Request Approval of the 2012 Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, & Savannah River Basinwide Water Quality Plans Regions Hiwassee River Basin Hiwassee River Basin Biological Sites Hiwassee River Basin Impairments Hiwassee Watershed Coalition Restoration Activities • Valley River Restoration – Since 2003 ~ $2 million spent • >2.5 stream miles restored • Increased floodplain & improved pasture • 25 acres of riparian easement
• Brasstown Creek Watershed – Since 1999, ~$2 million spent • 5.5 stream miles restored • 45 acres buffers restored/created • Pasture improvements • 32 landowners involved • Lake Chatuge – Focus on Nutrients • Grant from GA to develop Watershed Action Plan • Future work - Ag BMPs, repairing failing septic systems, installing rain gardens & bioretention areas.
Ecosystem Enhancement Program Peachtree-Martins Local Watershed Plan covering 39 sq. miles The project team performed intensive water quality, habitat, and channel assessment and landowner outreach activities 18 square miles (about 45%) of the area has seen significant deterioration in ecological condition and is functioning at a low level or worse.
Stressors • Lack of riparian vegetation • Channel modification • Excess nutrients and sediments • Fecal bacterial contamination Little Tennessee River Basin Little Tennessee River Basin Biological Sites Little Tennessee River Basin Impairments EEP- Franklin to Fontana Watershed Plan Stressors Identified • Lack of riparian buffers • Channelization • Sedimentation • Nutrients • Bacteria • Stormwater runoff • Tomato pesticides • Fish passage barriers Recommendations •County steep slope ordinance •Stormwater management ordinance •Buffers •Environmental Education
Watershed Association for the Tuckasegee River
dogs Gray water discharge? 3500
2005 3200 Scotts Creek at mouth (Rafting put-in) 3000
2500
2000 2000
1800
1600 1500 1500 Fecal sources located & removed
1000 1000 (fecal colonies per unit) Fecal Coliform values reported in FCU's 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 570 510 490 500 440 360 320 350 310 280 200 230 200 220 170 160 180 120 140 120 200 84 84 88 80 110 38 60 0 The Little Tennessee Watershed Association/ Land Trust for the Little Tennessee
• Collect WQ data – Maintain database – Produce stream health report cards • Write Watershed Plans • Implement restoration • Land Acquisition • State of the Stream Report
Savannah River Basin Savannah River Basin Recommendations / Needs
• Support Regional Erosion and Sediment Control Initiative • Support locally developed Watershed Plans and coordinate with watershed groups •Encourage adoption of Universal Stormwater Program •Bacteria- Identify resources to eliminate sources •Continue collaboration with Trout Farms
Request to Proceed to EMC in July for Final Approval Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, & Savannah River Basinwide Water Quality Plans