The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration s Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (NOAA/MMHSRP) conducts annual interlaboratory comparison exercises for the determination of chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyl congeners, and trace elements in marine mammal tissues. These exercises provide one mechanism for laboratories to evaluate their measurement quality and comparability for these constituents in marine mammal tissues. In the 2003 exercise, 24 laboratories participated in determining the concentrations of selected polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides in a homogenized blubber control material Marine Mammal Quality Assurance Exercise Homogenate VI (Homogenate VI) and Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1945 Organics in Whale Blubber. This report includes the results reported by the participating laboratories, combined consensus data results, and summary statistics for each analyte in the samples. The numerical indices used to assess laboratory performance are also discussed.

In 2000, the National Capital Region Inventory and Monitoring Network (NCRN) initiated a deer monitoring program to collect information on deer densities. The program is carried out through fall spotlight surveys in Antietam National Battlefield, Catoctin Mountain Park, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park- Gold Mine Tract, George Washington Memorial Parkway - Great Falls Park, Manassas National Battlefield Park, Monocacy National Park, National Capital Parks - East (Greenbelt and Piscataway units), Prince William Forest Park, and Rock Creek Park. Pellet-group counts are used in Harpers Ferry National Historic Park because of the lack of a road network. This report summarizes and analyzes the fall 2007 spotlight surveys and the 2007 fall-winter pellet-group count.

The authors detail why monitoring the current status and population trends of fish communities and their habitats is an important tool for preserving and conserving aquatic resources in the national parks. The framework for monitoring small streams located in HTLN parks is directed towards maintaining their ecological integrity, which will be assessed through periodic monitoring of fish communities, physical habitat, and water quality. The authors describe the protocol which has been designed to incorporate the spatial relationship of biotic indicators with chemical constituents and physical habitat.

Artificial reefs are human-made structures that are either deliberately or unintentionally submerged underwater, commonly with the result of mimicking some characteristics of a natural reef. Artificial reefs alter local habitat by providing hard substrate and complex vertical relief where typically none previously existed (Bohnsack and Sutherland 1985, Sheehy and Vik 1992, Sheehy and Vik 2010). They may be created from a variety of sources and materials including the intentional sinking of ships and barges, rubble, concrete, rocks, stone, boulders, steel, and metal, etc. (Baine 2001). They may also be created through unintentional means (e.g., shipwrecks that can become historical in nature) and through structures built for other purposes (e.g., decommissioned oil and gas platforms, breakwaters1, jetties, bridges, offshore lighthouses, air force towers, navigational aids, marine data buoys, etc.). These various materials have benefits and drawbacks when used in artificial reef construction.

Our story highlights one of Clay Pond's enemies. But like a prism, there are many ways to view things. It's easy just to write off all of your enemies. Some we will see here in our story have a deeper purpose. Even a dark cloud could have its silver lining. Big Black is just one of many visitors who have become permanent residents here. Be sure and share these Clay Pond stories with friends or even your teachers.