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Executive Summary 1
Executive Summary
North Carolina’s Basinwide Approach to Water Quality Management
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. Each basinwide plan is revised at five-year intervals. While these plans are prepared
by the DWQ, the implementation and the protection of water quality entails coordinated efforts
of many agencies, local governments and stakeholders in the state.
The goals of DWQ’s basinwide program are to:
• Identify water quality problems and restore full use to impaired waters,
• Identify and protect high value resource waters, and
• Protect unimpaired waters while allowing for reasonable economic growth.
DWQ accomplishes these goals through the following objectives:
• Evaluate cumulative effects of pollution,
• Assure equitable distribution of waste assimilative capacity for dischargers,
• Regulate point and nonpoint source pollution where other approaches were unsuccessful,
• Improve public awareness and involvement, and
• Collaborate with other agencies to develop appropriate management strategies to protect
and restore water quality. This includes providing agencies information related to
financial and funding opportunities.
This document is the third edition of the Chowan River Basinwide Water Quality Plan updated
on a five-year cycle. The first basinwide plan for the Chowan River basin was completed in
1997 and the second in 2002. The format of this plan was revised in response to comments
received during the first planning cycle. DWQ replaced much of the general information in the
first two plans with more detailed information specific to the Chowan River basin. For this plan,
a greater emphasis was placed on identifying water quality concerns on the watershed level in
order to facilitate protection and local restoration efforts.
Chowan River Basin Overview
The Chowan River basin is located in the northeastern coastal plain of North Carolina and
southeastern Virginia (Figure i). The North Carolina portion includes all or part of Northampton,
Hertford, Gates, Bertie and Chowan counties (Figure ii). The Chowan River is formed at the
border of Virginia and North Carolina by the confluence of the Nottoway and Blackwater Rivers,
and its streams flow southeastward towards the Albemarle Sound. Approximately 75 percent
(4,061 square miles) of the river’s watershed lies within the Virginia border.
The Chowan River basin in North Carolina is composed of two major drainages: Chowan River
and Meherrin River. The Chowan River basin is part of the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine
system, the second largest estuarine system in the United States. All of the waters in the basin
are designated as Nutrient Sensitive Waters. Many waterbodies in this basin are transitional in
2 Executive Summary
nature (i.e., from Coastal A to Swamp) making water quality monitoring difficult. Some creeks
and rivers flushing rates are influenced by tides and wind, while others receive swamp drainage.
There are four waterbody segments that were not rated because DWQ criteria for Coastal B
waters have not been finalized. Overall, water quality in the Chowan River basin is generally
good.
Information presented in this basinwide water quality plan is based on information collected
from September 2000 to July 2007 to describe water quality conditions and issues in each of the
four subbasins. Specific water quality assessments were based on biological, chemical and
physical monitoring data collected between September 2000 and August 2005. A discussion of
conditions reflecting whether specific waterbodies support their best-intended use and maps of
each subbasin are included in each subbasin chapter.
Subbasin 03-01-01
The upper Chowan River is formed at the border of Virginia and North Carolina by the
confluence of the Nottoway and Blackwater Rivers. Major tributaries to the Chowan River in
this subbasin include the Wiccacon River and Ahoskie Creek, both having land use activities
influencing poor water quality conditions. The lower portion of the Wiccacon River is the only
Impaired waterbody for aquatic life in the Chowan River basin. Portions of Merchants Millpond
State Park and Chowan Swamp State Natural Area are also located in this subbasin. Merchants
Millpond supports a diverse assemblage of aquatic plants including several rare species. The
largest municipalities in this subbasin
include Ahoskie, Aulander, and Winton.
Surface water classifications and the
amount of miles in subbasin 03-01-01 are
listed in Table i. Chapter 1 presents
specific water quality information for each
monitored waterbody in the subbasin.
Subbasin 03-01-02
Subbasin 03-01-02 contains 494 square miles of the Meherrin River and its tributaries, but much
of the river’s catchment is in Virginia. Major tributaries to the Meherrin River include Potecasi
and Kirbys Creeks. Aquatic habitats include streams that have been channelized and/or swamp
areas that cease to flow during dry periods and are expected to have very low dissolved oxygen
levels during low-flow periods. Significant natural heritage areas are located within the
watershed, including the Meherrin River Swamp and Meherrin River Slopes and Swamp. The
largest municipalities in this subbasin
include Murfreesboro and Rich Square.
