The Standards and Assessment Section
wishes to introduce a listserve that will
enable them to provide information in a
more efficient manner.
Quality of Science eNewsletter

FDEP is providing sampling training through the University of Florida TREEO Center.  Please register at TREEO.

Please use the Quality of Science eNewsletter service to make sure we have your email address. We will be sending email throughout the year in regards to training opportunities and other topics. Email will only be sent to people who have registered. General training information will still be placed on this page, but notices for new opportunities and information will be sent out by email. This will prevent you from being required to come to this page just to see if any new information is available.

Biological Training

The Bureau of Laboratories has developed a training program for the Stream Condition Index (SCI).  This program was designed for agency and corporate trainers to implement into new and existing biological sampling programs.  Below are essential background documents required to successfully implement this program.

• SCI Training Program - Overview of the training process (pdf, 16 KB).
• Sampling and Use of the Stream Condition Index for Assessing Flowing Waters: A Primer (pdf, 1.0 MB)
• SCI Training Presentation (ppt, 9.3 MB)
• Checklists
  • SCI (doc, 180 kb)
  • Habitat Assessment (doc, 260 kb)
• SCI and BioRecon Testing Registry - Searchable query for individuals who have completed a sampling audit to support either SCI or BioRecon sampling events.

Habitat Assessment Testing

Analysts performing Habitat Assessments are required to pass 3 out of 5 benchmark tests per year. Below are links to overviews of each district’s benchmark sites, consisting of directions to and photos of the sites, as well as instructions for completing the tests.

• NWD
• NED
• CD
• SWD
• SED
• SD

Important Documents:

• Revised 2008 Habitat Assessment Form FD 9000-5
• Revised Physical/Chemical Characterization Field Sheet FD 9000-3
• Revised Stream/River Habitat Sketch Sheet FD 9000-4.pdf or FD 9000-4.doc
• Note: Updated forms are recommended but not required. Sites should be evaluated per SOP FT3000, “Aquatic Habitat Characterization”.

Information for QA officers:

• Explanations of Habitat Assessment benchmark site consensus scores (password required).
• QA officers are responsible for disseminating consensus score information only to analysts whose scores have been submitted.

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