Summary of Measure: Nonpoint sources of pollution will be minimized in coastal areas through comprehensive state and local programs. Full implementation of management measures designed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is expected by the year 2004 with benefits to coho continuing beyond full implementation. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will implement the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program by developing new programs to address the following issues:
Background: Congress in 1990 directed coastal states to develop comprehensive nonpoint source pollution prevention and control programs to address pollution from forestry, agriculture, urban development, and marinas, and to protect and restore wetlands and riparian areas. In Oregon, the program is administered by the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Land Conservation and Development. The State conducted an inventory and determined that many of the program's requirements were met by existing natural resource programs, including the Forest Practices Act, the Removal-Fill program, and the 401 certification program.
Of the remaining requirements that the state must implement, three issues have been assigned to DEQ for further program development:
Goal: To prevent nonpoint source pollution from small construction sites; existing onsite sewage disposal systems; and local roads, highways, and bridges.
Objective: Develop administrative rules requiring local jurisdictions to adopt and implement ordinances to control erosion from small construction sites; develop administrative rules establishing a requirement that onsite sewage disposal systems be inspected according to state standards at the time any property on which a system is located is transferred; and develop administrative rules requiring local jurisdictions to implement management measures for roads, highways, and bridges.
Assignments and Responsibility
Task 1: Construction Site Erosion Control Program.
Deliverables: Technical Advisory Committee report and rule language recommendation to Environmental Quality Commission.
Responsible Staff: Bobbi Lindberg
Completion Date: June 1996
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Task 2: Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Inspection and Education Program.
Deliverables: Technical Advisory Committee report and rule language recommendation to Environmental Quality Commission.
Responsible Staff: Martin Loring
Completion Date: March 1998
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Task 3: Road and Bridge Construction, Maintenance, and Operation Program for Local Governments.
Deliverables: Technical Advisory Committee report and rule language recommendation to Environmental Quality Commission.
Responsible Staff: Bobbi Lindberg
Completion Date: March 1998
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Task 4: Develop Monitoring Program.
Deliverables: Monitoring program submittal to NOAA, EPA.
Responsible Staff: Bobbi Lindberg and Andy Schaedel
Completion Date: March 1998
DEQ2 - Implementation of Water Quality Standards
(Revised March 5, 1997)
Summary of Measure: Water quality standards for dissolved oxygen and temperature have been modified and a new standard developed for intergravel dissolved oxygen to improve protection of cold water aquatic species. Implementation plans will be developed for both point and nonpoint sources of pollution to reduce pollutant loads such that the new water quality standards can be achieved. Particular attention will be paid to coastal waterbodies as these parameters are critical limiting factors in every stage of salmonid fresh water life cycles.
Water Quality Standards Implementation Guidance
Background: The water quality standard for dissolved oxygen was modified to focus more directly on the criteria needed to protect aquatic resources. The criteria developed included two oxygen standards for the principal life stages of spawning and incubation through emergence from the gravels, and older life stages. An Intergravel dissolved oxygen criteria was developed to protect the early life stages. The temperature standard was revised to reflect the best scientific information available on temperatures needed to protect salmonids in each of their fresh water life stages, and to make the standard more implementable with respect to nonpoint effects on waterbody temperature.
Goal: Protect, enhance, or restore salmon habitat.
Objective: Achieve water quality standards for dissolved oxygen and temperature.
Assignments and Responsibility
Task 1: Develop Guidance Detailing Criteria for Standard Development Based on Natural Conditions.
Deliverables: Guidance document.
Responsible Staff: Lynne Kennedy
Completion Date: The guidance document detailing when natural conditions may be considered to preclude attainment of a standard has been completed and distributed to federal agencies (NMFS and EPA) for review. New information regarding the timing and process by which a replacement standard is formally adopted will be included after EPA has determined its national policy on this issue and final comments are received.
Task 2: Develop Guidance Related to Temperature Management Plans.
Deliverables: Temperature management plan guidance.
Responsible Staff: Debra Sturdevant
Completion Date: June 30, 1997
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Task 3: Prepare Guidance for Developing Nonpoint Source TMDLs.
Deliverables: Nonpoint source TMDL guidance document.
Responsible Staff: Roger Wood
Completion Date: February 1997
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Task 4: Develop Implementation Guidance for New Dissolved Oxygen (IGDO) Standard.
Deliverables: Guidance documents that: explain how to monitor inter-gravel dissolved oxygen; detail when, where, and who will collect IGDO measurements; explain how DEQ will incorporate the new water-column dissolved oxygen standard into point source permits; and provide an appendix to the nonpoint source TMDL guidance that outlines any special requirements that pertain only to dissolved oxygen or to IGDO.
