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The DEC’s Approach to Managing New York State’s Waters Anthony Prestigiacomo, Research Scientist Finger Lakes Watershed Hub, Division of Water, Bureau of Water Assessment & Management

Wells College October 2, 2017 2

Outline 1. Lakes and Water Quality 2. Background/Context 3. Water Quality Standards 4. DEC Monitoring Programs 5. Assessment 6. Managing NY Waters 7. FL Watershed Hub 3

Lakes and Water Quality 4

Limnology The (Very) Basics

• Formation All affect the natural characteristics, ▪ glaciers, landslides, rivers, underlying water quality of a lake solution, animals • Geology and chemistry ▪ Soils, bedrock, and underlying chemistry • Hydrology ▪ inputs, outputs, residence time • Morphology ▪ shape, depth, area, volume 5

Finger Lakes, Glacial Origin

Formed during latest glaciation • Mostly long, narrow, reservoir-like ▪ Often one/two large inputs • Drain from south  north  Lake Ontario • Most are deep, stratify • Some limestone geology – hard water systems 6

Limnology The (Very) Basics

Thermal stratification Thermally stratified lake – Cross-section • Water ▪ density is highly temperature Epilimnion - upper mixed layer, warm dependent ▪ high specific heat, viscous Metalimnion • Seasonal, temperate lakes middle layer, thermocline • adequate depth (~ 20ft) • form three layers of different temperatures • Limits chemical exchange/mixing between Hypolimnion layers lower water layer, coldest • Distinct seasonal cycles in heat distribution, nutrients, biology 7

Lake Water Quality: Trophic State

Eutrophic Honeoye L. • Highly biologically productive with excessive algal, plant growth • High nutrients, chlorophyll-a • Potential issues: ▪ poor aesthetics NYS Assessment Criteria ▪ low/no oxygen in lower waters TP > 20 ppb Chl-a > 8 ppb ▪ odors – hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs) Secchi Disk (SD) < 2m ▪ prone to persistent algal blooms 8

The Secchi Disk

Secchi Disk (SD) Easy to use/ • widely used tool Inexpensive • 20 cm, black and white • lowered on metered quadrant disk line • invented in 1865 by • depth at which disk Angelo Secchi disappears/ reappears is an • Italian estimate of water astronomer/scientist clarity 9

Natural and Cultural Eutrophication Natural Eutrophication Cultural Eutrophication • natural lake aging as it collects • an acceleration of natural and retains nutrients and eutrophication as a result of sediment human activities • from “lake to meadow” • excessive nutrient (P, N) • centuries and centuries inputs • land use changes, development, agriculture, hydrology modification • decades 10

Lake Water Quality: Trophic State Mesotrophic Cayuga L. • Moderate levels of production • Moderate levels of chlorophyll- a, nutrients • Usually minor aesthetic problems, others NYS Assessment Criteria TP between 10 - 20 ppb ▪ short periods of low oxygen Chl-a between 2 - 8 ppb in lower waters SD between 2 - 5 m ▪ occasional algal blooms 11

Lake Water Quality: Trophic State

Oligotrophic NYS Assessment Criteria • Low biological productivity TP < 10 ppb Chl-a < 2 ppb • Low concentrations of SD > 5 m nutrients, chlorophyll-a Canandaigua L. • Very minor, no aesthetic problems* • Fully oxygenated throughout watercolumn 12

Watersheds

• Land area that drains to a waterbody • Slopes, topography • Size matters • watershed (W) to lake area (A) ratio ▪ large W:A generally poorer water quality – high mass loading relative to lake size ▪ smaller W:A generally better water quality • Land use, population density important factors 13

Trophic State Index (Carlson) Callinan 2001 50 48 47 46 45 43

40 40 39 37 37 37

35

Carlson's Carlson's TSI Average 31 30 27

25 14

Why Phosphorus is Important? Algal stoichiometry Common N:P in Finger Lakes • Redfield, late 1800s-early waters 1900s • usually N in excess • ~ constant relationship • Cayuga N:P ~ 130:1 between C:N:P in oceanic • Skaneateles ~ 241:1 algae, phytoplankton • Honeoye, Conesus ~ 22:1 • By weight: 40:7:1 P is usually limiting 15

