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Utilizing Financial and Technical Resources to Improve Water Quality in Alabama (Joe’s Branch Watershed). Alabama Water Resources Conference 2013 Patti Hurley, Nonpoint Source Program Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
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Utilizing Financial and Technical Resources to Improve Water Quality in Alabama (Joe’s Branch Watershed) Alabama Water Resources Conference 2013 Patti Hurley, Nonpoint Source Program Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Nonpoint Source Pollution and the Section 319 Program of the Clean Water Act • Reduce impacts of polluted runoff (storm water) • Is not a “regulatory” effort • Requires voluntary participation • Requires stakeholders at the local level • Establish local “pride/ownership” in the watershed
Nonpoint Source Pollution and the Section 319 Program of the Clean Water Act • Target impaired waterways – 303 (d) & TMDL Lists • Conduct pre-project monitoring • Implement on-the-ground best management practices • Conduct post-project monitoring • Identify water quality improvements (Success Stories)
Key to Long Term Sustainability • Provide local stakeholders with a vested interest in protecting water quality at the local level • Education & Outreach
Agricultural Practices • Plenty of opportunities • Relatively easy fixes • Relatively inexpensive Stream crossing for cattle
Alum Treatment of Poultry Houses Agricultural Practices Alternative Watering Sources Winter Cover Crops
Urban Practices and Green Infrastructure • Streams listed on the 303(d) & TMDL Lists of Impaired Waters • Urban Practice is not required by the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit • Target specific nonpoint source pollutants (N, P, Sediment) • Goal is to improve water quality and de-list waterway from 303(d) List of Impaired Waters – (Success Story)
Urban Practices andGreen Infrastructure • More difficult to address • More expensive to address • More difficult to define landowner participation • More difficult to address political boundaries
Urban Practices Gadsden Mall bioretention areas
Urban Practices Bioretention area at Eden Elementary School -- Pell City
Demonstrate New Technology • Provide financial and technical resources to partner with local stakeholders • Support demonstration projects • Replicate them in other watersheds throughout the state
Stream Restoration North Gadsden Park Montgomery White Slough
Low Impact Development Manual Pervious Parking Green Roofs Bioretention Ponds Swales
319 Projects in Urban Areas Stakeholder Identifies Potential Urban Project Stakeholder meets with local Municipality and determines that project is not required under permit Stakeholder submits a summary of the Urban project to NPS Unit NPS Unit and Municipal Branch personnel study proposal and determine eligibility based on submittal, permit conditions, and 319 eligibility NPS Unit notifies Stakeholder that funding is possible/not possible under 319 program If funding is possible, stakeholder Submits Formal Project Proposal to NPS Unit Proposal must include letter from municipality that they agree the urban project does not appear to be required under the NPDES Permit
Success Stories Flint River -- Madison County -- OE/DO Crowdabout Creek -- Morgan County – TSS and DO Caney Branch -- Baldwin County -- Pathogens Dry Creek -- Blount County -- Ammonia
Joe’s Branch • A tributary to D’Olive Creek in Baldwin County • Flows into Mobile Bay • Severe erosion and excessive sedimentation from urban development • Destroyed habitat and loss • of large areas of sea grass
Joe’s Branch Demonstration Project Eroded Stream Banks
Joe’s Branch Demonstration Project Wetland Before Step Pools in Construction Wetland After Step Pools Complete
Publicity Check Presentation Field Tours Agency and University Visitors International Award
Joe’s Branch Project • Stakeholder Collaboration – Ashley Campbell • Design and Installation - Emery Baya & Wade Burcham • Results – Marlon Cook