Responsible Staff & Completion Dates:
IGDO Monitoring Plan Guidance: Bob Baumgartner and Greg Pettit
Completion Date: June 1997
Point Source Dissolved Oxygen Guidance: Jim Sheetz, Bob Baumgartner, and Lynne
Kennedy
Completion Date: June 1997
Nonpoint Source Appendix to TMDL Guidance: Debra Sturdevant
Completion Date: December 1997
Task 5: Develop Guidance for Incorporating Temperature Standard into Point Source Permits.
Deliverable: Guidance document.
Responsible Staff: Raj Kapur
Completion Date: Completed
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Task 6: Implement IGDO for Point Source Permitting and in Coastal Stream Nonpoint Source Related Test Cases.
Deliverables: Effluent permit compliance with IGDO, permit reports, IGDO data development, modification to guidance as needed, and integration of IGDO results into coastal basin plans.
Responsible Staff: Larry Marxer, Marilyn Fonseca, and Mike Wiltsey
Completion Date: September 1997
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Task 7: Assess Forestry, Agricultural, and Federal Plans Against DEQ's Nonpoint Source TMDL Guidance to Determine Which Plans Meet Criteria for Becoming a TMDL.
Deliverables: Management plans or other actions that will return waters impacted by nonpoint sources to water quality standards.
Responsible Staff: Russell Harding
Completion Date: Ongoing task, with complete review of at least two plans by May 1997. Such review has become a regular part of our function; we will continue to receive and review plans and to produce additional material as needed for ensuring TMDLs are developed.
Umpqua Basin
Background: DEQ has listed eight streams in the Umpqua Basin as not meeting water quality criteria for dissolved oxygen, and another 55 stream segments have been identified as water quality limited for stream temperature.
Goal: Eliminate water quality standards violations for dissolved oxygen and temperature through the implementation of point source pollution controls and nonpoint source pollution prevention programs.
Objective: Water quality-based permits, total maximum daily loads, and water quality management plans will be developed and implemented to achieve water quality standards.
Assignments and Responsibility
Task 1: Identify Point Sources of Domestic Waste Water Pollution That Are or May be Contributing to a Depression in Dissolved Oxygen as a Result of Inadequate Dilution.
Deliverables: A list of facilities eligible for state revolving funds that are likely to contribute to depressed dissolved oxygen concentrations in receiving streams. Facilities will be prioritized by several factors including magnitude of impact and effects on salmonids.
Responsible Staff: Bob Dicksa
Completion Date: April 30, 1997
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Task 2: Revise National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits For Domestic Waste Facilities To Eliminate Fish Passage And Water Quality Impacts. Aggressively Market State Revolving Fund Program To State-Revolving-Fund (SRF) Eligible Communities/Facilities.
Deliverables: Revised NPDES permits and SRF contracts.
Responsible Staff: Western Region managers
Completion Date: 2002 (by end of next permit cycle).
Task 3: Develop Dissolved Oxygen TMDL For Calapooya Creek.
Deliverables: Draft water quality-based permit for the City of Oakland.
Responsible Staff: Dick Nichols and Alan Bogner
Completion Date: June 30, 1997
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Task 4: Develop Dissolved Oxygen TMDL For South Umpqua River.
Deliverables: Draft TMDL identifying waste load allocations.
Responsible Staff: Dennis Ades
Completion Date: June 30, 1997
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Task 5: Develop Final Dissolved Oxygen TMDL For South Umpqua River.
Deliverables: Final TMDL identifying load and waste load allocations.
Responsible Staff: Andy Schaedel and Dennis Belsky
Completion Date: April 30, 1998
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Task 6: Develop Water Quality Management Plans For Stream Temperature.
Deliverables: Propose nonpoint source water quality management plans in the Umpqua Basin.
Responsible Staff: Dennis Ades
Completion Date: June 30, 1997
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Task 7: Finalize Temperature Nonpoint Source Water Quality Management Plans In The Umpqua Basin
Deliverables: NPS load allocations or best management prescriptions.
Responsible Staff: Dennis Ades
Completion Date: April 30, 1998.
Rogue and South Coast Basins
Background: Non-attainment of the dissolved oxygen and temperature standards has been documented in many areas throughout the coastal basins. Although interrelated, the temperature problems mainly stem from nonpoint source issues while low dissolved oxygen mainly stems from excessive nutrient loads. The source of nutrients has traditionally been associated with point sources, but recent monitoring indicates non-point contributions from agriculture and forestry activities can be significant.
