Vermont Monitoring, Assessment & Planning Program

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What is the Monitoring, Assessment & Planning Program?

What is the Monitoring, Assessment and Planning Program?

The Monitoring, Assessment and Planning Program (MAPP) integrates three components of the Vermont water pollution control program. MAPP measures water quality indicators and evaluates these indicators in light of applicable standards or thresholds. Information about the condition of waters is then used to develop watershed plans that target waters for protection or remediation.

Water Quality Monitoring

Vermont’s water quality monitoring program measures physical, chemical, and biological indicators of lakes and ponds, rivers and streams, and wetlands, on a rotating basis to document water quality conditions statewide. MAPP oversees biological monitoring of rivers and streams, and coordinates Vermont’s other surface water quality monitoring activities using two complementary approaches; probability and fixed-station monitoring within several different projects. MAPP also coordinates Vermont’s use of citizen monitoring where practical. Annual priorities described by the Vermont Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Program Strategy.

Water Quality Assessment and Total Maximum Daily Load Activities

The assessment and TMDL efforts of MAPP interpret water quality studies, stream, lake, and wetland information, and permit compliance data to develop statements of lake or stream condition, and determine the compliance of individual waters with the Vermont Water Quality Standards. For this purpose, MAPP maintains an evolving Assessment and Listing Methodology that is compliant with Federal Clean Water Act guidance, and that is used to develop lists of waters that are “impaired” (meaning they do not meet Vermont’s standards), or otherwise stressed. MAPP issues individual watershed assessment reports that are used to support development of Basin Plans. MAPP also develops total maximum daily load (TMDL) plans, which are documents that identify the reductions in pollutants necessary to restore Impaired waters.

Watershed Management and Basin Planning

The Planning section of MAPP is charged with developing and implementing watershed management plans that summarize existing water quality conditions and public uses, and identify means to protect high-quality waters or remediate degraded ones. The Vermont Water Quality Standards require Water Quality Management Plans for each of Vermont’s 17 river basins to be adopted on a five-year recurring cycle. As of March, 2010, MAPP is re-evaluating its present Basin Planning Process by considering development of a Statewide Water Plan and a streamlined process for developing Basin Specific Implementation Plans.

MAPP also supports Federally-required watershed planning processes at the statewide level including the Continuing Water Quality Management Planning Process and the Nonpoint Source Management Program under §319 of the Clean Water Act. MAPP coordinates the distribution of water quality planning funds under §604(b) of the Clean Water Act, helps develop water quality classifications and designated use determinations that are required under the Vermont Water Quality Standards, and prepares annual program reports for the Vermont Legislature. MAPP also coordinates the distribution of Vermont’s Watershed Grant funds (funded by conservation license plates), and serves to promote awareness and implementation of Low Impact Development (LID) practices.

Updated: January 2012