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Effective watershed-based plans are essential for restoring water quality affected by nonpoint source impairments. These plans must utilize thoroughly analyzed water quality data and engage stakeholders impacted by these issues. Key elements include clearly defining water quality problems, establishing baseline concentrations, identifying pollution sources, and formulating management strategies. Additionally, plans should incorporate funding sources, educational components, and measurable milestones to track progress. Engaging technical support and community involvement is crucial for achieving designated water quality standards.
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Straight to the Point – Watershed-based Plans Should: • be designed to restore water quality from nonpoint source impairments using sufficiently analyzed water quality data and watershed characterization • utilize a stakeholder process to engage all that are affected by the impairments
What Is EPA Looking For In A Watershed-based Plan? • Clearly articulates the water quality problem and how to fix it. • Describes what NEEDS to be done to achieve WQ standards • Tracks water quality responses in the stream with implementation in the “right” spot.
Basic Review Principles • Nine elements • Key on Elements A-C development • Site specific management strategies • Waterbody restoration
Element A – the Cornerstone • Establish concentration baseline • Recent WQ data • Field surveys • Land-use characterization • Causes/sources of pollution
Element B – Load Reductions • Modeling BMPs • Likelihood of achieving WQ improvements & attaining standards
Element C Management Measures • Critical to achieving load reductions • Sufficient water quality data linkage • Appropriate modeling • Contingent on elements A & B
a b c e d f g i h Elements A-CProvides the basis for the remaining six elements
Element D – Tech/Financial Assistance and Needs • Have funding sources been identified and secured? • Has the technical support been identified? • anticipated agencies and volunteer groups
Element E – Information/Education • Public education/information correct/credible data • Stakeholder support • Voluntary implementation • Generate interest • Maintain BMPs • Life cycle input mechanism
Element F – Implementation Schedule • Schedule includes completion dates to meet goals of WBP • Funding commitment to assure timely completion • Scale appropriate to achieve goals
Element G – Interim, Measurable Milestones • Meeting the implementation schedule will require a series of milestone to assure progress: • Interim milestones (measurable/attainable) • Address critical areas of watershed • Early assessment – midcourse correction • Level of detail varies
Element H - Criteria • Concentration data from Element A establishes the criteria to measure from • Modeled load reduction calculations based on baseline, and end goal • Model selection? • Model output interpretation? • Anticipated load reductions from BMPs and their anticipated placement • Decision process to revise as needed?
Element I - Monitoring • Monitoring schedule – who,what,when,where and how often • Linked to load reduction from edge of field • Which Method? • Trends analysis • Upstream/downstream comparisons • Paired watershed designs
Questions lamb.brad@epa.gov Brad LambWatersheds/Nonpoint Source Program CoordinatorWatershed Management Section U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 ·Dallas, TX 75202 (214) 665-6683
