WATERSHED PROTECTION PLAN
Jekyll Island Authority Glynn County, Georgia
April 2015
PREPARED BY
NUTTER & ASSOCIATES, INC.
360 Hawthorne Lane Athens, GA 30606-2152 Phone: 706.354.7925 Fax: 706.354.7928 NutterInc.com
WATERSHED PROTECTION PLAN
Prepared for:
Jekyll Island Authority Glynn County, Georgia
Prepared by:
Nutter & Associates, Inc. Athens, Georgia NutterInc.com
April 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1
2.0 LEGAL AUTHORITY ...... 2 2.1 Political Jurisdiction ...... 2 2.1.1 Responsible Parties ...... 2 2.1.2 Local Zoning and Development Authorities ...... 2 2.1.3 Resources Available for Plan Implementation ...... 2 2.2 Code and Regulation Evaluation ...... 2 2.2.1 Chapter 14: Flood Prevention ...... 2 2.2.2 Chapter 16: Land Development and Use Regulations ...... 3 2.2.3 Chapter 18: Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions ...... 3
3.0 FUNDING SOURCES ...... 4 3.1 Cost to Implement...... 4 3.2 Potential Funding Sources ...... 4
4.0 POLLUNTANT SOURCES AND MANAGEMENT ...... 5 4.1 Baseline Water Quality Conditions and Pollutant Sources ...... 5 4.2 Future Growth and Development ...... 6
5.0 Best MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP’S) ...... 9 5.1 Non-structural Best Management Practices (BMP’s) ...... 10 5.1.1 WPP Implementation Manager ...... 10 5.1.2 Public Outreach and Education ...... 10 5.1.3 Golf Course Pond Monitoring Program ...... 11 5.1.4 Golf Course Dialog ...... 11 5.1.5 Sewer Pipe Leak Inspections ...... 11
6.0 MANAGEMENT OF 303(d) LISTED SEGMENTS ...... 12
7.0 SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTING MANAGEMENT MEASURES ...... 13
8.0 LONG TERM MONITORING PLAN ...... 14 8.1 Purpose and Objectives ...... 14 8.2 Parties Responsible for Water Quality and Biological Monitoring ...... 14 8.2.1 Reduction in Water Quality Monitoring Scope ...... 15 8.3 Long Term Monitoring Station ...... 15 8.4 Monitoring Schedule ...... 16 8.5 Monitoring Procedures ...... 16 8.5.1 Water Quality Monitoring ...... 16 8.5.2 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring ...... 17 8.5.3 In-situ Water Quality and Flow ...... 18
9.0 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ...... 19
10.0 LITERATURE CITED ...... 20 Nutter & Associates, Inc. ii
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Estimated 2015 and 2016 long-term monitoring schedule.
Table 2. Water quality parameters, test methods, and reporting limits, Jekyll Island Watershed Assessment.
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Jekyll Island vicinity map.
Figure 2. Six and eight digit USGS hydrologic unit code (HUC) map.
Figure 3. Locations of biological and water quality monitoring stations.
Figure 4. Locations of biological and water quality monitoring stations.
Figure 7. Locations of potential environmental stressors and 2012 305(b)/303(d) listed segments.
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LIST OF PLATES
Plate 1. Station UTW01 looking downstream (west) towards Old Plantation Road.
Plate 2. Station UTW01 looking upstream (East).
Plate 3. Station UTW02 looking downstream (Southwest).
Plate 4. Station UTW02 looking upstream (Northeast).
Plate 5. TCM01 looking upstream (North) from Shell Road.
Plate 6. TCM01 looking upstream (North) at tidal exchange point with golf course pond.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
This Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) has been developed for the Jekyll Island State Park Authority (JIA) and the Jekyll Island Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP), located in Glynn County, Georgia (Figure 1). The purpose of this WPP is to summarize the existing and proposed initiatives aimed at managing the watershed within the WPCP service area. This WPP summarizes a suite of activities including long-term water quality and biological monitoring, and strategies for pollution identification, prevention, and public education. The WPP is part of a three part watershed assessment process mandated by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) for the WPCP National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit renewal.
The WPCP service area is located on Jekyll Island, a coastal barrier island located approximately 90 miles south of Savannah, Georgia and 73 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida. Jekyll Island is designated as a State Park, but is managed independently by the JIA. The Island stretches roughly 8 miles north to south and 1 mile wide (Figure 1). Jekyll Island is located on the eastern edge of the Cumberland/St. Simons River sub-basin (HUC 03070203), within the larger St. Marys/Satilla River Basin (HUC 030702) (Figure 2). To the Island’s east is the Atlantic Ocean and to its west is the Intracoastal Waterway. The service area, which includes most of Jekyll Island, encompasses nearly 8.5 square miles.
A Watershed Assessment for the WPCP service area was initiated in December 2012, and a completed Watershed Assessment report was submitted to the EPD in February 2014. During the Watershed Assessment, water quality and biological sampling and analysis were conducted at five (5) freshwater/saline stream stations throughout Jekyll Island (Figures 3 and 4). The Watershed Assessment report was approved by the EPD on July 24, 2014. This WPP utilizes the findings of the water quality and biological monitoring conducted during the Watershed Assessment to establish initiatives including watershed best management practices (BMP’s) within the jurisdictional limits of the JIA.
