CSEA member and Department of Energy and Environmental Protections Environmental Analyst II, Katie O'Brien-Clayton, serves our State in important ways by sampling nutrients, chlorophyll, and dissolved oxygen concentrations to document the annual variability of the extent of low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) in the Long Island Sound and assessing the estuarine waters of the State to determine if they meet water quality standards. This ensures that if you go swimming or fishing, you can rest assured that the water is safe. The data she collects is used to evaluate whether or not the water quality, especially the extent of hypoxia, in  the Long Island Sound has improved following the implementation of the LIS Total Maximum Daily Load (LIS TMDL). The LIS TMDL set limits for wastewater treatment plant effluent limits for total nitrogen and resulted in the creation of the Nitrogen Trading Program.

The assessments that she performs on the estuarine waters often result in water bodies being listed on the Impaired Waters List and the need for the development of a TMDL to remediate those impaired waters. It’s important to maintain her position as the State's Long Island Sound Survey provides valuable data to the EPA LISSO. The DEEP  program has been collecting data since 1991, resulting in a 30 year time series of both NY and CT waters. This program provides a valuable service to CT, NY, and federal agencies at a relatively low cost compared to renting ship time from private entities, paying a contractor, or other means to collecting this data.