Tickfaw Rivers Are Major Contributing Rivers of the Pontchartrain Basin in Southeast Louisiana
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Water Quality Monitoring, Pollution Source Tracking and Assistance, and Environmental Education in North Shore Watersheds Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation 2045 Lakeshore Drive, Rm 339 New Orleans, LA 70122 Page 1 of 58 Page 2 of 58 INTRODUCTION The Tangipahoa and Tickfaw Rivers are major contributing rivers of the Pontchartrain Basin in Southeast Louisiana. The Tangipahoa River traverses 61 miles in Louisiana and has a watershed measuring 521 mi2. Its watershed covers much of Tangipahoa Parish. Directly west of the Tangipahoa Watershed is the Tickfaw Watershed, covering western Tangipahoa Parish and eastern Livingston and St. Helena Parishes. The Tickfaw River runs 69 miles in Louisiana with a 671 mi2 watershed. Tangipahoa Parish’s largest municipality, the City of Hammond, lies within the Ponchatoula Creek and Yellow Water River, sub-watersheds in the Tickfaw (Figure 1.1). Historically rural in character, the northern portions of the parishes still boast a robust dairy and crop industry. However, Tangipahoa and Livingston Parishes have also been subjected to rapid conversion of agricultural land to sprawling urban development in recent decades, and particularly since the 2005 hurricane season. Tangipahoa Parish’s population increased from 100,602 in 2000 to an estimated 125,412 in 2013 (U.S. Census Bureau, http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22/22105.html). The southern portion of Tangipahoa Parish, and particularly land around the cities of Hammond and Ponchatoula, has seen the majority of this growth. In addition, as family dairies and small farms decline, the properties are being developed into subdivisions and small communities. The still largely agricultural parishes do not have the infrastructure to accommodate this development. With the sprawled and unplanned nature of the development, waste treatment is piecemeal, consisting of everything from municipal plants to individual home systems. Furthermore, historic gaps in the permitting system allowed commercial WWTPs to be built but not permitted to discharge. Consequently, some rivers in these parishes are polluted with fecal bacteria (Figure 1.2). Also, with rapid development, the local rivers are experiencing high sediment loads and pollutants associated with construction activity. Finally, urban activities and agricultural practices release excess nutrients into the waterways. While much has already been accomplished in the Tangipahoa Watershed and Natalbany portion of the Tickfaw Watershed, much work remains. Within the Tangipahoa Watershed, Big Creek remains on the Impaired Waterbodies List for Fecal Coliform. The Tangipahoa River itself remains listed for stormwater pollutants including total dissolved solids and chlorides. Within the Tickfaw Watershed, intensive education of and assistance to wastewater plant owners and operators has yielded decreases in fecal coliform levels on Ponchatoula Creek and Yellow Water River (in and around the City of Hammond); however, most waterways in the Tickfaw Watershed remain impaired for fecal coliform. Also, numerous stormwater pollutants associated with new development are entering the waterways as these watersheds contain the City of Hammond. Page 3 of 58 Page 4 of 58 Project Area: Louisiana 8-digit watershed subsegment code(s): Tangipahoa Watershed, 08070205 Tickfaw Watershed, 08070203 TMDL’s (approved or under development): Ponchatoula Creek and Yellow Water River- Fecal Coliform, Dissolved Oxygen, and Nutrients (only known, others are pending) 303(d) listed impairments: Tangipahoa River- Mercury, Chloride, Dissolved Oxygen, Sulfates, Total Dissolved Solids Big Creek- Fecal Coliform Tickfaw River- Mercury, Total Dissolved Solids, Chlorides, Dissolved Oxygen, Sulfates Natalbany River- Fecal Coliform, Mercury, Dissolved Oxygen Ponchatoula Creek- Chlorides, Fecal Coliform, Mercury, Nitrate/Nitrite, Phosphorus, Dissolved Oxygen, Total Dissolved Solids Yellow Water River- Chlorides, Fecal Coliform, Dissolved Oxygen, Total Dissolved Solids Figure 1.2. Ponchatoula Creek, Early in Project Page 5 of 58 Project Goal and Objectives Goal: To continue the work begun by LPBF to decrease wastewater and stormwater (point and non-point) pollutants into the Tangipahoa and Tickfaw Watersheds. Objectives: The objectives of this project are to locate and track pollution sources through water quality and land use analyses, to assist and educate those causing the pollution, and to educate the general public about environmental pollution issues; all performed in cooperation with partner state and local agencies. Objective 1: Water quality monitoring on multiple sites within the watersheds to document water quality conditions, locate hotspots, and