Training, Field QA, and Collection Permit
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College of Bioassessment
The College of Bioassessment (COB) was developed by CDFW and the State Board’s Training Academy to provide students with a background on stream ecology, sampling design and data analysis based on SWAMP Bioassessment Procedure. Water resource professionals involved with the implementation and/or administration of bioassessment projects as well as citizen scientists will benefit from the four courses offered through the COB.
Course 1 is an introduction to all aspects of bioassessment and although some students gain enough knowledge in the first course to make them more confident at writing permits, managing contracts and dealing with environmental review, for a complete understanding of bioassessment, all four courses should be completed. Besides attending all four courses, any participant wanting to conduct bioassessment should participate in annual inter-calibration exercises and field audits (described in the sections below). Graduates of the COB can keep up with projects and techniques involving bioassessment by attending the annual CABW meeting
Established bioassessment field and laboratory professionals are encouraged to attend COB courses to insure that they are up to date with procedures and data analysis but they will have the opportunity to petition to certify completion of a COB course based on their work experience.
Annual Pre-season Calibration and Training Registration for Calibration Exercises
During this one day exercise, multiple bioassessment crews assemble at one location to discuss invertebrate and algae sampling and processing procedures and to perform several PHAB exercises on a shortened stream reach. After a brief pre-exercise discussion of event activities, the crews are encouraged to present questions or concerns from the previous year’s sampling for group discussion. Invertebrate and algae sampling methods are discussed and demonstrated and then the crews perform the PHAB exercises separately with minimal interaction recording the data on hand written forms specially designed for the exercise. After the crews complete the exercise the groups get together to discuss the results and present any questions or concerns that came up while performing the exercise.
Field Audits
Field audits are conducted in the field setting at actual sites being surveyed by experienced bioassessment crews. This activity is time intensive since it requires one CDFW auditor to work with one crew at a time and would require travel and a full day to complete. At least one and possibly two audits; one in the beginning of the field season and one mid-season, will be conducted for each crew. Audits are a requirement for any SWAMP bioassessment project but could also be requested by an corporate field crew for internal QA/QC, or could be a requirement for a permit or project that include bioassessments.
- Request for Field Audit (TBA)
California Aquatic Bioassessment Workgroup (CABW)
The annual CABW meeting educates those unfamiliar with bioassessment on current and planned activities in bioassessment. It is also an opportunity for those active in bioassessment to be updated on current activities and to stay in touch with other people in the bioassessment community. The annual meeting of the California Chapter of the Society for Freshwater Science (CalSFS, or SFS) is included at the end of the CABW meeting.
- 2021 California Aquatic Bioassessment Workgroup (CABW) and California Society for Freshwater Science Meeting (Cal-SFS)
This year’s event will be organized as a hybrid virtual and in-person event. It is up to the discretion of the participant on how they would like to comfortably attend.
- This meeting will convert to virtual attendance if needed per future Centers for Disease and Control guidance on large gatherings. The State Water Board Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Staff will update on this webpage by September 2021 to confirm the location and logistics of the event.
- 2021 Registration Page (Registration is required to attend – register by October 1, 2021)
- Poster and Presentation Form (Submit your abstracts by July 30, 2021)
- 2020 California Aquatic Bioassessment Workgroup (CABW) and California Society for Freshwater Science Meeting
- California Aquatic Bioassessment Workgroup (CABW) October 2019 Meeting Agenda with Presentation Videos
- For copies of the PowerPoint Presentation PDF files: please contact Shuka Rastegarpour at 916-327-1277
CABW Files and Presentations from Previous Years
Collection Permit
A Scientific Collecting Permit is required to collect invertebrates for scientific, education, and non-commercial propagation purposes. Information on how to apply for a Scientific Collecting Permit is on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website (access using Internet Explorer 9 currently not supported).
Contact Information
For any questions on the Statewide Bioassessment Program please contact Shuka Rastegarpour at 916-327-1277
