TarPamFactsheet 2018-04-10(2)

Tar-Pamlico Nutrient Strategy
Fact Sheet
…
Location:
River Basin:
Cataloging Unit:
Eastern North Carolina – areas draining to the Pamlico River estuary
Tar-Pamlico
030201
Counties: Beaufort, Dare, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Hyde, Martin, Nash,
Person, Pitt, Vance, Vance, Warren, Washington, Wilson
Basin Area
Stream Miles
Major Tributaries:
6,148 mi2
Over 2,300
Tar, Pungo, and Pamlico rivers, Fishing, Sandy, Tranters, and Town creeks
Strategy Goal:
Nitrogen: Achieve and maintain a 30% reduction from 1991 levels
Phosphorus: No increase from 1991 levels
(Goal applies to both point and nonpoint pollution sources)
Land Use: Developed (5%), Agriculture (22%), Forest (21%), Open Water (24%), Wetlands
(18%), Other (10%) (Source: 2011 NLCD)
Strategy Website Link: bit.ly/Tar-PamlicoStrategy
DWR Contacts: Jim Hawhee ([e-mail], 919-807-6438)
Rich Gannon ([e-mail], 919-807-6440)

Strategy Overview
Since the 1980s, symptoms of nutrient-related pollution have been present in the Tar-Pamlico Estuary. Excess
nitrogen and phosphorus have caused persistent water quality issues including unsightly and potentially harmful
algal blooms, low oxygen levels, and fish kills. In response, North Carolina designated these waters as “nutrient
sensitive” and developed the Tar-Pamlico Nutrient Management Strategy.

Strategy Overview (continued)
In preparation for the strategy, a mathematical model of the estuary was developed to estimate the nutrient
reductions required to restore the estuary. Based on its results, a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was
developed. The TMDL established a 30% reduction goal for nitrogen loading from 1991 levels while holding
phosphorus loading to 1991 levels.

The Tar-Pamlico Nutrient Strategy was adopted by the N.C. Environmental Management Commission (EMC) in
2001 and consists of rules designed to equitably regulate nutrient pollution sources including wastewater,
stormwater and agriculture. The rules also establish riparian buffer protections and mandate training for
professionals that apply fertilizer. Finally, the strategy includes elements that allow nutrient trading to reduce
loads from point sources and new development.

Tar-Pamlico Nutrient Strategy Rules
Agriculture
• Specifies farm operators covered under the Rule.
• Local Advisory Committee develops a local strategy
and reports nutrient reduction progress.
• Basin Oversight Committee reviews and tracks
agricultural sector’s progress toward its reduction
goals.
Point Sources and Trading
• Point source agreements involving the Tar-Pamlico Basin
Association and DWR govern 98% of permitted discharges.
• Currently in Phase 4 of the Agreement which runs through
2025.
• Details requirements for new and existing non-association
dischargers operating in the basin.
• Allows nutrient trading from point to nonpoint sources.
Nutrient Management
• Applies to fertilizer applicators, people who own or
manage fertilized lands, and consultants who
provide nutrient management advice.
• Specifies that fertilizer applicators either take
state-sponsored nutrient management training or
have a nutrient management plan in place for the
lands to which they apply fertilizer.
• Directs DWR to develop a homeowner education
program in the basin to help prevent nutrient
runoff.
Buffer Protection
• Protects and maintains existing 50-foot wide riparian buffers
to help stabilize streambanks, prevent soil from eroding into
the water, and act as a filter to remove pollutants.
• Applies to on all surface waters including intermittent and
perennial streams, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs that are
shown on a county soil map or USGS 1:24,000 topographic
map.
• Details uses that apply to the undisturbed inner Zone 1 and
outer Zone 2 of the riparian buffer.
• Specifies exemptions including the footprint of existing uses
and agricultural uses.
• Details uses that are allowed, allowable with mitigation and
prohibited within the buffer.
New Development Stormwater
• Specifies the local governments covered by the rule.
• Requires local governments to identify and remove illicit discharges,
have an education program regarding how to reduce nutrient runoff,
and make efforts to treat runoff from existing developed areas.
• A nutrient buy-down option is included as a tool to achieve the
required 4 lbs/ac/yr nitrogen and 0.4 lbs/ac/yr phosphorus on
stormwater runoff. Development, however, must first meet the
following conditions:
• Nitrogen export for residential development cannot be
greater than 6.0 lbs/ac/yr.
• Nitrogen export for a commercial, industrial, or institutional development cannot be greater than 10.0 lbs/ac/yr.
• If nitrogen export exceeds 6.0 lbs/ac/yr or 10.0 lbs/ac/yr for residential or commercial development respectively,
then the developer must use BMPs or take part in an approved stormwater strategy to lower the nitrogen export.
The offset payment option can then be offered to address the remaining reductions needed to meet 4.0 lb N and
0.4 lb P/ac/yr.
For more information on the Tar-Pamlico Nutrient Strategy, please visit bit.ly/Tar-PamlicoStrategy