Upload
others
View
1
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Nonpoint Source Management 2011 Annual Report
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
April 2012
R-WD-12-7
Nonpoint Source Management 2011 Annual Report
PreparedbyWatershedManagementBureau
NewHampshireDepartmentofEnvironmentalServices19HazenDrive
Concord,NH03302-0095
www.des.nh.gov
ThomasS.BurackCommissioner
HarryT.Stewart,P.E.Director,WaterDivision
April2012
Front Cover:Students from School Street School in Rochester pose in front of an excavator as part of a water qual-ity awareness day to learn more about how stormwater improvements at their school will help to restore Willow Brook. Photo by Lorie Chase, Cocheco River Watershed Coalition.
iii
Dedication
In memory of our friend and colleague Jody Connor,Director, Limnology Center at the New HampshireDepartmentofEnvironmentalServices.
Jodywaswellknownandhighlyrespectedasalimnologist,educator, watershed manager, innovator and motivator.His work and contributions are far reaching, and extendfrom the surface waters of New Hampshire, throughoutNorth America and across the globe. Jody’s work withlakesandwatershedsalongwithhiscommitmenttotheirprotectionandrestorationmadehimoneofthemostrespectedlimnologistsinthefieldbyhispeersandthethousandsofpeopleheencountered,eventhoughthemanhimselfwashumble.
JodydedicatedhislifeandhiscareertoprotectandrestorethebeautifulnaturalresourcesthatNewHampshireissofortunatetohave.Hewilllongberememberedbymanyasatruementorandfriend.Countless careers were launched and thousands of volunteers were mobilized to protect naturalresourcesthankstothevision,guidance,mentoring,andunselfishdisseminationofknowledgeandexperiencethatJodyembodied.Itiswithourheartfeltthanks,admirationandinfiniterespect,thatwededicatethe2011NPSAnnualReporttothememoryofJodyConnor.
Jody’s Dock on Lake Winnisquam. Photo by Jen Drociak, DES.
iv
ContentsDedication..................................................................................................................................................................................v
Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Stormwater Initiatives.......................................................................................................................................................... 2NewDo-It-YourselfToolstoManageStormwater.................................................................................................. 2UpdateonStormwaterUtilityFeasibilityStudies.................................................................................................. 3
Education and Outreach..................................................................................................................................................... 3SecondAnnual319Grantees’RoundtableCombinesProjectSiteTours....................................................... 3DippingintoSocialNetworkingwiththeNewHampshireWatershedProtectionandRestorationForumBlog............................................................................................................................................. 4WatershedGrantProceduresMeeting...................................................................................................................... 5GreenSnowProCertificationandReducingRoadSalt........................................................................................ 5PetWasteGetsSomeAirTime....................................................................................................................................... 62011NewHampshireEnvirothonaddressesNitrogenPollutionintheGreatBayEstuary................... 6WatershedGaming............................................................................................................................................................ 7
Highlights and Overview of Completed Projects..................................................................................................... 8Watershed-BasedPlanforHighQualityWatersintheActonWakefieldWatershedRegion-SalmonFallsHeadwatersLakes............................................................................................................................... 8WillandPondDrainageEstablishmentandPublicOutreach...........................................................................10HodgsonBrookRestorationYears3&4...................................................................................................................12CainsBrookandMillCreekRestoration...................................................................................................................14CainsPondRestoration..................................................................................................................................................15HancockVillageStormwaterManagementandWaterQualityImprovement..........................................17LakeWinnipesaukeeWatershedManagementPlan:Meredith,Paugus,andSaundersBays...............18Cobbett’sPondWatershedRestorationPlan.........................................................................................................20LakeHoraceMarshRestoration..................................................................................................................................21WarrenBrookRestorationPlanning..........................................................................................................................22
Looking Ahead......................................................................................................................................................................23
AppendicesA.DESSection319WatershedAssistanceGrantsforHighQualityWatersAwardedinFFY2011......24B.DESSection319WatershedRestorationGrantsforImpairedWatersAwardedinFFY2011............24C.DistributionofSection319GrantDollarsAwardedinFFY2011byWatershed...................................25D.DistributionofSection319GrantDollarsAwardedinFFY2011byNPSCategory............................25E.DESSection319BaseProjectsCompletedinFFY2011.................................................................................26F.DESSection319RestorationProjectsCompletedinFFY2011...................................................................26G.2011EstimatedPollutantLoadReductionsAchieved...................................................................................27
1
IntroductionItwouldbefairtocharacterize2011asthefirstyearofthedeclineofthefederal319program.WhileCongressappropriatedlevelfunding,EPAtooktheinitiativetoreducethe319programbudgetby12percentbyre-allocatingthefundingtootherprogramsthroughamaneuvercalleda“spendingplan.”Inatypicalyear,spendingplansmustbeapprovedbyCongress,butin2011CongressdelegatedtheauthoritytoEPA,who,withoutexplanation,madethecut.
ForFY2012,the319budgetwascutanadditional6percent.
ThefederalOfficeofManagementandBudget,whichadvisestheExecutiveBranchonbudgetmatters,hadthe319programinitscrosshairs,recommendinga50percentcutfor2011.EPAarguedagainstsuchalargecut,recommendingthattheystudytheeffectivenessoftheprogramandproposeprogrammaticchanges,includinganincentives-based,orcompetitive,systemformakingappropriationstostates.
EPAreleaseditsstudyofthe319programinOctober2011.Itisaninterestingreadwithexamplesofbestprogrammaticpracticesfrommanystates.Whilethestudycontains162pages,therecommendationsaboutthefutureoftheprogramareincludedinafour-pageAppendix.Thesixrecommendationsofthestudyare:
1. UsethesatisfactoryprogressprovisiontostrengthenandupdatestateNPSmanagementprogramsandimproveaccountability.
2. Implementregionalcompetition/reallocationoffundsthathavenotbeenexpendedbytheendofthegrantperiod,andaportionofnewfiscalyearfunds.
