The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutChapter 6 Chapter 6 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-55 77 Chapter 6 Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-55 Including: Northeastern Pamlico Sound 6.1 Subbasin Overview This subbasin consists of Pamlico Sound from Oregon Inlet to Hatteras Inlet and the Outer Banks in Dare County. Subbasin 03-01-55 contains Black Lake and Stumpy Point Bay on the mainland and the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the Outer Banks. Ecologically, the subbasin consists primarily of Carolinian Barrier Islands and coastal marshes with portions of the mainland consisting of nonriverine swamps and peatlands. Streams on the mainland are few and low gradient with channelized ditches being common and all are either estuarine or oceanic. Land cover generally consists of surface water and forested wetlands. Dare County, located in this subbasin, experiences a high seasonal population fluctuation with tourists visiting the Outer Banks. Dare County projected to experience a population increase of 35 percent by 2020. Additional information regarding population and land use changes throughout the entire basin can be found in Chapter 11. There are three minor National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitted facilities in this subbasin with a total permitted flow of 2.1 MGD. All three facilities are reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment plants (WTP) that discharge filtered backwash or reject water into saline waters. All three are required to monitor whole effluent toxicity (WET). The permit for the Cape Hatteras RO WTP specifies chronic toxicity monitoring. WET results submitted by the facility indicate that it failed to meet its chronic toxicity target on one occasion between January 2000 and December 2005. The permits for the Stumpy Point RO WTP and the Rodanthe/Waves/Salvo RO WTP specify acute toxicity monitoring. No acute effluent toxicity violations were reported at the Stumpy Point RO WTP; however, results from the Rodanthe/Waves/Salvo RO WTP show that the facility failed to meet its 90 percent acute toxicity target effluent concentration on four occasions between January 2000 and December 2005. There is one non-discharge permit and no stormwater discharge permits for this subbasin. For the listing of NPDES permit holders, refer to Appendix III. Subbasin 03-01-55 at a Glance Land and Water Area Total area: 574 mi2 Land area: 96 mi2 Water area: 478 mi2 Land Cover (percent) Surface Water:89%Forest/Wetland: 11% Urban: <1% Cultivated Crop: <1% Pasture/ Managed Herbaceous: <1% Counties Dare Communities Stumpy Point, Rodanthe, Avon, Waves Monitored Waterbody Statistics Aquatic Life: Total: 0 Recreation: Total: 315,259.3 ac Supporting: 315,259.3 ac Shellfish Harvesting: Total: 319,557.8 ac Supporting: 316,953.0 ac Impaired: 2,604.8 ac ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r #* #* #* #* #* %L DARE DARE US 264 NC 1 2 Pamlico Sound Figure 8 Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-55 ® 0369121.5 Miles Planning Section Basinwide Planning Unit January 8, 2007 Non-Dischargers %L Major #I Minor NPDES Dischargers XY Major #*Minor Legend Monitoring Stations¡~Ambient Monitoring Station !(à Benthic Community ¾r Recreation Locations Aquatic Life Rating/ Shellfish Harvesting Rating Impaired No Data Not Rated Supporting County Boundary Subbasin Boundary Municipality Primary Roads AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Pasquotank 03-01-55SubbasinTable 18 SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Askins Creek 30-22-24 From source to Pamlico Sound 4.9 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-5 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Austin Creek (Clubhouse Creek) 30-22-31 From source to Pamlico Sound 7.9 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-4 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Beach Slue 30-22-9 Entire area of Beach Slue 76.9 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Blackmar Gut 30-22-13 From source to Pamlico Sound 4.6 S AcresSA;HQW NR ND I PRO H-5 Toxic Impacts WWTP NPDES Fecal Coliform Bacteria Boat Creek 30-22-25 From source to Pamlico Sound 1.9 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Brooks Creek 30-22-28 From source to Pamlico Sound 24.8 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-4 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Cape Creek 30-22-27 From source to Pamlico Sound 15.8 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-5 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Clarks Bay 30-22-16 Entire Bay 19.8 S AcresSA;HQW ND S S APP H-5 N29 NCE Duck Ponds and Isaac Pond 30-22-30-1-1 Entire ponds and connecting streams to The Slash 10.3 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-4 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Eagle Nest Bay 30-22-2 Entire Bay 55.5 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-55 