OBJECTIVES 



1. Establish baseline water quality and biological conditions 



in a representative sample of unimpaired or IeaHr.--i,Tipaired 

 wetlands in Montana. 



2. Develop water quality and biological criteria ind 

 bioassessment protocols for Montana wetlands. 



3. Assess water quality and biological conditions , r, .i '-ftt-ra- 



sentative sample of impaired wetlands usinq t.ne yrvCc-cijAS 

 and criteria developed under objective /2 above . 



SCOPE AND TIMEFRAME 



Ten unimpaired and five impaired wetlands will be sampled in each 

 of the four major wetland areas of the state. Water quality 

 parameters will include pH, conductivity, alkalinity, common ions, 

 nutrients, and selected trace elements and pesticides. Biological 

 sampling will be of the benthic algae (periphyton) and 

 macro invertebrate communities. EPA-approved methods will be used 

 for all sampling and analyses. 



This project would run for two years beginning July 1, 1992. The 

 1992 field season will be devoted to sampling least- impaired 

 wetlands. Samples will be analyzed and criteria and assessment 

 protocols will be developed during the fall and winter of 1992- 

 1993. Impaired wetlands will be sampled during the 1993 field 

 season. Data will be analyzed and impaired wetlands assessed 

 during the fall and winter of 1993-1994. A final report will be 

 prepared in the spring of 1994 and completed by July l, 1994. 