3. Accelerateachievementofenvironmentalresultsandimprovingprogrammanagement.4. IncreaseuseandleveragingofCleanWaterStateRevolvingFundsand/orothersourcesof
statefunding.5. Improvemeasuringsuccessandprogramaccountability.6. ImprovepartnershipandcollaborationwithfederalagenciessuchasU.S.Departmentof
Agriculture,DepartmentofInterior,andotherstomoreeffectivelytackleNPSpollution.
The2011annualreportincludesseveralexamplesofcompletedprojectsthatimplementwatershed-basedplans,clearlyillustratinghowtheNewHampshireDepartmentofEnvironmentalServiceshasusedthe319programtoachieveenvironmentalresultsandmeasuresuccess(recommendations#3and#5inthelistabove).
• OneprojecthighlightisCainsPondinSeabrook,whichwasimpairedforrecreationaluseduetosedimentationandnowmeetswaterqualitystandardsasaresultofa319restorationproject.ThisprojectisincludedinEPA’s319successstorieswebsiteathttp://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/success319/.
• Severalprojectscompletedin2011addressedstormwaterretrofitsinurbansettings,includingHodgsonBrookinPortsmouth,whereneighborhood-scaleBMPssuchastree-boxfiltersweredemonstrated,andCobbett’sPondinWindham,wherehighwayrunoffwasinfiltratedinatightsetting.
• PhysicalandbiologicalrestorationprojectswerecompletedatWarrenBrookinAlsteadandLakeHoraceMarshinWeare.
• Thefirstweb-basedwatershedplanwascompletedforthreebaysofLakeWinnipesaukee,thestate’slargestlake.
Example fact sheet from the New Hampshire Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater Management.
2
• ThereportalsodescribeseffortstoexplorethefeasibilityofstormwaterutilitiesinDoverandanewtooltoquantifyandaddresspollutantloadingfromresidentialsites.
Inadditiontotheabove,wenowhavemorethan30completedwatershed-basedplanspostedontheDESwebsite.Theseplansrepresentthousandsofhoursofworkbyorganizations,volunteers,andconsultantstowardmeasurablyimprovedwaterqualityandwillserveasthebuildingblocksforonthegroundimplementationprojects.
Stormwater InitiativesNew Do-It-Yourself Tools to Manage Stormwater
Managingstormwatercanbecomplicated.Often,engineersandotherprofessionalsarecalledupontodesignandinstallstormwatertreatmentpractices,aswellascalculatetheirpollutantremovalbenefit.Whileprofessionalstormwatermanagementservicesmaybeonlyasmallpartofthebudgetforlargecommercialormulti-unitresidentialdevelopments,suchservicesaresimplynotaffordableforthemajorityofsmall-scalepropertyowners.
Still,manypeoplewanttolessentheimpactofstormwaterrunofffromtheirproperty.Whethertheywanttoprotectwaterqualityorpreventtheirdrivewayfromwashingout,peoplearelookingforwaystomanagestormwaterwithsimplematerialsandeasytofollowinstructions.Recognizingthisneed,DEShasdevelopedthefollowingnewtools.
The New Hampshire Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater Management: Do-It-Yourself Stormwater Solutions for Your Homeprovidesfactsheetsforavarietyofstormwatertreatmentpractices,suchasdrywellsandraingardensthatcanbeeasilyinstalledonprivateproperty.Eachfactsheetincludesamateriallist,illustrationsandstep-by-stepinstructions.Constructingthesepracticescanhelpreducefloodinganderosion,andsubsequentlyprotectnearbystreamsandpondsfromstormwaterpollution.
The New Hampshire Residential Loading Modelisaspreadsheettooltohelpestimatetheamountofstormwaterpollutants,specificallysediment,phosphorus,andnitrogen,thatcomefromagivenproperty.Thistoolcanmodelvariouspropertyscenariosincludingthewaterqualityimpactofbuildinganewgarage,forexample,orthewaterqualitybenefitofconstructingastormwatertreatmentpracticefromthehomeowner’sguide.Thetoolcanalsobeusedtodetermineifapropertymeetslocalwaterqualitygoals,iftheyhavebeendefinedforaparticularwaterbody.
Bothtoolsareavailableathttp://des.nh.gov/orga-nization/divisions/water/stormwater/stormwater-mgmt-homeowners.htm
3
Update on Stormwater Utility Feasibility Studies
ThecityofDovercompleteditsstormwaterutilityfeasibilitystudywithfundingfroma2009Section319Grant.ThefundingenabledDovertohireconsultantstoidentifystormwaterprogramneedsandcosts,evaluatethepossibilityofestablishingamunicipalstormwaterutility,andidentifyapreferredapproachtofundingthecity’sstormwaterprogram.Doverspearheadedanefforttogarnerpublicsupportbyappointinganad-hocstormwaterstudycommitteeofstakeholders.Thiscitizencommitteerepresentingvariousgroupsthatwouldbeaffectedbytheoutcomeofthecommittee’srecommendationwasabletoworkcooperativelyand,despiteinitialconcernsandmisgivings,unanimouslyvotedtosupporttheformationofastormwaterutility.
Unfortunately,followingpresentationstothecitycouncilandthepublic,awell-organizedoppositionspokeatapublichearing.ConcernscenteredaroundnotwantingtobethefirststormwaterutilityinNewHampshire,delayinissuingthenewMS4permitthatmanyofthestormwaterprogramcostswerebasedon,andalackoftrustingovernmentingeneral.Followingthenegativeresponses,thecitycouncilfeltthatmuchwaslearnedbythefeasibilityprocessbutthatestablishingautilityatthistimeinDoverwaspremature.
DESthenmetwithDoverandotherstormwaterutilityfeasibilitystudygranteestoidentifylessonslearnedthatcouldbeincorporatedintotheongoingefforts.Itwasrecommended,ifpossible,towaitforthenewMS4permittobeissuedbeforebringingutilityproposalstocitycouncilsforavote.DEShassinceincorporatedadditionalrecommendationsforstormwaterutilityfeasibilitystudiesinNewHampshire,whichcanbefoundathttp://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/stormwater/utilities.htm#feasibility,andwilladdnewinformationasothergrantprojectsarecompleted.
