Assessment of the impacted waterbody and its watershed with data that supports the identification of the water quality problems to be addressed Paint

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7 Assessment of the impacted waterbody and its watershed with data that supports the identification of the water quality problems to be addressed Paint Creek and Village Creek Watersheds: The City of Waukon is the largest community in Allamakee County and is situated on the divide between two major watersheds in Northeast Iowa, the Paint Creek HUC 12 ( ) and Village Creek HUC 12 ( ). Village Creek is a direct tributary of the Mississippi River. It enters the Mississippi immediately south of the City of Lansing, Iowa in Pool 9. Paint Creek is a major tributary to Yellow River, both of which are classified by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as coldwater streams. Coldwater streams are defined by the DNR as Waters in which the temperature and flow are suitable for the maintenance of a variety of cold water species, including reproducing and populations of trout (Salmonidae family) and associated aquatic communities. Coldwater streams maintain a maximum mean temperature below 68 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. Both Paint Creek and Village Creek Watersheds are located over a major landform region of Iowa known as the Paleozoic Plateau, or more commonly, the Driftless Region. This unique region is characterized by high relief, dendritic valleys, and Karst topography. Karst topography forms in areas where highly dissolvable bedrock, in this case Limestone, is near or at the surface. Water moves through the soft Limestone through cracks and fissures creating networks of caves and underground stream networks. Some underground streams emerge to the surface contributing cold water to surficial streams and rivers while other underground streams transport water quickly to underlying aquifers. The thin loess soils and high relief in this area create highly erodible lands when the soil surface is not protected by vegetative cover. The Karst features in the Paint

8 and Village Creek Watersheds create a close but complex interaction between surface waters and groundwater resulting in coldwater ecosystems found nowhere else in Iowa. Coldwater streams in this Driftless Region, like Paint and Village Creek, are home to unique plant and animal species like watercress, brook trout, and a host of invertebrates. Land cover in the Paint Creek and Village Creek Watersheds are a mix of row crop agriculture, deciduous woodlands, and pasture or hay. The City of Waukon is surrounded by a higher percentage of agriculture than lower areas of these two watersheds because of the City s location in an upland area where crop production is more feasible. The producers around the City of Waukon and in the Driftless Region in general are very conservation minded. Allamakee has a very active Soil and Water Conservation District and NRCS office, located in Waukon, that help producers implement conservation practices such as cover crops, no-till, terraces, grassed waterways and sediment control basins. The efforts of producers and conservation professionals in this area have helped preserve the water quality integrity of streams in the area. Neither Paint nor Village Creek show up on the DNR 303d list of impaired waters from In fact, Village Creek is listed as an Outstanding Iowa Water meaning it is subject to antidegradation regulations imposed by the DNR and Environmental Protection Commission. These regulations are designed to maintain and protect high quality waters and existing water quality in other waters from unnecessary pollution. Therefore, the City of Waukon has a responsibility to take measures to protect and enhance these high quality waters. Very little water sampling has been collected for Village and Paint Creeks. However, Iowa DNR fisheries staff recognize each of these waters as high value coldwater ecosystems that support reproducing populations of trout. Water temperature increases, sedimentation, and excessive nutrients are threats for these streams to remain suitable for trout and other species of plants, animals, and fish specific to coldwater habitats. As the City of Waukon continues to develop, city officials are taking action to reduce the negative impacts of human development on nearby surface waters. Temperature Increases: Coldwater environments maintain a mean temperature at or below 68 degrees throughout the year to be classified as coldwater and support the unique species that thrive there. Temperature increases threaten these environments and can be caused in part by runoff from impervious surfaces, particularly during warmer months. Impervious surfaces, such as concrete, reach very high temperatures as it absorbs and holds heat. Any rain or runoff that moves across these surfaces is immediately warmed as it moves through stormwater infrastructure and into nearby surface waters. The phenomenon threatens to warm the streams near urban areas, like Waukon. Paint Creek and Village Creek receive runoff directly from the streets, parking areas, and buildings in the City of Waukon. Sediment: Sediment is a concern in all Iowa surface waters, but is particularly harmful in coldwater streams. Trout and other fish species require clean cobble and gravel areas for reproduction and feeding. Invertebrates like mayflies and caddis spend the second phase of their lives on rocks and leaves found on the bottom of streams. Sedimentation covers cobble and gravel areas preventing fish reproduction and reducing invertebrate populations. Sediment also absorbs more heat than rock which can further warm water temperatures. Runoff from impervious surfaces picks up and carries fine sediment that is delivered to nearby streams. Some areas of Waukon are actually eroding along streets where the boulevard slopes down