Surface water classifications and the
amount of miles in subbasin 03-01-02 are
listed in Table ii. Chapter 2 presents
specific water quality information for each
monitored waterbody in the subbasin.
Table i Subbasin 03-01-01 DWQ Classifications
DWQ Classification Freshwater Miles
B; NSW 39.8
C; NSW 376.5
C = Aquatic life propagation/protection and secondary recreation
B = Primary recreation and Class C uses.
NSW = Nutrient Sensitive Waters: Areas with water quality problems
associated with excessive plant growth resulting from nutrient enrichment.
Table ii Subbasin 03-01-02 DWQ Classifications
DWQ Classification Freshwater Miles
B; NSW 13.6
C; NSW 272.9
C = Aquatic life propagation/protection and secondary recreation
B = Primary recreation and Class C uses.
NSW = Nutrient Sensitive Waters: Areas with water quality problems
associated with excessive plant growth resulting from nutrient enrichment.
Executive Summary 3
Subbasin 03-01-03
This subbasin contains the middle section of the Chowan River, below Bennetts Creek
(Merchants Millpond) and above Rockyhock Creek and includes the Indian Creek and Catherine
Creek tributaries. Tidal Cypress-Gum Swamp, a designated significant natural heritage area, is
found along much of the shoreline of the Chowan River and represents an important wetland
ecosystem within the Chowan River basin. Land use is mainly forested wetlands and
agricultural cropland. The largest
municipality in the subbasin is Colerain,
which has experienced an overall net
population decline since 1990. Surface
water classifications and the amount of
miles in subbasin 03-01-03 are listed in
Table iii. Chapter 3 presents specific
water quality information for each
monitored waterbody in the subbasin.
Subbasin 03-01-04
Subbasin 03-01-04 contains the lower Chowan River and small tributaries including Salmon
Creek, Edenton Bay and Pembroke Creek. It also includes a small northwest portion of the
Albemarle Sound. Edenton is the largest municipality in the subbasin. This region of the
Chowan River basin is experiencing growth and development with proposed upscale housing
communities, golf courses and marinas. With this growth along the inland waterways, many
channels to the Chowan River are losing their riparian buffers and consequently water quality is
in jeopardy. Within this subbasin, a portion of the Albemarle Sound to the mouth of the Chowan
River is Impaired in the fish consumption
category because of a dioxin advisory for
these waters. Surface water classifications
and the amount of miles and acres in
subbasin 03-01-04 are listed in Table iv.
Chapter 4 presents specific water quality
information for each monitored waterbody
in the subbasin.
Waterbody Classifications and Use Support Assessment of Water Quality
Surface waters are classified according to their best-intended uses. Determining how well a
waterbody supports its designated uses (use support rating) is an important method of
interpreting water quality data to assess water quality. The terms Impaired and Supporting refer
to whether the classified uses (e.g., aquatic life protection, recreation, shellfish harvesting, and
fish consumption) of the water are being met. For example, waters classified for aquatic life
protection and secondary recreation (Class C for freshwater) are rated Supporting if data used to
determine use support did not exceed specific criteria. However, if these criteria were exceeded,
then the waters would be rated as Impaired. A single waterbody could have more than one use
support rating corresponding to one or more of the multiple use support categories. Use support
assessments based on surface water classifications form the foundation of this basinwide plan.
Chapter 5 presents more information about surface water classifications.
Table iii Subbasin 03-01-03 DWQ Classifications
DWQ Classification Freshwater Miles
B; NSW 27.0
C; NSW 4.2
C = Aquatic life propagation/protection and secondary recreation
B = Primary recreation and Class C uses.
NSW = Nutrient Sensitive Waters: Areas with water quality problems
associated with excessive plant growth resulting from nutrient enrichment.
Table iv Subbasin 03-01-04 DWQ
Classifications by Miles and Acres
DWQ
Classification
Freshwater
Miles
Freshwater Acres
B; NSW 25.1 15,600.4
C; NSW 50.8 1,370.3
C = Aquatic life propagation/protection and secondary recreation
B = Primary recreation and Class C uses.
NSW = Nutrient Sensitive Waters: Areas with water quality problems
associated with excessive plant growth resulting from nutrient enrichment.
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DWQ use support methods were developed to assess ecosystem health and human health risk
through the development of use support ratings for five categories: aquatic life, fish
consumption, recreation, shellfish harvesting, and water supply. These categories are tied to the
uses associated with the primary classifications applied to North Carolina rivers, streams and
lakes. A full description of the classifications is available in the DWQ document titled
Classifications and Water Quality Standards Applicable to Surface Waters of North Carolina
(www.ncwaterquality.org/csu/).
