide an overview of the water quality in the Lower Nehalem Basin. Major tributaries are being monitored to determine their health and effect on the main river. Also, sites above and below the North Fork Hatchery dairy farmland were selected to determine if they have an impact on water quality.

Samples of Turbidity, DO, Fecal Coliform and pH will be taken monthly at all sites regardless of river conditions. Also, random peak flow samples will be taken periodically during winter storm. Selected sites may be monitored to determine the effects of recent logging, farming, building or other activities in the watershed. Temperature reading will be taken by thermograghs placed in the river from June to September to study the effect of low flow and summer temperatures on water quality. Macro-invertebrate sampling will be done yearly in September to provide a baseline for that parameter.

For safety reasons volunteers will, work in groups of at least two and shall not enter the river to sample during high flow. It is advised that teams carry Citizen Band radio when entering logging road where there is logging activity to monitor truck traffic and make logging operators aware of their presence. The channel to monitor is posted in a visible location at the entrance to the logging road.

Sample Methods and requirements:

See Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for detailed information on Sampling Methods, protocol and equipment.

Sample Handling and Custody Requirements:

Handling and Custody are detailed in SOP

Analytic Methods

Protocol are detailed in the SOP

Quality Control Requirements:

Replicate samples will be taken from two randomly chosen sites by the OA Officer. One site will be from the North Fork and one from the South Fork of the Nehalem to check sampling of each team. If only one team is sampling all sites only one replicate sample will be taken. The Oregon DEQ will also sample at random sites periodically and will also split samples to determine lab accuracy.

Instrument and Equipment Testing, Inspection, and Maintenance Requirements:

Equipment and instrument inspection will occur prior to each sampling and is the duty of the team leaders and lab managers. Team leaders are responsible for equipment in the field. Testing and maintenace will occur as suggested by the manufacturer.

Instrument Calibration and Frequency:

Calibration of all equipment will be done prior to each sampling period according to the recommendation of the Oregon DEQ or the manufacturers.

Inspection and Acdeptance Requirements for Supplies:

Supplies are inspected upon arrival by the project manager or the field leaders. Any broken or incomplete shipments are returned to the manufacturer.

Data Acquisition Requirements:

USGS 7.5 minute maps will be used to identify site locations. Historical information and monitoring data will only be used in comparison and will not be considered accurate unless it is from the Oregon DEO, EPA, or any other group with accepted QAPP and SOP.

Data Management:

Sample team leaders are responsible for making sure all information on the field data form is filled out before leaving the monitoring site. Once filled out the team leader signs off on the form. The OA officer will examine field data forms within 48 hours of monitoring to check for and note any errors and ommissions in the data. The QA officer will notify the field leaders of any problems.

The lab manager is responsible for checking samples and removing any that have been improperly preserved, are in the wrong sample container, are labeled in a manner that makes them unidentifiable, or exceed the maximum holding period for the parameter. After testing and recording the data the lab manager will sign off on the data sheet and assure the transport of the data forms to the Lower Nehalem Watershed Council office.

Data will be entered into the computer into software that is compatible with that used by the Oregon DEQ. Data will be analyzed semiannually for the first two years of the project and then quarterly there after. An annual summary will be provided to the LNWC, Oregon DEQ, and the public in March.

Assessment and Response Actions:

Assessment of stream sampling procedures will be done annually by the field leaders, OA officer and a representative of the Oregon DEO. Retraining will occur on-site when possible. Training workshops will be held as needed if continual errors are found in the water sampling process. Lab and data management audits will be performed twice a year by the lab manager, data manager, OA officer, and a representative of the Oregon DEO. Any retraining will be done on-site if possible, Workshops will be held if continual errors are noted at the audit. Equipment manufactures or there representatives will be notified if the errors are traced to faulty equipment.

Reports:

Reports on volunteer performance, lab and data audits, and internal assessments will be produced yearly by the project manager. Copies will be submitted to the LNWC chairperson and the Oregon DEQ. Summaries will be distributed to all volunteers and council members.

Data Review, Validation, and Verification Requirements:

Data will be reviewed by the data manager, OA officer, and a representative from the Oregon DEO to determine if it meets the objectives of the OAPP. The decision to reject or qualify data will be done by the data manager and the QA officer.

Validation and Verification Methods:

The data manager or QA officer will printout the data in the computer and compare it with the field data forms for errors in computer entry and correct any that are found. Data that is outside of the measurement range of the parameter will be noted and reviewed or discarded.

Reconciliation and Data Quality Objectives:

The data manager or the QA officer will perform the calculations to determine precision, accuracy and completeness of the data from each sampling before the next sampling date. Of the data does not meet the objectives of the OAPP it will be downgraded or discarded. Evaluation of the data error will be done before the next sampling and corrective action will be taken. If the errors are not found to be caused by equipment, methods, or sampling error the Qapp may be revised and resubmitted to the advisory panel.

FIELD DATA FORM