Finger Lakes Water Quality Summer Avg. Chl-a (µg/L) 0 2 4 6 8 10 9 0 HO 8 CO 1 7 2 OT 6 3 OW COHO 5 OT 4 CY HE 5 CA 4 OW CY KE 6 SE 3 KE HE CASE 2 (m) SD Avg. Summer 7

Summer Avg. Chla (µg/L) Chla Avg. Summer SKCG 1 CG 8 SK 0 9 0 10 20 30 Summer Avg. TP (µg/L) 16

Background/ Context 17

NYSDEC Structure and Jurisdiction • DEC functions and activities are driven by requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA)and NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) ▪ structured to protect environmental health

Bureau of Water Division of NYSDEC Assessment & Water (DOW) Management 18

New York State’s Freshwater Resources

❖ More than 7,500 ponded waters DEC is tasked with protecting and conserving and more than 70,000 miles of the water resources of New York rivers and streams ❖ Uses: o drinking water supplies o provide flood control o support recreation, tourism, agriculture, fishing, power generation, and manufacturing

o provide habitat for aquatic Bill Hecht plant and animal life 19

Water Quality Standards In context of the CWA 20

Acronym Avalanche

WAVE

RIBS

DOH 21

The Clean Water Act (CWA) • amended in 1972 • established the basic structure for regulating pollutant discharges into the waters of the United States • EPA the authority to implement pollution control programs – directives to the states • waters are classified for their best uses • standards (and guidance values) are set to protect those uses 22

Classifications and Best Uses 6 NYCRR Part 701 ▪ s 701.1 General conditions applying to all water classifications. ▪ Fresh Surface Waters ▪ Saline Surface Waters ▪ Groundwaters ▪ Discharge Restriction Categories ▪ Trout Waters 23

6 NYCRR Part 701, Fresh Surface Waters Class Best Use N Enjoyment of water in its natural condition AA Water supply for drinking, culinary or food processing; primary and secondary contact recreation; fishing. The waters shall be suitable for fish, shellfish and wildlife propagation and survival. Minimal drinking water treatment. A Same as AA, may require more treatment to finished drinking water B Primary and secondary contact recreation and fishing. These waters shall be suitable for fish, shellfish and wildlife propagation and survival. 24

6 NYCRR Part 701, Fresh Surface Waters Class Best Use C These waters shall be suitable for fish, shellfish and wildlife propagation and survival. The water quality shall be suitable for primary and secondary contact recreation, although other factors may limit the use for these purposes. D Fishing; Natural conditions as intermittency of flow, water conditions not conducive to propagation of game fishery, or stream bed conditions, the waters will not support fish propagation

Water Quality Standards are set specific to each Class to protect Best Uses 25

The Standards 6 NYCRR Part 703 • Specific to a water’s classification (or Best Use) • Narrative, example for P, N ▪ “None in amounts that will result in growths of algae, weeds and slimes that will impair the waters for their best usages” • Numeric, example for pH ▪ Shall not be less than 6.5 nor more than 8.5 26

State and Federal Lists 303d - Federal 305b - NYS • New York State Section • states required to on the 303(d) List of quality of all water resources Impaired/TMDL Waters in the state and whether identifies those waters that these waters are fully do not support appropriate supporting their best use uses • Impairments, causes, etc 27

DEC Monitoring Programs Designed to fulfil requirements of CWA 28

Statewide Waters Monitoring Program Monitoring by waterbody type ❖ Rivers/Streams ❖ Lakes/Ponds/Reservoirs 29

Why Monitor?