Use support methodology has changed significantly since the 2002 revision of the Chowan River
Basinwide Water Quality Plan. In the previous plan, surface waters were rated fully supporting
(FS), partially supporting (PS), not supporting (NS) and not rated (NR). The 2002 Integrated
Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report Guidance issued by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) requests that states no longer subdivide the Impaired category. In
agreement with this guidance, North Carolina no longer subdivides the Impaired category and
rates waters as Supporting (S), Impaired (I), Not Rated (NR), or No Data (ND). These ratings
refer to whether the classified uses of the water are being met. Detailed information on use
support methodology is provided in Appendix II.
Aquatic Life/Secondary Recreation
The aquatic life/secondary recreation use support category is applied to all waters in North
Carolina. Therefore, this category is applied to the total number of stream miles (810 mi.) in the
Chowan River basin. A basinwide summary of current aquatic life/secondary recreation use
support ratings is presented in Table v.
Approximately 33 percent of stream miles
(268 mi.) were monitored for the protection of
aquatic life and secondary recreation by DWQ
during this basinwide planning cycle.
Impaired waters account for 2.8 percent of the
total stream miles and 8.4 percent of
monitored stream miles. Over 22 miles of the
Wiccacon River are Impaired for aquatic life
due to a Fair bioclassification as described in
Chapter 1.
Primary Recreation
There are 105.5 miles currently classified for primary recreation (Class B) and 704.4 miles
classified for secondary recreation (Class C) in the Chowan River basin. Approximately 14
percent of stream miles (810 mi.) were monitored for recreational uses by DWQ during this
basinwide planning cycle. Of the 73.4 monitored stream miles for primary recreation, all are
Supporting.
Fish Consumption
Like the aquatic life/secondary recreation use support category, the fish consumption use support
category is also applied to all waters in the state. Approximately one percent of stream miles in
the Chowan River basin were monitored for the fish consumption use support category during
Table v Aquatic Life/Secondary Recreation
Use Support Summary Information
Monitored
Streams Only* Aquatic Life/Secondary
Recreation
Use Support Ratings Miles %
Supporting 143.4 53.5%
Impaired 22.5 8.4%
Not Rated 102.1 38%
Total 268 -----
* = Percent based on total of all monitored waters.
Executive Summary 5
this basinwide cycle. Fish consumption use support ratings are based on fish consumption
advice and advisories issued by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
Currently, there is a statewide advice limiting consumption of several fish species, due to the
potential for elevated methylmercury levels; see the DHHS website for more information
(http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/fish/). Because of this advice, all waters are considered Impaired
for the fish consumption category on an evaluated basis.
Currently, 7.8 miles of the Chowan River and 15,600 acres of the Albemarle Sound are Impaired
due to a dioxin fish consumption advisory by DHHS. The dioxin advisory recommends that
women of childbearing age and children should not eat catfish and carp and others should limit
their consumption of these bottom feeder fish species.
Water Quality Standards and Classifications
All waters in the basin have the supplemental classification of Nutrient Sensitive Water (NSW).
In response to this classification, nitrogen and phosphorus reductions have resulted in water
quality improvements with the implementation of agricultural best management practices, the
conversion of many wastewater treatment plants to land application systems, and the
implementation of more stringent permit limits for nutrients. Water quality standards and
classifications are discussed in Chapter 5.
Water Quality Stressors and Sources
DWQ identifies the stressors of water quality impact as specifically as possible depending on the
amount of information available in a watershed. Most often, the source of the stressor is based
on predominant land use in the watershed. In the Chowan River basin, agriculture and runoff
from WWTP land application sites were identified as possible sources of stressors to biological
(benthic and fish) communities or where water quality standards have been violated. In the fish
consumption category, mercury and dioxin are the noted stressors. However, unknown sources
of stressors impact many waterbodies. The accumulation of multiple stressors leads to water
quality degradation. In some way, every resident, tourist, landowner, industry and municipality
in the basin impacts water quality. Therefore, it is important that all stakeholders play a role in
management strategies designed to protect and restore water quality in the Chowan River basin.
More information about water quality stressors and sources can be found in Chapter 6.
Impacts from Stormwater Runoff
Stormwater runoff is a primary carrier of nonpoint source pollution in both urbanized and rural
areas. Stormwater runoff is a particular concern in the agricultural based Chowan River basin.
