Issues Solutions Concerns Impacts

1. Issues Solutions Concerns Impacts Spell out smart acronym. Spell out smart acronym.

2. Taking Action to Restore Water Quality in New Hampshire�s Coastal Region: Threats, Problems, and Solutions

3. Presentation Overview Part I � Regional Water Quality Problems Water Quality Status and Trends Regulatory Drivers Part II � Taking Action Pollution Sources Solutions Define �drivers�Define �drivers�

4. We live in a beautiful and healthy state #3 on 2008 list of healthiest states #2 in percent forest cover 7th lowest in per capita energy consumption New Hampshire has more than 17,000 miles of rivers and streams, over 1,000 lakes, and 294 miles of ocean and estuarine coastline.

5. We have major challenges ahead Land use � sprawl Water quality � stormwater Habitat loss � fragmentation Infrastructure � water and sewer systems Climate change � precipitation and sea level These challenges all come together in our watershed.

6. The Physical �Piscataqua Region�

7. Fix northwood label on numerous towns. 3 statesFix northwood label on numerous towns. 3 states

8. If you live near any of these red bodies of water, DES/EPA will be regulating. If you live near any of these red bodies of water, DES/EPA will be regulating.

9. PREP Indicators Report

10. Dry Weather Bacteria Concentrations Have fecal coliform bacteria levels in the Great Bay Estuary changed over time? Yes. Bacteria levels in Great Bay decreased significantly in the 1990s but have not changed in the past 10 years. Water quality standards for swimming and shellfishing are not being met in all areas.

11. Advisories at Tidal Bathing Beaches

12. Toxic Contaminants in Shellfish Tissue Have the concentrations of toxic contaminants in the tissues of shellfish changed over time? Yes. The concentrations of PAHs have increased by 51% in Portsmouth Harbor and by 218% in the Piscataqua River over the past 16 years. Concentrations of other contaminants are declining.

13. Nitrogen in Great Bay Have nitrogen concentrations in Great Bay changed significantly over time? Yes. The total nitrogen load to the Great Bay Estuary has increased significantly. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations have increased in Great Bay by 44% in the past 28 years. Delete these Q and A slides if graph makes same point. Delete these Q and A slides if graph makes same point.

14. Nitrogen Loads to the Great Bay Estuary

15. Nitrogen, Suspended Solids, and Chlorophyll-a in Great Bay Highlight non-point source pollution impacts.Highlight non-point source pollution impacts.

16. Dissolved Oxygen How often do dissolved oxygen levels in the estuary fall below state standards? Rarely in the bays and harbors but often in the tidal rivers.

17. Dissolved Oxygen at Datasondes

18. Eelgrass Has eelgrass habitat in Great Bay changed over time? Yes. Eelgrass cover in the Great Bay has declined by 37% between 1990 and 2008 and has completely disappeared from the tidal rivers, Little Bay, and the Piscataqua River.

19. Eelgrass in Great Bay in 2008

20. If you live near any of these red bodies of water, DES/EPA will be regulating. If you live near any of these red bodies of water, DES/EPA will be regulating.

21. Impacts on Communities Regulatory fines for non-compliance Drinking water threats � quantity and quality Increased expense for drinking water treatment Unsustainable water withdrawals Increased flooding impacts Toxic cyanobacteria blooms in ponds/lakes Loss of rural aesthetics (sprawl, traffic, etc.) Loss of wildlife habitat and diversity Preventing problems is cheaper than fixing them

22. Regulatory Drivers Clean Water Act Requirements (EPA/DES) - Impairments Identified  - Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)  - Loading allocations - Municipal stormwater (MS4) permits  - Residual Designation Authority Instream flow regulation Stressed subwatersheds (too many withdrawals) MS4 = municipal separate storm sewer systemMS4 = municipal separate storm sewer system

23. Part II � Taking Action Pollution Sources Solutions

24. Major Causes of Water Quality Impairments Water Quality Problems

25. Pollution Source: Stormwater Runoff Solutions: Protect natural stream/wetland buffers Preserve wetlands and natural areas Minimize impervious surfaces Stormwater retrofit projects Effective regulatory stormwater management requirements for all new development and re-development- Low Impact Development techniques- Maximize on-site infiltration- Require water quality treatment

26. Pollution Source: Transportation (oils, carbon, nitrogen, road salt) Solutions: Invest in mass transport High efficiency/alternative vehicles Smarter transportation planning Stricter NOx tailpipe emissions requirements Stormwater treatment

27. Pollution Source: Energy Production (burning fossil fuels) Solutions: Transition to renewable energy Stricter NOx emissions requirements

28. Pollution Source: Wastewater Treatment Plants Solutions: Treatment plant upgrades to remove nutrients Couple nutrient removal with commodity production (e.g. algae) Insert sewage treatment plantInsert sewage treatment plant

29. Pollution Source: Septic Systems (typically only remove ~25% of N) Require best available technology for new or replacement systems (~50% N removal) Larger setbacks from surface waters to let vegetated buffers take up N and bacteria

30. Pollution Source: Landscaping Fertilizer Solutions: Reduce/eliminate fertilizer use Buffers and setbacks from surface waters Slow-release fertilizers Minimize lawns, utilize low-N species Rain gardens

31. Pollution Source: Agriculture Solutions: Sustainable on-site fertilizer application Minimize inorganic N fertilizer use Proven best management practices (e.g. sediment and erosion control) Manure containment Buffers along waterways Organic farming Show picture of dairy and horse farmsShow picture of dairy and horse farms

32. Big Picture Solutions � Land Use is Key Population growth and increases in impervious surfaces (i.e. pavement) increase pollution

36. The Piscataqua Region Environmental Planning Assessment Evaluated every municipality in the region for:  Wildlife Habitat Protection Wetland Protection Shoreland Protection Stormwater Management Erosion & Sediment Control Drinking Water Protection Floodplain/Hazard Planning Impervious Surface Limits Non-Regulatory Conservation Efforts

37. Shoreland buffer requirements vary dramatically by stream size and among town jurisdictions. Shoreland buffer requirements vary dramatically by stream size and among town jurisdictions. Shoreland buffer requirements vary dramatically by stream size and among town jurisdictions. Shoreland buffer requirements vary dramatically by stream size and among town jurisdictions.

38. Local Stormwater Management Requirements Add list of PREPA topics? Add list of PREPA topics?

41. Issues Solutions Concerns Impacts Spell out smart acronym. Spell out smart acronym.