Paul J. Pickett (co-author) Siana Wong (principal author) Washington State Department of Ecology AWRA National Conference Tysons Corner, VA

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1 An Assessment of Nonpoint Pollution in Washington State Paul J. Pickett (co-author) Siana Wong (principal author) Washington State Department of Ecology AWRA National Conference Tysons Corner, VA November 3, 2014

2 Washington State, with Dept. of Ecology Regions British Columbia Idaho Oregon 2

3 NPS Assessment Report Assessment of Nonpoint Pollution in Washington State, August 2014 Purpose of report: Science foundation for Washington s next Nonpoint Plan Meet CWA 319 and CZARA requirements Summarize and characterize NPS pollution in WA State Primarily since 2005 (year of last plan) Older literature when relevant or linking to ongoing projects s/ html 3

4 NPS Assessment Report Chapters 1. Introduction: problem description, objectives, approach 2. NPS Background definitions, EPA guidance, 3. Literature review 4. TMDL Load Allocations and load reducations 5. GIS analysis of TMDL footprints and land uses 6. Section 319 Grants: self-identified NPS categories 7. Four case studies: Walla Walla, Yakima, Dungeness, Samish 8. Synthesis, Discussion, Conclusions 4

5 NPS Definitions Recognized as global problem UNEP Clean Water Act definitions EPA Examples: Fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides from ag and residential Oil, grease and toxic chemicals from urban and energy Sediment from construction, ag, forest, erosion Salt from irrigation, acid mine drainage Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pets, septics Atmospheric deposition, hydromodification NOAA applies EPA definition to CZARA 5

6 EPA guidance Extensive guidance available on-line (links in report) Eight categories of NPS pollution Mine drainage Agriculture Forestry Hydromodification and Habitat Alteration Marinas and Boating Roads, Highways, and Bridges Urban Areas Wetland and Riparian management 6

7 CWA Impairments Most common causes of impairment nationwide: Pathogens Toxic metals Nutrients Organic enrichment/oxygen depletion Sediment and turbidity Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, and other toxics ph Temperature 7

8 CWA Impairments Top ten causes of impairment nationwide in

9 Literature Review Literature source included: WA Dept. of Ecology publications (48 references). Academic peer-reviewed journal articles (34). U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) publications (14). U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports (2). Puget Sound Partnership studies (2). County monitoring reports (2). Tribal monitoring reports (2). EPA nonpoint guidance (1). Pew Oceans Commission report (1) 9

10 Literature Review Major problems documented: Nitrogen loading/low dissolved oxygen in Puget Sound. Toxic chemical loading in Puget Sound. Nitrate contamination of groundwater. Mercury trend monitoring in lakes. Pesticide loading in agricultural areas. Targeted monitoring/research in bacteria-impaired waters. Database of studies available Annotations for 45 reference provided in appendix 10

11 TMDL Load Allocations Summary of TMDL reports by region and parameter Number of TMDL reports reviewed 1 Number of records (sites with established allocation or reduction values) Region TOTAL Bacteria Dissolved Oxygen, Nutrients, ph Toxics Turbidity Temperature 2 Central Eastern Northwest Southwest Total Central Eastern Northwest Southwest Total Many TMDL reports were multi-parameter, so the number of addressed parameters may not add up to total. 2 Shade allocation data are not summarized in this table. 11

12 TMDL Load Reductions Summary tables of LAs for NPS (% reduction needed) Bacteria: 25 TMDLs, 469 wet and 475 dry season LAs Turbidity: 2 TMDLs, 29 wet and 36 dry season LAs DO, nutrients, ph: 5 TMDLs, 34 wet and 38 dry season LAs Toxics: 5 TMDLs, 59 allocations Temperature: 37 streams with shade deficits 12

13 TMDL Load Reductions 13

14 TMDL Shade Deficits 14

15 GIS mapping: Land uses and TMDLs Statewide & Regional Locations and percent load reductions Land use clipped by NHD catchment Ten figures, a few examples shown here 15

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21 319 grant analysis EPA GRTS system Nine categories evaluated Other grants not well documented regarding causes Statewide examples below Report also provides break-outs by Region 21

22 319 grant analysis: % of projects addressing each category 22

23 319 grant analysis: Average percentage across state 23

24 Case Studies In-depth evaluation of four watersheds Walla Walla Watershed (Southeast WA) Lower Yakima River Watershed (Central WA) Dungeness River Watershed and Dungeness Bay (Olympic Peninsula) Samish Bay Watershed, Northwest Region, WRIA 3 (Puget Sound) Timeline and issue summary provided for each Summary of TMDL study results Summary of BMPs and Effectiveness monitoring 24

25 Synthesis and Discussion Previous chapters discussed by source: Agriculture Urban and Residential Hydromodification Marinas and Recreational Boating Forested Areas Atmospheric Deposition Natural Sources and Other Sources Seasonal Considerations Future Work 25

26 Conclusions Major issues identified in Washington State: Agriculture: temperature, sediment, nutrient, pesticides Urban/residential: bacteria, nutrients, toxics, sediments Bacteria from livestock, manure, septics, pets Temperature and sediment from hydromodification and forest practices Nitrate contamination of groundwater Hydromodification impacts to riparian buffers affect most pollutants 26