Previous hydrologic alterations of the landscape have ditched and channelized the land to
improve drainage. Stormwater currently moves quickly off the land bypassing swamps and
enters directly into creeks and rivers untreated. The impact of stormwater runoff is also severe in
developing areas where recently graded lands are highly susceptible to erosion. Water quality
impacts are also evident in urbanized areas where stormwater runoff is increased by impervious
surfaces and is rapidly channeled through ditches, curb and gutter systems into nearby
waterbodies.
The goal of DWQ stormwater discharge permitting regulations and programs is to prevent
pollution from entering the waters of the state via stormwater runoff. These programs
6 Executive Summary
accomplish this goal by controlling the source(s) of pollution. Currently, there are 23 individual
stormwater permit listed for the Chowan River basin. Chapter 7 contains more information
federal and state stormwater programs.
Wastewater Management
In the Chowan River basin, wastewater is treated by wastewater treatment plants, non-discharge
systems and on-site septic systems. Discharges that enter surface waters through a pipe, ditch or
other well-defined point of discharge are broadly referred to as 'point sources'. Wastewater point
source discharges include municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants and small
domestic wastewater treatment systems serving schools, commercial offices, residential
subdivisions and individual homes. Dischargers in North Carolina must apply for and obtain a
NPDES permit. Because of the nutrient sensitivity of the waters in this basin, dischargers are
permitted with set nitrogen and phosphorus limits at 3 and 1 mg/l, respectively. Currently, there
are 10 permitted wastewater dischargers in the Chowan River basin.
Many municipalities, residential developments, and commercial/industrial operations located in
northeastern North Carolina utilize wastewater treatment systems that dispose of the wastewater
through land application methods. Such systems are referred to as non-discharge systems, as
there is no direct discharge to surface water of the state. A large concentration of non-discharge
systems are located within the Chowan basin. Although non-discharge systems should not
present high potentials for surface water impacts, some systems within the Chowan basins have
problems that may result in impaired surface water quality. In the Chowan River basin, 21 non-
discharge (non-agricultural) permits have been issued. Some of these facilities have problems
due to direct discharges resulting from storm events, run-off, or continued inability to comply
with permit conditions.
Within the Chowan basin, it is important to note that there is a direct connection between
groundwater and surface water in many places. Drainage ditches and canals are widespread in
northeastern NC and function as a direct pathway for groundwater that may be impacted from
nutrients and coliform bacteria, especially in rural areas where agriculture is widespread, to enter
into the surface water system. In other cases, surface water bodies, directly border areas where
groundwater quality may be impaired. In many areas, the time it takes for groundwater to move
into the surface water system is brief. Although groundwater quality at non-discharge facilities
may be compliant with groundwater quality standards, groundwater flux moving into the surface
water system has the ability to transport contaminants into surface water bodies and add to total
mass loadings. It is recommended that research be conducted to better establish and understand
the relationship between groundwater and surface water in eastern North Carolina. Such
understanding would provide for more accurate assessment of surface water impairments
resulting from groundwater discharges and enable the state to make sound permitting judgments
and recommendations to better protect water quality in general.
On-site septic systems are common throughout the Chowan River basin. However, soil
conditions in the basin may limit the functionality of the septic system treatment allowing
untreated effluent to reach surface waters. Precautions should be taken by local septic system
permitting authorities to ensure that failing systems are repaired, older systems are updated and
new systems are sited and constructed properly allowing an adequate repair area.
Chapter 7 provides more information on wastewater permitting regulations.
Executive Summary 7
Population, Land Use Changes and Natural Resources
Based on the 2000 Census, the overall population of the Chowan River basin is 61,153, with
approximately 44-persons/square mile. Although this is a decrease from the 1990 census of
62,474 people, population growth and development is expanding inward from the rapidly
developing coastal areas. Two of the five counties in the basin are expected to experience
growth rates in excess of ten percent by 2020. As the counties in the Chowan River basin
continue to grow along the inner waterways there will likely be a loss of natural areas and an
increase in the amount of impervious surface associated with new homes and businesses.
Based on 1997 National Resources Inventory data, land cover in the basin is dominated by
forestland that covers approximately 54.9 percent of the land area. Agriculture (including
cultivated and uncultivated cropland and pastureland) covers approximately 32.8 percent. This
ten-year-old data reflects only 2.8 percent of the land area as being developed. To more
accurately describe land cover and land use changes updated data is needed. Approximately 86
percent of forestland in the Chowan River basin is privately owned, 12 percent is owned by
forest industry and the rest is publicly owned. A small percentage (1.2 percent) of the Chowan
River basin is publicly owned conservation land. More information on population, land use and
natural resources in the Chowan River basin is found in Chapter 8.
