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Home My WebLink AboutIntroduction 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. The NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) prepares Basinwide water quality plans for each of the 17 major river basins in the state (Figure 1 and Table 1). Preparation of a basinwide water quality plan is a five-year process, which is broken down into three phases (Table 2). While these plans are prepared by DWQ, their implementation and the protection of water quality entail the coordinated efforts of many agencies, local governments and stakeholder groups throughout the state. The first cycle of plans was completed in 1998. Each plan is updated at five-year intervals. Figure 1 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2005to 2009) 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. This includes providing agencies information related to financial and funding opportunities. Introduction 1 Assure equitable distribution of waste assimilative capacity. Evaluate cumulative effects of pollution. Improve public awareness and involvement. Regulate point and nonpoint sources of pollution where other approaches are not successful. 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. 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. Division of Water Quality Functions and Locations For more information on the basinwide planning process, DWQ activities, or contacts, 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. You can also contact the appropriate Regional Office (Figure 2) for additional information. For general questions about the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, contact the Customer Service Center at 1-877-623-6748. 2 Introduction Table 1 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2004 to 2011) Basin DWQ Biological Data Collection Draft Out For Public Review Final Plan Receives EMC Approval Begin NPDES Permit Issuance Chowan Summer 2005 7/2007 9/2007 11/2007 Pasquotank Summer 2005 7/2007 9/2007 12/2007 Neuse Summer 2005 9/2007 11/2007 1/2008 Broad Summer 2005 1/2008 3/2008 7/2008 Yadkin-Pee Dee Summer 2006 3/2008 5/2008 9/2008 Lumber Summer 2006 1/2009 3/2009 7/2009 Tar-Pamlico Summer 2007 5/2009 7/2009 9/2009 Catawba Summer 2007 7/2009 9/2009 12/2009 French Broad Summer 2007 3/2010 4/2010 7/2010 New Summer 2008 8/2010 11/2010 1/2011 Cape Fear Summer 2008 9/2010 11/2010 2/2011 Roanoke Summer 2004 7/2006 9/2006 1/2007 White Oak Summer 2004 3/2007 5/2007 6/2007 Savannah Summer 2004 1/2007 3/2007 8/2007 Watauga Summer 2004 11/2006 1/2007 9/2007 Hiwassee Summer 2004 1/2007 3/2007 8/2007 Little Tennessee Summer 2004 1/2007 3/2007 10/2007 Note: A basinwide plan was completed for all 17 basins during the second cycle (1998 to 2003). Table 2 Five-Year Planning 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 Collect Information from State and Local Agencies • Gather and analyze data from sampling activities • Develop use support ratings • Conduct special studies and other water quality sampling activities • Work with state and local agencies to establish goals and objectives • Identify and prioritize issues for the next basin cycle • Develop preliminary pollution control strategies • Coordinate with local stakeholders and other state/local 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 for public review • Revise plan (when appropriate) to reflect public comments • 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 Introduction 3 Some Other Reference Materials There are several reference documents and websites that provide additional information about basinwide planning and the basin’s water quality. These include: Supplemental Guide To North Carolina’s Basinwide Planning (January 2007) 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/SupplementalGuide.htm to download this document. Hiwassee River Basinwide Assessment Report (August 2004). This technical report presents physical, chemical, and biological data collected in the Hiwassee River basin. This report can be found on the DWQ Environmental Sciences Section (ESS) website at http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/. Hiwassee River Basinwide Water Quality Management Plan (September 1995; July 2000). These first basinwide plans for the Hiwassee River basin present water quality data, information, and recommended management strategies for the first two five-year cycles. North Carolina's Basinwide Approach to Water Quality Management: Program Description (Creager, C.S. and J.P. Baker, 1991). NC DWQ Water Quality Section. Raleigh, NC. How to Read the Basinwide Plan Chapters 1 - 2: Subbasin