Alapahoochee River Watershed R Watershed Restoration Action Strategy R November 2007 ( R
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( Alapahoochee River Watershed r Watershed Restoration Action Strategy r November 2007 ( r Compiled by: South Georgia Regional Development Center Mission: To improve watershed health and water quality based upon best management practices, by identifying objectives and goals that are feasible, attainable, and beneficial to the stakeholders. THE PREPARATION OF THIS DOCUMENT WAS FINANCED IN PART THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 319 OF THE FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT. ( Table of Contents for WRAS Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................................... 1 Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Glossary .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................ 7 Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Background Information .............................................................................................................. 8 1.2 Purpose of a WRAS ..................................................................................................................... 9 1.3 EPA's Nine Key Elements .......................................................................................................... 10 1.4 Methods ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Chapter 2: Description of the Watershed 2.1 Natural History ............................................................................................................................. 12 2.2 Topographic Features ................................................................................................................... 13 2.3 Geology ........................................................................................................................................ 13 2.4 Soil Types ..................................................................................................................................... 14 2.5 Hydrology .................................................................................................................................... 17 2.6 Land Use ...................................................................................................................................... 18 2.7 Endangered or Threatened Plant and Animal Species .................................................................. 19 2.8 Critical Areas ................................................................................................................................ 21 Chapter 3: Measurable Milestones and Implementation Measures 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 23 3.2 Best Management Practices .......................................................................................................... 24 3.3 Types of Pollution ........................................................................................................................ 25 3.4 Nutrients ....................................................................................................................................... 27 3.5 Trash/Litter ................................................................................................................................... 28 3.6 Urban Runoff................................................................................................................................ 29 3.7 Metals ........................................................................................................................................... 30 3.8 Sediments ..................................................................................................................................... 31 3.9 Fecal Bacteria ............................................................................................................................... 32 3.10 Watershed Goals ........................................................................................................................ 33 Chapter 4: Technical and Financial 4.1 Financial Needs ............................................................................................................................ 38 4.2 Schedule oflmplementation ......................................................................................................... 41 4.3 Technical and Financial Assistance .............................................................................................. 42 Chapter 5: Monitoring 5.1 Chemical Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 48 5.2 Physiochemical Analysis .............................................................................................................. 49 5.3 Bacteriological and Periphyton Analysis ...................................................................................... 51 5.4 Macroinvertebrate Analysis .......................................................................................................... 52 5.5 Recommendations ...................................................................................................................... ,.53 Chapter 6: Community Outreach, Education, and Participation 6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 54 6.2 Members ....................................................................................................................................... 54 6.3 Meetings ....................................................................................................................................... 55 6.4 Staffing ......................................................................................................................................... 55 6.5 Education ...................................................................................................................................... 56 6.6 Outreach Activities and Community Education ........................................................................... 51 l ( Figures Figure 1: Topographic Map ... ... ......................................................................... 13 Figure 2: Soils Map ........................... ........................... ......................... ....... ... 16 Figure 3:Watershed Map ........... ........ .. ......................... ........... ........... .... ... ........ 17 Figure 4: Groundwater Recharge Area Map ............................................................ 21 Tables Table 1: Soils Association ... ...... ........................ ............ .................................... 14 Table 2: Land Use .......................................................... ...................... ... ....... 18 Table 3: Land Use Estimate ............................................................................... l8 Table 4: Endangered or Threatened Plants ... ... ........................................... ............ 19 Table 5: Endangered or Threatened Animals ........................ .. .................... .. ........... 20 Table 6: Ordinances ............................... ................ ........ .. ...... ... .................... .. 26 Table 7: BMP's, Cost Estimates, Load Reductions .................................................... 34 Table 8: Schedule of Implementation ............................. .......... ...... .................. .... .41 Acknowledgement First, I would like to thank Seven Rivers Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council and staff for their continued support in not only protecting our environment as a whole, but for believing so strongly in education, community involvement and partnerships. Because of your efforts, thousands, if not millions, of dollars have gone towards environmental efforts within the Suwannee Basin. Secondly, I would like to thank Valdosta State University for the extensive water quality and aquatic habitat study they performed on the Alapahoochee River Watershed; the USDA NRCS staff for their assistance in designing and implementing best management practices (BMPs) and working with the landowners; and all the stakeholders of the Alapahoochee River Watershed. Lastly, I would like to thank the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their continued support and dedication to protecting our natural resources. Because of the funding made available through programs such as Section 319(h) Grants, communities are able to initiate efforts that provide the needed "seed" to jump start a community's interests in the environment or simply provide that "extra" assistance to take a project to the next level. Whatever the reason may be, the fact is that the Section 319(h) program has made a huge impact in the Alapahoochee River Watershed and throughout the State of Georgia. Sincerely, Angela K. Wall Environmental Planner 1 ( ACRONYMS AAS: Adopt-A-Stream NPS: Non-Point Source AS&WCD: Alapaha Soil & Water Conservation