A1_Broad_03Intro

Section A: Chapter 1 - Introduction to Basinwide Water Quality Planning 2
Chapter 1 -
Introduction to Basinwide Water Quality Planning
1.1 What is Basinwide Water Quality Planning?
Basinwide water quality planning is a nonregulatory, watershed-based approach to restoring and
protecting the quality of North Carolina’s surface waters. Basinwide water quality plans are
prepared by the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) for each of the 17 major river basins in
the state, as shown in Figure A-1 and Table A-1. Preparation of an individual basinwide water
quality plan is a five-year process, which is broken down into three major phases as presented in
Table A-2. While these plans are prepared by the Division of Water Quality, their
implementation and the protection of water quality entail the coordinated efforts of many
agencies, local governments and stakeholder groups in the state. The first cycle of plans was
completed in 1998, but each plan is updated at five-year intervals.
Figure A-1 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2002 to 2007)
1.2 Goals of Basinwide Water Quality Planning
The goals of basinwide planning are to:
• identify water quality problems and restore full use to impaired waters;
• identify and protect high value resource waters;
• protect unimpaired waters while allowing for reasonable economic growth;
• develop appropriate management strategies to protect and restore water quality;
• assure equitable distribution of waste assimilative capacity for dischargers; and
• improve public awareness and involvement in the management of the state’s surface waters.
Section A: Chapter 1 - Introduction to Basinwide Water Quality Planning 3
Table A-1 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2000 to 2007)
Basin
DWQ
Biological
Data
Collection
River Basin
Public
Workshops
Public
Mtgs. and
Draft Out
For Review
Final Plan
Receives
EMC
Approval
Begin
NPDES
Permit
Issuance
Chowan Summer 2000 3/2001 5/2002 7/2002 11/2002
Pasquotank Summer 2000 3/2001 5/2002 7/2002 12/2002
Neuse Summer 2000 6/2001 5/2002 7/2002 1/2003
Broad Summer 2000 11/2001 11/2002 2/2003 7/2003
Yadkin-Pee Dee Summer 2001 4/2002 1/2003 3/2003 9/2003
Lumber Summer 2001 12/2002 9/2003 12/2003 7/2004
Tar-Pamlico Summer 2002 3/2003 12/2003 3/2004 9/2004
Catawba Summer 2002 6/2003 3/2004 6/2004 12/2004
French Broad Summer 2002 11/2003 11/2004 2/2005 9/2005
New Summer 2003 4/2004 5/2005 9/2005 3/2006
Cape Fear Summer 2003 5/2004 4/2005 8/2005 4/2006
Roanoke Summer 2004 4/2005 4/2006 8/2006 2/2007
White Oak Summer 2004 10/2005 7/2006 9/2006 7/2007
Savannah Summer 2004 10/2005 12/2006 2/2007 8/2007
Watauga Summer 2004 10/2005 12/2006 2/2007 9/2007
Hiwassee Summer 2004 10/2005 12/2006 2/2007 8/2007
Little Tennessee Summer 2004 3/2006 12/2006 2/2007 10/2007
Note: A basinwide plan was completed for all 17 basins during the first cycle (1993 to 1998).
Table A-2 Five-Year Process for Development of an Individual Basinwide Plan
Years 1 - 2
Water Quality Data Collection and
Identification of Goals and Issues
• Identify sampling needs
• Conduct biological monitoring activities
• Conduct special studies and other water quality sampling activities
• Coordinate with local stakeholders and other agencies to continue to
implement goals within current basinwide plan
Years 2 - 3
Data Analysis and
Public Workshops
• Gather and analyze data from sampling activities
• Develop use support ratings
• Conduct special studies and other water quality sampling activities
• Conduct public workshops to establish goals and objectives and identify
and prioritize issues for the next basin cycle
• Develop preliminary pollution control strategies
• Coordinate with local stakeholders and other agencies
Years 3 - 5
Preparation of Draft Basinwide
Plan, Public Review,
Approval of Plan,
Issue NPDES Permits and
Begin Implementation of Plan
• Develop draft basinwide plan based on water quality data, use support
ratings, and recommended pollution control strategies
• Circulate draft basinwide plan for review and present draft plan at
public meetings
• Revise plan after public review period
• Submit plan to Environmental Management Commission for approval
• Issue NPDES permits
• Coordinate with other agencies and local interest groups to prioritize
implementation actions
• Conduct special studies and other water quality sampling activities
Section A: Chapter 1 - Introduction to Basinwide Water Quality Planning 4
1.3 Major Components of the Basinwide Plan
The second cycle of basinwide plans uses a different format from the earlier basinwide plans.
Each plan is subdivided into three major sections. The intent of the format change is to make the
plans easier to read and understand, but still comprehensive in content.
Section A: Basinwide Information
• Introduces the basinwide planning approach used by the state.
• Provides an overview of the river basin including: hydrology, land use, local government
jurisdictions, population and growth trends, natural resources, wastewater discharges,
animal operations and water usage.
• Presents general water quality information including summaries of water quality monitoring
programs and use support ratings in the basin.
Section B: Subbasin Information
• Summarizes recommendations from first basin plan, achievements made, what wasn’t
achieved and why, current priority issues and concerns, and goals and recommendations for
the next five years by subbasin.