and Watershed Information • Summarizes information and data by subbasin, including: • Recommendations from the previous basin plan. • Achievements, current priority issues and concerns. • Impaired waters and water with notable impacts. • Goals and recommendations for the next five years by subbasin. Chapter 3 – 11 • 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. • Water Quality stressors. • Agricultural, forestry and permitting activities in the basin. • Water and natural resources. • Local initiatives. Appendices • Population and land use changes over time and local governments in the basin. • Water quality data collected by DWQ, use support methodology and 303(d) listing. • NPDES dischargers and general stormwater permits. • Points of contact, and a glossary of terms and acronyms. 4 Introduction Asheville Mooresville FayettevilleFayetteville Wilmington WashingtonRaleighWinston-Salem WAKE NASH HALIFAX CHATHAM JOHNSTON LEE WARREN FRANKLIN PERSON G R A N VILLE WILSON ORANGE VA NCE EDGECOMBE NORTHAMPTON DURHAM BLADENROBESON SAMPSON MOORE ANSON HOKE HARNETT CUMBERLANDRIC H M O N D M O N T G O M E R Y SC OTLAN D WILKES ASHE SURRY GUILFORD STOKES YADKIN DAVIE RANDOLPH DAVIDSON CASWELL FORSYTH ROCKINGHAM AL A M A N C E WATAUGA ALLEGHANY UNION ROWANCATAWBA LINCOLN IREDELL STANLYGASTON CLEVELAND MECKLENBURG CABARRUS A L E X A N D E R SWAIN BURKE MACON POLK CLAY BUNCOMBEHAYWOOD JACKSON MADISON CALDWELL CHEROKEE RUTHERFORD MCDOWELL YANCEY AVERY GRAHAM HENDERSON TR ANSYLVANIA MI T C HEL L PITT HYDE DUPLIN PENDER BERTIE ONSLOW COLUMBUS WAYNE JONES BRUNSWICK LENOIR GATES MARTIN CARTERET DARE BEAUFORT TYRRELL HERTFORD GREENE CRAVEN C AM DE N W A S HIN G T O N CHOWAN PER Q UIMA NS P A S Q U O TA N K CU RRITUCK NEW HANOVER Yadkin Pee-Dee Neuse Cape Fear Tar-Pamlico Lumber New ChowanRoanoke Catawba Pasquotank Broad French Broad White Oak Little Tennessee Hiwassee Watauga Savannah Planning SectionBasinwide Planning UnitJanuary 2007 ® North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Regional Offices Al Hodge, Surface Water Protection SupervisorDavid May, Aquifer Protection Supervisor943 Washington Square MallWashington, NC 27889COURIER 16-04-01Phone: (252) 946-6481 Fax: (252) 946-9215 Fax: (252) 975-3716 Washington Regional Office (WaRO) Beaufort Bertie Camden Chowan CravenCurrituckDare Gates Greene Hertford Hyde JonesLenoirMartin Pamlico Pasquotank Perquimans Pitt TyrrellWashingtonWayne Ed Beck, Surface Water Protection Supervisor Charlie Stehman, Aquifer Protection Supervisor 127 Cardinal Drive Extension Wilmington, NC 28405-2845COURIER 04-16-33Phone: (910) 796-7215Fax: (910) 350-2004 Wilmington Regional Office (WiRO) BrunswickCarteretColumbusDuplin New HanoverOnslowPender Chuck Wakild, Surface Water Protection Supervisor Jay Zimmerman, Aquifer Protection Supervisor 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, NC 27609 COURIER 52-01-00 Phone: (919) 791-4200 Fax: (919) 571-4718 Raleigh Regional Office (RRO) ChathamDurham Edgecombe Franklin Granville Halifax JohnstonLee Nash Northampton Orange Person VanceWake Warren Wilson Belinda Henson, Surface Water Protection Supervisor Art Barnhardt, Aquifer Protection Supervisor 225 Green Street Systel Building Suite 714Fayetteville, NC 28301-5043COURIER 14-56-25Phone: (910) 433-3300Fax: (910) 486-0707 Fayetteville Regional Office (FRO) AnsonBladen Cumberland Harnett Hoke Montgomery MooreRichmond Robeson Sampson Scotland Asheville Regional Office (ARO) Roger Edwards, Surface Water Protection Supevisor Landon Davidson, Aquifer Protection Supervisor2090 US Highway 70Swannanoa, NC 28778COURIER 12-59-01Phone: (828) 296-4500 Fax: (828) 299-7043 AveryBuncombeBurkeCaldwell Cherokee Clay Graham HaywoodHendersonJacksonMacon Madison McDowell Mitchell PolkRutherfordSwainTransylvania Yancey Winston-Salem Regional Office (WSRO) Steve Tedder, Surface Water Protection Supervisor Sherri Knight, Aquifer Protection Supervisor 585 Waughtown Street Winston-Salem, NC 27107 COURIER 13-15-01 Phone: (336) 771-5000Fax: (336) 771-4631 Alamance AlleghanyAsheCaswellDavidsonDavie Forsyth GuilfordRandolphRockinghamStokesSurry Watauga WilkesYadkin Central Office DENRDIVISION OF WATER QUALITY1617 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH NC 27699-1617 COURIER 52-01-00 Phone: (919) 733-7015 Fax: (919) 733-2496 Rob Krebs, Surface Water Protection Supervisor Andrew Pitner, Aquifer Protection Supervisor 610 East Center Avenue / Suite 301 Mooresville, NC 28115 COURIER 09-08-06Phone: (704) 663-1699Fax: (704) 663-6040 Mooresville Regional Office (MRO) Alexander Cabarrus CatawbaClevelandGastonIredell Lincoln Mecklenburg RowanStanlyUnion 6 Introduction