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Pasquotank 03-01-55SubbasinTable 18 SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Goat Island Bay 30-22-3 Entire Bay 40.8 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Goose Creek 30-22-32 From source to Pamlico Sound 1.7 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-4 Gull Island Bay 30-22-18 Entire Bay 16.5 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Hatteras Inlet 30-22-33 Entire Inlet 143.1 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-4 Joe Saur Creek 30-22-29 From source to Pamlico Sound 17.9 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-4 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Long Point Creek 30-22-26 From source to Pamlico Sound 6.3 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Midgett Cove 30-22-15 From source to Pamlico Sound 36.4 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Mill Creek 30-22-22 From source to Pamlico Sound 16.2 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-5 Fecal Coliform Bacteria No Ache Bay 30-22-17 Entire Bay 38.1 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 North Drain 30-22-14 From source to Pamlico Sound 2.0 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-55 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Pasquotank 03-01-55SubbasinTable 18 SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Oregon Inlet 30-22-1 Entire Inlet 571.2 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-6 Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-55 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Pasquotank 03-01-55SubbasinTable 18 SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Pamlico Sound 30-22a Portion of Pamlico Sound (from Croatan and Roanoke Sounds to a line running from Sandy Point south of Stumpy Point Bay to the northeast tip of Ocracoke Island) in subbasin 03-01-55 except DEH closure areas 30-22b through 30-22j. 315,239.5 S AcresSA;HQW NR S S APP H-6 N26A NCE N26C NCE N28 NCE N28A NCE N29A NCE N31 NCE N33 NCE N33A NCE N38 NCE N39 NCE Low Dissolved Oxygen WWTP NPDES 30-22b The waters of Pamlico Sound which include the DEH closed area of a boundary begnning at a point on land west of the Hatteras Ferry Landing at 35 degrees 12' 30" N- 75 degrees 42' 24" W, thence to a point in the ferry channel at 35 degrees 12' 37" N-75 deg 28.5 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-4 Fecal Coliform Bacteria 30-22c The waters of the Pamlico Sound which include the DEH closed area with mouth 1.17 miles southwest of Durant Point. 15.2 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-4 Fecal Coliform Bacteria 30-22d The waters of Pamlico Sound which include the DEH closed area with mouth 321 meters east of east mouth of Austin Creek 3.6 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-4 Fecal Coliform Bacteria 30-22e The waters of Pamlico Sound which include the DEH closed area: all creeks, canals, and tributaries along Hatteras Island between Brooks Point to west mouth of Joe Saur Creek. 18.7 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-4 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-55 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Pasquotank 03-01-55SubbasinTable 18 SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA 30-22f The waters of Pamlico Sound which include the DEH closed area: All waters south of a line bginning at a point on the shore north of Buxton at 35 degrees 16' 44" N- 75 degrees 31' 05" W, thence in awesterly direction through Bald Point to a point on the B 187.8 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-5 Fecal Coliform Bacteria 30-22g The waters of Pamlico Sound which include the DEH closed area at the mouth of Askins Creek 1.3 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-5 Fecal Coliform Bacteria 30-22h The waters of Pamlico Sound which include the DEH closed area at the mouth of Mill Creek. This includes all waters south of a line from Big Island to the Outer Banks and all waters east of line from Big Island to Gibbs Point. 29.2 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-5 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Pauls Ditch 30-22-12 From source to Pamlico Sound 6.9 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Pea Island Bay 30-22-6 Entire Bay 18.3 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Pea Island Creek 30-22-5 Entire Creek 4.6 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Peters Ditch 30-22-23 From source to Pamlico Sound 2.7 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-5 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Phipps Cove 30-22-19 From source to Pamlico Sound 5.8 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Round Hammock Bay 30-22-11 Entire Bay 276.4 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-55 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Pasquotank 03-01-55SubbasinTable 18 SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Sandy Bay 30-22-30a DEH Closure Area 37.6 