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2.0 LEGAL AUTHORITY
2.1 Political Jurisdiction
2.1.1 Responsible Parties
Jekyll Island State Park Authority 100 James Road Jekyll Island, GA 31527
Jekyll Island Water Pollution Control Plant 2 Harbor Road Jekyll Island, GA 31527
Jekyll Island Conservation Program 100 James Road Jekyll Island, GA 31527
2.1.2 Local Zoning and Development Authorities
Jekyll Island State Park Authority Glynn County, GA
2.1.3 Resources Available for Plan Implementation
As part of the WPP, the JIA will utilize a variety of resources to implement the proposed management activities. A WPP implementation manager will be assigned by the JIA Executive Director to ensure that communication between the WPCP and the JIA is maintained as it concerns the WPP, and that efforts to implement BMP’s are completed. The Jekyll Island Conservation Program will work with the WPCP and will be responsible for implementing long term monitoring efforts.
2.2 Code and Regulation Evaluation
The WPCP service area for Jekyll Island encompasses areas regulated by the Jekyll Island Code of Ordinances. A review of all applicable ordinances was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness in which the JIA currently regulates and protects watershed resources within the service area.
2.2.1 Chapter 14: Flood Prevention
This chapter of the Jekyll Island Code of Ordinances outlines ordinances design to prevent flooding to properties on Jekyll Island. Section 14-4 (5) of this ordinance protects water resources establishing provisions that control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which are involved in the accommodation of floodwaters. This provision ensures protection of environmentally sensitive floodplain and stream channels that are often impacted by development practices.
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2.2.2 Chapter 16: Land Development and Use Regulations
Article VI of Chapter 16 mandates that all structures containing toilet facilities connect directly with the sanitary sewer system serviced by the WPCP. This ordinance is protective of water quality by eliminating septic systems throughout the island. Septic systems are a primary source of excess nutrients and fecal bacteria in receiving waters. A properly maintained WPCP can reduce the impact of nutrients and fecal bacteria to receiving streams through engineered treatment.
2.2.3 Chapter 18: Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions
Sections 18-3 specifically prohibits the placement of refuse or fill into any water feature that periodically carries water run-off. This ordinance could be strengthened by prohibiting the discharge of any chemical constituent into waterways, as this is not specifically addressed in the ordinance as is.
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3.0 FUNDING SOURCES
3.1 Cost to Implement
Responsible Task Party(s) Capital Costs Assign WPP Implementation Manager JIA Existing Staff $0.00 Golf Course Pond Monitoring JIA Conservation $?? Public Outreach and Education JIA Conservation $0.00 Golf Course Dialog JIA Conservation $0.00 Sewerage Leak Inspections JIA WPCP $0.00
Long-term water quality JIA WPCP and JIA monitoring (2years) Conservation $7,200.00 Total Year 2 WPP Implementation Cost $7,200.00
3.2 Potential Funding Sources
All proposed watershed management activities will either have no direct costs to the JIA or funding will be generated by the WPCP or the Jekyll Island Foundation. The Jekyll Island Foundation works in concert with the JIA to generate funding for conservation initiatives throughout the Island. Funding for BMP activities may be available from conservation funds generated by the Foundation. Outside grant funding may be pursued should the results of long-term monitoring and assessment result in needed watershed improvements. Currently, there are several efforts to improve water quality in ponds on the island that are being funded by operation Conservation Program funds. Funding sources and ongoing efforts to improve water quality on Jekyll Island will be incorporated and documented in the WPP. Water quality awareness campaigns will be incorporated into existing JIA conservation awareness initiatives. Other aspects of WPP implementation will require JIA personnel and resources. Long-term water quality monitoring will be funded through the WPCP and will utilize JIA Conservation Program staff to implement the monitoring plan.
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4.0 POLLUTANT SOURCES AND MANAGEMENT
4.1 Baseline Water Quality Conditions and Pollutant Sources
The results of baseline water quality and biological monitoring conducted between December 2012 and September 2013 are detailed in the Watershed Assessment report (February 2014). During baseline monitoring of freshwater and brackish streams draining the Island, the only water quality criteria exceedances during the watershed assessment were for in-situ measures of dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, and temperature. Exceedances for DO below water quality standards occurred rarely at every monitoring station and overall, occurred 12 times out of 57 measurements made over the course of the watershed assessment. Dissolved oxygen concentrations in coastal freshwaters are often below freshwater standards due to a lack of in-channel mechanical mixing, and periodic measurements below standards during the watershed assessment on Jekyll Island are normal, representing background conditions. Temperature standards were exceeded once at the tidal creek station TCM01 during low tide. The pH standard was exceeded twice at UTW02, falling just below the 6.0 S.U. standard. Station UTW02 is a swamp stream system that is characterized by more acidic conditions. None of the chemical water quality parameter standards were exceeded.
The most significant pollutants identified during the watershed assessment were somewhat elevated nutrient and bacteria concentrations. Elevated bacteria concentrations in the form of Enterococci along beaches and tidal creeks have been an ongoing problem for the Island. However, as detailed in the Watershed Assessment report, based on extensive research conducted by DNR and the University of Georgia, the source of elevated fecal bacterial along beaches and in tidal creeks represented by stations TCN01 and TCS01 appears to be largely of wildlife origin. Elevated bacteria counts were sample from several shallow freshwater creeks draining golf courses on the Island. These shallow creeks including stations UTW01 and UTW02 are less tidally influenced than creeks represented by stations TCM01, TCN01, and TCS01. Considering recent source bacteria research that point to wildlife sources and that the majority of residential units on the Island are connected to the WPCP, the source of elevated bacteria counts in all streams draining the Island are likely the result of the abundant wildlife populations that the Island supports.
