Central Plains Center for BioAssessment

The Central Plains Center for BioAssessment (CPCB) is a non-regulatory and non-management aquatic research organization nested within the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research at the University of Kansas.

We work closely with state, tribal, federal, and academic scientists, and other public entities in USEPA Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska), to collaborate on and research issues of aquatic ecology and water quality.

The benefits of having a Center to facilitate these regional efforts are:

• the presence of a non-regulatory scientific entity capable of responding to technical needs of the region;
• increased exchange of information among the four states via workshops and an online presence;
• availability of technical assistance;
• standardization of methods within and between regional agencies;
• increased networking among agencies with similar goals and responsibilities;
• symposia to encourage open exchange of information and ideas; and
• assistance in the coordination of regional-based aquatic criteria within USEPA Region 7.

Director Donald Huggins created the Center for BioAssessment in 1998 to assist with the coordination of regional-based nutrient criteria and biocriteria for waterbodies of USEPA Region 7. Since inception, the center has expanded its work to include assisting the USEPA Region 7 REMAP program, USEPA National Surveys, the National Park Service, the State of Kansas, and local schools and universities. Please reach out to researcher Debbie Baker, dbaker@ku.edu, for more information.