1. Provide a comprehensive assessment of water quality in NY ▪ Support 305(b) and 303(d) lists 2. Identify and analyze temporal and spatial trends 3. Characterize natural background conditions 4. ID waters in need of restoration and causes of impairments 30

Flowing Waters “. . . more than 70,000 miles of River and Stream Monitoring rivers and streams” Programs • Biological Monitoring Program • Water Chemistry Sampling Program • Water Assessment by Volunteer Evaluators (WAVE) • Toxicity 31

Rotating Integrated Basin Studies (RIBS) • Assess water quality of all waters of the state ▪ document of good quality waters ▪ identify of water quality problems ▪ identify long-term water quality trends ▪ establish baseline conditions • Rotating schedule – 17 major basins in NY on 5 year cycle • Hundreds of samples per year 32

5 Year Monitoring Cycle

Year 0 – WAVE + Routine

Year 1 – Screening + Routine

Year 2 – Special Studies + Routine

Years 3 - 5 - Assessments, Update WI/PWL, Develop Protection/Restoration Strategies + Routine 33

Screening Network Parameters • Macroinvertebrate Community Analysis • Habitat Assessment • Sediment Toxicity • Recreational Assessment • Water column chemistry (grab) 34

Biomonitoring • Health of an ecosystem based on which organisms live in a waterbody • Macroinvertebrates, fish, and algae are all widely used ▪ collected with kick nets from riffle areas in freshwater streams 35

Water Assessments by Volunteer Evaluators (WAVE)

• Citizen scientists collect benthic macroinvertebrates from wadeable streams • Samples are identified, verified, interpreted by the WAVE Coordinator ▪ calculates a water quality assessment • Augments the NYS DEC Stream Biomonitoring Unit • WAVE data are in various NYSDEC programs/reports 36 caddisflies The Bad T h leeches e G sowbugs o flatworms stoneflies o mayflies d 37

Macroinvertebrate Community Analysis + Non-impacted: BAP > 7.5

Slightly impacted: BAP 5.0 - 7.5 Attainment Moderately impacted: BAP 2.5 – 5.0

Severely impacted: BAP < 2.5 - + 38 The Intensive Monitoring Network • water chemistry, • bottom sediment, invertebrate tissue chemistry, • toxicity testing, • macroinvertebrate and fish community assessments, habitat

The Routine Trend Monitoring Network • sampling at fixed sites across the state, conducted each year • establishing basic water quality characteristics and baseline conditions • identifying long-term trends 39

Special Surveys “Tool Box” Screening Network Parameters + • Depth Integrated Water Column Chemistry • Periphyton Community Analysis • Sediment Chemistry • Macroinvertebrate Tissue Chemistry • Pebble Count • Fish Community Analysis • Bacteria, Chlorophyll A, Algal Toxicity 40

Ponded Waters “More than 7,500 ponded waters . . .” • Lake Classification and Inventory (LCI) • Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) • Harmful Algal Bloom (HABs) Program 41

Lake Classification and Inventory (LCI)

