Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSwannanoa_CaseStudyCreating a 9-Element Watershed Plan Case Study: Upper Swannanoa River NC 205(j) Grant Creating & Implementing a Watershed Plan In 2014, TBM partnered with the Land of Sky Regional Council (LOSRC) to create the Upper Swannanoa Watershed Management Plan with an EPA Clean Water Act Section 205(j) Grant matched by a Pigeon River Fund Grant. The watershed plan was designed to meet all of the EPA 9 minimum elements in order to qualify for Clean Water Act Section 319 Grant funding– a watershed restoration grant administered by the NC Division of Water Resources. In addition to these elements, the plan included conceptual models and estimated costs for 17 stormwater retrofit sites, making the plan immediately actionable. Subsequently, LOSRC received a $60,000 319 grant in 2016 to install 3 bioretention features in Black Mountain. With a watershed plan and site- specific designs in place, the TBM and other groups working in the USRW can continue to implement restoration projects with the ultimate goal of removing the Upper Swannanoa River from the impaired waters list. Project Background The Upper Swannanoa River Watershed (USRW), home to several rare plant and animal species, is a tourist destination and major economic driver for Buncombe County and the Town of Black Mountain (TBM). However, development and deforestation in the area led to increased stormwater runoff, resulting in greater streambank erosion and aquatic habitat degradation. As a result, the river was added to North Carolina’s 303(d) list of impaired waters in 2006 for degraded benthic macroinvertebrate community. River Basin: French Broad County: Buncombe 205(j) Funding: $25,000 Total Project Cost: $50,000 Upper Swannanoa River Species of Concern Pictures from NCWRC & NC Parks Bog Turtle Hellbender French Broad Crayfish Superb Jewelwing 205(j) Grant Administrator: Kelsey Rowland Email: kelsey.rowland@ncdenr.gov Telephone: (919) 707-3679 General 205(j) Grant Requirements: • Water quality management planning projects • Council of Governments sponsor/ partner • No more than 18 months • No match requirement Similar Project Types: • Adapting an existing watershed plan into a 9-Element Plan • Developing a Project Atlas or SCM Design Guide for a watershed plan • Launching an Outreach & Education Campaign for a watershed plan EPA’s 9 Minimum Elements of Successful Watershed Plans Planners used digital mapping (GIS), aerial photos, and field assessments to identify sites for 21 stormwater retrofits and 16 stream improvements. Stormwater retrofits would improve water quality by reducing an estimated 1.9 tons of suspended sediment, 14 lbs phosphorus, 103 lbs nitrogen, and 8 lbs of zinc annually. An additional 1,014 tons of sediment could be reduced if the identified 31,000ft of stream channel are improved. Planners developed a 4 pillar outreach and education strategy to address (1) programmatic outreach, (2) local government practices/programs, (3) outreach to the business community, and (4) public stormwater management practices. The plan proposes regular water chemistry testing and benthic monitoring by local volunteers to track trends in watershed conditions, as well as sampling by the state every 5 years to determine if the USRW is eligible for removal from the 303(d) list. Upper Swannanoa River Plan Highlights The goals of the plan are to implement the identified projects to stabilize streambanks and reduce sediment. EPA Watershed Planning Handbook Learn more about the 205(j) grant on the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality website.