Georgia's Nonpoint Source Management Program. Linda MacGregor Watershed Protection Branch Georgia Environmental Protection Division

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1 Georgia's Nonpoint Source Linda MacGregor Watershed Protection Branch Georgia Environmental Protection Division

2 Overview of Georgia s Nonpoint Source Georgia s s Nonpoint Source is a comprehensive framework of the strategies and programs in place to prevent, control and alleviate nonpoint source pollution in the State of Georgia. The Program combines regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to manage nonpoint source pollution in cooperation with other agencies, governments, colleges and universities, businesses and industries, s, nonprofit organizations and individuals. The Program provides technical and financial assistance, includes stakeholder coordination and cooperation, and works towards identifying watersheds where nonpoint source pollution is causing impairment and restoring and protecting the designated uses of the waters of the State.

3 Overview of Georgia s Nonpoint Source Overall framework Partners Programs Strategies Regulatory, enforcement, compliance Voluntary/non-regulatory regulatory programs technical and financial assistance Programs and Partners work together to implement strategies.

4 Georgia s Nonpoint Source Partners in Nonpoint Source Management Resource Conservation and Development Councils Regional Development Centers Colleges and Universities State Agencies (EPD, WRD, CRD, DCA, GSWCC, GFC, GDA, DHR, DOT) Local Governments Regional entities (MNGWPD, ARC) Non-governmental organizations Business and industry

5 Georgia s Nonpoint Source Strategies: Regulatory May be enforced by EPD, other state agencies, or local governments Non-regulatory Self-regulatory (forestry) or voluntary (agriculture) Technical and Financial Assistance Outreach and Education

6 Georgia s Nonpoint Source Regulatory Georgia Water Quality Control Act Erosion and Sedimentation Act 401 Water Quality Certification NPDES Stormwater Requirements Coastal Marshlands Protection Act and Shore Protection Act

7 Georgia s Nonpoint Source Regulatory (continued) Metro North Georgia Water Planning District Mountain and River Corridor Protection Act and Georgia Planning Act (Environmental Criteria) Local ordinances and requirements

8 Georgia s Nonpoint Source Non-regulatory (Voluntary): Agriculture Agricultural Nonpoint Source Program Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission is lead agency (in cooperation with Department of Agriculture and EPD) Technical and Financial assistance Farm Bill Programs (Environmental Quality Incentives Program); Georgia Agriculture Pollution Prevention Program (AgP2)

9 Georgia s Nonpoint Source Non-regulatory (self-regulatory): Forestry Forestry Nonpoint Source Program Georgia Forestry Commission designated lead agency (in partnership with the Georgia Forestry Association and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative) Self-regulatory program consisting of accepted BMPs, education and technical training, and inspection program Lack of implementation may result in loss of certification Enforcement of water quality standards by EPD

10 Georgia s Nonpoint Source Non-regulatory Individual On-site Systems (Septic) Maintenance No current requirements for inspection or maintenance of non- mechanical systems. DHR provides implements outreach and education programs on system maintenance Nonpoint Source Education and Outreach Georgia Project WET and Adopt-A-Stream Numerous partners statewide Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Implementation grants Financial assistance to address nonpoint source pollution

11 Georgia s Nonpoint Source Outreach and Education Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Chemical and biological volunteer monitoring Georgia Project Water Education for Teachers (WET) River of Words Watershed themed art and poetry contest Rivers Alive stream clean up program Statewide volunteer stream clean-ups annually

12 Georgia s Nonpoint Source Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants Section 319(h) grants implement the State s Nonpoint Source Management Program Georgia receives approximately $4 million annually Funded at a 60/40 match ratio Governmental entities are eligible to receive funds (local governments, RC&Ds, schools and universities, state agencies); non-governmental organizations are encouraged to form partnerships Priority projects are those that will have measurable improvements in water quality, and/or will result in a water body being partially y or fully restored

13 Georgia s Nonpoint Source Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grants implement a variety of projects, including TMDL implementation, stream restoration, regulatory enforcement, technical assistance, education and outreach, demonstration of innovative management practices and watershed planning.

14 Georgia s Nonpoint Source Non-regulatory Urban Nonpoint Source Program Department of Community Affairs designated lead partner and point of contact Technical assistance and resources to urban, suburban areas to manage stormwater (including Phase I and II permittees) Tools for quality growth and land-use planning

15 Georgia s Nonpoint Source Management Program: Roads and Transportation Georgia Department of Transportation Works closely with EPD on E&S and NPDES permitting, buffer variances, 401 water quality certifications Administers the Transportation Enhancement Grant Program, including projects with environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff Local/County DOTs Better Backroads Project Partnership with RC&D Councils to address dirt and rural roads Develop BMP manual

16 Georgia s Coastal Nonpoint Source Comprehensive approach to NPS pollution in 24-county coastal area Congressional intent to update/expand NPS programs; strengthen links between federal and state coastal and water quality programs; and enhance efforts to manage land use activities that degrade coastal waters and habitats Works closely with CRD Administered by NOAA and USEPA Integrated with Statewide nonpoint source program

17 Coastal NPS Program Requires State to address 56 Management Measures MMs including: Agriculture Forestry Urban (new and existing development, watershed protection, roads and bridges, septic systems) Marinas and Recreational Boating Hydromodification (channelization,, dams and streambank erosion, including restoration of instream & riparian habitat) Wetlands, Riparian Areas, Vegetated Treatment Back-Up Enforceable Mechanisms: Georgia must be able to regulate NPS should voluntary approaches fail to protect critical resources

18 Coastal NPS Program Georgia s program must address deficiencies in key coastal nonpoint source areas: agriculture urban hydromodification monitoring/tracking Georgia is one of several states that is currently Conditionally Approved

19 Coastal NPS Program Voluntary Programs/Actions to Address: Agriculture MM Deficiencies Partnered with UGA and others to develop small farm nutrient management primer as a voluntary educational approach Coastal Soil and Water District delivered the program individually Visited and trained unregulated small farms Developed Nutrient Management Plans

20 Coastal NPS Program Voluntary Programs/Actions to Address: URBAN (New & Existing Development, Watershed Protection) MM Deficiencies Industry Recognition Program Promote and reward environmentally sensitive subdivision design based on nationally successful Clean Marina Models Green Growth Guidelines serve as base for program design Program initiated within the Coastal Soil and Water District and is now housed at UGA s Marine Extension Service Companion homeowner recognition program

21 Coastal NPS Program Voluntary Programs/Actions to Address: URBAN (Stormwater) MM Deficiencies Volume 4 Coastal Area Supplement Partnering with the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Planning Commission, the Center for Watershed Protection, Local Governments, Stormwater Professionals Coastal Supplement is currently under development and expected in Dec 2007: Coastal Specific BMP Design & Criteria Model Ordinance (Enforceable Locally) Effective Impervious Cover Calculation Tool Cost effective monitoring protocol December 2007

22 Coastal NPS Program Enforceable Programs/Actions to Address: URBAN (New & Existing Development, Watershed Protection) MM Deficiencies Model Local Ordinance Development: Local governments can establish the legal authority to manage environmental impacts and to protect property, public health and welfare Riparian Buffers Wetlands The Coastal NPS Program and Coastal have funded innovative ordinance development for coastal localities Conservation Subdivisions

23 Georgia s Coastal Nonpoint Source In response to the coastal NPS findings, Georgia has primarily focused f on the development of Voluntary Programs such as Technical Assistance and Education to fill the gaps in coastal waters protection Significant opportunity exists to develop an enforceable, integrated strategy that expands and clarifies existing regulatory programs to better manage age coastal nonpoint source pollution

24 Discussion