(! (! (! (! (! (! ! LCI Locations (!! (!( (! (! (! (! New York State DEC’s in-house/ (! (! ! ! ( (! ! ( (! (! (! (! (!(!(! (! (! (! ! (1997-Present) (! (! (! ! ! ! ! ! ( ! (! ! ( ( (! ( (! (! Insert CSLAP site map here(! (! ( (! (! !(! (! (! ! ( !(! ( ! (! ! ( “professional” monitoring program (! (! ( ( (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! !! (( (! (! (! ! (! ! ! ! (! ! ( (! ( ! ( ( ( !(!! (! ( • Statewide lake sampling program (!! ( (! ! (!!(! (! ! (!(! (! (! !( ( ! ( (!(! (! (! (! !( ( (! (! !( (! ( (! ! ( (! (! ( (! ! (! (! (! (! (! ! ( ! (! ( (! (! ! (! (!(! ! ( (! ( ((! (! (! (!(! (!(! ! (! (! (! (! ▪ Dozens of lakes per season (!(!! ! ! ! ( ! ! ! (! (! ! ((! ( ( ( ! (!! ( (!( ( (!(! ! (! ( ((! (! (! ! ( (! ! (! (! (! ! (! (! ! ( (! (!(! ( (! (! (! ((! (! (! (! (! (! (!(!(! (! (! (! (! (!(! (! (! (!(! (! (! (! ! (! (! (! ! (! (! ( (!(! (! (! (! (! ( (! (! (! (! (! ! ! (! (! (! (! ! ▪ Hundreds of samples collected (!! (! ( ( (! (! (! (! (! ( ( (! (! (!! ! (! ! (!(! (!(! (! ((! ! (!(! !( (!! (! (! ( (! ! (! (! ( ( ! ( (! (! (! (!!((!(! ! (! ! !( ( (! (! (!( (! ! (!( ( (! (! (! ( ( (! (! ( (! (! ! (! (! (! ! ! (! (!(! ! !!! (! ( (! (!( ((!(!! (! (! ! (!(!( (!! ! ! (! (! (! (!(! (! ( (! (! (! (! (! ( (! ! (!((! ((! (!(!(! (! (!(! (! (! ! (! ! ( (! (! (! (! ! (! (! (!(! (! (! (! ( ( (! (! (! (! (! ( (! ( ! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (!! (! (!(! (!(! (! (! (!(! (! (!(! (!! (! (! (! (! ( (! ! (! (! (!(! (! ( (! ( (! (! (!(! (! (! (! ! (! ! (! (! (! ( ( ! (! (! (! ( (! (! (! ! (! (! (! ! (! (! !! (! (!(! ( ! (! (! (! (! (!(! (! (( (! (! (! (! ( (! (! (!(! (!(!(! (!(!(! (! (! (! • Largely managed and run out of (! ! (! (! (! (! ( !(! (! (! (! ( (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! ! (! (! (!(! ! ! ! (!( (! (! ( ( (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (!(! (! ! ! (! (!(! (! DEC’s Central Office in Albany ( (!(!(!(! (! ( (! (!(! (! ! (! !! ! (!(! (!!(! (!( (! (!(!(! (! ( (!(! ( (! (! ! (! (!(!(! (! (! ! (! ( (! (!( (!(! (!! (! (! (!! !(!(!((!(! (! (! (! ( ! ! (!! (! ( (! (! !(!( (!(!(! (!(! (! ((! (!(!!(! (! (! ▪ With some assistance from ! (!(!(!((!! (! (! (!! !(!! ! (! (! (!(( (!(((!(!(!( (!(! ( (!(!(!(! (! (! !((! (! (! ! (!(!!( (! ( (! ( (! ( (! (! (! (! ! (! (! (! (! !((! ! (! (! ( ! (! ! (! ( (! ( (! ( ((! (!(! (! ! DEC’s 9 Regional offices (! ( (! ( (! (! (!(!(! ! (! (!!( (!(! (! (! ( ! (! (! ! (! ((!!(!!(!(!(! (!! (! ( (! (( Service Layer Credits: Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community CWA mandate to assess all waters 42

Monitoring Parameters

Depth profile (temp, DO, pH, conductivity, ORP) Surface water samples for trophic and standard limnological indicators

▪ Nutrients, algae, clarity, carbon, color, metals Bottom water samples if lake stratified Macrophyte (aquatic plant) identifications Invasive exotic plants Protected species (with Natural Heritage Program) 43

LCI Monitoring Program Sampling indicators: Data uses, again Eutrophication Emphasis • Waterbody Assessments (WI/PWL), • Temp, DO, pH, SC, ORP, Chla 305(b), 303(d) • Nutrients, Chlorophyll • Support of TMDL Development & Model Verification • Color and Clarity • Informing lake management • Cation & Anions (As, Ca, Fe, Mn, Cl, plans/individual lake reports Cu) • NY-IMAP Invasive & NY Natural • Alkalinity Heritage occurrence databases • Drinking Water Indicators (TOC/DOC, • Informing Numeric Nutrient Criteria UV-254) Development • Macrophytes (AIS & RTE) • Harmful Algal Blooms 44

Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program

Volunteer lake monitoring program conducted jointly by NYSDEC and NYS Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA) • Initiated 1986 Appx. 240 lakes have been sampled through CSLAP Mandated by ECL (17-0305) ~ 150 lakes per season in CSLAP

For Information Contact DEC @ [email protected] NYSFOLA @ [email protected] 45

CSLAP Water samples collected by trained lay volunteers every other week for 15 weeks (8 samples, ~ 1,200 samples per season!) Sampling focuses on lake eutrophication indicators (“greenness”) – similar/complimentary to LCI ▪ Water clarity (Secchi disk transparency) ▪ Nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) ▪ Algae (chlorophyll a) ▪ pH, Color, Conductivity, Calcium, Ammonia ▪ Lake/user Perception ▪ Algal Toxins 46

CSLAP Outputs • Reports issued annually for each lake (on DEC and FOLA websites) • Audience = lake associations, lakefront residents, municipalities, agencies, academic researchers • Primary data for NYS HABs notification program • Data used for assessment summaries, TMDLs and 9E Plans 47

CSLAP Reports

Issued for all lakes sampled each year as part of single statewide report, four regional reports, and individual lake reports and scorecards • Summarizes present and historical results • Reports, Scorecards, and Single Page Q&A available on NYSFOLA website (www.nysfola.org) • Reports and Scorecards for most recent sampled year available on DEC websites (www.dec.ny.gov) 48 2017 CSLAP Lakes

Statewide ~ 164 sites on 147 lakes ➢ New in 2017: ▪ 2 sites on each Finger Lake, (3 on one) ▪ Expansion in 2018? ▪ Multiple sites on some lakes 49

Monitoring, Who Else? Numerous other groups monitor or conduct research on NY Lakes • Academic institutions • Municipalities, SWCDs • Research institutes • Volunteer groups • Lake associations 50

Acronym time: HABs H: Harmful production or potential to produce toxins A: Algal (ish) (freshwater HABs refer to cyanobacteria, not truly algae) B: Blooms: proliferation of cells, dense accumulations/concentrations 51

DEC HABs Program

1. Coordinate HABs surveillance and sampling [email protected] statewide to track and record bloom reports: ▪ professional and volunteer surveillance 2. Determine/assign bloom status, receive/interpret lab results 3. Education and outreach programs ▪ communicate health risks – interagency cooperation/coordination ▪ Provide results to local stakeholders ▪ weekly updates on the DEC HABs website 52

DEC HABs Program

4. Conduct research ▪ add to knowledge base ▪ guide management decisions 5. Management of NY waters ▪ guided by science and applied research ▪ watershed planning and management tools 53

DEC Harmful Algal Blooms webpage: Characteristics of HABs: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html Know it when you see it

Spilled Paint Avoid exposure! Pea soup Keep children and pets away from scums or discolored water

Streaks Dots/clumps 54

The DEC HABs Program Education & Outreach • http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html • Conduct presentations & trainings • Weekly updates: MakingWaves • Summary results in DEC & CSLAP reports • Email notifications ▪ agency and regional staff ▪ lake associations ▪ other stakeholders 55

Assessment: What’s the data used for? 56

Remember . . . 57

Consolidated Assessment Listing Methodology

NYSDEC’s CALM provides link between monitoring, assessment and listing • How waters are to be monitored • How monitoring data/information is used to make objective, scientifically rigorous assessments and prioritize projects • How assessments are used to identify “impaired” waters for the 303(d) List Assessments driven by monitoring data in context of Best Uses 58 59

Waterbody Inventory/Priority Waterbody List

NYSDEC’s statewide inventory of water quality assessment information Contains: • Site information including location, classification, description ▪ Status: impaired, threatened, no known impacts, date of revisions • Uses evaluated, severity of impacts, and confidence • Types of pollutants: nutrients, excessive algal growth • Sources of pollutants: facility discharge, runoff from non point sources etc. • Management information: e.g., requires a TMDL 60 61