9 to the street surface and there is no curb to channel runoff. The eroding areas contribute sediment to nearby streams and surface waters. Nitrates: Nitrates are a naturally occurring nutrient that limits overall productivity in all ecosystems. Human introduction of applied synthetic fertilizers to lawns and agricultural fields and liquid manure applied to fields from confined animal feeding operations can cause extreme fertility of surface waters. High nitrate levels can cause algae blooms and in some cases, poison fish when levels become too high. Nitrates applied to residential lawns or golf courses can move into nearby surface waters because it is water soluble. Stormwater practices that capture and treat runoff from residential neighborhoods or around golf courses will help reduce nutrient loading into nearby streams. Source Water Protection: The Iowa DNR Phase I assessment shows Waukon is at a low risk for source water contamination from nutrient contamination. Producers near the City s well capture zones are utilizing conservation practices that minimize nutrient contamination and erosion. The City of Waukon deems it important to take similar measures within city limits because of the shallow depth-to-bedrock in the area. Discussion of project goals and objectives Primary Project Goals: Protect the high quality streams near the City of Waukon by minimizing the impact of runoff on the biological, chemical, and physical integrity of those waters Objectives: Implement practices that infiltrate runoff and thereby reducing the temperature before it enters nearby surface waters Implement practices that reduce sediment transported from City streets or areas where erosion is occurring Implement practices that remove potential pollutants from runoff and prevent pollutants from entering nearby surface waters Evaluation of possible water quality practices that could be implemented, considering the unique demographic, topographic, hydrologic, and institutional characteristics of the planning area The City of Waukon worked with an urban conservationist, Northeast Iowa RC&D, and the Allamakee County SWCD to evaluate locations and priorities for projects within the community and adjacent watershed area. The community was divided into manageable sections by drainage and each assessed for potential locations for storm water management projects. Village Creek Watershed: Drainages 50, 64, 26, and 70 drain to Village Creek from the north side of the City. Several potential locations for stormwater practices were identified during planning meetings, but were eliminated after a site visit by the planning team because the locations were not suitable for practices that would meet the City s goals.

10 Paint Creek Watershed: A majority of the City s footprint is in the Paint Creek Watershed and a number of practices were identified in this area. 1. Drainage 62: This is a newer subdivision of the community with relatively new infrastructure. Most of the drainage is residential with low density of impervious surfaces. The City is interested in improving the area with better stormwater best management practices should further development occur. 2. Drainage 137: The runoff from this area is captured by a detention basin implemented by the City in coordination with the Allamakee County SWCD. The planning team determined that further practices in this drainage were not necessary because the detention basin was adequately treating runoff from this area. 3. Drainage 1: This area actually drains to the west out of the City before joining Paint Creek further to the south. The Waukon high school and wellness center are located in this drainage and contain large parking areas and impermeable surfaces. A grassy area owned by the City was identified as an ideal location for a stormwater wetland. 4. Drainage 149: This is the second largest drainage area identified in the City footprint. A majority of this area is residential neighborhoods with few locations suitable for stormwater practices. The business district makes up part of the southernmost part of this drainage and is nearly entirely impervious surface. The most suitable and practical stormwater practice for this drainage are permeable pavers. The most suitable location for pavers was determined to be an alley on the north side of Main Street. 5. Drainage 32: No potential projects were identified in this drainage. 6. Drainage 3: This location is south of the main city footprint and includes a developing business district and agricultural fields. The businesses that are developed include large parking lots with concrete or crushed stone surfaces. There are also several undeveloped lots. One location for a stormwater wetland was identified that would capture runoff from an adjacent parking area and agricultural fields.

