DESCRIPTION:THIS ACTION PROVIDES FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $168,775 TO MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO MAINTAIN, PROTECT, AND IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY OF ITS RIVERS, LAKES, STREAMS, GROUNDWATER, AND OTHER WATERBODIES. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED INCLUDE MEET THE PROGRAMMATIC NEEDS OF THE AGENCY AND TO FULFILL DATA ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS, IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE FIELD SERVICES DIVISION (FSD) HAVE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES. ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF FIXED STATIONS, WADABLE STREAMS, LAKE AND RESERVOIRS, FISH TISSUE MONITORING, BACTERIA MONITORING, AND MISSISSIPPI COASTAL ASSESSMENTS. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE COMPLETING COASTAL BENTHIC TAXONOMIES, DEVELOP A CONTRACTUAL MECHANISM TO COMPLETE FRESHWATER MACROINVERTEBRATE TAXONOMY, COMPLETE THE YEAR OF FRESHWATER TAXONOMY, SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT AND SUBMIT A FINAL REPORT. DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THE AGREEMENT ARE THE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.ACTIVITIES:-SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:-