Segments of Cayuga Lake

4 Lake Segments • Northern End; B(T) • Main Lake, Mid-North; A(T) • Main Lake, Mid-South; AA(T) • Southern End; A 62

Managing NY Waters 63

The Stick Enforcement: Regulated Activities and Facilities 1. State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) • Wastewater treatment facilities • Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) 2. Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) • Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) • Education/Outreach 64

The Carrot: CALM, Funding, Improvements Funding Improvement/ Restoration Projects • WI/PWL • Competitive grants ▪ objective scoring process based on impairments (WI/PWL, 303d), drinking water source, management plans, etc • $$ for best management practices, improvement projects 65

Water Quality Improvement Program WQIP • Competitive, statewide grant program through DEC funded through EPF • Open to municipalities, SWCDs, non-profits - cost sharing • Types of Activities ▪ Non-agricultural nonpoint source abatement and control • failing on-site treatment systems, green infrastructure practices • riparian buffers ▪ Land acquisition for source water protection, wastewater treatment improvements ▪ Salt storage, aquatic habitat restoration 66 Nutrient Management • Nutrient criteria development • Watershed planning ▪ TMDLs, nine-element plans DECs • Construction/Stormwater programs Trees for Tribs Program • Nutrient reduction strategies ▪ Point source restrictions ▪ Non-point and agricultural BMPs ▪ buffers, nutrient management plans, grassed waterways, etc. ▪ In-water body controls 67

*Recent HABs in Low Nutrient Systems

Keuka Canandaigua Skaneateles

What is causing HABs in low nutrient systems? 68

Success Story: Keuka Lake

Background The Success • DDT legacy pollutant • Numerous BMPs, 2003-2014 • fish consumption use ▪ sediment, erosion controls impairment in 1998 – DDT ▪ integrated pest • 1983 restrictive fish management consumption advisory DOH ▪ new, precision sprayers – women under 50 and children under 15 should not any prevent off site drift fish and men over 15 and women over 50 could eat up to one meal per month of lake trout over 25 inches long due • Keuka removed from 303d list to DDT contamination in 2014 69

Success Story: Keuka Lake 70

Finger Lakes Watershed Hub 71

Establishment

• Announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in October 2016 • New group focused on water quality issues in the Finger Lakes basin • Hub consists of three technical staff and a watershed coordinator • Housed in Syracuse ▪ works in DEC Regions 7 & 8 ▪ part of DEC Great Lakes Program • First staff member hired in January 3, 2017 and fully staffed May 4, 2017 72

Staff Staff Member Position Experience Research Scientist 3, over 30 years of experience at Scott Cook DEC, NYS water quality Hub Supervisor issues/programs coordination of stakeholder Aimee Clinkhammer Watershed Coordinator groups, project management geology, with 25 years of Dr. Lewis McCaffrey Senior Scientist experience in hydrogeology, water chemistry and health monitoring and assessment of Tony Prestigiacomo Research Scientist II lakes, reservoirs, and streams 73

Approach • Coordinate DEC programs and offices – Finger Lakes focus • ‘Leverage’ existing research • collaborate with stakeholder groups • seek advice from array of experts in the region • Multi-disciplinary data analysis and modeling • current water quality status, trends, forecasting Taughannock Falls SP • Education and outreach 74

DEC Central Office

DEC Region 7 DEC Region 8

Finger Research County/State/Feder Institutions Lakes al Agencies Water Hub

Citizen Groups Municipalities

Lake Associations Watershed Councils 75

Watershed planning • 303d list of impaired waterbodies (can also be used for protection) • Plans document: ▪ sources and inputs from pollutant ▪ allowable pollutant level to meet water quality standard ▪ actions that will improve water quality

• Examples: ▪ Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) ▪ 9 Element Plan 76

Overarching Goal

Bill Hecht

To safeguard the water quality of the Finger Lakes and their watersheds 77

Thank You syracuse.com Anthony Prestigiacomo Research Scientist 615 Erie Bvd. West; Syracuse, NY 13204 [email protected] (315) 426-7452

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