Section C: Current and Future Initiatives
• Presents current and future water quality initiatives and success stories by federal, state and
local agencies, and corporate, citizen and academic efforts.
• Describes DWQ goals and initiatives beyond the five-year planning cycle for the basin.
1.4 Benefits of Basinwide Water Quality Planning
Several benefits of basinwide planning and management to water quality include:
• Improved efficiency. The state’s efforts and resources are focused on one river basin at a
time.
• Increased effectiveness. The basinwide approach is in agreement with basic ecological
principles.
• Better consistency and equitability. By clearly defining the program’s long-term goals and
approaches, basinwide plans encourage consistent decision-making on permits and water
quality improvement strategies.
• Increased public participation in the state’s water quality protection programs. The
basinwide plans are an educational tool for increasing public involvement and awareness of
water quality issues.
• Increased integration of point and nonpoint source pollution assessment and controls. Once
waste loadings from both point and nonpoint sources are established, management strategies
can be developed to ensure compliance with water quality standards.
Section A: Chapter 1 - Introduction to Basinwide Water Quality Planning 5
1.5 How to Get Involved
To assure that basinwide plans are accurately written and effectively implemented, it is important
for citizens and other local stakeholders to participate in the planning process. DWQ offers three
opportunities for the public to participate in the planning process:
• Public Workshops: Held prior to writing the basinwide plans. DWQ staff present
information about basinwide planning and the water quality of the basin. Participants then
break into smaller groups where they can ask questions, share their concerns, and discuss
potential solutions to water quality issues in the basin.
• Public Meetings: Held after the draft basinwide plan has been approved by the Water
Quality Committee of the Environmental Management Commission. DWQ staff present
more detailed information about the draft basinwide plan and its major recommendations.
Then, the public is invited to comment and ask questions.
• Public Comment Period: Held after the draft plan has been approved by the Water Quality
Committee of the Environmental Management Commission. The comment period is at least
30 days in length from the date of the first public meeting.
Citizens seeking involvement in efforts to restore and protect water quality can call the DWQ
Planning Branch at [phone] and ask to speak to the basin planner for your river basin.
1.6 Other References
There are several reference documents and websites that provide additional information about
basinwide planning and the basin’s water quality:
• Broad River Basinwide Assessment Report. December 2001. This technical report presents
physical, chemical and biological data collected in the Broad River basin. 57 pages.
• Broad River Basinwide Water Quality Management Plan. July 1998. This first basinwide
plan for the Broad River basin presents water quality data, information and recommended
management strategies for the first five-year cycle. 290 pages.
• A Citizen’s Guide to Water Quality Management in North Carolina. August 2000. This
document includes general information about water quality issues and programs to address
these issues. It is intended to be an informational document on water quality. 156 pages.
• NC Basinwide Wetlands and Riparian Restoration Plan for the Broad River Basin. August
1998. DWQ NC Wetlands Restoration Program. 60 pages.
• North Carolina’s Basinwide Approach to Water Quality Management: Program Description.
Creager, C.S. and J.P. Baker. 1991. DWQ Water Quality Section. Raleigh, NC.
• NC Division of Water Quality Basinwide Planning website at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/. Click on
Water Quality Section and then, under Programs, click on Basinwide Planning Program.
• NC Division of Water Quality Environmental Sciences Branch website at
http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/.
Anyone interested in receiving these documents can contact the
DWQ Planning Branch at [phone] or by internet
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/.
Section A: Chapter 1 - Introduction to Basinwide Water Quality Planning 6
1.7 Division of Water Quality Functions and Locations
The major activities coordinated by DWQ through basinwide planning are listed in Figure A-2.
Information on the location, address and phone numbers for each branch and regional office are
also shown in Figure A-2 and Figure A-3. Additional information can be found on the Division
of Water Quality website at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/.
Environmental Sciences Branch
(Phone [phone])
• Biological Monitoring
• Special Chemical Monitoring
• Fish Tissue, Fish Community Studies
• Effluent Toxicity Testing
• Lake Assessments
• Ambient Monitoring
• Wetlands 401 Certifications
• Water Quality Standards/Classifications
• Nonpoint Source Program Planning
• Basinwide Planning, Use Support
• Modeling/TMDL Development
• Local Government Assistance
Planning Branch
(Phone [phone], ext. 558)
Point Source Branch
(Phone [phone], ext. 520)
Non-Discharge Branch
(Phone [phone], ext. 556 or 574)
• Non-Discharge Permitting (spray irrigation,
sludge applications, animal waste recycling)
• Wetlands/401 Certifications
• Non-Discharge Compliance/Enforcement
• Operator Certification Training
• NPDES Permits
• Stormwater and General Permits
• Point Source Compliance/Enforcement
• Pretreatment
Regional Offices: Asheville, Raleigh,
Fayetteville, Wilmington, Mooresville,
Washington, Winston-Salem
(See Regional Office map for phone nos.)
• Wetland Reviews, Ambient Monitoring Program
• Permit Reviews, Facility Inspections
• Pretreatment Program Support
• Response to Emergencies/Complaints
• Provides Information to Public
WATER QUALITY SECTION
(Chief)
Figure A-2 Water Quality Section Organization Structure