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-4 Fecal Coliform Bacteria 30-22-30b Entire Bay excluding DEH closure Area 123.7 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-4 Spencer Creek 30-22-21 From source to Pamlico Sound 4.4 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Stumpy Point Bay 30-22-8a Entire Bay except DEH area closures 1,688.5 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-3 Fecal Coliform Bacteria 30-22-8b All those waters bounded by a line beginning at a point 35 degrees 41' 55" N-75 degrees 46' 09" W, thence in a southeasterly direction to a point 400 yards offshore at 35 degrees 41' 46" N- 75 degrees 45' 54" W, thence in a southwesterly direction in a st 198.2 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-3 Fecal Coliform Bacteria 30-22-8c All those waters within an area bounded by a line beginning at a point on the east shore at 35 degrees 41' 44" N- 75 degrees 44' 18" W, thence to a point in the bay at 35 degrees 41' 28" N- 75 degrees 44' 45" W, thence to a point in the bay at 35 degrees 260.3 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-3 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Terrapin Creek 30-22-7-1 From source to Terrapin Creek Bay 2.8 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Terrapin Creek Bay 30-22-7 Entire Bay 163.7 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 The Drain 30-22-20 From source to Pamlico Sound 1.4 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-55 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Pasquotank 03-01-55SubbasinTable 18 SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA The Slash 30-22-30-1 From source to Sandy Bay 30.9 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-4 Fecal Coliform Bacteria The Trench 30-22-4 From source to Pamlico Sound 51.5 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Wreck Creek 30-22-10 Entire Creek 43.5 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-5 Use Categories:Monitoring data type: Use Support Ratings 2006: AL - Aquatic Life MF - Fish Community Survey E - Excellent S - Supporting, I - Impaired REC - Recreation MB - Benthic Community Survey G - Good NR - Not Rated SH - Shellfish Harvesting MA - Ambient Monitoring Site GF - Good-Fair NR*- Not Rated for Recreation (screening criteria exceeded) ML- Lake Monitoring F - Fair ND-No Data Collected to make assessment N- DEH RECMON P - Poor NR+-Not rated because draft criteria used for rating NI - Not Impaired GA - DEH SS Classification and Growing Area S- Severe Stress CE-Criteria Exceeded > 10% and more than 10 samples APP- Approved M-Moderate Stress NCE-No Criteria Exceeded CAO- Conditionally Approved-Open N- Natural Miles/Acres CAC- Conditionally Approved-Closed FW- Fresh Water PRO- Prohibited S- Salt Water Results Results: Aquatic Life Rating Summary NR 315,244.1 S Acrese ND 4,335.9 S Acres ND 117.6 FW Miles Recreation Rating Summary 315,259.3 S AcresSm 4,320.6 S AcresND 117.6 FW MilesND Fish Consumption Rating Summary 319,580.0 S AcresIe 117.6 FW MilesIe Shellfish Harvesting Rating Summary 316,953.0 S AcresSm 2,604.8 S AcresIm Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-55 86 Chapter 6 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-55 Flooding continues to be a concern along the Outer Banks. Groundwater levels are high, limiting the lands ability to infiltrate rainwater. Also, the increase in impervious surfaces contributes to higher stormwater runoff and flooding events. A map including the locations of the NPDES facilities and water quality monitoring stations is presented in Figure 8. Table 15 contains a summary of assessment unit numbers (AU#) and lengths, streams monitored, monitoring data types, locations and results, along with use support ratings for waters in the subbasin. Appendix V provides definitions of the terms used throughout this basin plan. Neither benthic samples nor ambient stations are located in this subbasin; however, there are several recreational monitoring stations (RECMON) located throughout the subbasin. These stations are evaluated by the NC Division of Environmental Health (DEH). Long-term trends in water quality cannot be assessed in this subbasin. Refer to the 2006 Pasquotank River Basinwide Assessment Report http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/esb/Basinwide/PASQUOTANK2006Final.pdf and Appendix I for more information on monitoring. Many of the waters in subbasin 03-01-55 are classified for shellfish harvesting (Class SA). Many are also classified as High Quality Waters (HQW) or Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW). Several management strategies are in place to protect these waters. Waters in the following sections and in Table 15 are identified by an assessment unit number (AU#). This number is used to track defined segments in the water quality assessment database, list 303(d) Impaired waters, and to identify waters throughout the basin plan. The AU# is a subset of the DWQ index number (classification