Watershed Planning for Water Quality Management

Transcription

1 Watershed Planning for Water Quality Management

2 Why Plan and Manage on a Watershed Basis? Properly managing land activities protects water for designated and desired uses Upstream activities impact downstream Builds on strengths of existing programs Leverage local resources Involves all stakeholders Address concerns in an integrated, cost effective manner

3 A watershed approach helps to Encourage Sound Science 2. Facilitate Communication and Partnerships 3. Provide Means of Cost- Effective Management 4. Focus on Environmental Results

4 The Watershed Planning Process

5

6 EPA s Nine Elements for Plans a. Identify causes & sources of pollution b. Estimate load reductions expected c. Describe mgmt measures & targeted critical areas d. Estimate technical and financial assistance needed e. Develop education component f. Develop project schedule g. Describe interim, measurable milestones h. Identify indicators to measure progress i. Develop a monitoring component Source: US EPA, Supplemental Guidelines

7 CHAPTER 1 Identifying and Networking with Local Agencies and Citizens

8 Initial Steps Identify your watershed concerns Identify groups/individuals with similar concerns Conduct a stakeholder meeting Develop a watershed description

9 What is a stakeholder? A group or individual who: has the responsibility for implementing the decision. is affected by the decision. has the ability to impede or assist in implementing the decision.

10 Why are stakeholders important to the process? Ensures that concerns are factored into the decisions made Shares the responsibility of the decision Enables partnerships to be formed to combine financial resources Shares implementation of the decision Establishes a framework for planning and conducting management activities

11 First stakeholder meeting Discuss all existing and perceived concerns Opportunity for everyone to state their concerns Record concerns Assemble a steering committee

12 TIP A steering committee provides overall direction. Members include decision makers and groups affected by the change.

13 Identify a lead organization Ensures planning & implementation moves forward Represents entire area Ideally, has staff & resources

14 Form a technical committee Professional expertise Access to resources (maps, data) TIP A technical committee provides technical information to the steering committee. Members are experts in one or more fields.

15 Determine the boundaries and size of your watershed based on: concerns watershed characteristics manageable size less than 150 square miles or 100,000 acres is recommended

16 Hydrologically Distinct Watershed entire river system river tributary from headwaters to point where joins main branch segment of river from headwaters to a dam, or where a tributary joins the river lake watershed

17 Geographic Scope Description of the watershed (page 7) Map with watershed boundaries and location of all surface waters Watershed boundaries Location of all surface waters (lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands)

18 Kalamazoo River Watershed Sub-basins Gun River 4 Townships Battle Creek River Portage & Arcadia Creeks Davis Creek Rice Creek

19 Lake Allegan Gun Lake

20 S Exercise: Gun River Watershed Allegan/Barry Counties 107 sq. miles Developing a watershed description D:\WORK\01339\PROJECT\GUN_EXHIBITS.APR\FIG 1 LOCATION DATE: USER: CDA GUN RIVER WATERSHED Berrien Mason Oceana Benzie Manistee Muskegon Ottawa Van Buren Cass Leelanau Lake Newaygo Allegan Wexford Kent Kalamazoo St Joseph DATA SOURCES: MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MIRIS, 1978, SPCS NAD 27, US FEET Grand Traverse Osceola Mecosta Barry Antrim Montcalm Ionia Calhoun Branch Emmet Charlevoix Kalkaska Missaukee Clare Isabella Eaton Cheboygan Otsego Crawford Roscommon Gratiot Clinton Hillsdale Gladwin Midland Ingham Jackson Montmorency Oscoda Ogemaw Bay Saginaw Shiawassee Presque Isle Lenawee Arenac Livingston Alpena Alcona Iosco Genesee Washtenaw DRAFT Tuscola Monroe Oakland Lapeer Wayne Huron Sanilac Macomb St Clair LOCATION MAP F i s h b e c k, T h o m p s o n, C a r r & H u b e r E n g i n e e r s S c i e n t i s t s A r c h i t e c t s G r a n d R a p i d s, M i c h i g a n GUN RIVER WATERSHED ALLEGAN CONSERVATION DISTRICT PROJECT NO. G01339 FIGURE 1NO.