Education and OutreachSecond Annual 319 Grantees’ Roundtable Combines Project Site Tours
TheWatershedAssistanceSectionhostedthe2010WatershedManagersRoundtable(2ndEdition)andProjectSiteToursinOctoberattheDESCoastalOfficeinPortsmouth.
Thiseventcombinedthe319Grantees’Roundtablewithprojectsitetours,conventionallyheldforEPAstaff,sothat319projectmanagerscouldalsoobservepastandongoing319projectsuccesses.Attendeesatthecombinedevent,includedapproximately50past,current,andpotentialfuture319WatershedAssistanceandRestorationgrantees,privateconsultants,andrepresentativesfromseveralEPAProgramsandtheDESWatershedManagementBureau.
Duringtheroundtable,granteesbrainstormedonwaystobuildcapacityandimplementtoolsforwatershedprojectsandidentifiedfourkeyareasofinterest.
Lori Chase, Project Coordinator, Cocheco River Watershed Coalition describing BMPs for School Street School, Rochester.
Tara Schroeder, Green Mountain Conservation Group sharing tips with the representatives from Lake
Wentworth Association.
4
1. Enablebestmanagementpracticeimplementationatthelocallevel.2. EstablishpartnershipswithNHDepartmentofTransportationandlocaldepartmentsofpublic
works.3. StreamlinethelocalandstateregulatoryprocessestofacilitaterestorationandBMP
implementation.4. Reducewaterqualityimpactsfromwinterroadmaintenancepractices.
Foreachkeyareaofinterest,participantsdiscussedbarriers,benefits,andrecommendationsforfollow-upaction.Someofthesuggestedactionsincluded:demonstratetoDPWshowimplementinglowimpactdevelopment(LID)cansavetheirtownmoney;streamlinethepermittingprocessforsmallerprojectsthatimprovewaterquality;and,createandpromotefactsheetsforwintermaintenancepracticestoreducesaltuse.
Attendeeswerethenescortedonabustourtovisitthree319projectsitesintheCoastalwatershed.TheHodgsonBrookRestorationProjectinPortsmouthprovidedanexampleofLIDbestmanagementpracticesretrofittedintoexistingdevelopedareasinahighlyurbanizedarea.ThestopatCain’sPondinSeabrookdemonstratedhowthepondwasrestoredforrecreationalusesthroughdredgingandinstallationofasedimenttrapchamberBMP.Finally,avisittotheCochecoRiverprojectatSchoolStreetSchoolinRochesterhighlightedstormwaterBMPsthatwereretrofittedintoexistingdevelopmentincludingaperviousasphaltbasketballcourt,perviousconcretesidewalk,threeraingardens,andaninfiltrationdrywellandtrench.
EvaluationsandresponsesindicatedtheeventwasahugesuccessandathirdeditionoftheroundtablewilloccurinFY2012.
Dipping into Social Networking with the New Hampshire Watershed Protection and Restoration Forum Blog
Tomeet319granteesrequestsforadditionalopportunitiestonetworkwithfellowgranteesandpartners,DEScreatedtheNew Hampshire Watershed Protection and Restoration Forum blogathttp://xml2.des.state.nh.us/blogs/watershed/?page_id=176.Thisblogprovidesadditionalresourcesand
opportunitiestonetworkforthoseinvolvedwithWatershedAssistanceandRestorationGrants.Over175grantprojectmanagersandinterestedpartiesareupdatedonnewpostsonaregularbasisandareprovidedtheopportunitytopostandsharetheirownresourcesandcomments.
Theblogpagesareloadedwithusefulresourcesincludinglinkstowebsitesofpastandcurrentgrantrecipients.Sincegoinglive,over50postshaveincludednotificationaboutworkshops,conferences,webinarsandother319programrelatedinformation.
Green SnowPro logo.
Salt applicators go through a calibration exercise.
5
Watershed Grant Procedures Meeting
InJanuary2011,DESheldthefirstWatershedGrantProceduresMeetingforSection319Grantrecipients.Thepurposeofthismeetingwastoprovidetrainingregardingthepaperworkandproceduresrequiredfor319grantadministration.Historically,thisinformationwasprovidedtothegranteesduringascopingmeetingtodiscusstheparticularsoftheirproject.Itwasdeterminedthatthisapproachprovidedtoomuchinformationatonce,andthatitwouldbebesttoseparatediscussionofthescopeofworkfromtrainingongrantprocedures.Theproceduresmeetingincluded:generalgrantinformation;executionofthepaperworkneededforgrantagreementapproval;proceduresduringtheprojectperiodsuchasprocurements,paymentrequests,interimreportsandqualityassurance;andguidanceforclosingouttheproject,suchasfinalreportrequirements.Atleastonerepresentativefromeachgranteeorganizationattendedthemeeting.Inadditiontoreceivingguidanceattendeeslearnedfromeachotherastheysharedtipsthathavebeenbeneficialtothem.ThemajorityofgranteesalsotookadvantageofanopportunitytomeetoneononewithaDESgrantmanagerfollowingthemeeting.ThemeetingwaswellreceivedandDESplanstocontinueofferingthistrainingtofuturegrantrecipients.
Green SnowPro Certification and Reducing Road Salt
ContinuingwitheffortstoimplementmeasurestomeetthechlorideTotalMaximumDailyLoads(TMDL)intheI-93expansionwatersheds,DESpartneredwithUNHTechnologyTransfer(T2)Centertodesignandkick-offthe“GreenSnowPro”Certificationprogram.ThisvoluntaryprogramimprovescommunicationsandincreasestrainingopportunitieswithoneofthelargerchloridecontributorsintheTMDLwatersheds,privateapplicators.ParticipantsintheprogramareaffordedtheopportunitytobecomeaNewHampshire“GreenSnowPro”
certifiedwintermaintenanceprofessionalbyparticipatinginahalfdaycoursefollowedbyanexam.Thetrainingincludes:howsaltworks,anti-icingwithliquids,pre-wetting,spreadercalibration,materialstorageandhousekeeping,andsaltaccounting.Thefirsttwotrainingsessionsin2011,hostedbythetownofDerry,wereatmaximumcapacityandresultedinover100applicatorsearning“GreenSnowPro”certification.Inadditiontothewaterqualitybenefits,“GreenSnowPro”certifiedapplicatorslearnedtechniquestocontinuetomaintainalevelofservicewhileusinglesssalt,whichinturnsavestimeandmoney,increasesprofessionalism,andreducesriskexposure.SaltReductionComplianceforOperatorstrainingwasalsoprovidedforthemunicipalwintermaintenancestaffandincorporatedintothe“GreenSnowPro”program.Oncecertified,businessescanmarkettheircertificationwithtruckdecalsandviathewebsiteathttp://t2.unh.edu/green-snowpro-certification.