Minor elevated nutrient concentrations, and in particular total phosphorus, were measured at stations UTW01, UTW02, and TCM01 during the Watershed Assessment. All three of these stations drain golf courses in the middle of the Island (Figures 3 and 4). The source of these nutrient inputs is likely runoff from fertilizers applied to golf courses and residential areas within the respective watersheds. There may be other unknown sources contributing to the higher TP concentrations in Jekyll Island streams. Georgia is currently studying numeric nutrient criteria to be added to state water quality standards. Continued elevated nutrient concentrations in Jekyll Island streams may be cause for addressing potential sources of elevated nutrients in the future.
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4.2 Future Growth and Development
Future growth and development on Jekyll Island is limited by current laws that restrict development to no more than 1,675 acres, leaving only 66 acres available for future development (JIA, 2014). The remaining 66 acres of allowable land for development is slated for a 12 acre expansion of the campground in the northern portion of the Island, necessary airport upgrades, and any additional needs the JIA may deem necessary (JAI, 2014). In recent years, Jekyll Island has had a drop in hotel rooms due to the closing of older hotels due to economic factors including the recession in the mid-2000s. Current hotel redevelopment will result in 1,410 rooms available by the end of 2013. Redevelopment and hotel repairs are currently being conducted on existing impervious footprints and no newly developed lands are scheduled to be used for hotel development. The majority of current development is towards the middle of the Island surrounding existing golf courses. Additionally, because DNR currently monitors beaches and tidal creeks near stations TCN01 and TCS01 where development is very limited, the high priority point source and non-point source pollution management plan areas should be centered on conveyances draining the golf courses. These watersheds are represented by downstream stations UTW01, UTW02, and TCM01 (Figures 3 and 4).
The three high priority watersheds indicated above drain areas in the middle of the Island largely consisting of golf courses and residential areas (Figures 3 and 4). Future growth in these areas is limited by law, but ongoing landscape management practices contributes to non-point source pollutants entering these waterways. As a result, the implementation of long-term water quality monitoring, structural BMP’s, potential riparian and freshwater wetland improvements, stormwater retrofits that direct flow to freshwater wetlands, groundwater conservation measures, and assessments of current golf course maintenance practices will be targeted in these watersheds. Management strategies for addressing the golf course areas of the Island have been thoroughly outlined in the Jekyll Island Conservation Plan 2011. Conservation Plan management priorities for the golf course areas that are consistent with the objectives and intent of this WPP include the following:
Identify opportunities for ecological restoration of disturbed habitats that contribute to long-term ecological health of the Island;
Identify hydrological alterations, including groundwater impacts and ditching, and evaluate opportunities for wetland enhancement;
Maintain a natural resource-compatible integrated pest management and maintenance program for golf course operations;
Evaluate the effectiveness of current stormwater treatment facilities and identify opportunities to enhance stormwater quality, quantity, and hydroperiods;
Identify opportunities to incorporate natural features into educational programs and wildlife protection; and
Monitor and conduct ecological research on the use of man-made habitats by amphibians and alligators.
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Strategies for the golf course areas that are specifically listed in the Conservation Plan and are consistent with this WPP include:
Implement ecological restoration through budgeted funding, mitigation opportunities, or volunteer projects;
Where applicable, convert landscape to native species that complement the conservation goals of adjacent natural lands;
Establish a monitoring program for discharges from the stormwater system;
Identify and implement improvements to the stormwater system to enhance water quality, timing, and discharge rates into offsite wetlands;
Evaluate opportunities to reduce irrigation needs and increase use of recaptured and reclaimed water when irrigation is needed;
Implement irrigation reduction measures and recapture/re-use water approaches;
Continue to seek certification from Audubon International in the categories of environmental planning, water conservation and wildlife habitat for all golf courses; and
Maintain and/or improve water quality to increase habitat viability for amphibians.
Additionally, several of the golf courses have received or are in the process of receiving certification in Environmental Planning from the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP). This certification encourages golf course to enhance wildlife habitat, reduce chemical use, conserve water, manage water quality, and develop education and outreach programs. This WPP will be incorporated with ongoing management strategies the JIA and the golf courses on Jekyll Island are currently undertaking as outlined in the Jekyll Island Conservation Plan 2011, and in accordance with Audubon International ACSP certification.
Currently through operational Conservation Program funds, golf course pond management and monitoring has been initiated. The primary driver for these initiatives has been the pursuit of certification through ACSP for Indian Mounds Golf Course and recertification for Pine Lakes Golf Course. As part of this initiative, golf course ponds are being treated less frequently with the goal of reducing chemical impacts and preserving natural habitat and existing wildlife. The ponds are only treated for algal blooms, duckweed, alligator weed, and other undesirable plants that have the ability to dominate the ponds and affect the overall biodiversity. Along with the reduction of chemicals used in the ponds, the Conservation Program has started leaving a 2-3 foot buffer around most of the ponds to catch a portion of the nutrients flowing off of the course. This buffer is cut intermittently down to 6” in order to maintain the aesthetics of the course.
The Conservation Program initiated a water quality testing regiment on all of the 14 golf course ponds on Indian Mound and Pine Lakes Golf Courses in 2014. The ultimate goal is to have all four Jekyll Island golf courses certified under ACSP and carry over all of the water quality testing and environmental stewardship efforts island-wide. Testing includes monitoring for nitrates, phosphates, and DO at multiple levels in the water column.
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Monitoring is scheduled to be conducted four times per year annually starting in 2015. This monitoring effort is being coordinated with long-term water quality efforts proposed in this WPP at priority watershed receiving streams. All of the priority watershed monitoring stations drain golf course areas. In some cases, monitoring stations have been relocated upstream, and specifically UTW01 has been moved upstream to better assess water quality in receiving streams near pond outlets on the island.