21 Gun River Allegan/Barry Counties 107 square miles including State Recreation Area Increasing development pressure Two wastewater treatment plants Heavily drained and irrigated agriculture Includes twelve miles of intercounty drain Agricultural lands flood frequently Base flows significantly reduced in summer Gun Lake Fully developed and sewered, all-sports lake DNR access, parks and campground Invasive species: E. milfoil, zebra mussels Includes designated coldwater fishery

22 Gun River Watershed The Gun River Watershed (Watershed) encompasses an area of 73,272 acres in Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan. The Gun River flows from Gun Lake through agricultural land into the urbanizing area of Otsego Township, Allegan County, where it joins the Kalamazoo River. The Gun River and its tributaries are impaired by nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Previous studies have identified pathogens, phosphorus, polychlorinated biphenyls s (PCBs), mercury, nutrients, and poor macroinvertebrate communities as degrading the water quality in certain waterbodies within the Watershed. Other significant water quality impairments include degraded indigenous aquatic habitat, a decline of biotic diversity, and reduced fish populations caused by sedimentation.

23 CHAPTER 2 Getting to Know Your Watershed

24 Steps Identify designated & desired uses Identify pollutants, sources and causes Estimate pollutant loads Develop goals based on designated/desired uses and desired load reductions Develop an initial water quality summary

25 Designated Uses Agriculture Industrial water supply Public water supply Navigation Warmwater fishery* Other indigenous aquatic life & wildlife Partial body contact recreation Total body contact recreation (May 1- Oct 31) *Some water bodies - coldwater fishery

26 Is your waterbody meeting designated uses? Identify designated use that corresponds to each watershed concern Determine if the waterbody is impaired TIP Contact DEQ staff, or local agencies for assistance.

27 Example Watershed page 8 Concerns Algal blooms Eroding road-stream crossings, river flooding Livestock in streams, poor fishing Designated Uses Partial body contact recreation, warmwater fishery Aquatic life/wildlife Warmwater fishery

28 Desired Uses How you want to use your watershed Go beyond water quality concerns

29 S Exercise 2: Gun River Watershed Allegan/Barry Counties 107 sq. miles Relating watershed concerns with designated uses D:\WORK\01339\PROJECT\GUN_EXHIBITS.APR\FIG 1 LOCATION DATE: USER: CDA GUN RIVER WATERSHED Berrien Mason Oceana Benzie Manistee Muskegon Ottawa Van Buren Cass Leelanau Lake Newaygo Allegan Wexford Kent Kalamazoo St Joseph DATA SOURCES: MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MIRIS, 1978, SPCS NAD 27, US FEET Grand Traverse Osceola Mecosta Barry Antrim Montcalm Ionia Calhoun Branch Emmet Charlevoix Kalkaska Missaukee Clare Isabella Eaton Cheboygan Otsego Crawford Roscommon Gratiot Clinton Hillsdale Gladwin Midland Ingham Jackson Montmorency Oscoda Ogemaw Bay Saginaw Shiawassee Presque Isle Livingston Lenawee Arenac Alpena Alcona Iosco Genesee Washtenaw DRAFT Tuscola Monroe Oakland Lapeer Wayne Huron Sanilac Macomb St Clair LOCATION MAP F i s h b e c k, T h o m p s o n, C a r r & H u b e r E n g i n e e r s S c i e n t i s t s A r c h i t e c t s GUN RIVER WATERSHED ALLEGAN CONSERVATION DISTRICT P ROJ EC T NO. G01339 FIGURE 1NO. G r a n d R a p i d s, M i c h i g a n

30

31 Identify known (k) or suspected (s) pollutants of concern in your watershed Impaired Designated Use Warmwater fishery Threatened Designated Use Public groundwater supply Pollutants Sediment (k) nutrients (k) hydrologic flow (s) and pesticides (s) Nutrients - nitrates in drinking water (k)

32 Identify known (k) or suspected (s) sources of pollutants in your watershed Pollutants Sediment (k) nutrients (k) hydrologic flow (s) Nutrients - nitrates in drinking water (k) Sources Road-stream crossings(k), eroding stream banks (k), urban stormwater(s) Livestock manure (s), nitrogen fertilizers (s), septic systems (s)

33 Identify known or suspected causes of the sources of pollutants in your watershed Pollutants Sediment (k) nutrients (k) hydrologic flow (s) Nutrients - nitrates in drinking water (k) Sources Road crossings(k), stream banks (k), urban stormwater (s) Livestock manure (s), nitrogen fertilizers (s), septic systems (s) Causes Undersized culverts (k), flashy flows(s), poor mgt.practices(s) Over application/lack of soil testing(s), poor design & maintenance(s)

34 Understanding pollutants, sources and causes Definition: Cause is the condition that is creating the source of the pollutant NOTE: To design a successful pollution control measure, you must understand the cause.

