Alabama Water Resources Conference 2013 Patti Hurley, Nonpoint Source Program

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. Key to Long Term Sustainability • Provide local stakeholders with a vested interest in protecting water quality at the local level • Education & Outreach

5. Agricultural Practices • Plenty of opportunities • Relatively easy fixes • Relatively inexpensive Stream crossing for cattle

6. Alum Treatment of Poultry Houses Agricultural Practices Alternative Watering Sources Winter Cover Crops

7. 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)

8. Urban Practices andGreen Infrastructure • More difficult to address • More expensive to address • More difficult to define landowner participation • More difficult to address political boundaries

9. Urban Practices Gadsden Mall bioretention areas

10. Urban Practices Bioretention area at Eden Elementary School -- Pell City

11. Demonstrate New Technology • Provide financial and technical resources to partner with local stakeholders • Support demonstration projects • Replicate them in other watersheds throughout the state

12. Stream Restoration North Gadsden Park Montgomery White Slough

13. Genetta Stream

14. Low Impact Development Manual Pervious Parking Green Roofs Bioretention Ponds Swales

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Joe’s Branch Demonstration Project Eroded Stream Banks

19. Joe’s Branch Demonstration Project Wetland Before Step Pools in Construction Wetland After Step Pools Complete

20. Publicity Check Presentation Field Tours Agency and University Visitors International Award

21. Joe’s Branch Project • Stakeholder Collaboration – Ashley Campbell • Design and Installation - Emery Baya & Wade Burcham • Results – Marlon Cook