Public Water Supply
In the Chowan River basin, 75 public water supply sources were identified, all of which are
groundwater wells. Of the 75 groundwater sources, 4 of them have a Higher, 29 have a
Moderate and 42 have a Lower susceptibility rating. It is important to note that a susceptibility
rating of Higher does not imply poor water quality. Susceptibility is an indication of a water
supply's potential to become contaminated by the identified potential contaminant sources within
the assessment area. More information on water supply resources in the Chowan River basin is
found in Chapter 8.
Ecological Significance of the Chowan River Basin
Approximately 100 stream miles of the Chowan River are considered an Aquatic Significant
Natural Heritage Area by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. The Chowan River
receives this designation because of the diversity of its freshwater mussel populations, many of
which are rare and vulnerable. The Chowan River and its tributaries provide critical habitat for
some anadromous fish species and is known for some of the best fishing in the state, with
largemouth bass, bluegill, chain pickerel, black crappie, and perch being some of the most sought
after species. Recent harvest restrictions were enacted on the river herring fishery due to the
declining stock, which may be associated with water quality conditions. The Chowan and
Meherrin Rivers still reflect the rural character of the basin where priority conservation activities
should include the establishment of buffer strips and conservation easements and continued
refinement and monitoring of BMPs on lands used primarily for agriculture and silviculture.
These activities are also needed for industrial and residential developments. More information
on natural resources in the Chowan River basin is found in Chapter 8.
8 Executive Summary
Agriculture and Water Quality
There are 101 animal operations in the Chowan River basin. Excess nutrient loading, pesticide
and/or herbicide contamination, bacterial contamination, and sedimentation are often associated
with agricultural activities, and all can impact water quality. In the Chowan River basin,
significant efforts have been made to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loads originating from
agricultural land uses through the implementation of best management practices (BMPs).
Additional efforts are needed to redesign drainage from agricultural fields to help filter runoff.
During this five-year assessment period, the North Carolina Agricultural Cost Share Program
(NCACSP) funded BMPs totaling more than $2,400,000 throughout the Chowan River basin.
Chapter 9 provides information related to agricultural activities in the Chowan River basin and
also identifies funding opportunities for BMPs.
Land Use Planning and Sea Level Rise
The Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) requires each of the 20 coastal counties to have a
local land use plan in accordance with guidelines established by the Coastal Resources
Commission (CRC). A land use plan is a collection of policies, maps, and implementation
actions that serves as a community’s blueprint for growth. The management goal for water
quality is to maintain, protect, and where possible enhance water quality in all coastal wetlands,
rivers, streams and estuaries. The CRC’s planning objective is for communities to adopt policies
for coastal waters within the planning jurisdiction to help ensure that water quality is maintained
if not impaired and improved if impaired. Local communities are required to devise policies that
help prevent or control nonpoint source discharges (sewage and stormwater) through strategies
such as impervious surface limits, vegetated riparian buffers, maintenance of natural areas,
natural area buffers, and wetland protection. In the Chowan River basin, Gates County has
completed their land use plan and Bertie, Chowan and Hertford Counties are in the process.
Chapter 10 presents specific information regarding land use plans in communities of the Chowan
River basin.
Sea level rise has the potential to dramatically alter North Carolina’s coast and estuary systems.
Coastal infrastructure, residential properties and industry are threatened and water quality
conditions will change. Research is being conducted by several universities in North Carolina to
predict changes in our environmental and economic resources. Links to resources about sea
level rise are provided in Chapter 10.
Water Quality Management Strategies
The N.C. Divisions of Water Quality, Coastal Management, Land Resources, Marine Fisheries,
Soil and Water Conservation, Parks and Recreation and Environmental Health are responsible
for many natural resource use activities and policies including stormwater management,
development permits, erosion control programs, agriculture and land preservation, and recreation
monitoring. Additional state programs and many interagency and local group partnerships work
together to protect the resources found in the Chowan River basin. The Albemarle-Pamlico
National Estuary Program (APNEP) has supported a number of research, restoration, and
demonstration projects. Recently, in the Chowan River basin, the APNEP funded a Chowan
River Riparian Shoreline Assessment, environmental education projects and projects designed to
mitigate the effects of stormwater runoff and pollution. Over $20,000,000 in Clean Water
Management Trust Funds, and over $270,000 in Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grants have been
Executive Summary 9
allocated for projects in the Chowan River basin. Chapter 10 presents more information local
initiative and state programs and strategies to preserve and protect water quality.
