07/31/2013 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

proportional representation within each sampling reach. Benthic macroinvertebrates are collected systematically from all available in- stream habitats by jabbing with a D -frame dip net. At least 20 samples or `jabs' were taken from across all major habitat types in the reach. Habitat types included snags and woody debris, vegetated banks, cobble, and sand /fine sediment bottom areas. Project staff from the FMR or Fortin Consulting made in -field team visits whenever possible. These visits are conducted to ensure the teams were following the correct protocols in collecting and preserving macroinvertebrates and conducting habitat assessments. 2.6 Lab Identification SHEP teams sorted and identified macroinvertebrate samples during multiple lab sessions throughout September and October 2012. Lab identification sessions were held in partnership with Anoka County Parks at the Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. Lab sessions identified the taxonomic classification of benthic macroinvertebrate samples from each sampling site. Using taxonomic keys, SHEP volunteers identified the Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order and Family of macroinvertebrate organisms. Once identified, samples were sorted and labeled prior to being submitted to project staff for quality assurance / quality control. 2.7 Quality Assurance /Quality Control (QA /QC) A Quality Assurance /Quality Control (QA /QC) check was performed on macroinvertebrate samples identified by SHEP volunteers. Fortin Consulting staff performed a QA /QC check on 33% of the macroinvertebrates identified by all three teams. The samples selected for QA /QC were as follows: Team One: Sample: Hardwood Creek `Above' sample Accuracy Score: 99% Team Two: Sample: Rice Creek `Below' sample Accuracy Score: 96.2% Team Three: Sample: Rice Creek `Park' sample Accuracy Score: 87.5% The overall combined QA /QC accuracy score for the 2012 Rice Creek Watershed Stream Health Evaluation Program was: 91.5 %. •