In 1998, NCASI began its Long-Term Receiving Water Studies (LTRWS) project at three U.S. locations, Codorus Creek, Pennsylvania, and the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers, Oregon. In 1999, a fourth study site was added, the Leaf River, Mississippi. These study sites represent a spectrum of pulp and paper mill process (bleached and unbleached kraft) and freshwater ecosystem (warm water and cold water) types to permit science-based assessments to address questions relative to possible effluent effects. The LTRWS was developed as a long-term monitoring study so that possible mill effluent effects could be addressed accurately   within   the context   of

long-term natural variability for fish, macroinvertebrate and periphyton populations and communities. In addition, each study location includes multiple sample stations over a broad longitudinal river gradient allowing for a determination of natural gradient changes in river biota that might otherwise be confused with upstream/downstream mill effluent effects. A progress report on these studies was published in 2004 and is available for download on this website.

A key feature of the LTRWS is an associated Science Advisory Panel (SAP) that provides an independent assessment of the study design and resulting study conclusions. This six-person panel consists of representatives from academia and industry with established credentials in the aquatic sciences and ecotoxicology. NCASI meets with the SAP twice each year at various locations, including the LTRWS field sites.

LTRWS Science Advisory Panel

Dr. Monique Dubé
University of Saskatchewan

Mr. Tibor Kovacs
Paprican

Dr. Wayne Landis
Western Washington University

Dr. Wayne Minshall
Idaho State University

Dr. Skip Missimer
Glatfelter Company

Dr. John Rodgers
Clemson University

Dr. Thomas Deardorff
International Paper
(Member from 1998-2005)

Mr. Barry Firth
Weyerhaeuser Company
(Member from 1998-2007)

For further information on the LTRWS , contact Tim Hall, Aquatic Biology Program Manager at the NCASI Northwest Aquatic Biology Facility in Anacortes, Washington. Mr. Hall can be reached by telephone at (360) 293-4748 or via email at thall@ncasi.org.