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Day 1Monday, October 31

TIME SESSION

11:30 a.m.

REGISTRATION (open all afternoon)

12:30 p.m.

BEACH 101 – Shannon Briggs and members of the Michigan Lab Network (MiNet)
Learn from success stories on how to prepare a sampling plan, consider options for lab testing, communicate results to the public, and when to use rapid methods and source tracking to improve beach water quality.

1:00 p.m.

SANITARY SURVEYS - Lexi Porter and Katelyn Anderson, Annis Water Resources Institute, Grand Valley State University (AWRI-GVSU)
This session will train beach managers to use the USEPA’s sanitary survey app Survey123 and download data, including harmful algal bloom and foam pictures and results.  Learn how to use data from sanitary surveys and routine monitoring data to identify sources of pollution.  Sanitary surveys lead to corrective actions and successful remediation efforts.  Survey123 provides a platform to digitally link sanitary survey data with photos of site conditions that can be used to document current conditions, alert others of conditions that may be hazardous, and create a historical record for future reference.

2:00 p.m.

RAPID TESTING WITH DRAFT METHOD C –MiNet Members
Learn how to work with qPCR and ddPCR to quickly determine that a beach is open or closed.  Discussion will primarily be for Draft Method C for E. coli using qPCR and ddPCR methods. All levels of experience are welcome to join.

Panel:  How to's and lessons learned

  • Matt Flood, Michigan State University: Quick overview of Draft Method C
  • Josh Sharp, Northern Michigan University: qPCR or ddPCR? 
  • Mike Swain, Oakland County Health Division: Using the qPCR results 

Discussion/Take-away

www.epa.gov/cwa-methods/other-clean-water-act-test-methods-microbiological

3:00 p.m.

BREAK

3:15 p.m.

SOURCE TRACKING – MiNet Members
Learn to use qPCR and ddPCR methods with sanitary surveys to identify hosts of fecal contamination that cause beach closures.  All levels of experience are welcome to join.

Panel: Using microbial source tracking (MST) to identify causes of fecal contamination at beaches

  • Matt Flood, Michigan State University
  • Tami Sivy, Saginaw Valley State University
  • Michael Eslick, Public Health Muskegon County

Discussion/Take-away

4:15 – 5:30 p.m.

WASTEWATER MONITORING DISCUSSION - Moderator: Joan Rose, Michigan State University

Catch up and share your wastewater monitoring methods and data with MiNet members.  Discussion is informal and all levels of experience are welcome to join.

Panel:  Advances, emerging issues and approaches for wastewater surveillance in Michigan

  • Nishita DSouza, Michigan State University
  • Penny Jane Nowlin, Regional Laboratory North West Health
  • Russ Faust, Oakland County Health Dept.
  • Jeff Ram, Wayne State University

6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

NETWORKING RECEPTION AND POSTER SESSION/STUDENT POSTER COMPETITION

 

Day 2Tuesday, November 1

TIME SESSION

7:30 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m.

Opening Remarks
Shannon Briggs, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

9:00 a.m.

Welcome
Dr. Rick Rediske, Annis Water Resources Institute, Grand Valley State University (AWRI-GVSU)

9:15 a.m.

Student Poster Awards
Shannon Briggs, EGLE

9:30 a.m.

Highlights of Local Health Department Beach Testing Program
Michael Eslick, Public Health Muskegon County

10:00 a.m.

BREAK

10:15 a.m.

REMEDIATION - Moderator: Gregory Kleinheinz, R.S. Ph.D., University of Wisconsin

The Economic Benefits of Great Lakes Beach Reengineering
Matthew Winden, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater

Implementing Avian Deterrents at Lake St. Clair Metropark Beach
Annette DeMaria, Environmental Consulting & Technology

Discussion/Take-away

11:45 p.m.

NETWORKING LUNCH

1:00 p.m.

LAB FOCUS - Moderator: Dr. Joan Rose, Michigan State University (MSU)

Implementing molecular testing methods in a water quality laboratory: A Lab Manager’s perspective
Brian Scull, Grand Valley State University

Creating a Community of Practice to implement new approaches to water quality assessment: The Michigan Network for Environmental Health and Technology (MiNET)
Erin Dreelin, MSU

1:45 p.m.

E. COLI METHODS - Moderator: Shannon Briggs, EGLE

Validity Assessment of Michigan’s Proposed qPCR Threshold Value for Monitoring E. coli Contamination
James McNair, AWRI-GVSU

Muskegon County Beach Monitoring: A Review and Application of Beach Closure Decision Matrix Utility
Lexi Porter, AWRI-GVSU

Appraisal of EPA qPCR method variations to reduce interferences by Great Lakes region water samples
Richard Haugland and Stephani Hertel, United States Environmental Protection Agency

2:30 p.m.

BREAK

2:40 p.m.

SOURCE TRACKING Moderator: Shannon Briggs, EGLE

Identifying useful Microbial Source Tracking Markers for use in the Great Lakes Region
Matt Flood, MSU

Using Watershed Characteristics for Improving Fecal Source Identification
John Hart, AWRI-GVSU

Pathogens in Water: A New Conceptual Fecal Impairment Framework
John Hart, AWRI-GVSU

Mitchell Creek Source Tracking Study Analysis – Year 1 Results
Rebecca Ives, MSU

Using MST Markers to Determine the Source of Fecal Indicator Bacteria on 3 Great Lakes Beaches
Dr. Richard Rediske, AWRI-GVSU

4:30 p.m.

SAFETY

Presenter:  Bob Pratt, Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

5:00 p.m.

Optional Dinner Discussions (Dinner on own)

  • Inland Lake Data Discussion – Pigeon Hill Brewing Company
  • Wastewater Monitoring – To be determined
  • Source Tracking – to be determined
  • Shop Talk for Labs – to be determined
  • New Methods – to be determined
  • Harmful Algal Blooms – to be determined

 

Day 3Wednesday, November 2

TIME SESSION

8:00 a.m.

Networking Breakfast

9:00 a.m.

HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS Moderator: Rick Rediske, AWRI-GVSU

Harmful Algal Blooms in Michigan's Recreational Waters
Aaron Parker, EGLE

Cyanobacteria: New Problems from Old Organisms
Rick Rediske, AWRI - GVSU

Algal Bloom Impacts on Beach Monitoring: Exploring 2018-2022 Trends in Climate and Harmful Algal Bloom Presence on Public Beaches in Muskegon County, Michigan
Renee Tardani, AWRI-GVSU

10:50 a.m.

BREAK

11:00 a.m.

NEW METHODS - Moderator: Kevin B. Strychar, AWRI-GVSU

Developing and Using Image Flow Cytometry (IFCM) to Detect Escherichia coli (E. coli) along Coastal Beaches of Lake Michigan
Katelyn Anderson, AWRI – GVSU

What You Resist Will Persist: Understanding the Importance of Pathogen-Specific Survival in Surface Waters
Kara Dean, Michigan State University

Image Flow Cytometry (IFCM) used to identify Escherichia coli (E. coli) on fruit, foliar, and soil samples from blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum, Linnaeus 1753) trees grown near coastal habitats in Michigan
Kevin B. Strychar, AWRI-GVSU

12:00 p.m.

Adjourn

 

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