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A;' . <br />? <br />water quality monitoring for the central and lower Platte River and not for research of water quality on site <br />specific Program activities. <br />The focus of the remainder of the meeting was on what will be included in the analytical analysis. The <br />discussion was initiated by listing of the analytical parameters that will be included and listing the analytical <br />parameters that were considered but were not included in the analytical analysis. Conclusions from a lengthy <br />discussion include: <br />• NDEQ has monitared metals (including mercury) in the Platte River on a quarterly basis at <br />Overton, Grand Island, Duncan, North Bend, and Louisville (2001-2005). Pat O'Brien indicated <br />that the results for mercury were below the reporting limit of 1.0 µg/1. <br />• Don Anderson indicated the he probably would be agreeable to use the mercury analysis that <br />NDEQ is performing to address USFWS concerns, pending an opportunity for USFWS to review <br />NDEQ's past and present monitoring information. <br />• If low level mercury analysis is included in the water quality monitoring protocol, it should be <br />coupled with or substituted with fish tissue analysis (one fish tissue analysis per year would be <br />adequate). <br />• If the fish tissue analysis is included in the water quality monitoring protocol, fish tissue collection <br />would be more appropriate to occur under the Program's Fish Foraging Protocol and could include <br />analysis for mercury, cadmium and selenium. EA could coordinate analytical analysis if fish are <br />collected in the Fish Foraging Protocol. <br />• The link between anticipated Program activities and mercury is not clear and given that the BO <br />and EIS found that mercury was not elevated in sediment on the Platte. Mercury analysis may be <br />more of a specific research topic on tern and plover foraging versus key information to collect for <br />baseline water quality. <br />• Mike Besson suggested that sediment samples should be tested before being added to the river. <br />? Don Anderson discussed water projects in northeast Colorado in reference to selenium. <br />Action items: <br />• EA Engineering, Science, and Technology will provide a base analytical cost estimate with the <br />recommendations from the 'Analytical Analysis' memo and will provide estimates of inercury/fish <br />tissue analysis costs to help determine how this would impact the budget. It is assumed that the <br />fish collection would occur under the Fish Foraging Protocol so additional costs would only be <br />associated with the fish tissue analysis. <br />• Chad Smith will obtain input on mercury analysis from the TAC or AMWG in late <br />September/early October. <br />• Pat O'Brien will provide a summary of the sites and parameters being monitored by NDEQ. <br />If discussion notes are not as you recall, please contact our office at 402-476-3766 within five workinQ days. <br />Technical Memorandum Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2