Australian Filmmaker, James Boldiston, filming New Hampshire segments for a pet waste documentary at Rye Beach.
6
Pet Waste Gets Some Air Time
Thepetwasteprogram,“ScoopthePoop,”receivedlocalandinternationalfamethroughavideo/publicserviceannouncement(PSA)“BeachKarma”andadocumentary“DogPoo–theTruthatLast.”
InFebruarya“ScoopSocial”washeldtokick-offthefirstpetwastePSAhostedontheDESwebsiteathttp://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/coastal/scoop_the_poop.htm.ThisinnovativevideowascreatedbyBlueOceanSocietyasmatchforaSection319WatershedAssistancegrant.ThevideocreativelycombinesalittleAlfredHitchcockwithCharlieChaplintoencouragepeopletopickuptheirpetwastebyhighlightingthatpetwasteleftonourbeachescancauseimpactstowaterqualityandmayevenclosebeaches.
InSeptember,theAustralianfilmmakerJamesBoldiston’sdocumentaryfilm“DogPoo–theTruthatLast”helditsAmericandebutattheNewHampshireFilmFestivalinPortsmouth.Shotineight
countries,thesecretlifeofdogfecesisbroughtoutin“glorious”detail.NewHampshire’sown“ScoopthePoop”petwasteeducationprogramcreatedandimplementedbyDESisfeaturedalongsideHarveyMilk’spooperscoopinglawsinSanFranciscoandpoodetectionintheoutbackofAustralia.Afterresearchingandproducingthisfunnyandinformativefilmforoverayear,BoldistondeclaredNewHampshire’sprogramas“oneofthebestpetwasteoutreachprogramsintheworld.”Themovietrailercanbeseenat:http://www.dogpootruth.com/.
2011 New Hampshire Envirothon addresses Nitrogen Pollution in the Great Bay Estuary
AnnuallyhighschoolstudentsacrossNewHampshireparticipateinthe“Envirothon,”anationalhighschoolenvironmentalsciencecompetitionthatencouragesanunderstandingoftheprinciplesandpracticesofnaturalresourcemanagementandecology.Thethemefor2011was“SaltWaterEstuaries”andDESassistedwithcreatingtheresearchandoralpresentationtopiconnitrogenloadingtotheGreatBayEstuary.ParticipatingteamsweretaskedwithdevelopingabalancedstrategytoreducenitrogenlevelsintheGreatBayEstuarybylimitingnitrogendischargefromwastewatertreatmentfacilitiesandotherpointsources,aswellasaddressingnon-pointsourcesofnitrogenpollution.About160studentsrepresenting12highschoolsfrom41communitiesparticipatedinthecompetition.
7
Watershed Gaming
DESoutreachstaffwastrainedbyNorthlandNonpointEducationforMunicipalOfficials(NEMO)representativesfromMinnesotatofacilitateawatershedinteractiveactivity,The Watershed Game.Thiscompetitiveactivityusesaboardgametoincreaseparticipants’knowledgeofwhatawatershedis,howvariouslandusesimpactwaterquality,whatdifferentbestmanagementpracticeswillhelpobtainawaterqualitygoalbyreducingcertainpollutants,andtheneedforcollaborationamonglandusestewardstoreachawaterqualitygoal.
ThegamewasthenpurchasedandpilotedbeforeDESstafftoidentifyappropriateaudiencesandtosolicitfeedbackonthegameprocess.DESstaffalsofacilitatedthegameforlakeassociationmembersattheActionWakefieldWatershedAlliancesHealthyLakeskick-offmeetingandforDPWstaffattheSeacoastStormwaterCoalitionmeeting.Bothgroupswerepositiveabouttheincreaseinawarenessaboutwaterqualitygoals,lowimpactdevelopmentBMPsandthedifferentstakeholdersinvolvedinprotectingorrestoringawaterbody.
TheNewHampshireNaturalResourceOutreachCoalitionwillassistDESinpublicizingandloaningthegametoNewHampshirestakeholders,suchaswatershedorganizations,stateandlocaldecisionmakers,andeducationalinstitutions.DESwillalsorespondtorequestsfortrainingand/orfacilitationassistance.
Municipal officials are assisted by Northland NEMO Representatives in the Watershed Game exercise.
Photo by J. Bilotta, NEMO.
The Watershed Game has options for both lake and river watersheds.
8
Highlights and Overview of Completed Projects
Watershed-Based Plan for High Quality Waters in the Acton Wakefield Watershed Region - Salmon Falls Headwaters Lakes
TheSalmonFallsRiverHeadwatersLakesWatershedManagementPlanincludesthefivewatershedsofGreatEastLake,HornPond,LakeIvanhoe,LovellLakeandWilsonLake.Thisareacomprisesapproximately26squaremileswithinActon,MaineandWakefield,NewHampshire.DevelopmentintheActon-Wakefieldregionisconsideredruralwithnearly89percentoflandareaundeveloped.Theremainingdevelopedlandislargelyresidential,primarilyoccurringalongmajorroadwaysandlakeshores.Thelakesandassociatedwetlandsarehometoadiverseecologicalcommunitythatdependsoncleanwater.
ThisgrantwasawardedtotheActonWakefieldWatershedsAlliance(AWWA)todevelopawatershed-basedplanfortheSalmonFallsHeadwaterLakes.ThesepristinewaterbodiesareofsignificantvaluetothecommunitiesofActonandWakefieldandactionisneededtomaintaintheirgoodcondition.
