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Home My WebLink AboutSec A Ch 1 Intro Section A - 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 (Figure A-1 and Table A-1). Preparation of a basinwide water quality plan is a five- year process, which is broken down into three phases (Table A-2). 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 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 yet allow for reasonable economic growth. DWQ accomplishes these goals through the following objectives: Collaborate with other agencies to develop appropriate management strategies. Assure equitable distribution of waste assimilative capacity. Better evaluate cumulative effects of pollution. Improve public awareness and involvement. Section A: Chapter 1 – Introduction to Basinwide Water Quality Planning 2 Table A-1 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2000 to 2007) Basin DWQ Biological Data Collection River Basin Public Workshops Public Review 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 10/2003 7/2004 9/2004 12/2004 French Broad Summer 2002 11/2003 2/2005 4/2005 9/2005 New Summer 2003 4/2004 6/2005 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 1/2007 White Oak Summer 2004 10/2005 9/2006 12/2006 6/2007 Savannah Summer 2004 10/2005 11/2006 2/2007 8/2007 Watauga Summer 2004 10/2005 12/2006 3/2007 9/2007 Hiwassee Summer 2004 10/2005 11/2006 2/2007 8/2007 Little Tennessee Summer 2004 3/2006 1/2007 4/2007 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 review • 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 3 1.3 Major Components of the Basinwide Plan Each basinwide plan is subdivided into four major sections. The format provides general basinwide information, information by each major watershed, and descriptions of water quality protection initiatives. 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 previous basin plan, achievements, what wasn’t achieved and why, current priority issues and concerns, Impaired waters, 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. Appendices • Lists NPDES dischargers and individual stormwater permits. • Describes water quality data collected by DWQ, use support methodology and 303(d) listing methodology. • Provides workshop summaries, points of contact, and a glossary of terms and acronyms. 1.4 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. 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 during: Section A: Chapter 1 – Introduction to Basinwide Water Quality Planning 4 • Local Workshops: (Prior to the preparation of draft basinwide plans.) DWQ staff present information about basinwide planning and the basin’s water quality. Participants can ask questions, share concerns, and discuss potential solutions to water quality issues in the basin. • Public Review: (After the draft plan is prepared.) DWQ staff discuss the draft plan and its major recommendations, seeking public comments and questions. • Public Comment Period: (After the draft plan is prepared.) The comment period is at least 30 days in length. Draft plans are made available on-line or by request. 1.6 Other References 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. 156 pages. • Catawba River Basinwide Assessment Report. June 2002. This technical report presents physical, chemical and biological data collected in the Catawba River basin. 146 pages. • Catawba River Basinwide Water Quality Management Plan. February 1995. This first basinwide plan for the Catawba River basin presents water quality data, information and recommended management strategies for the first five-year cycle. 181 pages. • Catawba River Basinwide Water Quality Management Plan. December 1999. This second basinwide plan for the Catawba River basin presents water quality data, information and recommended management strategies for the second five-year cycle. 200 pages. • NC Basinwide Wetlands and Riparian Restoration Plan for the Catawba River Basin. DWQ NC Wetlands Restoration Program. • 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. 1.7 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 (919) 733-5083 and ask for the basin planner responsible for your basin of interest. Feel free to contact the appropriate Regional Office for additional information (Figure A-2). For general questions about the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, contact the Customer Service Center at 1-877-623-6748. Section A: Chapter 1 – Introduction to Basinwide Water Quality Planning 5