NCG560067_Fact Sheet_20240514

FACT SHEET FOR GENERAL PERMIT NCG560000
TO DISCHARGE PESTICIDES PRODUCTS UNDER THE NATIONAL
POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES)
Basic Information
Permit Writer / Date
Siying Chen 5/7/2024
Permit Number
NCG560067
Owner Name
B1ueGreen Water Technologies LLC
Owner Contact
Dr. Jessica Frost, US Science Director
301 South Hills Village Ste LL200 #452
Pittsburgh, PA 15241
1 essica. frost(a,bluegreenwatertech. com
Cell: 941.224.2218
Count / Regional Office
Hyde / WaRO
Basin Name / Sub -basin number
Tar -Pamlico / 03-03-08
Receiving Stream / HUC
Lake Mattamuskeet / 0302010501
Stream Classification / Stream Segment
SC / 29-57-1-1
Background:
Lake Mattamuskeet is the largest natural freshwater lake in North Carolina and makes up the majority of
the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, which is managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
(USFWS). The refuge supports large numbers of wintering waterfowl, as well as a variety of breeding
songbirds, mammals such as black bear and bobcat, and other wildlife.
Since early 1990s, the lake conditions in both water quality and clarity began to decline due to excessive
nutrients, reduced flow to Pamlico Sound, and an overabundance of invasive common carp (Cyprinus
carpio). Results consistently show pH and chlorophyll -a levels above normal limits, indicating algae
blooms in the water. Toxic algal blooms (HABs) have also been monitored. In 2016, the lake was listed
as impaired on the North Carolina 303(d) list for elevated levels of pH and chlorophyll -a. The water
quality within the lake has drastically declined due to significant increases in nutrients and suspended
sediments. In addition, monitoring by the USFWS has indicated that most of the submerged aquatic
vegetation (SAV), an important habitat for fish and food source for waterfowl, was lost in the lake by
2017 due to long periods of impacts from algal blooms. The source of these HABs is cyanobacteria,
which is known to produce toxins of varying levels. Monitoring results also indicates algae blooms
containing a cyanotoxin, cylindrospermopsin, at concentrations that border the federal limits for
recreational contact, has become a more frequent occurrence.
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Proiect Overview:
The proposed project is to conduct a pilot study of a treatment of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-
green algae, using a sodium percarbonate-based algaecide, Lake Guard® Oxy, in Lake Mattamuskeet.
Lake Guard® Oxy was reviewed and approved through the USFWS's Pesticide Use Proposal system.
This treatment is intended to reduce the cyanobacteria populations to allow for the re-establishment of
beneficial algae and phytoplankton communities and to increase water clarity in portions of Lake
Mattamuskeet. The treatment would take place in a controlled pilot study over approximately 400 acres
in four isolated bays around the lake's perimeter, which accounts for 1% of the lake's surface area.
Turbidity curtains will be installed to effectively isolate the treatment's effects in these areas. The
treatment would be extensively monitored prior to, during, and after treatment to determine its success
in reducing cyanobacteria and to evaluate possible impacts to other resources. Results of the study
would be used to evaluate the treatment for use as part of a restoration strategy in other areas of the lake
to improve water quality and restore healthy aquatic communities of SAV.
In collaboration with University of North Carolina (UNC) Collaboratory, subject matter experts from
UNC Institute for Marine Sciences (UNC IMS), and the U.S. Fish and Wild Service (USFWS),
B1ueGreen is engaged in monitoring to establish treatment dosages in alignment with best practices and
the product label. The research project includes monitoring using remote satellite -based analysis, in -situ
field measurements and direct water sampling with laboratory analysis provided by UNC IMS.
The final Environmental Assessment for Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge Cyanobacteria
Treatment in Lake Mattamuskeet was issued by USFWS in March 2024. USFWS also issued a Finding
of No Significant Impact along with the final EA.
Summary of Proposed Permitting Actions:
DWR issued an application request letter on June 16, 2023, which contained information on what
documents need to be submitted to the Division for consideration of this permit. B1ueGreen submitted
the complete application package on April 12, 2024. As part of the application, the Division also asked
B1ueGreen to submit a Pesticide Discharge Management Plan (PDMP), which detailed the treatment
plan.
After reviewing the application with DWR's Water Sciences Section, the following recommendations
were made:
Remove the Cyanotoxin Scenario for dosing calculation. There are multiple cyanotoxins being
measured (cylindrospermopsin, microcystin, and BMAA), which have different health guidelines
determined by different agencies. An across-the-board treatment scenario for application when
cyanotoxins are >8 ppb is not appropriate given the different properties (including toxicity) of
these cyanotoxins. The EPA label does not refer to cyanotoxin presence as a scenario to begin
application.
Monitor algal toxins at same frequency as cyanobacterial cell density after treatments. DWR
remains concerned that cyanobacteria treatment could release some algal toxins, so these data
will be a valuable part of the research study and understanding treatment effects.
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As a result, B1ueGreen has updated the PDMP to include the recommended changes and submitted it to
the Division on May 7, 2024. The Certificate of Coverage for this project has also been updated to
include language to follow treatment plan as described in the application.
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