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5.0 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP’S)
The primary objective of the WPP is to monitor the need for more effective stormwater management on Jekyll Island. If after continued long-term monitoring, existing conservation strategies including those outlined in the Conservation Plan prove to be inadequate in improving water quality and specifically nutrient concentrations in the target watersheds, more stringent measures should be undertaken to establish stormwater run-off limits, fertilizer management, and stormwater retrofits. The following management objectives and strategies should be reviewed and potentially implemented by the WPCP and JIA conservation staff:
Establish a WPP manager that will work with JIA conservation staff and WPCP staff to coordinate current conservation strategies outlined in the Conservation Plan that are consistent with the WPP, and implementation of specific WPP measures pursuant to WPCP NPDES permit obligations;
Incorporate into the WPP existing and future water quality monitoring programs to assess nutrient and bacteria concentrations in golf course ponds, streams, and stormwater conveyances as part of ACSP certification.
Continue to encourage Jekyll Island golf courses to pursue ACSP certification in Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, Water Quality Management, and Outreach and Education;
Maintain the hydrological and water quality integrity of freshwater stream channels, ponds and wetlands by improving and expanding vegetative buffers, re-routing stormwater to freshwater wetlands and ponds, reducing fertilizer and chemical applications, and increasing water conservation efforts;
Consider restoration efforts to improve the stream channel and adjacent riparian wetlands in the stream draining to station UTW01. This stream has been channelized and ditched to drain areas in the middle of the Island. Restoration efforts in the stream would improve wetland habitats upstream, reduce nutrient inputs to salt marshes through wetland retention and improved channel complexity, and reduce freshwater volumes to downstream saltwater marshes;
Sanitary surveys for sewer leaks should continue to be a priority for identifying potential or future sources of human source bacteria in area waters;
Encourage the use of water conservation strategies at local hotels, restaurants, and golf courses similar to efforts currently underway at the convention center; and
Continue to encourage re-development efforts on existing impervious surface footprints.
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5.1 Non-structural Best Management Practices (BMP’s)
Five primary non-structural BMP’s are incorporated into the WPP. It should be noted that most of these efforts are consistent with strategies outlined in the Jekyll Island Conservation Plan 2011.
1. Establishment of a WPP Implementation Manager that will coordinate WPP efforts between JIA conservation staff and the WPCP to ensure compliance with the WPP;
2. Public outreach and education on the JIA website and communication with Island residence, businesses, and visitors about water conservation and water quality awareness;
3. Incorporate existing monitoring efforts for nutrients and DO in golf course ponds, streams, and stormwater conveyances into the WPP;
4. Continued communication and dialog with golf course management about efforts to improve landscape management practices that would benefit water quality in receiving waters; and
5. Continue sewerage inventory and leak inspections.
5.1.1 WPP Implementation Manager
A WPP Implementation Manager would be chosen from existing staff and assigned the duties of ensuring WPP compliance. Jekyll Island is unique among Georgia municipalities that are required to implement watershed assessment and protection efforts in that the JIA currently commits an abundance of resources to conservation and environmental improvement efforts. Because the responsibility of the WPP implementation rest on the Jekyll Island WPCP, and current conservation and improvement efforts are being made by JIA Conservation Program staff, coordination between these two organizations via the WPP Implementation Manager would ensure that all efforts towards improving water quality on Jekyll Island are documented and incorporated into the WPP moving forward.
5.1.2 Public Outreach and Education
The JIA currently participates in extensive environmental awareness and education programming. Much of the current programming is geared towards wildlife conservation, and many of these efforts are often beneficial towards raising awareness about water conservation and water quality. However, increased efforts to raise awareness about water conservation and quality can be incorporated into ongoing efforts. These efforts will include Island resident-targeted campaigns about the importance of proper hazardous materials disposal, lawn irrigation conservation, and proper application of lawn fertilizers. Additionally, interpretive signs for Island visitors that detail the importance of the cascading effects human induced water quality changes have on coastal ecosystems will be deployed. Efforts to incorporate water quality education into existing JIA conservation programming will be made.
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5.1.3 Golf Course Pond Monitoring Program
Ongoing efforts to monitor golf course ponds are being conducted by the Jekyll Island Conservation Program at two island golf courses. These efforts are being funded through operational Jekyll Island Conservation Program funds. Golf course pond monitoring will be incorporated with long-term monitoring efforts and the WPP. The goal of these monitoring efforts is to assess nutrient concentrations in golf course ponds, and to determine ways the golf courses can improve landscape management practices and stormwater and irrigation run-off quality. The goal of this WPP and JIA Conservation Program staff is to include all four island golf courses into the pond monitoring program as part of ACSP certification program requirements.
5.1.4 Golf Course Dialog
Conversations with golf courses management about their efforts to improve stormwater quality, conserve water, and manage lawn maintenance chemicals should continue. All golf courses should be encouraged to seek ACSP certification in Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, Water Quality Management, and Outreach and Education.
5.1.5 Sewer Pipe Leak Inspections
The WPCP will continue to conduct routine comprehensive inspections of Island sewer lines to ensure that no leaks are present.
