What is a TMDL Project and Why Are We Conducting One on the … · 2012-10-04 · What Are...
Transcript of What is a TMDL Project and Why Are We Conducting One on the … · 2012-10-04 · What Are...
What is a TMDL Project and Why Are We Conducting One on the Root River?
Root River Turbidity TMDL
Stakeholder’s
Introduction Meeting
November 20th, 2008
Meeting Outline
•
Part One: Project Introduction –
MPCA–
Background on TMDL process
–
Root River Turbidity TMDL Specifics•
Part Two: Project Details –
Fillmore
SWCD–
Monitoring sites: responsibilities and locations
–
Sampling protocol and equipment•
Break out session for questions and discussion
•
Comment Box•
Sign up for Stakeholder Advisory Group
Presentation Outline•
What does ‘TMDL’ mean?
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The TMDL Process–
How are waters assessed?
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What makes a water impaired?–
What are water quality standards?
–
What are designated uses?–
What does a TMDL study entail?
•
Root River Turbidity Impairments–
What is turbidity?
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Why are they impaired?
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What happens after the TMDL?
What does TMDL mean?
Total Maximum Daily Load
What ‘load’ of a pollutant can the water body take before it can’t be used for it’s designated uses?
The TMDL Process
Assess
the state’s waters
List
those that do not meet standards
Identify
sources and reductions needed (TMDL study)
Implement
restoration activities (Implementation Plan)
Evaluate
water quality
How Does the MPCA Assess?1.
Call for Data–
MPCA compiles data that has been collected from them, other state agencies, local government and volunteers
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Data must meet rigorous quality assurance protocols2.
Data Analysis–
MPCA analyzes to identify potential impairments3.
Professional Judgment Teams–
MPCA staff, data collectors, other regional and local experts
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Confirm or refine preliminary impairment listings4.
Informational Meetings–
Held across state to review list and answer questions5.
Public Notice and Comment Period
6.
US EPA Approval to place on Impaired Waters 303(d) List
• This happens every two years
What is “Impaired”?
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A water is “impaired” or polluted if it does not meet one or more of the water quality standards
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Therefore, they are “impaired” for one or more of their designated uses
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As of 2008, MN has 1,475 impairments on 336 rivers and 510 lakes
What Are Water Quality Standards?
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Define how much of a pollutant can be in a water and still let it meet its designated uses
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Water Quality Standards from EPA Criterion–
state can adopt more stringent, or more lenient standard based on local information
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state can develop standard for something EPA has not if there is a need (ex: certain herbicides in MN)
What Are Designated Uses?
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Each MN stream and lake was assigned a designated beneficial use in the 1970s
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Some uses: aquatic life, recreation, drinking water, agriculture, wildlife, other
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Aquatic Life –
‘fishable’
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all reaches impaired in the Root River are impaired for aquatic life
Root River Outfitters
Aquatic Life in the Root Watershed
Brown Trout
Brook TroutSmall Mouth Bass
Caddis fly larvae
Stone fly larvae
Dragon fly larvae
Crayfish
Red tail hawk
Directly dependant on aquatic life:
Swallow
Mussels
The TMDL Study
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Identifies sources of a pollutant and sets reductions needed to meet designated use
What is a TMDL?•
Total Maximum Daily Load–
Process: 2-4 years of technical study
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Number: calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant the water body can receive and still meet water quality standards
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Results in a pollution reduction plan•
Identifies sources (point and non-point) and allocates reductions
Total Maximum Daily Load =Non Point Source Loads + Point Source Loads + Margin of
Safety + Reserve Capacity
Point Sources Non Point Sources
Point Sources Non Point Sources
Map out current sources-why is the water not meeting the water quality standards?
Implement strategies to reduce load and meet water quality standards
IMPLEMENTATION
IDENTIFICATION(TMDL STUDY)
Why Do A TMDL?
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Federal requirement under the Clean Water Act –
State required to identify and restore impaired waters
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Public support for clean water is strong-Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
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Restores beneficial uses of surface waters•
Protects community assets and quality of life–
development potential
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protects property values–
tourism benefits
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opportunity for local leadership
Root River Turbidity TMDL
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11 turbidity listings affecting aquatic life–
listed on 2008 impaired waters list
•
Contract between MPCA and Fillmore County SWCD–
sub contracts with:•
DNR (fisheries and waters); modeling portion
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3 years of technical study (2008-2010)•
Final report due June 2011
Turbidity•
Measure of water clarity (transparency tube)
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Indicator of water quality•
Caused by suspended and dissolved matter–
clay, silt, organic matter and algae •
Measured in NTUs(Nephelometric
Turbidity Units)–
25 NTU is State standard
•
High levels limit light penetration in water–
Can inhibit aquatic plant growth, fish gill function, damage spawning habitat, make it difficult for aquatic organisms to find food
5, 50, 500 NTUs
1.5 cm
>60 cm
Turbidity Visuals
~0-3 NTU
~0-3 NTU
~12-20 NTU
~12-30 NTU??
Sources of Turbidity
1.
Erosion:–
construction sites–
stream banks–
farm fields2.
