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Collaboration and Partnerships
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Mid-Atlantic Wetland Working Group
Region 3 - Philadelphia - Wetland Program
Geographic location or area of activity: All Region 2 and 3 states, plus Ohio (Region 5) and North Carolina (Region 4).
Description of activity: Several states have joined together to form the Mid-Atlantic Wetland Workgroup (MAWWG), a forum to facilitate the development and implementation of wetland monitoring strategies that meet the needs of the mid-Atlantic states. The workgroup serves as a forum for sharing information concerning a wide range of wetland inventory, assessment and monitoring issues among the nine member states. By pooling their resources, states with similar ecoregions share ideas, leverage resources and collaborate on inter-state or regional projects. These objectives, with relevant progress, include:
- Regionalize existing monitoring and assessment tools for wetlands - Through their interaction and involvement in MAWWG the states have been able to share wetland assessment tools that cross ecoregions. Additionally, through the coordination and access provided by MAWWG meetings, several states (Delaware, Virginia and Maryland) were recently awarded a joint Wetland Program Development Grant to establish monitoring protocols for tidal wetlands in the Delmarva Peninsula.
- Training for regulatory personnel in monitoring and assessment methods - MAWWG provides relevant training to members regarding tool development and implementation of wetland monitoring programs. EPA’s Office of Research and Development Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program uses the MAWWG forum to provide practical training to state wetland practitioners and guide the development, implementation, analysis and reporting of a wetland monitoring program.
- Implementing a Regional Wetlands Assessment (REMAP Project) - Region 3’s Wetland Program is planning a study through ORD REMAP to assess the ecological condition of wetlands in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The study will be conducted in collaboration with the states in Region 3 through the MAWWG. They will collaborate to develop and implement a wetland assessment protocol for the Mid-Atlantic region. The intent is to develop a multilevel assessment protocol that can provide periodic characterizations of wetland condition at multiple geopolitical units (states, regions, and at the national level), as well as the basis for restoration and protection goals.
Interagency partners : EPA Regions II and 3, NY, NJ, PA, MD, VA, DE, WV, OH, NC, Penn State University, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and Virginia Tech;
Activity URL: http://www.mawwg.psu.edu/