identification number). A letter attached to the end of the AU# indicates that the assessment is smaller than the DWQ index segment. No letter indicates that the AU# and the DWQ index segment are the same. 6.2 Use Support Assessment Summary All surface waters in the state are assigned a classification appropriate to the best-intended use of that water. Waters are regularly assessed by DWQ to determine how well they are meeting their best-intended use. Table 16 provides a summary of use support for waters in subbasin 03-01-55. In subbasin 03-01-55, use support was assigned for aquatic life, recreation, fish consumption and shellfish harvesting categories. Waters are Supporting, Impaired, Not Rated, and No Data in the aquatic life and recreation categories on a monitored or evaluated basis. All waters are Impaired in the fish consumption category on an evaluated basis based on fish consumption advice issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). There are no water supply watersheds designated in this subbasin. Criteria for making use support determinations for the shellfish harvesting category were based on Division of Environmental Health (DEH) Sanitary Surveys (SS) growing area classifications. The problem parameter for all shellfish waters is the potential for fecal coliform standards exceedances. Differences in acreage estimates between basin cycles are not just related to changes in water quality. Changes in acreage are related to more refined methods of estimating acreages, changes in growing area classifications, extension of closure areas as a result of additional boat slips, and to changes in use support methodology. Chapter 6 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-55 87 For more information about use support determinations, refer to Appendix II or the Supplemental Guide to North Carolina’s Basinwide Planning: Support Document for Basinwide Water Quality Plans found at DWQ’s website http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/SupplementalGuide.htm. Table 16 Summary of Use Support Ratings by Category in Subbasin 03-01-55 Use Support Rating Aquatic Life Recreation Shellfish Harvesting Freshwater Saltwater Freshwater Saltwater Freshwater Saltwater Monitored Waters Supporting 0 0 0 315,259.3 ac 0 316,953.0 ac Impaired* 0 0 0 0 0 2,604.8 ac (0.8%) Total 0 0 0 315,259.3 ac 0 319,557.8 ac Unmonitored Waters Not Rated 0 315,244.1 ac 0 0 0 0 No Data 117.6 mi 4,335.9 ac 117.6 mi 4,320.6 ac 0 0 Total 117.6 mi 319,580 ac 117.6 mi 4,320.6 ac 0 0 Totals All Waters 117.6 mi 319,580 ac 117.6 mi 319,579.9 ac 0 319,557.8 ac * The noted percent Impaired is the percent of monitored miles/acres only. 6.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired Waters The following waters were either identified as Impaired in the previous basin plan (2002) or are newly Impaired based on recent data. If previously identified as Impaired, the water will either remain on the state’s 303(d) list or will be delisted based on recent data showing water quality improvements. If the water is newly Impaired, it will likely be placed on the 2008 303(d) list. The current status and recommendations for addressing these waters are presented below, and each is identified by an assessment unit number (AU#). Information regarding 303(d) listing and reporting methodology is presented in Chapter 15. For more information about use support determinations for the Impaired Class SA waters presented in Table 17 below, refer to Appendix II or the Supplemental Guide to North Carolina’s Basinwide Planning: Support Document for Basinwide Water Quality Plans found at DWQ’s website http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/SupplementalGuide.htm. Refer to Figure 8 for a map of subbasin 03-01-55. Table 17 Summary of DEH Growing Areas H-3, H-4, H-5, H-6 Classifications in Subbasin 03-01-55 Class SA Waters Assessment Unit # Growing Area Classification DEH Growing Area Stumpy Point Bay 30-22-8a 30-22-8b 30-22-8c PRO PRO PRO H-3 Austin Creek 30-22-31 PRO H-4 Brooks Creek 30-22-28 PRO H-4 Duck Ponds and Isaac Pond 30-22-30-1-1 PRO H-4 Joe Saur Creek 30-22-29 PRO H-4 88 Chapter 6 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-55 Pamlico Sound 30-22a1 30-22a2 30-22b 30-22c 30-22d 30-22e 30-22f 30-22g 30-22h APP PRO PRO PRO PRO PRO PRO PRO PRO H-4, H-5, H-6 Sandy Bay 30-22-30a 30-22-30b PRO APP H-4 The Slash 30-22-30-1 PRO H-4 Askins Creek 30-22-24 PRO H-5 Blackmar Gut 30-22-13 PRO H-5 Cape Creek 30-22-27 PRO H-5 Mill Creek 30-22-22 PRO H-5 PRO=Prohibited, CAC=Conditionally Approved Closed, CAO=Conditionally Approved Open 6.3.1 Stumpy Point Growing Area H-3 The following DWQ Class SA waters and the Impaired assessment units associated with these waters are located within Growing Area H-3. If the entire Class SA water is located within more than one growing area it is noted in Table 17 or refer to the basinwide Growing Area map in the Executive Summary. According to the Sanitary Survey of Stumpy Point, Area H-3 (DEH