A Benthic Environmental Evaluation Protocol for a New Municipal Marine Outfall

Mauseth, Gary S.; Kindig, Andrew C.; Brocco, Steven L.; ,

A Benthic Environmental Evaluation Protocol for a New Municipal Marine Outfall

by Gary S. Mauseth, Northern Technical Services Inc, Redmond, WA, USA,
Andrew C. Kindig, Northern Technical Services Inc, Redmond, WA, USA,
Steven L. Brocco, Northern Technical Services Inc, Redmond, WA, USA,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '87

Abstract:

Concurrent with siting studies to relocate a 72 mgd secondary outfall diffuser in deep water (200 meters), the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle initiated a three year baseline study of Puget Sound in the vicinity of Duwamish Head. Essential to this study was the development of a long term plan to monitor the condition of the environment in the area potentially impacted by the effluent plume. By comparison of pre-discharge to post-discharge data the study design incorporated maximizing the collection of archivable samples and the analysis of annual sample sets at a minimum level of effort and funding that will alert METRO to any significant changes in the baseline conditions. The post-discharge monitoring program was designed around a system of computer software procedures that compile and summarize data for rapid assessment by a knowledgeable staff by raising 'Red Flags' when predetermined criteria are violated. Factors in establishing these criteria are discussed.

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