Little Cypress Bayou. Recreational Use Attainability Analysis Summary of Findings & Public Comment

Transcription

1 Little Cypress Bayou Recreational Use Attainability Analysis Summary of Findings & Public Comment Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research Stephenville, Texas March 29,

2 Project Partners Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research (TIAER) 2

3 TSSWCB Provide state oversight Management and coordination of project activities Project partners Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Provide project funding 3

4 TIAER Project administration Develop & maintain stakeholder relations Perform RUAA survey activities GIS inventory Facilitate meetings Develop final technical reports 4

5 Bacteria Impairment Little Cypress Bayou is not meeting the water quality standard for primary contact recreation Due to elevated levels of enterococci bacteria. Requires action to meet the standards that are set by the State of Texas and EPA. 5

6 What is the Texas 303 (d) List? Texas 303 (d) List of Impaired Water bodies Developed by TCEQ to summarize the condition of the state s surface waters, including concerns for public health, fitness for use by aquatic species and other wildlife, and specific pollutants. Requirement of the Clean Water Act 6

7 Why we chose this approach Once on the 303(d) List, action is required by the state Viable Candidate The Most Cost Effective Non Regulatory Approach State Led, Not Federal 7

8 Purpose of RUAA Collect information that will: 1. Confirm or deny primary contact recreation 2. Provide evidence to support a change in recreational use category of the Little Cypress Bayou Recreational Use Categories: 1. Primary Contact Recreation 2. Secondary Contact Recreation 1 3. Secondary Contact Recreation 2 4. Noncontact Recreation 8

9 Impaired Stream Segments Little Cypress Bayou 2006 Texas Water Quality 303 (d) List Bacteria 9

10 Survey Dates for the Little Cypress Bayou First RUAA Survey Conducted July 1, 2015 Summary Sufficient water for swimming, boating, and fishing Thick vegetation & steep banks making it difficult to access water No direct recreation observed Limited access at the 5 road crossings Second RUAA Survey Conducted August 13-14, 2015 Summary Sufficient water for swimming, boating, and fishing Thick vegetation & steep banks making it difficult to access water No direct recreation observed Limited access at the 5 road crossings 10

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12 TCEQ Water Quality Monitoring Stations Site Description Little Cypress Bayou at FM 3247 about 0.5 mile downstream of SH 87 and 4.5 miles north of Orange - TCEQ Little Cypress Bayou at Bear Path Rd about 0.4 mile west of SH 87 and 4.5 miles upstream of the confluence with the Sabine River in Orange - TCEQ Little Cypress Bayou at Little Cypress Drive about 5 miles north/northwest of Orange and just under 1 mile west of SH 87 - TCEQ

13 Little Cypress Bayou Photographs 0m Downstream at LC01 first survey Left Bank at 0m at LC01 second survey 13

14 Little Cypress Bayou Photographs 150m Downstream at LC02 first survey 150m Upstream at LC02 second survey 14

15 Little Cypress Bayou Photographs Right Bank at 150m at LC03 first survey Left Bank at 300 m at LC03 second survey 15

16 Little Cypress Bayou Photographs Right Bank at 0m at LC04 first survey 0m Upstream at LC04 second survey 16

17 Little Cypress Bayou Photographs Right Bank at 150m at LC05 first survey Right Bank at 150m at LC05 second survey 17

18 Little Cypress Bayou Photographs 0m Downstream at LC06 first survey 0m Downstream at LC06 second survey 18

19 Next Steps Public Comment Period Open from Now April 27, 2016 Please take this opportunity to review the Little Cypress Bayou Report Provide Comments Report can be viewed: 19

20 Contact Information Leah Taylor Office Phone: Jimmy Millican Office Phone:

21 Questions? Project Website: Funding Provided through a State Nonpoint Source grant from Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board. Leah Taylor Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research ltaylor@tiaer.tarleton.edu (254)