Shellfish Sanitation & Recreational Water Quality Section, May 2006), oyster production is considered fair and there is no clam production. The entire area consists of marsh and forest of the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge with the exception of the community of Stumpy Point. The area has a total population of 230 people with little seasonal variation. The population is not expected to grow unless a WWTP is constructed to facilitate further development. There are two seafood businesses in area H-3. Stumpy Point Bay [AU# 30-22-8a, 30-22-8b and 30-22-8c] Stumpy Point Bay (2,147.0 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Stumpy Point Bay is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-3 due to potential fecal coliform bacteria levels. Stumpy Point Bay [AU# 30-22-8a, AU# 30-22-8b and 30-22-8c] will be added to the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. The Stumpy Point area does not have any central wastewater collection or treatment facilities. Unsuitable soils in this area leave homeowners with limited on-site wastewater treatment options. Currently, 63 of the 110 known septic systems are known to have straight pipe discharges that drain to a canal empting directly into Stumpy Point Bay, or have failed. A new WWTP to serve the residents of Stumpy Point has been proposed. A Septic Tank Effluent Pump Chapter 6 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-55 89 system would collect the wastewater in Stumpy Point and deliver it to a membrane bioreactor wastewater treatment plant to provide advanced tertiary biological treatment and accomplish disinfection by an ultraviolet light system. This system would discharge into Bayview Drive Canal. 6.3.2 Hatteras Growing Area H-4 The following DWQ Class SA waters and the Impaired assessment units associated with these waters are located within Growing Area H-4. If the entire Class SA water is located within more than one growing area it is noted in Table 17 or refer to the basinwide Growing Area map in the Executive Summary. According to the Sanitary Survey of Hatteras Area, Area H-4 (DEH Shellfish Sanitation & Recreational Water Quality Section, May 2002, March 2007), an overall decline in water quality has occurred. As a result of the 2007 survey an additional 4.5 acres will be reclassified from approved to prohibited for shellfish harvesting. The area covers 5,800 acres, of which 229.5 acres are closed for shellfish harvesting. Oyster production is considered poor and clam production is poor. Samples taken near an area referred to as Little Ditch, showed extremely high bacteria counts, but no major pollution sources were noted. Area H-4 is located along the Outer Banks at the western end of Hatteras Island where tourism is the main industry. Hatteras Village has an approximate population of 1,700 with an increase to 6,000 during peak tourist months; the Town of Frisco has approximately 700 permanent residents, increasing to 5,000. There is no WWTP within this area and all residences and businesses utilize conventional septic systems. Many of the septic systems are old and are installed in fill or coarse sand, allowing possible discharge to adjacent water via groundwater. Hatteras Landing uses a low-pressure pipe system for waste disposal. Additional multifamily residences are being built on fill in this area. Austin Creek (Clubhouse Creek) [AU# 30-22-31] Austin Creek (7.9 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Austin Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-4 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Austin Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Brooks Creek [AU# 30-22-28] Brooks Creek (24.8 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Brooks Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-4 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Brooks Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. 90 Chapter 6 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-55 Duck Ponds and Isaac Pond [AU# 30-22-30-1-1] Duck Ponds and Isaac Pond (10.3 acres) are Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Duck Ponds and Isaac Pond are classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-4 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Duck Ponds and Isaac Pond will be added to the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Joe Saur Creek [AU# 30-22-29] Joe Saur Creek (17.9 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Joe Saur Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-4 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Joe Saur Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Portions of the Pamlico Sound [AU# 30-22b, 30-22c, 30-22d and 30-22e] Portions of the Pamlico Sound (66.0 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. The Pamlico Sound is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-4 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. The Pamlico Sound will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Sandy Bay [AU# 30-22-30a] Sandy Bay (37.6 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Sandy Bay is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-4 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Sandy Bay will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. The Slash [AU# 30-22-30-1] The Slash (30.9 acres) is a tributary to Sandy Bay and Impaired for shellfish harvesting. The Slash is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-4 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. The Slash will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. 