Why do a TMDL Implementation Plan for Big Otter Watershed?

1. Why do a TMDL Implementation Plan for Big Otter Watershed?

2. What is a TMDL? • Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a term used to describe the amount of pollution a stream can receive and still meet Water Quality Standards. • Identify all sources of pollution contributing to violation of water quality standards. • Calculate the amount of pollutants entering the stream from each source. • Calculate the reductions in pollutants, by source, needed to attain/maintain water quality standards.

3. Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) are Mandated by Law • Federal 1972 Clean Water Act requires • Water Quality Monitoring • Periodic Assessment and Impaired Waters Listing • Develop TMDLs for Impaired Waters • Virginia’s 1997 Water Quality Monitoring • Information and Restoration Act (WQMIRA) • requires • TMDLs for Impaired Waters • An Implementation Plan • 1999 Consent Degree with EPA to develop • TMDL Reports for all 1998 listed streams by • 2010

4. TMDL- 3 Part Process: • TMDL development • Implementation Plan development • Implement the plan

5. Steps after EPA Approval • Develop Implementation Plans • Continue targeted Best Management Practices • Continue stream monitoring: DEQ, Citizen Monitoring

6. Steps between EPA Approval and Implementation Plan Start-up • Interim period between TMDL approval and Implementation Plan development • Promote implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) • Initiate educational outreach activities • Establish organizational framework for the Implementation Plan development • Identify and seek funding opportunities (i.e., grants)

7. Implementation Plan development is required by state legislation (WQMIRA, 1997) DCR has lead for NPS TMDL implementation plans DCR, DEQ, and other state, federal and local agencies will support plan development Implementation Plan Development

8. Implementation Plan Development • Implementation Plan will be done locally • Stakeholders will have the opportunity to participate in the plan development • Steering Committee, Working Groups • Public meetings • Guidance Manual for Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plans http://www.deq.state.va.us/tmdl/implans/ipguide.pdf

9. Integration with other Watershed Plans • Multiple water quality programs and activities may be underway in individual watersheds • Each plan has specific geographical boundaries and goals • TMDL implementation will be coordinated with other water quality plans such as: • Watershed / Conservation Roundtables • Local Comprehensive Plans

10. Potential Funding $ource$ • Potential funding sources for best management practices (BMPs) selected during Implementation Plan development: • USDA Programs - CREP/EQIP • WQIA projects • Section 319 Funds • State Revolving Loan Funds • Cost-Share Program • Tax Credits

11. TMDL- 3 Part Process: • TMDL development • Implementation Plan development • Implement the plan

12. Status of Implementation Plan Development in Virginia • 9 IPs are completed, 7 are currently being implemented • 8 additional IPs are under development • 2 additional IPs are in start-up phase • 48 stream segments will be improved with IPs to be completed by early 2006

13. Status of Big Otter TMDL • DEQ public meetings were held on: • March 16, 2000 • April 25, 2000 • May 23, 2000 • The draft TMDL report was presented to the public on August 2, 2000 • Approved by EPA February 2, 2001 • Approved by State Water Control Board (SWCB) June 17, 2004

14. Status of Big Otter TMDL Implementation Plan Development • Informational meetings were held on: • September 9, 2004 in Bedford County • November 1, 2004 in Campbell County • Jason Ericson (DCR) met with the Campbell County Board of Supervisors on December 6, 2004

15. Why do a TMDL Implementation Plan(IP)? • The implementation plan will open the door to funding that can fund technical assistance and the implementation of Agricultural and Urban BMPs through an implementation project once the plan is completed and approved. • The ultimate goal of the Implementation plan is improving water quality through a cooperative partnership in the Big Otter Watershed.

16. TMDL Implementation Plan Development Big Otter Watershed First Public Meeting May 19, 2005

17. Objectives • Description of watershed • Overview of bacteria source characterization • Overview of TMDL development and Allocation Scenarios • Description of TMDL Implementation Plan development process

18. TMDL Implementation Plan Implementation Guidance Manual • Document that details actions or strategies that must be undertaken to achieve load reductions to ensure that water quality standards are met. http://www.deq.state.va.us/tmdl/implans/ipguide.pdf

19. Landuse Distribution(Percent of Total Area)

20. 1998 and 2004 Bacterial Impairments *note that the Buffalo Creek impairment is listed as an extension of the Big Otter River

21. Percent of Samples Exceeding Water Quality Standard

22. Wildlife Livestock Crops Forest Pasture Residential Stream Humans and Pets Sources and Distribution of Bacteria

23. Estimates GIS Census No Expert Group Producers Agencies Trappers Yes Bacteria Load Estimates Consensus Stakeholders Bacteria Source Characterization