Topromotecommunityengagementintheplanningprocess,AWWAconvenedawatershedsteeringcommitteeofstakeholdersthatincludedtownofficials,planningboardmembers,representativesoflakeassociationsandlocallandtrustsaswellasinterestedcommunitymembers.
The Problem and the Threat: PhosphorusSmallincreasesinphosphoruscanadverselyaffectlakewaterqualityleadingtodecreasedclarity,possiblealgalbloomsandacceleratedeutrophication.Thisinturncanadverselyimpactfishpopulationsandpublicusessuchasswimmingandboating.Phosphorushasthereforebeenidentifiedasthepollutantofconcernforlakemanagementintheplan.Waterqualitydataanalyses,lakeloadingmodels,andlandusemodelswereusedtodefinecurrentin-lakephosphoruslevelsforallfivelakes.Theseanalysesindicatethatallfivelakesneedphosphoruscontrol
CoastalWatershed
Watershed-BasedPlanforHighQualityWatersintheActonWakefieldWatershedRegion-SalmonFallsHeadwatersLakes
ActonWakefieldWatershedAlliance(AWWA)
2005/2007/2008Restoration
GrantAmount:$108,266
LocalMatch:$210,097
Acton Wakefield Watershed Region
9
measurestomaintainorachievehighqualitywaterstatusbaseduponwaterqualitystandardssetbyDESin2010.Thisisespeciallytrueinlightofabuild-outanalysisprojectingthattheregionmaygainover4,200buildingsand9,000peoplewithinthenext44years.Ifnotcontrolled,thisincreaseingrowthcouldresultinseveralhundredmorepoundsofphosphorusenteringthelakeseachyear.
Development of the PlanOverthetwoyearprojectperiodseveralmodelswereutilizedtocharacterizecurrentwaterqualityconditionsandtoidentifyopportunitiestoimproveandprotectthelakes.TheprojectteamworkedtogetherwithMaineandNewHampshireenvironmentalagenciestoorganize,summarize,andanalyzewaterqualitydatagatheredbyvolunteersandprofessionalsovermorethanthreedecades.Theprojectteamalsoanalyzedcurrentlanduseandphosphorusinputstothewatershed.Additionally,AWWAconductedwatershedsurveysoneachlakewiththehelpofover100localvolunteerstoidentifyerosionsitescontributingexcessphosphorustotheprojectlakesandtributaries.Thesedataenabledtheprojectscientiststodeterminethecurrentin-lakestatusandsetphosphorusgoalsforeachlake.(Table1)
InJanuary2009,stakeholdersgatheredtodiscusspreliminaryresultsfromanalysesandtobrainstormwaterqualityimprovementandprotectionactionitems.Thesteeringcommitteethenusedtheseideastodevelopanactionplanwithfivekeyactionareas.(Table2)Specifictasksweredevelopedforeachkeyactionareathatidentifiedresponsibleparties,potentialfundingsources,approximatecosts,andanimplementationschedule
Next Steps Thesuccessofthiswatershedmanagementplanisdependentheavilyonthecooperationofthelocalmunicipalitiesandkeystakeholders.AWWA’sgoalistousetheplantoengageallcommunitymembersintheprotectionoftheregion’smostvaluableasset–itslakes.
AWWAwillconvenethewatershedsteeringcommitteeatleastannuallytoprovideperiodicupdatestotheplan,trackandrecordprogress,andensurethattheplanremainscurrentandrelevantbyaddingnewtasksasneeded.Allachievements,suchaspresscoverage,pollutantloadreductions,outreachactivities,numberofsitesrepaired,numberofvolunteers,fundingreceived,andnumberofsitesdocumented,willbetracked.Inaddition,establishedmeasureswillbeusedtodeterminetheeffectivenessoftheplanonreachingthewaterqualitygoals.
Table1.In-lakePhosphorusGoals:MaintainorImproveLakeWaterQuality
Maintain water quality at current in-lake phosphorus
level:• GreatEastLake-6.4ppb• WilsonLake-6.5ppb• HornPond-8.0ppb**FurtheranalysiswillbeconductedtoconfirmthegoalatHornPond
Improve water quality and reduce in-lake phosphorus
to 7.2 ppb:• LakeIvanhoe:reduceby
0.8ppb• LovellLake:reduceby
0.3ppb
Table2.FiveKeyActionAreastoMaintainorImproveLakeWaterQuality
Private and Public Roadway BMPs:Reducesedimentloadsthroughthestabilizationandreinforcementofroadcrossingsandroadsides.
Residential BMPs, Riparian Buffers, Low Impact Develop-ment and Septic Systems: Encouragevegetatedbuffersandlowimpactdevelopmenttechniques.Implementasepticsysteminspectionandpumpingprogram.
Community Planning:Strengthenandenforceregulationstoprotectwaterquality.
Land Conservation:Coordinatewithmunicipalities,landtrusts,regionalplanningcommissions,andlakeassocia-tionstoensurethatsomelandremainsinanundisturbedstatewhichwillhelpreducetotalphosphorusrunoff.
Education and Outreach:Workwithseasonalandfull-timeresidentstoenhancetheunderstandingoflanduse/waterqualityconnections.
CoastalWatershed
WillandPondDrainageEstablishmentandPublicOutreach
CityofDover
2004-2007Restoration
GrantAmount:$68,064
LocalMatch:$58,517
10
Willand Pond and identified retrofit areas.
Willand Pond Drainage Establishment and Public Outreach
WillandPondisanatural,spring-fedkettlepondlocatedinbothSomersworthandDover.Thepondhasadrainageareaofapproximately330acres,andasurfaceareaofapproximately80acres.ThewatershedwasusedasapublicdrinkingwatersourcebythecityofDoverfrom1876until1966.Thepondhasalsoservedasapublicrecreationalareasincethe1890swhenitwasthesiteofaVictorian-stylepark.Itshistoricaluseasawatersupplyandrecreationaldestinationprotecteditfromsignificantcommercialdevelopmentpressureuntilthe1960swhenaggressivedevelopmentandlanduseconversionoccurredintheareasurroundingthepond.Thecumulativeeffectofmanyyearsofdevelopment,compoundedwithcessationofwaterwithdrawalsandthreeconsecutiveyearsofrecord-breakingprecipitationin2006-2008contributedtosustainedelevatedsurfacewaterlevels,flooding,propertydamage,andwaterqualitydegradation.