The Bear Creek sub-basin (Jackson County) had TMDL limits set in 1990 (for both point and nonpoint sources). All point sources, except the Ashland wastewater treatment plant, have eliminated summer/fall discharges to Bear Creek. The City of Ashland is under a mutual agreement and order with DEQ to be in TMDL compliance by the end of year 2000. Local Designated Management Agencies (DMAs) are on track with a compliance schedule mandated by the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) for reducing nonpoint source pollution in the Bear Creek valley.
The cities of Coquille and Myrtle Point are in the beginning stages of planning for required upgrades of their wastewater treatment plants to meet the TMDL set on the Coquille River.
The cities of Cave Junction, Rogue River, Grants Pass and the Redwood Sanitary Sewer Service District are each upgrading their collection systems and/or treatment facilities to meet population growth demands, eliminate sewage overflows and bypasses, and address deteriorating treatment facility performance. The improvements are not required by a Rogue River TMDL. Overall, these upgrades to sewage treatment facilities will increase treatment efficiency and reliability of effluent discharges. In some cases, additional quantities of pollutants may be discharged, but increases must satisfy required findings made by either the DEQ Director or Environmental Quality Commission.
Ongoing nonpoint source reduction projects are underway in the South Coast and Rogue Basins. Field staff in the Coos Bay and Medford offices have been active in funding and implementation of these projects by working cooperatively with watershed councils and state/federal funding agencies.
Goal: Attainment of new water quality standards for dissolved oxygen and in-stream temperature.
Objective: Ensure that setting TMDLs, issuing NPDES discharge permits, and conducting nonpoint source activities work in harmony to achieve water quality standards.
Assignments and Responsibility
Task 1: Form Teams (Rogue and Umpqua Basins) for Restoring and Protecting Water Quality. Fundamental to the approach is to meld traditional point and nonpoint activities into an integrated strategy for each system. Each team has expertise in engineering, permit writing, in-stream monitoring, and fish biology/stream ecology.
Deliverables: Team formation/Team activities.
Responsible Staff: Steve Greenwood and Dennis Belsky
Completion Date: Teams are formed and active.
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Task 2: Implementing Current TMDLs (Bear Creek and Coquille)
Deliverables: Sources in compliance with TMDL limits.
Responsible Staff: Dennis Belsky
Completion Date: December 31, 2000 for Ashland; for Coquille and Myrtle Point schedules for plant upgrades will be part of permit renewal process. Some work has proceeded with sewer collection system rehabilitation in Coquille that was funded in part by SRF.
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Task 3: Information Sharing Between Point And Nonpoint Source Activities To Better Integrate Efforts. This is envisioned as a GIS type system to aid the renewal/drafting of permits, the calculating of mass loads from discharges, the review of in-stream monitoring data, and review of point source compliance data. This information sharing will greatly aid our capabilities of modeling and problem area identification.
Deliverables: Active information-sharing system in DEQ regional offices.
Responsible Staff: Gary Arnold
Completion Date: Fall of 1997.
DEQ3 - Development and Implementation of the 303(d) List for TMDL
Development
(Revised March 5, 1997)
Summary of Measure: DEQ will prioritize its list of water quality limited waterbodies to address limiting factors for coastal Coho salmon recovery. Under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, DEQ recently revised its list of water quality limited waterbodies and is developing a priority list for TMDL development. The presence of threatened or endangered species within a given waterbody and the Coastal Salmon Restoration Initiative priority waterbodies will be included in the criteria for ranking waterbodies for TMDL action.
Background: Section 303(d) of the 1972 Federal Clean Water Act requires each state to identify waters of the State that do not, or are not, expected to meet water quality standards or beneficial uses after the application of technology based controls. These waters are referred to as "Water Quality Limited." States are to identify these waters, develop a priority ranking, and establish Total Maximum Daily Loads in accordance with the priority ranking. The 303(d) list is a listing of these waters.
In other words, Section 303(d) requires States to develop a list of waterbodies that need additional work beyond existing controls to achieve or maintain water quality standards. States must submit Section 303(d) lists to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 1 of even numbered years. Each state must prioritize waterbodies and target waterbodies for establishing Total Maximum Daily Loads in accordance with the priority ranking. In general, high priority waterbodies have been those for which TMDLs will be initiated within the next two years. The DEQ is currently revising its 303(d) list and modifying the criteria for establishing priorities to give highest priority to waters with the presence of threatened and endangered species or species that are proposed for listing.
Goal: To have all waters of the state achieve water quality standards within a reasonable time frame.
Objective: Identify waters that do not meet water quality standards, then prioritize and target waterbodies to address water quality concerns through the development and implementation of Total Maximum Daily Loads and Management Plans.