24. MODEL OUTPUT • Runoff • Bacteria load Linking sources to water quality INPUT • Soils • Weather • Land-use • Pollutant sources Models are used to predict how watersheds respond and to evaluate pollutant reduction options

25. Stream Network and Subwatersheds

26. Die-off Die-off Direct Deposit Die-off Stream Fate and Transport of Bacteria: Livestock Storage Crops Pasture

27. Fate and Transport of Bacteria: Wildlife Crops Forest Die-off Pasture Residential Direct Deposit Stream

28. Fate and Transport of Bacteria: Humans and Pets Failing Septic System Die-off Straight Pipe Pets Stream

29. Bacteria Load Allocation • Identify reductions from existing sources to meet water quality standards • Consider all sources • Direct contributions • Permitted point sources • Animals in the stream • Indirect contributions • Septic systems • Cropland • Pasture • Residential/Urban

30. Allocation Scenarios TMDL Allocation Scenarios Phase 1 Allocation Scenarios

31. Components of a TMDL IP • Corrective Actions • Cost/Benefit Analysis • Measurable Goals and Milestones • Timeline to achieve water quality objectives • Public participation

32. Corrective Actions – BMPs • Assess needs • TMDL allocations • Identify best management practices (BMPs) both existing/potential • Spatial analysis • Define resources/constraints • financial, time, staff, social… • Phased approach (targeting) • Spatial analysis/modeling • Most bang for the buck Courtesy VA Department of Conservation and Recreation

33. Estimating Fencing Needs

34. Targeting Example 100 beef livestock

35. Cost/Benefit Analysis • Assess cost for phased/full implementation • Evaluate environmental benefit • Identify/evaluate economic benefits of implementation • Identify funding sources Source: VADCR Blackwater River TMDL Implementation Plan

36. Measurable Goals/Timeline • Implementation milestones – stakeholders • Interim water quality goals – modeling • 5 – 10 year time frame to meet water quality standard Example

37. Public Participation • Public Meetings • Informational • Solicit public participation • Provide a forum for public comment • Steering Committee • Direct the overall process • Review output from working groups • Review future implementation • Working groups • Address “community” issues/concerns

38. Public Notice indicates contamination fro m fecal matter. As a result o f this listing and court a ca Total Maximum Daily Load (TM completed to d ater quali in these streams. The TMDL study indicated that the reductio ns needed were: 98-100%s, 100% reduction in loads 0-10% reduction in. Public Meetings • Outreach/notification • Mailings, newspapers articles, radio, flyers • Two Public meetings • May, 2005 • January, 2006 • Public comment period (30 days)

39. Stakeholder Interaction Schematic

40. Working Groups • Include: • Agriculture • Urban/Residential • Government • Others? • Meet • 1-2 times each • Summer – Early Fall 2005

41. Agricultural Working Group • Responsibilities: • Identify potential constraints to implementation • Identify alternative funding sources/partnerships • Review implementation strategies from an agricultural perspective • Identify outreach methods for engaging producers

42. Urban/Residential Working Group • Responsibilties • Identify possible constraints to implementation • Identify methods of outreach to homeowners sewage problems • Identify alternative funding sources/partnerships • Review implementation strategies from a homeowner’s perspective

43. Government Working Group • Responsibilities: • Identify funding sources • Identify available technical resources • Identify appropriate “measurable” goals and timelines • Identify existing applicable regulatory controls • Identify potential parties to be responsible for implementation

44. TMDL Implementation Plan Schedule • May 2005: First public meeting • June – Sept. 2005: Working Groups/Steering Committee meet as needed • December 2005: Complete draft Big Otter TMDL IP • January 2006: Final public meeting • March 2006: Begin implementation

45. Steering Committee • Includes: • DCR, DEQ, Working Group Representatives, NRCS, Dept. of Health, local govt., SWCD, Stakeholders • Meet: 2-3 meetings during plan development • Responsibilities • Review technical data • Assess input form working groups • Address community concerns/suggestions • Guide the process • Are we getting “representative” inputs? • How can the process be improved?

46. Opportunity to participate • The development of the Implementation Plan should be a cooperative endeavor that attains consensus. • All stakeholders will have opportunities to participate through “working groups” and/or the steering committee. LOCAL CITIZEN INPUT IS CRITICAL !

47. Questions or Comments

48. Contacts Theresa Carter, Department of Conservation and Recreation voice: 276.676.5527 e-mail: theresa.carter@dcr.virginia.gov Jason Hill, Department of Environmental Quality Voice: 540.562.6724 e-mail: jrhill@deq.virginia.gov Brian Benham, Virginia Tech voice: 540.231.5705 e-mail: benham@vt.edu