document improvements to water quality as a result of intervention. Objective 2: Utilizing water quality and land use data, investigate watersheds for pollution sources- including point and non-point. LPBF will refer point source dischargers to LDEQ’s Small Business Assistance Program to assist and address the issues. For non-point sources, LPBF will coordinate with LDEQ and partners for education and assistance. Objective 3: Coordination and dialogue among local, parish, and state agencies, environmental groups, and concerned citizens through monthly meetings of the established Tangipahoa Task Force. This allows the groups to coordinate and work together on environmental issues and programs/projects, educational classes, and media. Project Activities and Deliverables LPBF will implement its Sub-Basin Pollution Source Tracking Program within the Tangipahoa and Tickfaw Watersheds for a 3-year project. The project goal is the achievement of a 25% reduction in fecal coliform and E.coli counts. These decreases are anticipated to decrease nutrient levels as well. LPBF will show in-stream improvements by integrating all aspects of the project, including water monitoring and source tracking; working with LDEQ on point sources; assistance and education for non-point source pollution sources; and extensive public education. Activities will be coordinated through the collaborative effort of the Tangipahoa River Task Force (TRTF), a multi-agency coalition devoted to water quality improvements in the parish. All activities will be performed by the LPBF. Activity 1) Water Monitoring Goal: LPBF will monitor water quality in rivers and tributaries of the targeted watersheds to assess pollution inputs and document outcomes of assistance. Task 1) Water Quality Monitoring: LPBF will intensively monitor water quality at 20 sites in the Tangipahoa and Tickfaw Watersheds throughout the project. Targeted water quality monitoring serves to document all potential pollution sources (point and non-point sources) in a watershed. In addition, continued monitoring will document the improvement of water quality due to implementation of the program. Page 6 of 58 Sites will be monitored bi-weekly for bacteriological indicators, nutrients, and physiochemical parameters. For the fecal coliform and E.coli analyses, one “grab” sample of 120 ml volume will be taken at each site and analyzed at an LDEQ/EPA- approved laboratory. The laboratory will also analyze the nutrients ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, total nitrogen, total organic carbon, total inorganic carbon, total phosphorus, total phosphate, and alkalinity. The physiochemical parameters of water temperature (ºC), dissolved oxygen (mg/L), specific conductance (µS), pH, and turbidity (NTU) will be monitored in situ at each site. The water monitoring methodology, equipment calibration and upkeep, and data quality assurance will be performed according to Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 20th Edition (1998) and addressed in the EPA QAPP. Deliverables: Project Quarterly and Final Reports. Also, all project activities and water quality trends/status will be analyzed and summarized in bi-annual reports. Additionally, the TRTF will review data trends regularly. Activity 2) Pollution Source Tracking Goal: LPBF will locate wastewater and stormwater pollution sources (point and non- point sources) within targeted watersheds. Task 1) Pollution Source Tracking: Utilizing water quality data collected in Activity 1 and land use data provided by LDEQ (and using LPBF’s GIS capabilities), LPBF will intensively survey targeted watersheds to ascertain land use on a fine scale and locate wastewater and stormwater pollution sources. When point-sources are discovered, LPBF will work with the LDEQ’s Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP). Through the SBAP, the dischargers can become properly permitted if needed and obtain guidance in cleaning their pollution source. For non-point sources, LPBF will work with LDEQ, Tangipahoa Parish, and other partners to find the best solution to the specific issue (including education, state programs, BMP’s, etc.). Task 2) Education: In addition to the education and assistance provided to non- point source dischargers, LPBF will work to educate the entire community on water quality issues. a) LPBF will work with local media, newspapers, television, and radio on stories about water quality issues and LPBF’s program; b) LPBF will have informational booths at local festivals and events; c) LPBF will perform educational programs for students and civic groups; and d) LPBF will distribute a brochure to educate homeowners on proper home wastewater plant maintenance with the assistance of the parishes and LDHH. Deliverables: The deliverables for this project are: 1) Documentation on facilities assisted (to be included in reports) and 2) produce