On April 7, EPA announced it is partnering with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and United States Geological Survey in the development of a system that will use satellite data to detect and analyze algal blooms. The first step in the five-year, $3.6 million research project is to “create a reliable, standard method for identifying cyanobacteria blooms in U.S. freshwater lakes and reservoirs using ocean color satellite data.” EPA and its partners will also develop a mobile app and other resources for use by water quality managers as the project progresses.