Urban run off during precipitation events
3.
Bottom feeders such as carp
4.
Excessive algal growth
4 3
1
1
2
1
1.
Root River Main Stem -
Thompson Creek to Mississippi River 2.
Root River South Fork -
T102 R9W S26, west line to Wisel
Creek 3.
Money Creek -
T105 R7W S21, north line to Root River 4.
Root River South Branch -
Willow Creek to Camp Creek 5.
Root River South Branch -
Canfield Creek to Willow Creek 6.
Root River South Branch –
T102 R12W S21, north line to Canfield Creek 7.
Judicial Ditch #1 –
Unnamed Creek to South Branch Root River 8.
Forestville Creek -
Unnamed Creek to South Branch Root River 9.
Root River South Branch –
Headwaters to T102 R12W S16, south line 10.
Root River North Branch –
Unnamed Creek to Mill Creek 11.
Root River North Branch –
Headwaters to Carey Creek
Listings for Turbidity in the Root River
1
2
3
4-9
1011
How were the Root River turbidity listings assessed?
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For transparency, a transparency tube measurement of less than 20 centimetersindicates a violation of the 25 NTU turbidity standard.
For TSS, a measurement of more than60 mg/L in the Western Corn Belt Plains eco-region indicates a violation.
•
Turbidity is a highly variable water quality measure. Because of
this variability, and the use ofTSS and transparency as surrogates, a total of 20 independent observations (rather than 10)are now required for a turbidity assessment. If sufficient turbidity measurements exist, onlyturbidity measurements will be used to determine impairment. If there are insufficient turbiditymeasurements, any combination of independent turbidity, transparency, and total suspendedsolids observations may be combined to meet assessment criteria.
If there are multipleobservations of a single parameter in one day, the mean of the values will be used in theassessment process.
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If there are observations of more than one of the three parameters in a single day, the hierarchyof consideration for assessment purposes will be turbidity, then
transparency, then totalsuspended solids. For a water body to be listed as impaired for turbidity, at least 3observations and 10% of observations must be in violation of the
turbidity standard.
This is an increase in the number of violations required, which
was previously 10% of 10 required observations.
From MPCA’s Guidance Manual for Assessing the Quality of Minnesota’s Surface
Waters:
Transparency tube data: need 10% to list, had 21% at Money Creek (25 exceedences
of the 25 NTU standard)
From the Document: Data Summary Report, 305b/303d Preliminary Assessments. 2008 Assessment Cycle, MPCA
Identification of sources(TMDL study)
Point Sources Non Point Sources
What happens after the study?...
Assessed Listed
What Happens After the TMDL study?
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TMDL Implementation Plan–
Strategy for implementing practical management measures for the Root River to achieve needed reductions to restore water quality
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Some examples of implementation strategies:(from Lower Cannon River Turbidity TMDL)–
Erosion Control: ex. conservation tillage
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Landscape Buffers–
Rotational Grazing
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Cover Crops–
Water Retention Projects
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Urban Stormwater Management–
Point Source Permits Evaluation
What Makes a Good TMDL study?
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Citizen involvement is a key component to a successful TMDL
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Need local expertise to develop a management strategy that will work for the area
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/data/edaWater/index.cfm
For More Information on Monitoring Sites as Data Comes In:Environmental Data Access:
Root River Watershed North Boundary
End of Part One
Part Two
Joe Magee –
Fillmore SWCD
Root River Turbidity TMDLRoot River Turbidity TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load)(Total Maximum Daily Load)
Joe MageeJoe MageeWater Plan/TMDL CoordinatorWater Plan/TMDL Coordinator
Fillmore SWCDFillmore SWCD11/20/0811/20/08
Root River Turbidity Root River Turbidity TMDL Sampling SitesTMDL Sampling Sites
Fillmore Soil and Water Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation District (SWCD) (SWCD) –– 10 sites10 sitesMinnesota Department of Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Agriculture (MDA) –– 4 sites4 sitesDepartment of Natural Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Resources (DNR) -- Fisheries Fisheries –– 1 site1 siteWinona State University Winona State University (WSU) (WSU) –– 3 sites3 sitesEagle Bluff Eagle Bluff –– 1 site1 siteTOTAL = 19 sitesTOTAL = 19 sites
Root River Turbidity Root River Turbidity TMDL Sampling SitesTMDL Sampling Sites
SWCDSWCDStewartvilleStewartvilleChatfieldChatfieldHafnerHafnerForestville CreekForestville CreekForestville ParkForestville ParkLanesboroLanesboroAmherstAmherstSouth Fork HoustonSouth Fork HoustonMoney CreekMoney CreekMound Mound PrairePraire
MDAMDAPilot MoundPilot MoundJD #1JD #1PickeralPickeral CreekCreekCarimonaCarimona
DNRDNR--FisheriesFisheriesTrout RunTrout Run
WSUWSUEtnaEtnaCampCampGribbenGribben
Eagle BluffEagle BluffEagle BluffEagle Bluff
Why These Sites?Why These Sites?