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6.0 MANAGEMENT OF 303(d) LISTED SEGMENTS
Details for non-supporting 303(d) listed beach segments in the vicinity of Jekyll Island are given below. The locations of the 2012 303(d) supporting and non-supporting segments in the vicinity of Jekyll Island are presented in Figure 5. Two beach segments on the north and south side of the Island are listed as not supporting for enterococci bacteria. The Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division and the Glynn County Health Department currently monitors these areas and periodically issues beach advisories when bacteria concentrations are high. Throughout 2014, beach advisories have been issued for The Clam Creek Beach near station TCN01 and the St. Andrews Beach where these 303(d) listed segments are located. While the 2012 303(d) List states that the potential cause of elevated enterococci bacterial levels at these beaches are due to non-point source pollution, human non-point source pollution is likely not the source of elevated bacteria levels and the specific cause of the pollution has been determined to be from wildlife sources. No TMDL’s have been issued for these segments. Continued sanitary surveys in the areas should be conducted to ensure that elevated bacteria concentrations do not result from human related sources.
1.9 miles of Jekyll Island - Clam Creek Beach from Clam Creek to Old North Picnic Area, on the north side of the island is 303(d) listed as not supporting the intended use of swimming due to Enterococci (GA EPD, 2012). Non-point source pollution is listed as the potential cause of the elevated Enterococci concentrations (GA EPD, 2012).
0.8 miles of Jekyll Island - St. Andrews Beach from Macy Lane to St. Andrews Picnic Area, on the southwest corner of the Island, is 303(d) listed as not supporting the intended use of swimming due to Enterococci (GA EPD, 2012). Non-point source pollution is listed as the potential cause of the elevated Enterococci concentrations (GA EPD, 2012).
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7.0 SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTING MANAGEMENT MEASURES
An estimated schedule for the implementation of the management measures proposed as part of the WPP is included below. Due to financial restraints, resource availability, and fiscal cycles, the anticipated completion/implementation schedule may vary during WPP implementation. Updates for all watershed management activity schedules will be provided in the annual monitoring reports.
Anticipated Date of Watershed Management Activity and Milestones Completion/Implementation Golf Course Pond Monitoring Ongoing Audubon Certification Ongoing Public Outreach and Education Ongoing Sewerage Leak Surveys Ongoing Long Term Monitoring Water Quality Annually Biological Biannually Reporting Annually
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8.0 LONG TERM MONITORING PLAN
8.1 Purpose and Objectives
The long-term monitoring plan will be utilized to:
Further document and monitor water quality during normal flow conditions in the priority watersheds represented by downstream stations UTW01, UTW02, and TCM01;
Document stream and water quality improvements and provide information on the effectiveness of BMP’s toward meeting water quality standards and the management objectives of this WPP; and
Identify water quality impairments and streams requiring further attention.
8.2 Parties Responsible for Water Quality and Biological Monitoring
The JIA Conservation Program will conduct all annual water quality monitoring requirements at the priority monitoring stations as well as biannual biological monitoring for macroinvertebrates at UTW01 and UTW02. Station TCM01 is a tidally influenced salt water creek with conductivities greater than 50,000 µmhos/cm. This small stretch of tidal creek is connected to a golf course pond upstream, and flows in and out of the pond during high and low tides. Even at low tide, salinities are fairly high at TCM01 and therefore, as with the Watershed Assessment monitoring, macroinvertebrate monitoring is being excluded from long-term monitoring at TCM01. Water Quality will be monitored at TCM01 as part of the WPP long-term monitoring efforts. Stations TCN01 and TCS01 were monitored for in-situ water quality and bacteria concentrations during the Watershed Assessment. Due to the ongoing monitoring for bacteria concentrations in the beaches and tidal creeks near these stations by the DNR Coastal Resources Division and the Glynn County Department of Health, further long-term monitoring at these stations will not be a necessary component of this WPP. Station UTW01 is proposed to be relocated from its current location further upstream and closer to golf course pond outlets to better assess ongoing golf course pond nutrient monitoring currently being conducted by the Jekyll Island Conservation Program.
Monitoring Latitude Longitude Station ID Station Type Degree, Minutes, Seconds Macroinvertebrate, and Water Quality UTW01 81° 24' 55.01" W 31° 4' 53.91" N (analytical and in-situ) Macroinvertebrate, and Water Quality UTW02 81° 25' 29.34" W 31° 4' 12.56" N (analytical and in-situ) TCM01 Water Quality (analytical and in-situ) 81° 24' 45.23" W 31° 1' 21.05" N
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8.2.1 Reductions in Water Quality Monitoring Scope
The Jekyll Island Conservation Program and the WPCP have determined that several of the water quality constituents surveyed during the Watershed Assessment are redundant measures or they do not serve the goals of the Conservation Program in improving water quality on the island and increasing environmental awareness. The JIA proposes to omit several long-term water quality constituents as follow:
Bacteriological sampling will be omitted from future long term monitoring due to the extensive bacteriological monitoring that the Glynn County Health Department and GA DNR currently conducts on the island. The JIA Conservation Program and the WPCP will coordinate with these identities to assess bacteriological issues that arise.
Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is proposed for omission from long-term monitoring as this constituent is redundant with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and requires the use of toxic chemicals during laboratory analysis.
Turbidity is proposed for removal from long-term monitoring constituents as this measurement is redundant with TSS and unreliable with digital meters. Additionally, the Jekyll Island streams are low energy, low flow streams that even during heavy rain events do not rise to any substantial degree or become turbid as evidenced by low turbidity measurements during wet weather events detailed in the Watershed Assessment report. The cost associated with purchasing a turbidimeter is not justified by the limited information turbidity measurements would provide and funds used to purchase a turbidimeter could be put to better use.