35 Table of known (k) or suspected (s) pollutants, sources and causes Pollutant Source Cause E.coli bacteria(k) Livestock in stream(k), Unrestricted access(k) Failing septic systems(s) Poor design and maintenance(s)

36 Exercise 3 Create a list of preliminary pollutants, sources and whether they are known or suspected. If they are known, how do you know?

37 S Exercise 3 Gun River Watershed Allegan/Barry Counties 107 sq. miles Identifying pollutants, sources and causes D:\WORK\01339\PROJECT\GUN_EXHIBITS.APR\FIG 1 LOCATION DATE: USER: CDA GUN RIVER WATERSHED Berrien Mason Oceana Benzie Manistee Muskegon Ottawa Van Buren Cass Leelanau Lake Newaygo Allegan Wexford Kent Kalamazoo St Joseph DATA SOURCES: MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MIRIS, 1978, SPCS NAD 27, US FEET Grand Traverse Osceola Mecosta Barry Antrim Montcalm Ionia Calhoun Branch Emmet Charlevoix Kalkaska Missaukee Clare Isabella Eaton Cheboygan Otsego Crawford Roscommon Gratiot Clinton Hillsdale Gladwin Midland Ingham Jackson Montmorency Oscoda Ogemaw Bay Saginaw Shiawassee Presque Isle Livingston Lenawee Arenac Alpena Alcona Iosco Genesee Washtenaw DRAFT Tuscola Monroe Oakland Lapeer Wayne Huron Sanilac Macomb St Clair LOCATION MAP F i s h b e c k, T h o m p s o n, C a r r & H u b e r E n g i n e e r s S c i e n t i s t s A r c h i t e c t s GUN RIVER WATERSHED ALLEGAN CONSERVATION DISTRICT P ROJ EC T NO. G01339 FIGURE 1NO. G r a n d R a p i d s, M i c h i g a n

38 Estimating Pollutant Loads

39 Why is Pollutant Load Estimation Necessary? Identify relative magnitude of contributions from different sources Determine whether locations of sources are critical Evaluate timing of source loading Target future management efforts Plan restoration strategies Project future loads under changing conditions Develop a mechanism for quantifying potential improvement

40 Pollutant Load Estimation Approaches Has it already been done? Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) Other local and regional studies If not Data-driven approaches Best when detailed monitoring data is available Models Provide greater insight into impact of sources (temporally and spatially) Readily allow for evaluation of future conditions

41 Data-driven Approaches Estimate source loads using: Monitoring data Periodic water quality concentrations and flow gauging data Facility discharge monitoring reports Literature Loading rates, often by landuse (e.g., lbs/acre/year) Typical facility concentrations and flow

42 If a Data-driven Approach Isn t Enough Models are Available What is a Model? A theoretical construct, together with assignment of numerical values to model parameters, incorporating some prior observations drawn from field and laboratory data, and relating external inputs or forcing functions to system variable responses * Definition from: Thomann and Mueller, 1987

43 Is a Model Necessary? It depends what you want to know Probably Not Probably What are the loads associated with individual sources? Where and when does impairment occur? Is a particular source or multiple sources generally causing the problem? Will management actions result in meeting water quality standards? Which combination of management actions will most effectively meet load targets? Will future conditions make impairments worse? How can future growth be managed to minimize adverse impacts?

44 Develop goals based on. Designated uses Threatened Impaired Desired uses Desired load reductions Example: Reduce soil erosion and sedimentation to protect the warm water fishery.

45 Chapter 3 Defining the Critical Area in Your Watershed Plan or Getting the biggest bang for your buck!

46 What is A Critical Area? The geographic portion of the watershed that contributes a majority of the pollutants and is having a significant impact on the water body.