Relation to impaired watersRelation to impaired watersUpstreamUpstreamDownstreamDownstreamImpairedImpaired
TributariesTributariesCoordinate with existing Coordinate with existing monitoring locationsmonitoring locationsRepresentativeRepresentativeDifficulty level of sampling Difficulty level of sampling and equipment installationand equipment installation
Streambed compositionStreambed compositionStream banksStream banksWater depthWater depth
Sampling ProtocolSampling Protocol
Collect approximately 20Collect approximately 20--25 grab samples from 25 grab samples from March 15 March 15 –– Oct. 15Oct. 15
17 Grab samples in 200817 Grab samples in 2008
Majority of samples will be collected during spring rain Majority of samples will be collected during spring rain eventsevents
11 out of 17 taken from April 11 out of 17 taken from April –– JuneJuneThe rest taken during base flow conditionsThe rest taken during base flow conditions
Samples were transported and kept on iceSamples were transported and kept on iceSamplers > Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Office > Samplers > Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Office > Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Lab or Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Lab or Samplers > Winona State University (WSU)Samplers > Winona State University (WSU)≤ 4° C≤ 4° CAnalyzed for Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Volatile SolidsAnalyzed for Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Volatile Solids(TVS), Turbidity, Total Nitrite Nitrate Nitrogen, Total Phosphor(TVS), Turbidity, Total Nitrite Nitrate Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus us (TP), Suspended Sediment Concentration (SSC)(TP), Suspended Sediment Concentration (SSC)
Sampling Protocol Cont.Sampling Protocol Cont.
Tape down/Staff Tape down/Staff Gauge/Wire Weight Gauge/Wire Weight
Sampling Protocol Cont.Sampling Protocol Cont.Transparency Tube (TTransparency Tube (T--tube) readingtube) reading
Back to the sunBack to the sunNo polarized glassesNo polarized glassesT T –– tube of 20 cm ~ Turbidity reading of 25 tube of 20 cm ~ Turbidity reading of 25 NephelometricNephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU)Turbidity Units (NTU)
pH + temperaturepH + temperature
Sampling Protocol Cont.Sampling Protocol Cont.Collecting the Grab SampleCollecting the Grab Sample
Take sample from middle Take sample from middle of the water columnof the water columnAvoid disturbance of Avoid disturbance of streambed/sedimentstreambed/sedimentMake sure sampling point Make sure sampling point is representative of the is representative of the stream (avoid stream (avoid backwaters, poorly mixed backwaters, poorly mixed conditions)conditions)
3 bottles per site3 bottles per site2 MDH2 MDH1 WSU1 WSU
Take a duplicate (DUP) Take a duplicate (DUP) sample at one site each time sample at one site each time (~ 10%)(~ 10%)
Quality ControlQuality Control
Sampling EquipmentSampling Equipment
Turbidity Turbidity –– DTSDTS--1212Continuous Continuous –– every 15 min. every 15 min.
Sampling EquipmentSampling Equipment
StageStageCampbell Scientific SRCampbell Scientific SR--5050INW Submersible Pressure TransducersINW Submersible Pressure Transducers
Sampling EquipmentSampling Equipment
Data Storage Data Storage ––Campbell Scientific Data LoggersCampbell Scientific Data LoggersPocket PCs (PDA) Pocket PCs (PDA) –– PConnectCEPConnectCE softwaresoftwareData Logger boxData Logger box
Sampling EquipmentSampling Equipment
Precipitation Precipitation –– Rain GaugeRain Gauge
Sampling EquipmentSampling Equipment
PowerPower12 volt battery12 volt batterySolar PanelSolar Panel
Sampling EquipmentSampling EquipmentFlow TrackerFlow TrackerRiverCatRiverCat/Stream Pro/Stream Pro
Velocity throughout Velocity throughout water columnwater columnComputes dischargeComputes dischargeCross section of Cross section of channelchannelDepthDepth
First Sampling Season First Sampling Season Comes to a Close!Comes to a Close!
Winterize equipmentWinterize equipmentRemoved DTSRemoved DTS--12s, 12s, data loggers, solar data loggers, solar panels, SRpanels, SR--50s, 50s, pressure transducers, pressure transducers, batteriesbatteriesPut grease, ear plug, Put grease, ear plug, rubber glove and tape rubber glove and tape over DTSover DTS--12 cable12 cableSend DTSSend DTS--12 turbidity 12 turbidity sensors back to FTS sensors back to FTS for calibration and for calibration and cleaningcleaning
Go over data and get Go over data and get ready for next year!!ready for next year!!
Stakeholder ParticipationStakeholder Participation
Very Important!!Very Important!!Local insight/knowledgeLocal insight/knowledgeCitizen perspectiveCitizen perspectiveComments/Concerns/Questions/SuggestionsComments/Concerns/Questions/Suggestions
Stakeholder Advisory GroupStakeholder Advisory GroupSign up sheetSign up sheetJoint meetings with technical groupJoint meetings with technical group
Thank You!
Joe MageeFillmore SWCD –
Water Plan/TMDL Coordinator507-765-3878 ext. 109
Shaina KeseleyMPCA –
Project Manager507-529-6124