USGS Science for a changing world

Proceedings of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Sediment Workshop,

"EXPANDING SEDIMENT RESEARCH CAPABILITIES IN TODAY'S USGS"

Convened By:
John Gray, Water Resources Division
Jeff Williams, Geologic Division
Susan Finger, Biological Resources Division
John W. Jones, National Mapping Division

February 4-7, 1997
Reston, VA, and Harpers Ferry, WV

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photo

(Click on this image of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, for a larger version,
264K JPEG)

Explanation of photograph of Harpers Ferry

SYNOPSIS

The USGS Sediment Workshop was conceived to draw together the four Divisions of the USGS -- Geologic, National Mapping, Water Resources, and the new Biological Resources Division (formerly the Department of the Interior's National Biological Service) -- to focus on the common denominator of sediment research and monitoring, which cuts across the mission and programs of all four Divisions. The physical and/or chemical characteristics of sediment are recognized as fundamental to many environmental issues society faces toward protecting, sustaining, and restoring the Nation's natural resources.

The Workshop had two principal objectives:

The Workshop's opening session took place on February 4, 1997, at the USGS National Center in Reston, where representatives from nine Federal agencies provided perspectives on sediment research and monitoring as part of formal presentations and a subsequent panel discussion to about 40 USGS participants. USGS participants spent February 5-7 at the Hilltop House in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in formal and informal discussions on the USGS's role in sediment research and monitoring. Those discussions were organized under three general areas of USGS expertise:

The latter part of the meeting in Harpers Ferry was devoted to bringing the previous day's findings and recommendations into focus for expansion by work groups in the wake of the Workshop. A major theme was identified:

"Ecological Significance of Sediment Dynamics:
USGS Science for Resource Management and Restoration"

Six theme components requiring additional definition were also identified in the form of questions, to wit:

  1. What are the most important measures needed for evaluation? Examples of issues included standardization, and total maximum daily load.

  2. What additional measures should be included in long-term research/monitoring sites and other studies?

  3. How can sediment-borne contaminants be used to predict effects?

  4. What physical, chemical, and biological factors influence critical habitat?

  5. How do land-water interfaces (i.e. riparian zone, wetlands, coastal zone) and sediment dynamics interact?

  6. What critical factors are needed to make recommendations regarding mitigation strategies (such as mining, dumping, dredge material, beach nourishment, restoration)?

ANTICIPATED PRINCIPAL OUTCOMES

  1. Increased familiarity with key individuals conducting sediment research in USGS and an expanded understanding of cooperative potential for research among divisions.

  2. Expanded awareness of the needs of cooperators and customers concerning sediment research, including identification of collaborative potential with other Federal agencies.

  3. Identification of areas for collaborative work and formulation of teams to develop these potential research topics into proposals that may be incorporated into USGS programmatic initiatives for research associated with aquatic sediments.

  4. Formal release of Workshop Proceedings via this Internet site and subsequently as a USGS report with abstracts from other Federal agencies and USGS participants, principal findings, and recommendations.

WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS AND CONTRIBUTORS

List of Participants and Related Contact Information

Other Federal Agency Participants

U.S. Geological Survey Participants

Selected Photographs taken at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, February 5-7, 1997

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(Click on image for a larger version,
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Photograph of USGS Sediment Workshop participants outside Hilltop House, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (Photo by Norm Bliss)

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(Click on image for a larger version,
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Photograph of Michael Dixon, National Park Service, and USGS Sediment Workshop participants, downtown Harpers Ferry, West Viginia (Photo by Norm Bliss)

WORKSHOP CONTRIBUTIONS

Request to Authors: Each paper is designated "Provisional, Subject to Revision," and will remain so until an author confirms that the version of the paper appearing on this Web Site is correct.

For other Federal Agences, this notification should be made to John Gray via EMAIL (jrgray@usgs.gov), telephone (703/648-5318), or FAX (703/648-5295).

For USGS authors, notification should be to your respective divisional representative, and should include confirmation that the paper is formally approved for publication.

Only after this notification is obtained will the "provisional" status be removed from the paper heading.

Revisions to papers should be arranged directly with Ms. Jene Comfort (gcomfort, 703/648-5698).

TEXT OF USGS DIRECTOR GORDIE EATON'S WELCOMING REMARKS, FEBRUARY 4, 1997

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES
(Single entry for each paper in order of Agency, Author, Title; point-and-click for entire paper; all papers designated as "provisional, subject to revision" until author concurs with contents)

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE USGS
(Single entry for each paper in order of Author and Title, as above with above caveats PLUS author must confirm that paper has Director's Approval)

"LIGHTER SEDIMENT" FROM THE USGS SEDIMENT WORKSHOP

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