Restoring Impaired Waters
The long-range mission of basinwide planning is to provide a means of addressing the complex
problem of planning for increased development and economic growth while maintaining,
protecting and enhancing water quality and intended uses of the Chowan River basin’s surface
waters. Within this basinwide plan, DWQ presents management strategies and recommendations
for those waters rated Impaired or that exhibit some notable water quality problems.
There are eight waterbody segments consisting of 135 miles in the Chowan River basin that are
on the draft 2006 303(d) list of impaired waters. For the next several years, addressing water
quality impairment in waters that are on the state’s 303(d) list will be a DWQ priority. Section
303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act requires states to develop a list of waters not meeting
water quality standards or which have impaired uses. The waters in the Chowan River basin that
are on this list are discussed in the individual subbasin chapters. States are also required to
develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) or management strategies for 303(d) listed
waters to address impairment. EPA issued guidance in August 1997 that called for states to
develop schedules for developing TMDLs for all waters on the 303(d) list within 8-13 years.
More information on the TMDL process is found in Chapter 11.
Challenges and Recommendations for Achieving Water
Quality Improvements
The cumulative effects of nonpoint source pollution are the
primary threat to water quality and habitat degradation in
many areas across the state and throughout the Chowan River
basin. Nonpoint source pollution can be identified through
the basinwide plan, but actions to address these impacts must
be taken at the local level. Such actions should include:
• Require stormwater best management practices for existing and new
development,
• Develop and enforce buffer ordinances,
• Conduct comprehensive land use planning that assesses and reduces the impact of
development on natural resources, and
• Develop and enforce local erosion control ordinances.
Without proactive land use planning initiatives and local water quality strategies,
population growth and development in the basin increases the risk of waterbody
impairment. Balancing economic growth and water quality protection will continue to be
an immense challenge. This basinwide plan presents many water quality initiatives and
accomplishments that are underway throughout the basin. These actions provide a
foundation on which future initiatives can be built.
General Recommendations for the Chowan River Basin
Recent water quality data indicates water quality has improved in the Chowan River since the
algal bloom events of the 1970’s. However, maintenance and continual improvements in water
quality are dependent on proactive planning. The following recommendations are compiled
Cumulative Effects
While any one activity may not
have a dramatic effect on water
quality, the cumulative effect of
land use activities in a watershed
can have a severe and long-lasting
impact.
10 Executive Summary
from natural resource agencies and stakeholders working and/or living within the Chowan River
basin:
• Conduct additional research to understand possible surface-ground water interactions and
possible water quality issues associated with non-discharge wastewater disposal.
• Continue efforts to focus on proper training of facility operators to address non-
compliance issues associated with permitted facilities, both non-discharge and discharge,
often associated with operator mismanagement.
• Protect human health and maintain water quality by repairing failing septic systems,
update older systems, and eliminate straight pipes. Additional monitoring of fecal
coliform bacteria throughout tributary watersheds will aid in identifying where straight
pipes and failing septic systems are problems. Septic system maintenance outreach is
needed in rural areas dependent on on-site wastewater disposal.
• Develop stormwater management programs for new development and to retrofit existing
development.
• Develop additional outreach opportunities to incorporate smart growth technologies or
low impact development techniques for municipal planners to incorporate into land use
plans.
• Establish riparian buffers, as needed throughout the basin, both in residential and
agricultural land use areas.
• Reestablish natural drainage and associated wetlands to reduce stormwater runoff, assist
with flood control and improve water quality.
• Support the development and implementation of best management practices (BMPs) to
help reduce nonpoint source pollution. Monitoring of these BMPs should also be
required to improve maintenance, design and functionality. BMPs applicable in
residential areas need to be encouraged through public education campaigns.
• Support the implementation of the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan at all levels of
government and amongst citizens.
• Continue collaborative efforts between natural resource agencies within North Carolina
and Virginia to improve adaptive management and policies on a watershed ecosystem
scale.
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State Boundary Planning Section
Basinwide Planning Unit
February 23, 2007
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Figure i General Map of the Entire Chowan River Basin
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Figure ii General Map of the Chowan River Basin in North Carolina
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0 7.5 15 22.5 303.75
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Legend
Municipality
Hydrology
County Boundary
Subbasin Boundary
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Basinwide Planning Unit
February 23, 2007