8.3 Long Term Monitoring Stations
Unnamed Tributary West (UTW01) to St. Simons Sound
UTW01 is located in the western portion of the service area and drains to an expansive salt marsh adjacent to the St. Simons Sound (Figures 3 and 4) (Plates 1 and 2). This tributary appears to have been constructed to drain wetlands and the golf course areas in the center of the Island. The channel has been channelized and dredged throughout its entire length. An exact drainage area could not be determined due to the limited topography on the island. Although water was always present in the channel during Watershed Assessment sampling, very little flow was observed. Water quality including both in-situ and analytical, biological (macroinvertebrates only) parameters will be sampled at UTW01 as part of long- term monitoring.
Unnamed Tributary West (UTW02) to Jekyll Creek
UTW02 is located in the western portion of the service area south of UTW01, and drains to Jekyll Creek west of the Island (Figures 3 and 4) (Plates 3 and 4). The tributary drains from a golf course in the center of the Island. An exact drainage area could not be determined due to the limited topography on the island. This tributary was more natural in appearance than UTW01, and has retained attributes of a tidal/swamp stream system connected to expansive wetlands in the middle of the island. Water quality including analytical and in-situ, and biological (macroinvertebrates only) parameters will be sampled at UTW02 as part of long-term monitoring.
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Tidal Creek Middle (TCM01) at Shell Road
TCM01 is a salt water tidal creek that drains to large salt marshes adjacent to Jekyll Creek (Figures 3 and 4) (Plates 5 and 6). The Creek has been altered so that it fills a golf course pond to the north of the monitoring station during high tides. The bed of the creek is covered with oyster beds and the banks are inhabited by salt tolerant vegetation such as Spartina arterniflora, Spartina patens, and Borrichia frustescens, which also extend along the banks of the golf course ponds. This station will be sampled for analytical and in-situ water quality parameters.
8.4 Monitoring Schedule
Georgia EPD has established criteria for the number of monitoring events required for long- term monitoring. The GA EPD has also established criteria for scheduling water quality, bacteriological, and biological monitoring events. An estimated schedule for water quality monitoring is detailed in Table 1. This schedule may be adjusted throughout the monitoring period to coincide with existing golf course pond water quality monitoring the Jekyll Island Conservation Program is currently conducting.
8.5 Monitoring Procedures
8.5.1 Water Quality Monitoring
Three annual dry weather monitoring event samples will be collected as grab samples. At least one dry weather water quality event will be conducted annually between October and February. Dry weather monitoring will be conducted immediately prior to benthic macroinvertebrate sampling semi-annually. The remaining two dry weather events will be conducted annually between May and October.
One wet weather monitoring event will occur annually. Wet weather monitoring events are timed to collect composite samples over the course of the complete hydrograph for a storm event of at least 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) of rainfall and at least 72 hours since the last storm event. During wet weather events, a rain gage will be used to estimate precipitation during the monitoring event; precipitation data from the closest climatic data station will be obtained and used in interpreting monitoring results.
Samples will be collected at mid-channel one meter below the water surface or at locations where total water depth is less than 2 meters; samples will be collected at mid-depth. Metal samples will be collected using "clean techniques" (EPA Method 1669). Samples for dissolved metals will be field-filtered using a 0.45 micron capsule filter; other samples will be collected as unfiltered samples. Field parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and specific conductance) will be measured in-stream with a multi-parameter sonde; turbidity samples will be collected for field analysis. Field measurements and observations will be recorded on a watershed monitoring field data sheet, or equivalent data will be recorded in a field notebook. To minimize potential disturbance of stream sediments, all samples that will be submitted to a laboratory for analysis will be collected prior to performing field parameter measurements.
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All samples collected for laboratory analysis will be field preserved in accordance with the requirements of the analytical methods presented in Table 2. Metals samples will be individually double-bagged. Sample containers will be placed in an ice chest with ice to maintain samples at a temperature of 4° C or less until they are received by the analytical laboratory.
A chain of custody form noting sample identification, date, time, number of containers, sample matrix, sample parameters, preservatives, laboratory, sampling personnel and project manager will be completed and will accompany the samples to the laboratory. The chain of custody will be signed by the field sampler and the date and time noted, then the chain of custody will be sealed in a Zip-loc bag and taped inside of the lid of the ice chest.
Samples will be transmitted by overnight courier to the analytical laboratory and will be analyzed within the holding times specified for the analytical methods listed in Table 2.
8.5.2 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring
Biological monitoring will be conducted semi-annually during WPP monitoring. One water quality sample event will be conducted during the benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring.
A physical habitat assessment will be conducted at each site where biological monitoring is to occur, and will utilize the habitat assessment protocol provided in the Georgia EPD Macroinvertebrate Biological Assessment of Wadeable Streams in Georgia (GAEPD, 2007) SOP. The parameters that will be included in this assessment are: epifaunal substrate and instream cover, embeddedness, velocity/depth combinations, pool/substrate variability, channel alteration, sediment deposition, channel flow status, channel sinuosity, riparian vegetation, bank stability, and bank vegetative protection.
Benthic macroinvertebrate sampling will occur between the months of October and February and will utilize the low-gradient Georgia Macroinvertebrate Assessment SOP (GAEPD, 2007). One dry weather water quality monitoring event will be conducted synoptically with the macroinvertebrate sample event. In addition to the water quality parameters listed in Table 2, alkalinity will also be measured during macroinvertebrate sampling. Sampling will be conducted using a D-frame dip net in the following habitats when present: 8 net sweeps of woody debris, 3 net sweeps of sand or bottom substrate, 6 net sweeps of undercut banks or root mats, 3 leaf pack collections, and 3 net sweeps in macrophyte beds.