Assignments and Responsibility
Task 1: Maintain and Update the 303(d) List of Waters That Do Not Meet State Water Quality Standards by April 1, 1998.
Deliverables: Updated list for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval with a focus on priority coastal basins.
Responsible Staff: Andy Schaedel
Completion Date: April 1998
Task 2: Develop Process for Prioritizing and Targeting Waterbodies on the 303(d) List.
Deliverables: Document describing a process to prioritize and target waterbodies on the 303(d) list for TMDL development.
Responsible Staff: Carolyn Young
Completion Date: February 1997
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Task 3: Prioritize the List and Target Water Bodies for Development of TMDLs.
Deliverables: Prioritized waterbodies with a list of targeted waters for which TMDLs will be developed prior to the next listing cycle (April 2000).
Responsible Staff: Andy Schaedel
Completion Date: April 1998
DEQ4 - Watershed Council Support
(Revised March 5, 1997)
Summary of Measure: The Department will enhance and improve support of local watershed council efforts to improve water quality in the Coho salmon's range. DEQ will enhance its current watershed council technical assistance by providing additional monitoring support, and providing targeted support for both basin and project level sites in watersheds with mature programs. In areas where watershed council activity is beginning or is unfocused, additional technical assistance staff will be assigned to primarily provide program development, project guidance, and linkages to government programs and funding. Additional monitoring support will be provided as programs mature.
Rogue and South Coast Basins
Background: Regional staff have been working with local councils in the Rogue/South Coast since 1993. Much effort has been spent to promote trust between the agency and local councils and governments and a good working relationship has been developed. Ongoing basin multi-agency monitoring has identified instream summer temperatures as the chief limiter of coho populations in the Rogue basin. In addition, project implementation has begun utilizing 319 funding in partnership with other funding sources. Currently, these project efforts are focused in Bear Creek, lower Rogue, and in several of the smaller south coast tributaries.
Goal: To reduce summertime instream temperatures that currently limit juvenile coho survival. Priority will be given to improving and securing viable temperature regimes in core areas identified as part of the OCSRI.
Objective: Draft plans, which will qualify as nonpoint source TMDLs, with the eight Rogue watershed councils for reducing summer instream temperatures. These plans will provide a new focus and an improved technical approach to field monitoring; they will also provide an improved focus on priority implementation sites and components. These efforts will help prepare the participating councils to develop targeted implementation proposals for funding that may become available as a result of 1997 legislative actions.
Assignments and Responsibility
Task 1: Draft Plans With the Eight Rogue Watershed Councils That Will Reduce Summer Instream Temperature. The plans will include information identifying where efforts need to be focused in each sub-basin, the effective site-specific management practices for each site, and the kind and amount or level of monitoring that will be required to fill data gaps, fulfill detailed assessment needs and measure implementation effectiveness. The plans will incorporate the 10 items identified by DEQ's guidance on writing a nonpoint source management plan that qualifies as a TMDL. In addition, area watershed councils will require funding assistance to support and build local capabilities, allowing watershed councils to integrate, tailor, and adopt these plans within the watershed council structure. A local capabilities support plan is currently being developed and will include such items as monitoring equipment, GIS support, workshop-based training and education, and technical writing assistance. Staff are working closely with other agencies such as DLCD (facilitating CZMA introduction and implementation) and Oregon Department of Agriculture (developing approaches to implement Senate Bill 1010 planning) to assure a coordinated approach. These actions are also well aligned with EPA efforts to facilitate the development of preliminary basin wide assessment tools and technical support. This type of coordinated approach is considered a cornerstone to the viability of the proposed project.
Deliverables: Water Quality Management Plans for temperature.
Responsible Staff: Gary Arnold and Pam Blake
Completion Date: Summer of 1997
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Task 2: Develop a "How To" Manual That Watershed Councils Can Use in the Future for Writing Nonpoint Source TMDLS in Conjunction With State and Federal Agencies (e.g., Senate Bill 1010), as Appropriate. This pilot work within the South Coast/Rogue basins will facilitate water quality management plan development from guidance to reality. Tools and information modules will readily avail themselves to easy transfer and use throughout the state of Oregon.
Deliverables: Nonpoint Source TMDL Manual.
Responsible Staff: Gary Arnold and Pam Blake
Completion Date: August 1997
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Task 3: Seek Development of Technically Sound Implementation Proposals Through Watershed Councils. Assist in providing and facilitating coordinated funding from diverse sources (319 grants; other federal funding; and state, local, and private funding) to further the projects identified in the Watershed Council plans.
Deliverables: Grant proposals and project oversight.
