Monitoring Unassessed Stream Segments (MUSS) Program is a Hudson River Estuary Program initiative centered on water quality monitoring in waterbodies within the Hudson River Estuary Watershed. This is a two-year revolving water quality monitoring program targeting streams or rivers with Best Use(s) that are unassessed or have an unconfirmed assessment status. Unassessed means that water quality data is unavailable or does not meet water quality data requirements. Unconfirmed means that the minimum number of water quality samples are not met, and/or the required two years water quality data are not met. Monitoring unassessed/unconfirmed streams and rivers is a priority project of the Hudson Estuary Program with a goal to better understand the water quality conditions and health of waterbodies in Hudson River tributaries and their watersheds. This goal is tied into HREPs 2021-2025 Action Agenda Goals which can be found here. 

The MUSS program solicits and engages local partners via an application to recommend stream segments that they would like to be monitored by NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program staff. This benefits local partners by providing accurate water quality data that can assist with local land use planning, watershed management, and community outreach while also benefiting NYS by creating a baseline condition assessment of the selected waterbodies.