A training and certification program for evaluating aquatic life in Minnesota’s rivers and streams
MPCA is developing the Biological Monitoring Partner Program to receive, evaluate, and integrate externally collected data through trainings and certifications. This program will emphasize the importance of standardized field techniques and data management practices. At the highest level, professional biologists would be able to produce data that can be used for the MPCA’s water body assessment process.
This training and certification program will provide a number of potential benefits to partners and the MPCA:
- participate in the collection of biological data that will be used to compare with state biological standards
- unify methods to help facilitate communication among partners
- gauge the effectiveness of watershed management activities
- identify potential point and non-point source impacts to aquatic life
The anticipated start date of this program is 2026. More information about the Biological Monitoring Partner Program will be shared in the future. If you would like to be on the contact list to receive information about this program, please email biological.monitoring.mpca@state.mn.us.
Training
The program will offer annual training for organizations interested in collecting biological monitoring data. Sessions will cover topics like biomonitoring concepts, pre-monitoring planning, field methods, and data practices. Successful participants will demonstrate proficiency in techniques and procedures necessary to collect biomonitoring data, and periodic re-certification will be required. Coordination with MPCA biologists will be necessary, even for organizations that have completed training. Partners that complete the training and use MPCA’s fish or macroinvertebrate data collection protocols will be eligible to submit their biological data following guidance developed for external partners and, if data quality objectives are met, the data will contribute to river and stream aquatic life assessments.
Data quality
Data submitted to MPCA will be reviewed by staff biologists using criteria similar to those used to review agency-produced data. Important factors include sampling conditions, field techniques, qualifications and credentials of crew leaders and crew members, and overall completeness of the data submittal. MPCA biologists will review data submitted by external organizations and make final determinations regarding data quality and how the data will be used in the assessment process.
MPCA biologists will classify data into one of three “data quality” categories based on the quantity and quality of information provided.
- Level 1 (assessable): Data are of similar quality to that produced by MPCA and can be used in surface water assessments in a “stand-alone” role (i.e., aquatic life use support decisions can be made with Level 1 data in the absence of data produced by MPCA). Field data collection and management are overseen and conducted by professional biologists with sufficient training and experience, in full compliance with MPCA standard operating procedures (SOP).
- Level 2 (reportable): Data can be used in surface water assessments as “supporting information.” Field data collection and management are conducted by professional biologists in compliance with MPCA SOPs, but personnel may be less experienced with MPCA field methods and/or taxonomy. A Level 2 classification may also result from minor deviation from MPCA SOPs or omission of required information. For example, fish survey data collection may have omitted the vouchering process, or macroinvertebrate sample composition may have insufficiently reflected available habitats. Level 2 data may contribute to assessment decisions but must be accompanied by Level 1 biological data for the same indicator (fish or macroinvertebrates).
- Level 3 (informational): Data cannot be used in surface water assessments due to collection by non-qualified personnel, missing information, or failure to follow MPCA SOPs. Field data collection and management may have been conducted in general compliance with SOPs, but important aspects are missing or incomplete, or data may have been collected using substantive departures from MPCA SOPs. In some cases, MPCA may integrate Level 3 data into the agency biomonitoring data system, but Level 3 data will not contribute to surface water assessments and MPCA will not vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of various uses of Level 3 data.
Background
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) monitors fish and macroinvertebrates in rivers and streams across the state and uses these assemblages as indicators of water quality, aquatic ecosystem health, and aquatic life use support status. MPCA has developed a standardized approach for river and stream biomonitoring, including planning, field methods, and data management and data interpretation.
Traditionally, this work has been carried out almost exclusively by MPCA biologists. However, external partners have also conducted independent monitoring and submitted data for evaluation by MPCA. Interest is increasing in conducting biological monitoring and stream IBI work and contributing these data toward water quality assessments. In fact, some external partners are actively seeking an “assessable” status for their data in order to justify the continuation of their biological monitoring programs. Participation by local partners in water quality management is a key component of the MPCA's watershed approach.