Samples will be processed and subsamples taken in a Caton-type subsampler to attain 200 (± 20%) individuals. Most taxa will be identified to either the genus or species level, but some taxa, including Oligiochaeta, Polychaeta, Nemata, Hirundina, Cladocera, Ostrocoda, Neoloricata, and Planaria, may remain at a higher taxonomic level. Chain of custody records, basic sorting and subsampling techniques, identification methods, and level of effort will be documented (GAEPD, 2007). Other quality control/assurance measures, including duplicate subsampling, making voucher collections, estimates of precision, calculating sorting efficiency, and long term specimen storage are not required by Georgia EPD.
Several metrics will be calculated from the community data for the Tidal 75j subecoregion of the larger Southern Coastal Plain Ecoregion and compared with ecoregion specific reference data supplied by Georgia EPD to assess stream ecological condition (GAEPD, 2007).
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8.5.3 In-situ Water Quality and Flow
Water quality monitoring parameters, test methods, detection limits and water quality standards are summarized in Table 2. Temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and specific conductance will be measured in the field using a multi-parameter sonde that has been calibrated in advance of monitoring. Due to a general lack of flow in Jekyll Island streams, flow will be estimated and stage measurements will be recorded from established benchmarks.
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9.0 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Once the Watershed Protection Plan is approved, each June 30th the following will be submitted to EPD:
Annual certification of WPP implementation;
Long-term water quality monitoring data will submitted in electronic format utilizing the EPD Excel data template. Biological monitoring data, as wells as all field data sheets, laboratory taxa lists, and macroinvertebrate multi-metric spreadsheets will also be submitted in electronic format;
Documentation of water quality improvements;
Outline of specific watershed protection actions that have been implemented throughout the year; and
Summary of any changes and/or revisions to the Watershed Protection Plan, if necessary.
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10.0 LITERATURE CITED
Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR). 2005a. Sampling Protocols and SOP. Part
I: Standard Operating Procedures for Conducting Biomonitoring on Fish Communities in Wadeable Streams in Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Fisheries Management Section. June 1, 2005.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR). 2005b. Sampling Protocols and SOP. Part
II: Scoring criteria for the index of biotic integrity and the index of well-being to monitor fish communities in wadeable streams in the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Fisheries Management Section. June 1, 2005.
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD). 2002. Turkey Branch Dissolved Oxygen TMDL. Alapaha River Basin (HUC 03110202) in the Suwanne River Basin.
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD). 2007. Macroinvertebrate Biological Assessment of Wadeable Streams in Georgia - Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Georgia
Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, Water Protection Branch. May, 2007.
Jekyll Island Conservation Plan 2011. Web access July, 2014. http://issuu.com/jekyllisland/docs/925conservation_plan_combined
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Table 1. Estimated 2015 and 2016 long-term monitoring schedule.
2015 2016 2017 Sampling Task Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Water Quality In-situ W D D D D W D D Analytical W D D D D W D D Bacteria (Enterococci) X X X X Biological Benthic Macroinvertebrate X Annual Status Report Due June 30 Annually X X Notes: D = dry weather monitoring, W = wet weather monitoring, X = general sample event or report submittal
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Table 2. Water quality parameters, test methods, and reporting limits, Jekyll Island Watershed Assessment.
Method Detection Reporting Method Limit Limit Parameter mg/L except as noted Water Quality Standard Temperature, Air (oC) Depth of sample 32.2EC (equivalent to Temperature, Water (oC) 90EF) pH (S.U.) Within the range 6.0 - 8.5 A daily average of 5.0 Dissolved Oxygen mg/L; no less than 4.0 mg/l at all times Specific Conductance (µS/cm) Salinity( ppt) Biochemical oxygen demand, 5- 405.1 2 2 day Total suspended solids 160.2 3.2 5 Total Phosphorus 365.4 0.03 0.1 Phosphorus: ortho 365.1 0.015 0.05 Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen 351.2 0.13 0.5 Ammonia nitrogen 350.1 0.024 0.05 Nitrate-Nitrite nitrogen 353.2 0.018 0.05 10 (MCL) Freshwater .25 (2.0); Cd - Total and dissolved1 (µg/L) 0.13 0.5 Coastal 8.8 (40) Freshwater 9.0 (13.0); Cu - Total and dissolved1 (µg/L) 1.1 5 Coastal 3.1 (4.8) 6020A Freshwater 2.5 (65); Pb - Total and dissolved1 (µg/L) 0.5 1.5 Coastal 8.1 (210) Freshwater 120 (120); Zn - Total and dissolved1 (µg/L) 8.4 20 Coastal 81 (90) Total Hardness, Ca, Mg SM 2340B 0.05 0.25 Total Organic Carbon SM 5310C 0.5 1 1 Standards for metals are expressed as chronic or acute for freshwater and for coastal and marine estuarine waters. Acute criteria are in parentheses, chronic criteria without parentheses. Acute criteria will not be exceeded under 1Q10 or higher flow; chronic criteria will not be exceeded under 7Q10 minimum flow. The in-stream criterion for metals is expressed in terms of the dissolved fraction in the water column. Conversion factors used to calculate dissolved criteria are found in the EPA document National Recommended Water Quality Criteria: 2002, EPA 822-R-02-047, November2012.
