Justin Bower Senior Environmental Planner. Cedar Bayou WPP, Bastrop Bayou WPP and Upper Oyster Creek TMDL I-Plan

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1 Justin Bower Senior Environmental Planner Cedar Bayou WPP, Bastrop Bayou WPP and Upper Oyster Creek TMDL I-Plan

2 Upper Oyster Creek TMDL Implementation Plan

3 Upper Oyster Creek Project Area

4 Upper Oyster Creek Project Area Mix of land uses: Rural/undeveloped west Heavily urban east System receives much flow from Brazos River via GCWA pumping Complicated water rights relationships, impoundments

5 Total Maximum Daily Loads Triggered by impairments Two studies conducted: Bacteria and DO TMDL is budget Findings: Reductions necessary

6 From TMDL to Implementation TMDL processes define targets for reductions Implementation Plan is next step in TMDL process Shift from technical evaluation to hands-on local planning

7 TMDL Findings Allocation Process Two allocation reaches, above and below Dam 3 Bacteria Waste Load Allocations Implications for permitted discharges Reduction Target (73%)

8 TMDL Findings Bacteria Lack of seasonality, variable by rain BST- variety of sources, UAA indicates proper use DO At borderline with future growth 2 TMDLs, above/below dam 3

9 Public Participation Stakeholder Group, Coordinating Committee formed Wide mix of interests Monthly meetings held Individual briefings held for many entities

10 Finding Solutions General Guidelines Focus on not reinventing wheel Look for synergy with existing efforts Coordinate with TPDES Phase II, other programs Evaluate changing watershed (flow, levels)

11 Bacteria Recommendations Bacteria: Mix of recommendations Sanitary sewer system improvements OSSF identification/remediation Pet waste programs Agricultural programs (feral hogs, avian) Etc.

12 DO Recommendations DO: Many Bacteria solutions will affect DO Mix of recommendations again Fertilizer management Ag WQMPs Aeration High priority for education

13 Next Steps Draft I-Plan Document Public Review By Committee Support from local governments Public Meetings Submittal to TCEQ/EPA

14 Any Questions? Creek.com

15 Development of a Watershed Protection Plan for Cedar Bayou

16 The Cedar Bayou Watershed ~200 square miles Bayou is boundary between Harris, Liberty, and Chambers Counties Drains to Galveston Bay system

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18 Cedar Bayou Above Tidal Originates north of Hwy 90, Liberty Co. Parts of the Cities of Crosby, Barrett, Mont Belvieu Primary land uses: Rural/agricultural Wetlands Some suburban/urban

19 Cedar Bayou Tidal East of Ship Channel, west of Trinity River Parts of the Cities of Baytown, Mont Belvieu Primary land uses: Urban Industrial Rural/agricultural Wetlands

20 A Complex Challenge Diverse land uses Uneven development Array of contaminants, legacy pollutants Complex hydrology Diverse stakeholders

21 For Example Watershed boundaries Unique hydrology

22 Water Quality Impairments Tidal Bacteria PCBs/Dioxins Above Tidal Macrobenthic communities

23 Potential Bacteria Sources Agriculture Livestock Other cultivation Urban runoff/pets Wastewater Treatment Facilities Septic Systems Wildlife Non-Domestic Animals

24 Potential PCBs and Dioxin Sources Sampled in fish tissue Industry in watershed Fish from Bay/Ship Channel Ongoing efforts

25 Potential Causes for Impaired Macrobenthic Communities Development Agricultural activity Conditions in Above Tidal section variable in flow and character

26 Water Quality Concerns Tidal Chlorophyll-a Above Tidal Macrobenthic communities Depressed dissolved oxygen

27 Future Water Quality Concerns Nutrients Sediment/ channelization Loss of riparian buffers Increased barge traffic

28 Project Impetus 303(d) impairments and concerns Affects Galveston Bay, local health and economy Strong local involvement Urban growth to continue

29 Finding Project Funding H-GAC worked with TSSWCB to develop 319(h) grant $804,000 in federal funds, $353,876 local match $1,157,876 total Initiated late 2010

30 Project Goals - Purpose Evaluate and understand the Cedar Bayou Watershed Engage local stakeholders and facilitate development of a WPP Maintain and improve water quality Plan for future watershed concerns

31 Project Tasks - Characterize GIS inventory Land Use/Land Cover Analysis Source Survey Analysis of historical water quality data

32 Project Tasks Water Sampling Meeting Project Goals Increased ambient monitoring Storm flow monitoring WWTP data evaluation DO monitoring Biological Assessment

33 Project Tasks Modeling Meeting Project Goals Modeling water quality Load duration curves SELECT Tidal Biological (CADDIS)

34 Project Tasks Plan Development Meeting Project Goals Stakeholder Facilitation Meetings Decision-making Plan Development Document Creation Submission

35 Current Status Held first watershed tour with TSSWCB, GBEP staff Developed GIS Inventory Developed website, Facebook page Held first meeting

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38 Next Steps Begin full scale monitoring Begin initial modeling Continue public involvement Continue to seek additional participation

39 Any Questions? For more information, contact: Justin Bower Senior Environmental Planner Houston-Galveston Area Council 3555 Timmons Lane, Suite 120 Houston, TX