Responsible Staff: Pam Blake
Completion Date: July 1, 1997
North Coast Basins
Background: DEQ will provide contact with and representation on several watershed councils along the North Coast. The DEQ will also continue its representation on scientific committees and at watershed councils. Existing watershed groups include the Nestucca (including Little Nestucca and Three Rivers), Lower Nehalem, Upper Nehalem, and Netarts Bay. The DEQ will continue to encourage the formation of watershed councils and is currently working with the City of Cannon Beach to form an Ecola Creek watershed council. The formation of the Nestucca River and Netarts Bay Watershed Council was supported by resources provided by DEQ's §319 money and staff. These councils are developing action plans through staff provided by the DEQ's §319 money. Water quality and nonpoint source pollution projects are being implemented by the watershed councils. Criteria for project selection includes water quality improvement directly associated with fish habitat protection and restoration on private lands. Several projects have been implemented, numerous projects are being developed, a monitoring program is being developed, and initial monitoring efforts have been implemented.
Goal: Develop and foster community involvement in pollution control and salmon restoration through the development and support of Watershed Councils.
Objective: Develop and implement specific projects through priorities and opportunities established in watershed action plans.
Assignments and Responsibility
Task 1: Develop a Watershed Action Plan to Guide Project Implementation.
Deliverables: Watershed Action Plan
Responsible Staff: Gary Sage and Robert Baumgartner
Completion Date: May 1997
Task 2: Develop and Implement Volunteer Monitoring Program .
Deliverables: Monitoring plan Nestucca Watershed Council, Volunteer Monitoring Training, and Water quality (temperature) data.
Responsible Staff: Larry Caton, Robert Baumgartner, and Gary Sage.
Completion Date:
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Task 3: Monitoring Plan and Implementation, Citizen Monitoring Training, and Lower Nehalem Watershed Council.
Deliverables: Citizen Training and Water Quality Data.
Responsible Staff: Robert Baumgartner and Larry Caton
Completion Date:
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Task 4: §319 Project Implementation.
Deliverables: Implement §319 funded projects in Nestucca and Upper Nehalem. Projects include stream restoration through vegetative shading and fencing; riparian management, wetland restoration, erosion prevention and control through bank stabilization by rock-willow planting; and weir placement that will also provide fish habitat and potentially develop thermal refugia in the lower river.
Responsible Staff: Gary Sage
Completion Date: July 1997
Task 5: Develop New §319 Projects.
Deliverables: Development of a new series of site-specific nonpoint source pollution control projects designed to protect, enhance, or restore fish habitat. Projects will be developed and selected through the efforts of the watershed councils and the action plans developed above.
Responsible Staff: Gary Sage and Robert Baumgartner
Completion Date: July 1997
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Task 6: Develop and Encourage Volunteer Projects.
Deliverables: Description of volunteer projects implemented as part of the §319 funded student RARE Intern position for the Nestucca Watershed. Volunteer Projects include:
Responsible Staff: Robert Baumgartner and Gary Sage.
Completion Date: July 1997
Umpqua Basin
Background: The Umpqua Basin Fisheries Restoration Initiative (UBFRI) was formed by the Douglas County Commission in December of 1992. UBFRI is a subcommittee of the Douglas Water Advisory Board and has an advisory role to Douglas County Commissioners. UBFRI also serves as a watershed council for the entire Umpqua basin and has initiated or facilitated many fisheries inventory and restoration activities. Recently, members have discussed the need to modify UBFRI's organization and membership to better represent all basin stakeholders.
Goal: UBFRI as an effective watershed council will develop a comprehensive strategy to identify, document, and address fisheries and water quality issues throughout the Umpqua Basin.
Objective: DEQ has committed staff resources to participate as a member of UBFRI; assist with the reorganization of the watershed council; participate in the technical advisory committee; and assist with assessment, prioritization, and implementation of watershed restoration efforts.
Assignments and Responsibility
Task 1: Participate in UBFRI Activities.
Deliverables: Active membership in UBFRI watershed council, UBFRI ad hoc committee for cutthroat recovery, and interim technical advisory team.
Responsible Staff: Bobbi Lindberg
Completion Date: March 1997
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Task 2: Technical Assistance to Watershed Council.
Deliverables: GIS-based assessment of fisheries and other beneficial uses in the basin, water quality affecting beneficial uses, and pollution sources.
Responsible Staff: Dennis Ades
Completion Date: June 30, 1997.
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Task 3: Assist With Watershed Restoration Efforts.
Deliverables: Contribute FY-96 and FY-97 funds to two watershed restoration projects in the South Umpqua Basin.
Responsible Staff: Bobbi Lindberg
Completion Date: June 30, 1997
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