STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS 2008 INTEGRATED WATER QUALITY MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT REPORT SECTION 305(b) STATE OF THE STATE’S WATERS REPORT And SECTION 303(d) LIST OF IMPAIRED WATERS FINAL APRIL 1, 2008 RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OFFICE OF WATER RESOURCES www.dem.ri.gov STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS 2008 INTEGRATED WATER QUALITY MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT REPORT Section 305(b) State of the State’s Waters Report And Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters FINAL April 1, 2008 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OFFICE OF WATER RESOURCES 235 Promenade Street Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-4700 www.dem.ri.gov Table of Contents List of Tables .............................................................................................................................................iii List of Figures............................................................................................................................................iii Executive Summary.................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1 Integrated Report Overview.................................................................................................... 7 A. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 7 B. Background ................................................................................................................................... 7 C. Integrated Report and Lists ........................................................................................................... 7 Chapter 2 Background Information....................................................................................................... 10 A. Atlas/Total Waters....................................................................................................................... 10 B. Water Pollution Control Programs .............................................................................................. 11 1. Water Quality Standards Program............................................................................................ 11 2. TMDL Program........................................................................................................................ 12 3. Point Source Control Program ................................................................................................. 12 4. Nonpoint Source Control Program........................................................................................... 13 C. Environmental Impact/Economic & Social Costs/Economic and Social Benefits of Effective Water Programs (Cost/Benefit Assessment) ............................................................................... 13 1. Overview .................................................................................................................................. 13 2. Social And Economic Value Of Rhode Island’s Water Resources.......................................... 14 3. Water Pollution Control Expenditures ..................................................................................... 14 D. Special State Concerns and Recommendations........................................................................... 16 1. State Concerns.......................................................................................................................... 16 2. Recommendations .................................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 3 Surface Water Monitoring and Assessments ........................................................................ 25 A. Assessment Units......................................................................................................................... 25 B. Monitoring Program.................................................................................................................... 26 1. Estuarine and Coastal Monitoring Programs ........................................................................... 26 2. Freshwater Monitoring Programs............................................................................................. 26 C. Data Sources................................................................................................................................ 27 D. RI Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology ............................................................. 27 E. Assessment Results by Integrated Reporting Categories ............................................................ 31 F. Rivers and Streams Water Quality Assessment .......................................................................... 35 1. Designated Use Support........................................................................................................... 35 2. Causes and Sources of Impairment of Designated Uses – Rivers and Streams....................... 36 G. Lake Water Quality Assessment ................................................................................................. 39 1. Designated Use Support........................................................................................................... 39 2. Causes and Sources of Impairment of Designated Uses – Lakes and Ponds........................... 40 3. Trophic Status.......................................................................................................................... 44 H. Estuarine and Coastal Assessment .............................................................................................. 46 1. Designated Use Support........................................................................................................... 46 2. Causes and Sources of Impairment of Designated Uses – Estuarine Waters........................... 48 I. 2008 Category 5 – 303(d) List of Impaired Waters .................................................................... 50 1. 2008 303(d) List Overview ...................................................................................................... 50 2. Observations on the 2008 303(d) List...................................................................................... 50 3. Modifications of Terminology ................................................................................................. 51 4. Changes in Waterbody Assessment Units................................................................................ 52 5. Observed Effects...................................................................................................................... 52 6. Impairments Not Caused by a Pollutant................................................................................... 53 7. Progress in Water Quality Restoration..................................................................................... 54 Final April 1, 2008 i 8. New Impairments ..................................................................................................................... 57 J. Wetlands Assessment .................................................................................................................. 57 K. Public Health............................................................................................................................... 58 1. Fish Consumption Advisories .................................................................................................. 58 2. Shellfish Consumption ............................................................................................................. 59 3. Bathing Beach Monitoring and Closures ................................................................................. 60 4. Drinking Water Program and Assessments.............................................................................. 63 Chapter 4 Groundwater Assessments.................................................................................................... 64 Chapter 5 Public Participation............................................................................................................... 65 A. Public Review of Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology...................................... 65 B. Public Submission of Data .......................................................................................................... 65 C. Public Review of Draft Integrated Lists...................................................................................... 65 APPENDIX A – INDEX OF WATERBODIES AND CATEGORY LISTING APPENDIX B – CATEGORY 1 WATERS APPENDIX C – CATEGORY 2 WATERS APPENDIX D – CATEGORY 3 WATERS APPENDIX E – CATEGORY 4A WATERS APPENDIX F – CATEGORY 4C WATERS APPENDIX G – CATEGORY 5 WATERS - 303(D) LIST OF IMPAIRED WATERS APPENDIX H – CATEGORY 4B DEMONSTRATIONS APPENDIX I – 2008 DELISTING DOCUMENT APPENDIX J – SUMMARY OF WATERBODY IMPAIRMENTS, TMDL SCHEDULES, APPROVED TMDLS AND DELISTED IMPAIRMENTS APPENDIX K – CALM PUBLIC PARTICIPATION APPENDIX L – 2008 INTEGRATED REPORT DATA REQUEST APPENDIX M – DRAFT 303(D) ANNOUNCEMENT AND PRESS RELEASE APPENDIX N – DRAFT 303(D) RESPONSE TO COMMENTS Final April 1, 2008 ii LIST OF TABLES Table 1 2008 Assessment Unit Summary by Waterbody Type......................................................... 25 Table 2 Assessment Unit Category Listing Summary....................................................................... 31