11 7. Drainages 201 & 94: These drainages are two of the larger drainages of town and have similar attributes. Both drainages are primarily residential areas with aging infrastructure. Infiltration practices were considered for capturing runoff along streets but most boulevard areas are narrow, without adequate space for stormwater practices. A number of street segments are in poor condition and were determined to be suitable locations for permeable pavers. In some cases, there was erosion of boulevard areas from runoff moving along the streets. The planning team

12 also considered a segment of a drainage behind Hardees for erosion and the potential for streambank stabilization. The streambank did not appear to be actively eroding and therefore is not a priority for a sponsored project. 8. Drainage 5: This location is the site of the wastewater treatment plant which is scheduled for a remodel to replace aging infrastructure. The location has a significant area of crushed stone surface which contributes sediment directly into a tributary of Paint Creek. The planning team recommended exploring the possibility of retrofitting wastewater infrastructure for a stormwater management practice. 9. Drainage 25: The Waukon Country Club golf course makes up a majority of this drainage. Golf courses can contribute nutrients, particularly Nitrates, to nearby surface waters. Members of the planning team met with the golf course board of directors to discuss the possibility of a stormwater wetland on the course. The golf course board was not in favor of a wetland on the course area. An adjacent property owned by Sweeney Realty is being considered by the City. Description of practices to be implemented with the expected water quality outcomes The City of Waukon is prioritizing stormwater best management practices that offer water quality improvement benefits such as increased temporary storage, infiltration, and treatment of runoff in areas of the community where improvements will have a high impact. The selected practices will help reduce sediment, lower temperature, and remove nutrients and other pollutants from storm water. Stormwater Wetland: Three potential wetland locations were identified by City staff and the planning team. The wetland areas will capture runoff from adjacent areas with impervious surfaces or are likely contributing nutrients to runoff. Wetlands are a natural landscape feature that captures sediment from, reduces temperature of, and denitrifies runoff as it leaves the City area. Permeable Pavers: Permeable pavers were selected for multiple locations where implementation will have the highest impact for capturing runoff and where city staff and the planning team identified problem spots for runoff and sediment. Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure Retro fit: As part of the wastewater treatment plant scheduled construction, several large cement storage containers will no longer be used and are scheduled for destruction. The planning team felt as if the existing infrastructure might be able to be used as an infiltration practice like a bio-cell or rock chamber for temporary storage of runoff from the adjacent driveway areas. While it is a bit unorthodox, it may prove to be a unique and innovative way for the City to reduce its impact on Paint Creek and repurpose aging infrastructure. Discussion of project locations, land ownership, and any plans for acquiring properties or easements All but one location for potential sponsored projects are owned by the City of Waukon. The owner of the property has been approached and is open to the possibility of the City acquiring the property to complete a project as the property is unfit for development. The City would like to consider the project but recognizes the difficulties of acquiring property to do so. The City has prioritized the potential projects in order from highest to lowest as follows:

13 1. Stormwater wetland south of the Wellness Center 2. Permeable pavers in the alley north of the downtown business district 3. Stormwater wetland east of the Fareway parking area in the South business district 4. Permeable pavers in the southwest and northeast residential areas of town on 3-4 streets 5. Stormwater retro-fit at the wastewater treatment facility 6. Stormwater wetland east of Sweeney Realty (requires land purchase) Identification of any other organizations or resources to be involved in the project and their expected contributions Allamakee County Soil and Water Conservation District Allamakee County SWCD is supportive of the projects selected by the City of Waukon and the impacts they will have on water quality on Paint Creek. Allamakee SWCD has worked with the City to implement best management practices and will continue to support them with any sponsored projects that are implemented. SWCD staff members are working with many of the landowners directly adjacent to the community to implement many conservation practices like no-till, cover crops, terraces, and grassed waterways. The conservation practices implemented by landowners will complement efforts of the community to limit negative impacts of human development. Northeast Iowa RC&D, Inc. Northeast Iowa RC&D has worked with the City of Waukon as a member of the planning committee and helped select potential sponsored project locations. Northeast Iowa RC&D staff also work with the City of Waukon on a number of other projects that are working to improve the community. RC&D is committed to helping Waukon grow sustainably while minimizing the impact of growth on the surrounding environment. Northeast Iowa RC&D is a seven-county nonprofit organization that works closely with communities, counties and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) to develop and implement urban and rural conservation projects and plans. Their board of directors is comprised of County Boards of Supervisors and County SWCD Commissioners from their seven counties. They currently coordinate water quality monitoring at over 50 sites in Northeast Iowa and are providing project planning, funding and implementation assistance to several communities. They have provided a Letter of Endorsement and commitment for this project. Proposed project schedule with major milestones, along with a discussion of how the sponsored project construction schedule coordinates with the infrastructure project schedule Finish plan wastewater facility design Fall 2018 Wastewater treatment bid process Winter 2018 Begin prioritization and design of sponsored projects Spring 2019 Finalize SRF loan amount and begin construction Spring 2019 Bid sponsored projects Fall 2019 Finish wastewater facility construction Fall 2020 Finish sponsored projects construction Fall 2020

