The purpose of this research is to monitor characteristics of periphyton downstream of CEPP, within Northeast Shark River Slough (NESRS) to determine pre-CEPP implementation baseline conditions for periphyton. The project objectives include: Objective 1: Collect quarterly samples at 35-40 sites in the northeast Shark River Slough to provide measures of mean periphyton cover, volume, biomass, chlorophyll a (chl a), and organic, total carbon (TC), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Objective 2: Establish and report the baseline condition of appropriate periphyton community metrics and parameters for future use in a Before, After, Control, Impact (BACI) assessment of CEPP project implementation. Objective 3: Demonstrate progress and present results in the form of quarterly status reports, annual reports, and a final report.