In2006WillandPondwaslistedasimpairedforAquaticLifeandPrimaryContactRecreationontheDES305(b)/303(d)SurfaceWaterQualityAssessment.Waterqualitydegradationofthepondculminatedwithalargecyanobacteriabloominthesummerof2007.Thepondwaspostedandclosedforrecreationalpurposesfrommid-Julyuntilthefallof2007.Historically,theadjacent
wetlandareahadbeenacrucialfactorinthepond’sabilitytobalanceitswaterbudget(throughfloodflowalterationandstorage).However,man-madealterationstothedischargecoupledwithincreasedinputsfromprecipitationandstormwaterhaveoverwhelmedthesystem’sabilitytoequilibrateitself.Toimprovewaterquality,immediateactionswouldbenecessarytoreducebothnutrientsourcesandsurfacewaterelevation.
ThegoalsofthisprojectweretoreviewandassessthenaturalandanthropogenicfactorscausingfloodingandwaterqualityissuesatWillandPond,andtodeveloppublicoutreachfocusedonpromotingpondstewardship.DESworkedwiththecitiesofDoverandSomersworthand
11
twoprivateconsultants,S.W.ColeEngineeringInc.andHorsleyWittenGroupInc.toassesshistoricalandcurrenthydrologicandlanduseconditions.Theprojectteamworkedcloselywithneighborhoodresidentsandbusinessestodevelopandsustainthe“FriendsofWillandPond,”alocaladhocgroupdedicatedtorestoringandprotectingthepond.TheFriendscreatededucationalmaterialsandconductedworkshopsandactivitiestopromotepondrestorationincludingwaterqualitymonitoringevents,pondcleanups,trailplanningsessions,safetyplanningmeetings,landownerworkshops,andmore.Theassessmentofhistoricalandcurrentconditionsservedasthebasisforthedevelopmentofawatershedmanagementplan,whichprovidesbothstructuralandnon-structuralrestorationpracticesforaddressingwaterqualityandquantityissuesofthepond.
Theplan’srecommendationsincludestormwaterretrofitstoreducephosphorusloadingtothepond;conceptualdesignsforrestoringhydrologicconnectivityinthepond’soutletareatoalleviatewaterlevelissuesrelatedtoencroachmentfromdevelopment,adoptionoflocalwaterqualityprovisions,andsustainedpubliceducationandoutreacheffortssupportedbybothcitiesandtheFriendsofWillandPond.
Willand Pond. Photo by Norma Willard, Friends of Willand Pond.
CoastalWatershed
HodgsonBrookRestorationYears3&4
BlueOceanSocietyforMarineConservation
2006Restoration
GrantAmount:$85,020
LocalMatch:$58,277
12
Hodgson Brook Restoration Years 3 & 4
HodgsonBrookisanurbanstreamthatisimpactedbyhighstormwaterflowsthatarecontaminatedfromparkinglotsandroads.Inaddition,overtheyearsithasbeenstraightened,channelized,andpipedunderground.Thisprojectimplementsyear3and4oftheWatershedRestorationPlanforHodgsonBrook.Theprojectgoalsincludedraisingthepublic’sawarenessofthebrook’sconditionbyconnectingwatershedresidentsandbusinessestothebrook,andbyhighlightingsolutionseachcouldtaketoimproveitscondition.
Thesupportofwatershedresidentsandbusinessesandultimatelytheiractionsarecriticaltoachievingthegoalofcleaningupthebrook.Theactivitiesconductedthroughthisprojectinitiatedtheprocessofengaginglocalresidentsandbusinessandschoolsintherestorationeffort.Capacitybuildingactivitiesincluded:
• Participationinthewaterqualitysampling,monitoringstreamflow,trashsurveysandcleanups,stormdrainstenciling,andhelpingwithinvasiveplantsurveys.
• NewFranklinSchoolstudentsandteacherscreatedandrecordedpublicserviceradioannouncementsencouragingthepublictohelp“SavetheBrook!”ThesewereintroducedbythestudentsontheEnvironmentalShowandairedonPortsmouthCommunityRadio106.1.
•Stormdrainstencilinganddistributionofinformationalflyers.
•UNHstudentsconductedstormwaterretrofitsurveystoidentifylocationsforfutureLIDinstallations.
•TheHodgsonBrookAdvisoryBoardmembershelpedboththeCityofPortsmouthandPeaseDevelopmentAuthority(PDA)evaluateand
Volunteers plant a buffer along Hodgson Brook.
13
strengthentheirregulationstobetterprotectthebrookandotherwaterresources.BoardmembersalsoadvisedonamajorredevelopmentprojectalongthebrookwhichresultedinadditionalinstallationsofLIDtechnologiestoreducetheimpactofstormwaterrunofffromthesite.
• GreatBayCommunityCollegeprovidedofficespaceforprojectworkandembracedthechallengeofretrofittingitscampusgroundsforwaterqualityincludingusingperviouspavementinarecentparkinglotexpansionanddaylightingasectionofdrainage.
Amajorsuccessoftheprojectwastherestorationofapproximately150feetofstreambufferlocatedatthePortInn.Thestreambankwaserodingandunstable.Vegetationatthesiteconsistedmainlyofinvasivespecies.UNHCooperativeExtensionstaffdesignedanattractivenativeplantingplanforthebuffer.InvasivespecieswereremovedfromthesiteandvolunteersfromtheUnitedWayhelpedplantthenewbuffer.TheprojectwasfeaturedonNewHampshirePublicTelevisioninaseriesofinterviewsandsitevisits.Thebankisnowstabilizedandnativevegetationisinplacetofilterpollutantsandhelpkeepthebankintact.ThePortInnprovidedgenerousdonationsofcash,staffassistance,andservicestosupporttheproject.OwnersofthePortInnmaintainthebufferandareproudofitsnaturalbeautyandwaterqualitybenefits.
