Dr. Jill Lipoti, Director DEP/Water Monitoring & Standards Sustainable Raritan Conference June 11, Photo: Bill Shultz, courtesy of

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1 Dr. Jill Lipoti, Director DEP/Water Monitoring & Standards Sustainable Raritan Conference June 11, 2013 Photo: Bill Shultz, courtesy of

2 South Branch Raritan River Mainstem Raritan River Photos - Kleinfelder/Omni Upper Millstone River Bedens Brook

3 The solution: Comprehensive Water Resource Management Aligning resources with actions

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5 Address stressors that affect water flow, quality and quantity Determine regional priorities remove one-size-fits-all approach criteria will define the region not prescribed HUC lines Identify solutions action plans: Let s move forward on what we already know! Focus on built environment & current conditions revitalization, restoration, environmentally overburdened communities

6 1. Address point sources with the non-tidal Raritan River TMDL 2. Stormwater initiatives 3. Fertilizer law implementation 4. Soil compaction standards? 5. Advance key Open Space/Green Acres priorities/ public access 6. Work on overall water supply plan for the Basin 7. Targeted monitoring for improving stream conditions aquatic life? temp? 8. Educate the public foster stewardship initiatives 9. Long term plan to restore Shellfish? 10. Minimize farm impacts Photo: Michael Catania, courtesy of Sustainable Raritan Initiative

7 Comprehensive Water Resource Management in the Raritan Basin The Raritan TMDL: Is a regional solution, promoting equitable distribution of load Calls for coordination and prioritization across the Department, other Agencies and outside partners Is a smart action, moving from the scientific study to action Aligns resources with the water related issues in a more holistic manner Provides metrics to measure outcomes Is part of the overall action plan for the Raritan, including regulatory and non-regulatory opportunities

8 Raritan Area Overview Non-tidal Raritan River 3 Watershed Management Areas 7 Counties 80 Municipalities Reservoirs and water supply features. Highlands Areas

9 To provide a scientifically defensible approach to applying the SWQS criteria in the Raritan Basin and establish a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for pollutants where appropriate that will translate into environmental benefits. ph DO TSS TP

10 Point Sources 47 current NJPDES Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs) 33 of 40 WWTPs covered have TP limits pending the TMDL outcome. 20 WWTP outfalls located either in or above Category 1 waters.

11 1. Address point sources with the non-tidal Raritan River TMDL 2. Stormwater initiatives Green Infrastructure and CSOs 3. Fertilizer law implementation 4. Soil compaction standards? 5. Advance key Open Space/Green Acres priorities/ public access 6. Work on overall water supply plan for the Basin 7. Targeted monitoring for improving stream conditions aquatic life? temp? 8. Educate the public foster stewardship initiatives 9. Long term plan to restore Shellfish? 10. Minimize farm impacts Photo: Michael Catania, courtesy of Sustainable Raritan Initiative

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14 Designed to collect rainwater runoff and wastewater in the same pipe and during periods of heavy rainfall, to overflow and discharge untreated sewage into streams and rivers. In New Jersey, there are a total of 217 individual CSO outfall points, within 21 communities and 9 regional treatment plants NY has 937 CSOs PA has 1,569 CSOs within 152 communities NJ costs estimated previously at over $8 Billion

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16 1. Address point sources with the non-tidal Raritan River TMDL 2. Stormwater initiatives 3. Fertilizer law implementation 4. Soil compaction standards? 5. Advance key Open Space/Green Acres priorities/ public access 6. Work on overall water supply plan for the Basin 7. Targeted monitoring for improving stream conditions aquatic life? temp? 8. Educate the public foster stewardship initiatives 9. Long term plan to restore Shellfish? 10. Minimize farm impacts Photo: Michael Catania, courtesy of Sustainable Raritan Initiative

17 Actions Resources Green Infrastructure MS4 measures Fertilizer law Low Impact Development Asset Management Soil compaction standards SRF loans 319 grants Farm Bill grants Drinking Water revenue Sewer fees CBT funds (some previously funded projects still in progress)

18 1. Address point sources with the non-tidal Raritan River TMDL 2. Stormwater initiatives 3. Fertilizer law implementation 4. Soil compaction standards? 5. Advance key Open Space/Green Acres priorities/ public access 6. Work on overall water supply plan for the Basin 7. Targeted monitoring for improving stream conditions aquatic life? temp? 8. Educate the public foster stewardship initiatives 9. Long term plan to restore Shellfish? 10. Minimize farm impacts Photo: Michael Catania, courtesy of Sustainable Raritan Initiative

19 > 65% of the sites in the N. & S. Branch of the Raritan River Excellent or Good

20 Success Stories Rahway River - improvement (Poor Fair) Raritan - Good scores and wild trout populations

21 1. Address point sources with the non-tidal Raritan River TMDL 2. Stormwater initiatives 3. Fertilizer law implementation 4. Soil compaction standards? 5. Advance key Open Space/Green Acres priorities/ public access 6. Work on overall water supply plan for the Basin 7. Targeted monitoring for improving stream conditions aquatic life? temp? 8. Educate the public foster stewardship initiatives 9. Long term plan to restore Shellfish? 10. Minimize farm impacts Photo: Michael Catania, courtesy of Sustainable Raritan Initiative

22 Potential Partnerships The Sustainable Raritan River Initiative Public-Private Partnerships Raritan Basin Watershed Alliance NJ Water Supply Authority NY/NJ Baykeeper/Raritan Riverkeeper Academics (on the banks of the old.) Watershed Associations NJ Dept of Agriculture/ USDA/ NRCS County agencies BPU NJ American Water US Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Commissions YOU! Photo courtesy of Sustainable Raritan Initiative