Nutter & Associates, Inc. GumbranchFlemington Hinesville Allenhurst Midway WalthourvilleLiberty Long Glynn County, Riceboro Surrency Ludowici Georgia Odum
Jesup
McIntosh Screven
Wayne Offerman Patterson Darien
Blackshear Pierce Glynn Brantley Nahunta Hoboken Brunswick
Camden
Woodbine
Charlton Homeland Folkston Kingsland St. Marys
Clubbs Creek Clubbs Creek St. Simons TerryTerry CreekCreek SouthSouth BrunswickBrunswick RiverRiver £25 ¤ StSt SimonsSimons SoundSound ParsonsParsons CreekCreek EastEast BrunswickBrunswick RiverRiver Brunswick
PlantationPlantation CreekCreek LongLong CreekCreek
Du Bignons Creek ¤£17 BrunswickBrunswick RiverRiver
Cedar Creek
JointerJointer RiverRiver JekyllJekyll CreekCreek Cobb Creek
Maiden Creek AtlanticAtlantic OceanOcean UV520 LathamLatham RiverRiver
KirbyKirby CreekCreek Honey Creek JekyllJekyll RiverRiver LittleLittle SatillaSatilla RiverRiver
JekyellJekyell SoundSound
Umbrella Creek
Jekyll Island Service Area
StSt AndrewAndrew SoundSound Dover Creek Data Source: GA GIS Clearinghouse F:\projects\11_040_Jekyll_Island\Figures\Vicinity_Map.mxd 0 1.25 2.5 5 Miles ¹
Figure 1. Jekyll Island vicinity map. P e n d le Jekyllto Island Service Area n 030601 C Lower Ogechee r O
HUC8e Watershed Boundary g Roc e ky k e Lower Savannah e C S r c e 030602 h L a e e i v HUC6k 030701 Watershed tt e le an R O n ah Savannah iv g R 030602 e e i r e ve Ohoopee c r Canoochee he Ogeechee O C e B a R h e n iv o ar o e o d oc r Altamaha p s he e C e River A e r ltamaha e Riv R e er k St. Marys - Satillai v e r
Suwanee Goshen Swamp Goshen
L itt Ogechee Coastal le Altamaha S a ti lla 030602 B ig C 030701 S re a e tilla k C re ek oway C Little Satilla ol reek h H n u e r P r i c 030702 a n e C re e k Da L ri Duplin River it e t South Branchn l e R iver A S Jekyll Island lab a a t Wallys Leg h ill a a tilla Riv Rive Sa e R r r iv er 030702 030702 Satilla Cumberland-St. Simons Gum S w a m p Upper Suwannee Floyd Creek
031102
Crooked River Saint M ary s R St Marys iver er 030702 s Riv Sa Mary tle int it L Data Source: GA GIS Clearinghouse F:\projects\11_040_Jekyll_Island\Figures\HUC_watersheds.mxd 0 5 10 20 Miles ¹ Figure 2. Six and eight digit USGS hydrologic unit code (HUC) map. WPP-UTW01 A@
WPP-UTW02 A@
WPP-TCM01 &*
Water Quality Stations &* Water Quality Only
A@ Biological & Water Quality
Data Source: USGS Topographic Quadrangle F:\projects\11_040_Jekyll_Island\Figures\WQ_Stations_Topo.mxd 0 0.5 1 2 Miles ¹ Figure 3. Locations of biological and water quality monitoring stations. WPP-UTW01 A@
WPP-UTW02 A@
WPP-TCM01 &*
Water Quality Stations &* Water Quality Only A@ Biological & Water Quality
Data Source: USDA 2013 Aerial F:\projects\11_040_Jekyll_Island\Figures\WQ_Stations_Aerial.mxd 0 0.5 1 2 Miles ¹ Figure 4. Locations of biological and water quality monitoring stations. St. Simons Island - 5th Steet Crossover Beach: Supporting
St. Simons Island - South Beach at Lighthouse Supporting
Brunswick River Not Supporting: Selenium
Jekyll Island - Clam Creek Beach St. Simons Sound Not Supporting: Enterococci Supporting
Jekyll Island - North Beach at Dexter Lane: Supporting Cedar Creek Assessment Pending For " ! * WPP-UTW01 A@ Water Quality Stations Jekyll Island - Captain Wylly Road WPP-UTW02 Crossover Beach: Supporting &* Water Quality Only A@ A@ Biological & Water Quality -. Cobb Creek Supporting !-. WPP-TCM01 &* Potential Environmental Stressors Jekyll Island Listing Database Water Pollution Control Plant -. -.RS ! Brownfield-ACRES Jointer Creek TUV Assesment Pending For RS ICIS Jekyll Island - Middle Beach at Convention Center: Supporting " ! * Landfill Little Satilla River Supporting -. Leaking Underground Storage Tanks Jekyll Island - South Dunes Picnic Area Beach: Supporting TUV PCS-NPDES
Streams
2012 305(b)/303(d) Evaluation Jekyll Island - South Beach at 4-H Camp: Supporting Assessment Pending For
Not Supporting Jekyll Island - St. Andrews Beach Not Supporting: Enterococci Supporting St. Andrews Sound Jekyll Island Service Area Supporting
2012 305(b)/303(d) Harbor Evaluation
Areas with > 50% Impervious Surface
Data Source: GADNR, ESRI F:\projects\11_040_Jekyll_Island\Figures\Env_Stressors.mxd 0 1.25 2.5 5 Miles ¹ Figure 5. Locations of potential environmental stressors and 2012 305(b)/303(d) listed segments.
Plate 1. Station UTW01 looking downstream (west) towards Old Plantation Road.
Plate 2. Station UTW01 looking upstream (East).
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Plate 3. Station UTW02 looking downstream (Southwest).
Plate 4. Station UTW02 looking upstream (Northeast).
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Plate 5. TCM01 looking upstream (North) from Shell Road.
Plate 6. TCM01 looking upstream (North) at tidal exchange point with golf course pond.
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