47 What Are the Purposes for Defining the Critical Area? Identifies the geographic area that will be inventoried in detail Determines the geographic area that will have water quality improvement practices installed

48 Ways to identify the Critical Area: Corridor Subwatershed Entire Watershed Combination

49 Delineate Critical Area based on data analysis such as: Designated Uses Pollutant Loads and their Sources Pathway of the Pollutants & Distance to the Water Body Topography Soils Land Use and Management

50 Chapter 4 Surveying the Watershed to Inventory Your Critical Area

51 Reasons for the Inventory 1) Refine the list of known and suspected pollutants, sources and causes 2) To locate the sources of pollution on a watershed map 3) Quantify or categorize the sources of pollution 4) To move the Steering and Technical Committees to a position of knowledge 5) Refine the Critical Area

52 What Methods Are Available For Inventorying the Critical Area? Visual Public Surveys Computer Modeling Monitoring

53 Monitoring 1) Habitat Monitoring 2) Chemical Water Quality Monitoring 3) Hydrologic Monitoring

54 Defined a critical area At this point.. Conducted an inventory of that critical area Updated and refined your table of: pollutants, sources and causes and pollutant loads Added numbers and locations of sites corresponding with each source Documented the method(s) used to conduct your inventory. Developed initial goals.

55 CHAPTER 5 Prioritizing Pollutants, Sources and Causes

56 S Exercise 4: Gun River Watershed Allegan/Barry Counties 107 sq. miles Prioritizing pollutants, sources and causes within the critical area D:\WORK\01339\PROJECT\GUN_EXHIBITS.APR\FIG 1 LOCATION DATE: USER: CDA GUN RIVER WATERSHED Berrien Mason Oceana Benzie Manistee Muskegon Ottawa Van Buren Cass Leelanau Lake Newaygo Allegan Wexford Kent Kalamazoo St Joseph DATA SOURCES: MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MIRIS, 1978, SPCS NAD 27, US FEET Grand Traverse Osceola Mecosta Barry Antrim Montcalm Ionia Calhoun Branch Emmet Charlevoix Kalkaska Missaukee Clare Isabella Eaton Cheboygan Otsego Crawford Roscommon Gratiot Clinton Hillsdale Gladwin Midland Ingham Jackson Montmorency Oscoda Ogemaw Bay Saginaw Shiawassee Presque Isle Livingston Lenawee Arenac Alpena Alcona Iosco Genesee Washtenaw DRAFT Tuscola Monroe Oakland Lapeer Wayne Huron Sanilac Macomb St Clair LOCATION MAP F i s h b e c k, T h o m p s o n, C a r r & H u b e r E n g i n e e r s S c i e n t i s t s A r c h i t e c t s GUN RIVER WATERSHED ALLEGAN CONSERVATION DISTRICT P ROJ EC T NO. G01339 FIGURE 1NO. G r a n d R a p i d s, M i c h i g a n

57 Questions?

58 CHAPTER 6 Determining Objectives for Your Watershed Goals

59 Develop objectives for each of your watershed goals Review initial goals & determine how you will reduce pollution from a source to protect or restore a designated/desired use

60 Example Watershed Objectives for One Goal Goal Restore the warmwater fishery Objectives Reduce the amount of sediment by: Stabilizing eroding road-stream crossings Stabilizing eroding stream banks Restricting livestock from the stream

61

62 Chapter 7 Identify BMPs for each source or cause of pollution in the watershed Combine BMPs into Systems

63 What are BMPs? Best Management Practices (BMPs) are measures and actions that interrupt the detachment, transport and delivery of pollutants. BMPs prevent or reduce pollution from nonpoint sources.

64 Structural

65 Vegetative

66 Managerial

67 BMPs are typically planned and applied as systems.

68 Quantifying BMPs

69 Quantifying potential impacts from BMPs is critical to watershed planning! Provides a guide toward achieving load reduction goal Informs selection of a management strategy Spreadsheet and modeling tools are available Spreadsheet tools Most useful for watershed-scale analysis Operate on a large time step Watershed/site-scale models Useful for local scale, as well as watershed-scale Can operate on a short time-step (including individual storms) Provide a key first step for engineering design

70 BMP Optimization Find optimum BMP placement and selection strategies based on pre-selected potential sites and applicable BMP types What is optimum? Minimize cost Maximize pollutant flow and/or load reduction Combination of the above

71 Identify Specific BMP Options

72 Guidance Manuals: Guidebook of Best Management Practices for Michigan Watersheds Water Quality Practices on Forest Land Storm Water Management Guide Book Natural Resources Protection Strategy for Michigan Golf Courses National Mgmt Measures to Control NPS Pollution from Agriculture

73

74 CHAPTER 8 Identifying and Analyzing Projects, Programs and Ordinances

75 Steps Identify the local programs, projects, ordinances and design standards that currently impact water quality Evaluate them to see if they are consistent with the goals of your watershed plan Identify opportunities to coordinate with or improve upon them

76 Clean Water Act - Stormwater Regulates Municipal Separate Storm Sewers (MS4s) Permit required since 2003 Owned/operated by a municipality or public agency Discharges to surface waters of the state

77 Stormwater Permit Requirements Public Participation Public Education Illicit Discharge Elimination Construction Stormwater Runoff Post Construction Stormwater Runoff Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Water Quality Requirements (addressing Total Maximum Daily Loads for specific pollutants)

78 Are existing programs, projects & ordinances consistent with the goals of your watershed plan? Relate to the goals of the watershed? Effectively addressing water quality? If not, what needs to change? What partnerships exist? How well are they working? Opportunities for cooperation on new activities?

79 Asking the right questions... Who can help implement the BMPs or controls? Agencies, businesses, non-profits, citizens, producers How can they be implemented? What has been done in the past? How well did it work? Can we do it (or adapt it) here? When can we get started? Reasonable short-term actions Long-term or major actions How do we know if it s working? And what do we do if it s not?

80 Chapter 9 Informing and Involving the Public

81 Developing info/ed activities Define overall goal and objectives Identify and characterize target audience Create message(s) for target audience(s) Package the messages for distribution Distribute messages to the audiences Evaluate the information/education effort 81

82

83 Delivering the Message Some Pointers from Experience: Create an I/E Subcommittee Keep the message simple and straightforward Use graphics and photos to illustrate Events in the watershed give a sense of ownership Communicate and build partnerships Be visible in the watershed, partner meetings, and media Create a logo for the watershed and use it on everything

84 Develop a Public Participation Process for the Plan Show the opportunities for public comment Partners (stakeholders) involvement in developing the watershed plan

85 An Approvable Watershed Plan Must include an I/E Strategy and a summary of the public participation process used in developing the plan. It should show the opportunity for public comment and how the partners were involved in developing the watershed plan.

86 Chapter 10 Evaluation

87 Develop an Evaluation Process A description of the strategies that will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing the plan and achieving its goals Monitoring component to measure water quality changes over time

88 Why is an evaluation important? Tells whether or not your efforts are successful Provides a feedback loop for improvement

89 An evaluation can show Changes in knowledge or awareness Changes in attitudes or behavior Which BMPs were adopted or not Changes in condition of the watershed Improvements in water quality

90 Establish indicators & targets for management objectives INDICATOR = measurable parameter used to evaluate relationship between pollutant sources and environmental conditions TARGET = value of indicator that is set as the goal to achieve

91 Other types of indicators Environmental Indicators: # of occurrences of algal blooms miles of streambank restored or fenced off % increase in healthy-stream critters Increase in DO # of waterbodies restored Administrative/programmatic indicators: # of BMPs installed # of newspaper stories printed # of people educated/trained # of public meetings held # of volunteers attending activities # of storm drains stenciled

92 Select an evaluation method that is right for your watershed For each objective or task ask: How can I measure effectiveness? Select an evaluation method that performs the desired measurement.

93 Chapter 11 Write the Plan

94 Assemble the Plan Document Provides the Big Picture of the watershed Describes action-oriented tasks to address water quality in the watershed

95 Contents of a Watershed Plan Introduction Plan area & description, partners, background Water quality information & analysis WQ goals, monitoring/assessment results Key pollutants / sources, causes, current loads Proposed management measures Load reductions needed, BMP types proposed Reductions expected from BMPs, installation sites Implementation plan Public info/education & outreach/involvement plan BMP/$$/TA support sources, project schedule & costs Monitoring and adaptive management approach Interim measurable milestones, load reduction criteria Evaluation framework, monitoring plan & partners

96 Implement the Plan Monitor and encourage Partners/Stakeholders to complete Assignments on Schedule Evaluate and Report Progress Celebrate Successes Update the Plan