6.3.3 Outer Banks Growing Area H-5 The following DWQ Class SA waters and the Impaired assessment units associated with these waters are located within Growing Area H-5. If the entire Class SA water is located within more than one growing area it is noted in Table 17 or refer to the basinwide Growing Area map in the Executive Summary. According to the Sanitary Survey of Outer Banks, Area H-5 (DEH Shellfish Sanitation & Recreational Water Quality Section, October 2002, September 2006), water quality has declined in some areas. As a result of the 2006 survey approximately 15 acres will be closed to shellfish harvesting in Askins Creek and an additional 10 acres has been reclassified as prohibited near Salvo Marina. However, 120 acres in Chapter 6 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-55 91 the Cape Creak Area has been opened for shellfish harvesting Area H-5 includes 66,800 acres and oyster and clam production is considered fair. The survey area is characterized by three small-populated areas separated by miles of uninhabited dunes and marshes. The permanent population is estimated at 2,400 while seasonal tourism increases population to 40,000. Several hurricanes impacted this area during this last Sanitary Survey resulting in debris from destroyed houses, fuel tanks and vehicles being washed into the waterways. Most of the area is within Cape Hatteras National Seashore and will never be developed. Askins Creek [AU# 30-22-24] Askins Creek (4.9 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Askins Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-5 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Askins Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Beach Slue [AU# 30-22-9] Beach Slue is listed on the 2004 303(d) list of Impaired waters for shellfish harvesting. Beach Slue (76.9 acres) is currently Supporting for shellfish harvesting. Beach Slue is now classified by DEH SS as approved for harvesting, therefore DWQ will recommend that Beach Slue be removed from the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Blackmar Gut [AU# 30-22-13] Blackmar Gut (4.6 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Blackmar Gut is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-5 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Blackmar Gut will be added to the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Blackmar Gut is Not Rated on an evaluated basis in the aquatic life category due to WET failures associated with the Rodanthe/Waves/Salvo Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Treatment Plant (WTP) (Permit NC0083909). Between January 2000 and December 2005, the facility failed to meet its 90 percent acute toxicity target effluent concentrations on four occasions. Cape Creek [AU# 30-22-27] Cape Creek (15.8 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Cape Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-5 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Cape Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Eagle Nest Bay [AU# 30-22-2] Eagle Nest Bay was listed on the 2004 303(d) list of Impaired waters for shellfish harvesting. Eagle Nest Bay (55.5 acres) is currently Supporting for shellfish harvesting. Eagle Nest Bay is now classified by DEH SS as approved for harvesting, therefore DWQ will recommend that Eagle Nest Bay be removed from the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. 92 Chapter 6 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-55 Mill Creek [AU# 30-22-22] Mill Creek (16.2 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Mill Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-5 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Mill Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Portions of the Pamlico Sound [AU# 30-22f, 30-22g and 30-22h] Portions of the Pamlico Sound (218.3 acres) are Impaired for shellfish harvesting. The Pamlico Sound is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-5 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. The Pamlico Sound will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Peters Ditch [AU# 30-22-23] Peters Ditch (2.7 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Peters Ditch is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-5 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Peters Ditch will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters.