Amy Howk

Pollutants of Concern (POC) in Sediment and Stormwater Runoff Monitoring Program, California — Supports multiple municipalities through management of field activities, laboratory coordination, data handling, and QA/QC related to stormwater NPDES permit monitoring requirements for identifying sources, contributions to bay impairment, and loads. Monitoring is directed toward addressing several POC management information needs: source identification, contributions to bay impairment, loads, and status. For sediment, sampling involves collecting surface or subsurface soil and sediment samples from designated locations. For stormwater, sampling involves collecting rainfall runoff at designated locations throughout an event where POCs are suspected of being present.

Santa Clara Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program (SCVURPPP) Dry Season Pesticides and Toxicity Monitoring Program, Santa Clara County, California — Manages field activities, laboratory coordination, data handling, and QA/QC in support of San Francisco Bay Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES permit monitoring requirements. Sampling involves collecting water samples from creeks for toxicity testing using Chironomus dilutus and sediment samples from creeks for toxicity testing using Hyalella azteca along with metals, pesticides, organic carbon, grain size, and pyrethroid pesticide analyses.

San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program (SMCWPPP) Dry Season Pesticides and Toxicity Monitoring Program, San Mateo County, California — Manages field activities, laboratory coordination, data handling, and QA/QC in support of San Francisco Bay Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit monitoring requirements. Sampling involves collecting water samples from Pilarcitos Creek for toxicity testing using Chironomus dilutus and sediment samples from Pilarcitos Creek for toxicity testing using Hyalella azteca along with metals, pesticides, organic carbon, grain size, and pyrethroid pesticide analyses.

Central Coast Long Term Environmental Network (CCLEAN) Monterey Bay Regional Monitoring Program, Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, California — Assists in managing this automated, high-volume, passive water sampling program for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in multiple environments, including the open ocean, rivers, and publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) throughout the Monterey Bay region. Ensures sample integrity and quality control for ultra-low level chemical detection limits. Also provides field and logistical support and participates in the collection and processing of mussels (Mytilus californicanus) in the Monterey Bay region according to National Status and Trends Mussel Watch Program protocols for the bioaccumulation of POPs.

Calleguas Creek Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Monitoring Program, Ventura County, California — Assists in managing multiple sampling teams for both dry- and wet-weather events at nearly 30 locations encompassing the entire watershed. Responsibilities have included mobilizing personnel and equipment, sampling, coordinating with the analytical laboratories, preparing samples for delivery, managing QA/QC aspects of the program, and assisting with the preparation of data and observation reports.

EPA Offshore Water Sampling for DDT, Los Angeles, California — Participated as the QA/QC officer in two offshore water quality monitoring projects for EPA, conducted approximately 10 years apart, to determine water column DDT concentrations over the Palos Verdes Shelf Superfund site. Operated proprietary water sampling equipment that enabled direct collection into laboratory-supplied sample bottles while targeting specific depths in the water column, thus minimizing contamination risk from non-targeted depths. Collected 110 water samples from 46 offshore locations during both efforts at depths of up to 200 m. These data were instrumental in evaluating the long-term fate and transport of legacy DDT contamination in the marine environment. Ensured sample integrity using video monitoring of the deepwater samples and coordinated the secure shipping and chain-of-custody transfer of samples to specialized laboratories in Canada for advanced analysis. Both projects met EPA’s rigorous quality assurance standards and contributed to long-term monitoring objectives of contaminated sediments at the site.

City of Long Beach Shoreline Indicator Bacteria Reporting, California — Participated as a field sampling task leader and was responsible for mobilization for both dry- and wet- weather sampling events, field sampling, coordinating with the analytical laboratories, and preparing samples for delivery. Currently manages semi-annual data submittals and annual reporting of city bacteria data collected to satisfy TMDL and AB 411 requirements.

Bacteriological Source Study, Inner Cabrillo Beach for the Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro, California — Participated in collecting beach samples, prepared and analyzed bacteriological samples using Colilert and Enterolert methodologies, interpreted results, and collected DNA samples for a species DNA database.

SCVURPPP Low Impact Development Effectiveness Monitoring, Santa Clara, California — Manages this project to determine the effectiveness of two bioretention facilities designed to capture and treat stormwater runoff. Wet-weather flow and chemical monitoring are conducted to determine pollutant load reductions from infiltration and post-treatment by measuring chemical concentrations at the influent to and effluent from each facility on a flow-weighted basis. Bypass flow measurements of excess runoff are also conducted on a continual basis throughout each event. Responsibilities include storm tracking, laboratory coordination, data management, data validation, reporting, directing monitoring activities, and managing equipment preparation, cleaning, installation, and maintenance.

SMCWPPP Low Impact Development Effectiveness Monitoring, San Mateo County, California — Manages all aspects of this project to determine the effectiveness of two bioretention facilities designed to capture and treat stormwater runoff. Wet-weather flow and chemical monitoring are conducted three or four times a year to determine pollutant load reductions from infiltration and post-treatment by measuring chemical concentrations at the influent to and effluent from each facility on a flow-weighted basis. Flow measurements of excess runoff are also conducted on a continual basis at an overflow point in the diversion vault and/or at the in-basin bypass. Responsibilities include storm tracking, laboratory coordination, data management, data validation, reporting, directing monitoring activities, and managing equipment preparation, cleaning, installation, and maintenance.

Lower Los Angeles River, Lower San Gabriel River, and Los Cerritos Channel Watershed, Watershed Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Programs, Los Angeles County, California — Participated as the quality assurance officer in the implementations of Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Programs (CIMPs) for stormwater discharges from three major urban watersheds involving more than 20 receiving water and outfall sampling locations throughout the Los Angeles area. These monitoring projects are done in coordination with the water management plans for each of these watersheds and include compliance monitoring, source studies, and close coordination with development and monitoring of best management practices.

Estuarine and Beach Watershed Integrated Monitoring Program, Long Beach, California — Participated in the implementation of the City of Long Beach’s estuarine and beach watersheds Integrated Monitoring Program (IMP) to ensure compliance with Los Angeles County Regional municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) Permit. This program involves instrumentation and compliance monitoring of the city’s stormwater and dry weather discharges, evaluation of effects to estuarine receiving waters, and extensive support for TMDL issues and permit renewal negotiations.

Dredge Sediment Characterization of Federal Channels and Federal Capital Improvement Project, Southern California Harbors and Bays, Los Angeles, California — Served as the QA/QC officer for the sediment sampling and geotechnical and environmental evaluations of multiple federal port and harbor projects to support securing dredge material permits for both operations and maintenance and capital improvement projects. Evaluations conducted have covered a wide variety of reuse and disposal options from beach nourishment to ocean disposal.

Maintenance and Deepening of Sacramento and Stockton Deepwater Ship Channels, Various Locations, California — Provided dredge sediment sampling and analyses services for the Sacramento and Stockton Deepwater Ship Channels. Performed dredge sediment studies for maintenance as well as deepening in both rivers for multiple projects. The Sacramento River Channel deepening project required vibracore sample collection at 134 locations over a river reach of approximately 35 miles for chemical and toxicity testing to permit the subsequent dredging. Duties included sample control, sampling, and laboratory coordination.

Dredge Sediment Studies, Northern California Bays and Harbors, San Francisco, California — Conducted sediment sampling and contamination assessments in Richmond Harbor, Oakland Estuary, Coast Guard Island, the San Franciso Bar Channel, and Redwood City Harbor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District, characterizing PCB contamination to guide dredging decisions. Duties included sample control, sampling, and QA/QC reporting.

Port of Los Angeles Channel Deepening Project, San Pedro, California — Directed sediment characterization and ecological assessments to support the deepening of port channels, facilitating dredge material management and permitting. Led the shoreside processing area, including sample control, sample handling, laboratory coordination, and sediment subsampling for chemical, toxicity, and bioaccumulation testing.

Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and Office of Spill Prevention and Response Fisheries Closure, Orange County, California — Managed the collection of California mussels (Mytilus californianus) in response to the Pipeline P00547 Incident off the coast of Orange County. Mussels were collected, using National Status and Trends Mussel Watch Program protocols, for laboratory analyses in support of reopening closed fisheries following the oil spill.

Santa Cruz Desalination EIR, Santa Cruz, California — Participated in morning and evening monthly plankton net tows for a quantitative and qualitative study to measure organism entrainment potential on desalination intake screens. Planktonic specimens were preserved for identification and potential DNA analysis in support of an environmental impact report (EIR).

Shellfish Assessment Newport Bay, California — Provided field support for a quantitative and qualitative shellfish investigation program in Upper Newport Bay Marine Conservation Area and lower Newport Bay. Project objectives included the collection of 24 bivalve species comprising more than 1,300 individuals. Contributed to the project sampling and field operations plan, sample control procedures, sampling, and logging.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, California — Provided marine mammal and protected species monitoring for clients such as the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary during motion picture overflights in the sanctuary. Acted as a marine mammal monitor for several overflight operations on the Big Sur coast, ensuring that the film crew adhered to the sanctuary permit. Also responsible for writing the report to the sanctuary following the overflight activities.

Santa Cruz Desalination EIR, California — Observer for the offshore geophysical survey component of the 2013 Santa Cruz desalination EIR. Responsibilities were managing the geophysical survey crew in protected marine species monitoring and avoiding acoustic and collision impacts to marine wildlife.

U.S. Coast Guard Station Monterey, California — Participated in marine mammal monitoring during the 2008 electrical distribution upgrades at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Monterey. This project required the production of a marine mammal deterrence plan, both pre- and post-surveys, and 7 days of construction monitoring. Participated in determining the best methods for deterring California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) from the construction zone while causing the least amount of stress on the animals.