14 Proposed evaluation procedures and measures A visual assessment will be conducted of all project site locations and practices as the project moves forward and after project construction. Projects will continue to be maintained by City staff to keep the water quality functionality throughout the life of the project. The City plans to explore options with the Allamakee SWCD for monitoring water quality of the surface waters and runoff to monitor changes or improvements in water quality over time. Explanation of the proposed budget, including other planned funding sources and flexibility to adjust budget according to final amount available through sponsored project mechanism The City of Waukon is requesting $850,000 from the SRF sponsored project program. Of the total requested funds, $20,000 is allocated to professional planning, legal, and administrative, $70,000 is allocated for project design, and $50,000 is allocated for professional construction fees. The remaining $710,000 is allocated for project construction of which $80,000 is included for potential contingencies during project construction. Waukon prioritized stormwater best management practices in locations that will help achieve the city s goals of reducing sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants entering nearby surface waters. Engineering and project design have not yet been completed for the priority practices and project areas to date so estimated costs for each project are not known. However, the City of Waukon recognizes that the amount requested in this proposal is not sufficient to complete all of the priority practices. City officials are committed to seeking further funding through other programs and grants to implement projects not funded by SRF sponsored project funds. Preliminary communication plan indicating how information about the proposed project will be communicated to and from key audiences, such as community residents, neighbors, city council or other decision makers, and other stakeholder groups The City Administrator, Dean Hilgerson, will serve as the point of contact for the City and communicate project progress to the city council through the project. The planning team met with city council on several occasions before this application was submitted to ensure support from community leadership. Stormwater best management practices are somewhat unknown to many Waukon residents and City officials recognize the need to educate them as the project is completed. The City is committed to providing outreach opportunities, such as public meetings and educational materials at project sites, about storm water best management practices to community members throughout the project timeline. This will help build community support and encourage residents to implement best management practices on their properties to further reduce improve and protect Paint and Village Creeks.

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18 August 27, 2018 Lee Wagner DNR State Revolving Fund Coordinator Iowa Department of Natural Resources 401 SW 7th Street, Suite M Des Moines, IA Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Projects Selection Committee: Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development is excited to provide this letter of support for Waukon s application for an SRF Sponsored Project. Northeast Iowa RC&D is currently working with communities in our region to develop county and community policies that will help our local governments justify and prioritize storm water best management practices over conventional infrastructure. Policies regarding storm water management in conjunction with development will have a dramatic impact on our flood prevention and water quality improvement efforts. However, before policy is finalized, local leaders, from our counties and cities, must demonstrate how effective stormwater best management practices are. Northeast Iowa RC&D is implementing a stormwater demonstration site at our facility in Postville to serve as an educational site for area community leaders, the public, and youth to better understand how best management practices look and function. We will continue to work with Waukon and other communities in northeast Iowa to better manage stormwater through policy development and implementation of best management practices whenever possible. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Lora Friest Executive Director Northeast Iowa RC&D, Inc. P.O. BOX E. GREENE STREET POSTVILLE, IOWA PHONE: