HAB Resources

Participating agencies (NDEP, DNSP, NDOW, NDA) should visually monitor public waterbodies for potential HABs during peak recreation season. 

Responding agencies can use general awareness signs to inform the public about HABs.

Resources: 

• https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/photos-lakes-and-after-algal-blooms
• http://• https://www.epa.gov/cyanohabs
• FAQ
• Guidance for HABs in Nevada Brochure (PDF)
• Be Algae Aware poster (PDF)

Reports of potential HABs should be made through the HAB reporting tool (coming soon), and any potentially related human or animal illnesses should be made to NDHHS, NDA, or NDEP: 

• Report a potential HAB (link)
• Human Illness (NDHHS): 1-775-400-0333
• Animal Illness (NDA): 1-775-738-8076
• Spill Hotline (NDEP): 1-888-331-6337

NDEP staff will evaluate reported HABs and deploy sampling and health advisories as appropriate. 

Resources:

• OSE Dashboard

NDEP will evaluate reported potential HABs and coordinate with the appropriate agency staff in responding to the HAB. When potential HAB-related human or animal illness are reported, OSE staff will follow up to collect additional information and provide assisstance. 

Resources:

• Flow chart
• Weekly Report
• Strategic Response Plan

Responding agency staff can use field screening methods to determine if cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin indicators are present. As necessary, samples may be collected for lab analysis at this step (refer to Step 5). 

Field screening methods includes visual indicators, jar test, and stick test. If field screening methods confirm the presence of HAB indicators or a HAB-related illness is suspected, NDEP will submit a recommendation for a HAB Watch advisory and corresponding advisory signage to be posted at the waterbody to inform recreationalists of potential health risks. 

Resources:

• Standard Operating Procedures
• Health Advisory Levels
• Health Advisory Signs (PDF)

If field screening methods confirm the presence of HAB indicators or a HAB-related illness is suspected, NDEP will recommend cyanotoxin sampling. NDEP will coordinate with responding agency staff to collect cyanotoxin samples for submittal to NDEP. 

Resources: 

• Standard Operating Procedures
• Report a Bloom

If analyses or observations meet or exceed Health Advisory Threshold Levels, NDEP will submit a recommendation to the OSE to issue the apporpriate health advisory. NDEP will recommened the corresponding advisory signage to be posted, and will communicate and coordinate with the appropriate agencies. 

Resources:

• OSE Dashboard
• Strategic Repsonse Plan
• Recreational Advisory Threshold Rationale
• Health Advisory Levels
• Health Advisory Signs (PDF)

While a waterbody is under an advisory, ongoing visual monitoring and field screening will be conducted by the responding agency. If observations suggest that the HAB is significantly increasing or decreasing, then the responding agency will communicate with NDEP to determine wether follow-up cyanotoxin samples should be collected. If follow-up cyanotoxin samples are collected, NDEP will submit a reccomendation to OSE to revise the advisory as needed. 

Resources:

• HAB Data
• OSE Dashboard
• Stragegic Response Plan
• Standard Operating Procedures

Once visual indicators and/or cyanotoxin concentrations are below the Health Advisory Threshold Levels for a minimum of two consecutive weeks, NDEP will submit a recommendation to OSE to remove the health advisory signage. 

Resources:

• HAB Data
• OSE Dashboard
• Health Advisory Levels
• Strategic Response Plan
• Standard Operating Procedures