introduction

Introduction

What is Basinwide Water Quality Planning?

Basinwide water quality planning is a 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 (Figure 2
and Table 2). Preparation of a basinwide water quality plan is a five-year process, which is
broken down into three phases (Table 3). While these plans are prepared by the DWQ, 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 2 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2002 to 2007)

Goals of Basinwide Water Quality Planning

The goals of basinwide planning are to:
ƒ Identify water quality problems and restore full use to Impaired waters.
ƒ Identify and protect high value resource waters.
ƒ Protect unimpaired waters yet allow for reasonable economic growth.

DWQ accomplishes these goals through the following objectives:
ƒ Collaborate with other agencies to develop appropriate management strategies.
ƒ Assure equitable distribution of waste assimilative capacity.
ƒ Better evaluate cumulative effects of pollution.
ƒ Improve public awareness and involvement.
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Table 2 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2000 to 2007)

Basin DWQ Biological
Data Collection
Draft for Public
Review
Plan Receives
EMC Approval
Begin NPDES
Permit Issuance
Chowan Summer 2000 5/2002 7/2002 11/2002
Pasquotank Summer 2000 5/2002 7/2002 12/2002
Neuse Summer 2000 5/2002 7/2002 1/2003
Broad Summer 2000 11/2002 2/2003 7/2003
Yadkin-Pee Dee Summer 2001 1/2003 3/2003 9/2003
Lumber Summer 2001 9/2003 12/2003 7/2004
Tar-Pamlico Summer 2002 12/2003 3/2004 9/2004
Catawba Summer 2002 7/2004 9/2004 12/2004
French Broad Summer 2002 2/2005 4/2005 9/2005
New Summer 2003 7/2005 9/2005 3/2006
Cape Fear Summer 2003 4/2005 8/2005 4/2006
Roanoke Summer 2004 6/2006 10/2006 1/2007
White Oak Summer 2004 9/2006 12/2006 6/2007
Savannah Summer 2004 11/2006 2/2007 8/2007
Watauga Summer 2004 12/2006 3/2007 9/2007
Hiwassee Summer 2004 11/2006 2/2007 8/2007
Little Tennessee Summer 2004 1/2007 4/2007 10/2007
Note: A basinwide plan was completed for all 17 basins during the first cycle (1993 to 1998). This schedule
represents the second and/or third cycle for each.

Table 3 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 Input
• Gather and analyze data from sampling activities
• Develop use support ratings
• Conduct special studies and other water quality sampling activities
• Coordinate with local stakeholders and agencies to establish goals and
objectives and identify and prioritize issues for the next basin cycle
• Develop preliminary pollution control strategies
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 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

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Benefits of Basinwide Water Quality Planning

Basinwide planning and management benefits water quality by:

• Focusing resources on one river basin at a time.
• Using sound ecological planning and fostering comprehensive NPDES permitting by
working on a watershed scale.
• Ensuring better consistency and equitability by clearly defining the program's long-term
goals and approaches regarding permits and water quality improvement strategies.
• Fostering public participation to increase involvement and awareness about water quality.
• Integrating and coordinating programs and agencies to improve implementation of point
and nonpoint source pollution reduction strategies.

Division of Water Quality Functions and Locations

For more information on the above documents, DWQ activities or contacts, please visit
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/ or call [phone] and ask for the basin planner responsible
for your basin of interest. Feel free to contact the appropriate Regional Office for additional
information (Figure 3). For general questions about the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, contact the Customer Service Center at 1-877-623-6748.

How You Can Get Involved

To assure that basinwide plans are accurately written and effectively implemented, it is important
for citizens and local stakeholders to participate in all phases of the planning process. You may
contact the basinwide planner responsible for your basin anytime during the plan’s development.
Upon request, the basin planner can also present water quality information and basin concerns to
local stakeholder groups.

To make the plan more inclusive, DWQ is coordinating with the local Soil and Water
Conservation Districts (SWCD), council of governments, NC Cooperative Extension Service, the
county Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and stakeholder groups to develop
language and identify water quality concerns throughout the basin. Citizens and local
communities can also be involved during the planning process by contacting their county
extension service or local SWCD.

During the public comment period, the draft plan is available online and by request for a period
of at least 30 days. DWQ welcomes written comments and questions during this phase of the
planning process and will incorporate comments and suggestions when appropriate.

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Other Reference Materials

There are several reference documents and websites that provide additional information about
basinwide planning and the basin’s water quality:

• 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. Visit the
website at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/ to download document.
• Cape Fear River Basinwide Assessment Report. June 2004. This technical report presents
physical, chemical and biological data collected in the Cape Fear River basin.
• Cape Fear River Basinwide Water Quality Management Plan. October 1996 and July 2000.
These first basinwide plans for the Cape Fear River basin present water quality data,
information and recommended management strategies for the first two five-year cycles.
• NC Division of Water Quality Environmental Sciences Branch website at
http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/.
• 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.
• Watershed Restoration Plan for the Cape Fear River Basin. July 2001. DWQ NC Wetlands
Restoration Program.

How to Read the Basinwide Plan

Chapters 1 - 24: Subbasin and Watershed Information

• Summarizes information and data by subbasin, including: recommendations from
previous basin plan, achievements, current priority issues and concerns, Impaired
waters, and goals and recommendations for the next five years by subbasin.

Chapter 25 - 37

• Presents information on various topics of interest to the protection and restoration of
water quality in the basin, including: stream classifications, population and land
cover changes, stressors to water quality, agricultural, forestry and permitting
activities in the basin, water and natural resources, and water quality initiatives.

Appendices
• Population and land use changes over time, local governments in the basin.
• Describes water quality data collected by DWQ, use support methodology and 303(d)
listing methodology.
• Lists NPDES dischargers and individual stormwater permits.
• Points of contact and a glossary of terms and acronyms.

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