ThelocalcapacitybuiltduringthisgrantwillenablethenextphaseoftheHodgsonBrookRestorationProjecttomoveforwardwithstronglocalpartnershipsanddemonstratedsuccess!
Catch basin retrofit in Portsmouth before (above) and after (right).
CoastalWatershed
CainsBrookandMillCreekRestoration
TownofSeabrook
2006Restoration
GrantAmount:$68,240
LocalMatch:$57,758
SedimentLoadReduction:1.9tons/year
Cains Brook clean-up day.
14
Cains Brook and Mill Creek Restoration
TheCainsBrookandMillCreekWatershedManagementPlanwasdevelopedbytheSeabrookConservationCommissionin2006,andrevisedin2009,toguidelocalrestorationeffortstorestoreaquatic,riverineandrecreationalusestothewatershed.ThisprojectimplementedthreeactionitemsfromtheplanincludinginstallingastructuralBMP,anoil/trash/gritseparatorchamberdevice,toreducesedimentandpollutantloadingfromtheadjacentUSRoute1roadway.TheinstallationofthisBMPwillremoveanestimated1.9tonsofsedimentannually.
Toaddressthelargevolumeoftrashdepositedinthewatershed,outreachtothecommunitywasconductedandaCainsPondclean-updaywasheldwhereparticipantsremovedoveronetonoftrashfromtheriparianarea.
AteamofvolunteermonitorswasrecruitedandtrainedbytheDESVolunteerRiverAssessmentProgramstaff.Eightsitesweresampledforvariousparametersduringtheprojectperiod.Finalreportswereproducedandsamplingresultswillbeusedtoguidefuturerestorationefforts.AssessmentworkconductedduringtheprojectalsoresultedindocumentationofanadditionalimpairmentfornavigationtoCainsPond(seeCainsPondRestorationonpage15).
Theprojectraisedlocalawarenessofthebrookandpondsinthewatershedasrecreationalresourcesworthprotecting.Italsohelpedbuildmomentumforfutureworkandimplementedkeysedimentloadreductionmeasures.
CoastalWatershed
CainsPondRestoration
TownofSeabrook
2006Restoration
GrantAmount:$91,800
LocalMatch:$196,300
SedimentLoadReduction:750tons/year
Cains Pond shallow depth before dredging. Photo: Duncan Mellor, Waterfront Engineers
15
Cains Pond Restoration
Formanyyears,Seabrookresidentsenjoyedskating,fishing,smallboating,andotherrecreationalactivitiesonCainsPond.However,increaseddevelopmentsurroundingthepondandthebreachoftheCainsDamduringtheMothersDaystormof2006resultedinmorerapidthannormalinfiltrationofsedimentandshallowerponddepths.Asthepond’sdepthbecameshallower,conditionsbecamemoreconducivetoinvasiveplantswhichinfestedthemarginsandsurfaceofthepond.Thisseverelylimitedrecreationalactivitiesduetosedimentdepositsanddenseplantgrowth.
CainsPondwaslistedonthe2010303(d)listforasecondarycontactrecreationimpairment.Thegoalsofthisprojectweretorestorenavigation,improvehabitat,andcreatebetterpublicaccesstothepond.InaccordancewiththeCainsBrookandMillCreekWatershedManagementPlan,lowimpactdredgingwasdeterminedtobeawaytoremoverecentlyaccumulatedmaterialsincludingsedimentanddecayedplantmaterialandrestorethepondtohistoricaldepthsthatwerepresentwhenrecreationwaspossible.Additionalrecommendationsintheplantoimprovepublicaccess,constructionofafishingplatform,andaquaticorganismpassagewerealsoimplementedduringthisproject.
Toaddressthenavigationimpairmentover7,500cubicyardsofmaterialwasremovedfromthepondand25,000squarefeetofinvasiveplants.Inaddition,“deepholes”ofuptosevenfeetweredugtoprovidehabitatforfishandotheraquaticlife.The“inlet-to-outlet”dredgepatternmakestheentirelengthofthepondnavigable.
Two“CainsBrook–KeepitClean”signswereplacedalongRoute1neartherestorationsitetoremindvisitors,residentsandmotoriststokeeptrashandotherdebrisoutofthepondandbrook.Thisisacontinuationofpreviousoutreacheffortstoreducetrashinputtothebrook.
Abathymetricsurveywasconductedtoshowpostdredgeponddepthsandprovidesacomparisontopre-dredgedepths.Pre-andpostphotodocumentationofthesitewasconductedtorecordchangesinconditionsandrecreationalactivity.
Thisprojectalsoaddressedrelatedactionitemsinthewatershedplanforimprovingpondhabitatandpublicaccess:
16
• AquaticandWildlifePassageImprovementsNature-likestonerock/riffleswereconstructedtoreplaceaverticalconcreteweirstructureattheRoute1crossing/outletofCainsPondandatadjacentMary’sPondatLakeshoreDrive.Thenature-likerockrifflesallowforgreatlyimprovedaquaticorganismstreampassageandwillalsopreventculvertentrancescourandwillmaintainthepond’swaterlevelstopreserveaquatichabitat,recreationaluses,andscenicviews.Afterconstruction,wildlifewereobservedusingthenewrockriffletotravelupstreamfromthelowerreachesofthewatershedintoCainsPond.Priortoconstructionoftheberm,wildlifehadtocrossRoute1inordertoenterorleaveCainsPond.
• PublicAccessImprovementsPublicaccessimprovementsincludedconstructionofahandicappedaccessibleoverlook/fishingplatformadjacenttothepondandinstallationofacartopboatlaunch.AneasementwiththeneighboringpropertyownerwasgrantedforthecreationofapublicADAparkingareaadjacenttothepublicaccessimprovements.
Asaresultoftheseimprovements,smallboatsarenowabletonavigatethepondonceagain.AsuccessstorydetailingtherestorationworkwaspostedtotheEPA“SuccessStory”websiteinthefallof2011http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/success319/nh_cain.cfm.Accordingly,thesecondarycontactrecreationuseimpairmentforCainsPondwillberemovedfromthestate’sCWAsection303(d)listin2012.
Kayaking returns to Cains Pond.Photo: Sue Foote, Seabrook Conservation Commission
MerrimackRiverWatershed
HancockVillageStormwaterManagementandWaterQualityImprovement
TownofHancock
2005/2007Base
GrantAmount:$94,800
LocalMatch:$125,879
TSSReduction:8.8tons/year
PhosphorusReduction:25.9lbs/yr
NitrogenReduction:265.3lbs/yr
The town of Hancock’s road agent, Kurtis Grassett, leads DES and EPA staff on a tour of
the town’s stormwater improvements.
17
Hancock Village Stormwater Management and Water Quality Improvement
Throughthisproject,thetownofHancocktookaproactiveapproachtoprotectinglocalresources.ThoughwaterqualityintheadjacentNorwayPondandDavisBrookwerequitegood,stormwaterrunoffwascontributingpollutantsandthreateningthesevaluableresources.TheHancockMainStreetroadwayimprovementprojectrepresentedatimelyopportunitytoincorporatepracticesthatwouldimproveroaddrainageandothertraditionalgoalsforstormwaterconveyance–butwouldalsoprovideprotectionforNorwayPondandDavisBrook.
Thevillagearea’supgradedstormwatermanagementsystemnowincludesseveraltreatmentdevicestoprotectwaterqualityincludingseventeendeepsumpcatchbasins,thirteenleachingcatchbasins,andtwoinfiltrationchambers.Thecatchbasinsaredesignedtoremovesedimentsuchasroadsandfromthestormwaterbyallowingittosettleinthebasinwhilethewaterflowsthrough.Thebasinscanthenbecleanedoutandthesanddiscardedorreused.Theinfiltrationchambersallowthesoiltoactasanaturalfiltertreatingstormwaterpollutantssuchasbacteriaandphosphorus.Itisestimatedthatthesetreatmentdeviceswillresultinannualpollutantloadreductionsofover8.8tonsofsediment,25.9poundsofphosphorusand265.3poundsofnitrogenthatwouldotherwisehavebeendelivereddirectlytoNorwayPondandDavisBrook.
Theprojectalsoimprovedtheboatrampandbeachareabyre-gradingtheparkingandboatrampsothatstormwaterisnowredirected,reducingbeacherosionandstormwaterrunofftothepond.Anadditionalbenefitofthisworkistheimprovedparkingareaandaccesspathsforbeachusers.Akioskwasinstalledthatprovideseducationalinformationtoresidentsandvisitorsonstormwater,theBMPsthatwereinstalledandwaysthatindividualscantakeresponsibilitytoprotectwaterquality.
18
MerrimackRiverWatershed
LakeWinnipesaukeeWatershedManagementPlan:Meredith,PaugusandSaundersBays
LakesRegionPlanningCommission
2008Base
GrantAmount:$76,640
LocalMatch:$73,519
Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed Management Plan: Meredith, Paugus, and Saunders Bays
LakeWinnipesaukee,thelargestfreshwaterbodyinNewHampshire,istheprincipaleconomicandenvironmentalfeatureintheNewHampshireLakesRegion.Withasizeof44,587acresthetotalwatershedareaencompasses369squaremiles.Inlightofitssignificance,itissurprisingtonotethattheredoesnotexistacomprehensivewatershedmanagementplanforthegreaterWinnipesaukeewatershedarea.Thisprojectispartofalong-termstrategytocreateapublic,comprehensiveweb-basedwatershedmanagementplanforLakeWinnipesaukee.Duetothesizeofthewatershedandthenumberofcommunitiesinvolved,theplanwillbecompletedinsegments,usingasub-watershedapproach.Thisprojectfocusedonthesub-watershedsofMeredithBay,PaugusBayandSaundersBay.Potentialthreatstowaterqualityincludenonpointsourcedischargesasaresultoffailingsepticsystems,recreationalimpactsanddevelopmentpressures.Theprojectincludedanevaluationofthecausesandpotentialthreatstowaterquality,landusemapping,establishingin-lakephosphoruslevelsandawaterqualitygoal,developmentofawebsite,outreachandon-goingmonitoring.
In2005thecommunitiesofMeredith,LaconiaandGilfordformedanadvisorycommitteetofocusonwaterqualityprotectionofMeredithBay,PaugusBayandSaundersBay.PartneringwiththeLakeWinnipesaukeeWatershedAssociation,LakesRegionPlanningCommission,NorthCountryResourceConservationandDevelopmentAreaCouncil,UNH,PlymouthStateandDESthesuccessofthisproject
wasrealized.
Oneofthemajoroutcomesoftheprojectwasaconsensus-basedwaterqualitygoalandmissionstatementforthethreebaysstudiedunderthisphaseoftheplan.AnexcerpttakenfromthemanagementplanforthesubwatershedincludingMeredith,Paugus,andSaundersBaysincludesthefollowingsharedmissionstatement:“Thefundamentalgoalofthiswatershedmanagementplanistohaltorminimizefurtherwaterqualitydegradationattributabletonutrientinputs,primarilyphosphorusinordertomaintainourhighqualitywater.CurrenttotalphosphoruslevelsinMeredith,Paugus,andSaundersBaysarebelowthestatestandardof8.0ug/Lestablishedforhighqualitywater.WewillworktowardmaintainingLake Winnipesaukee Water Sampling Points.
19
orimprovingcurrenttotalphosphoruslevelsbystabilizingnutrientinputsthroughthereductionofnutrientsources.Wewillmanagelandscapechangetolimitnutrientloadsthroughstormwatermanagement,adoptionoflowimpactdevelopmenttechniques,innovativelanduseplanning,andinstallationofbestmanagementpractices.Ourlocallyderivedstrategiesarepurposeful,considerateandcomprehensive.Ourapproachembodiesflexibilityallowingustoachieveourstatedgoalwhilemeetingthediverseneedsandcapacitiesofallwatershedstakeholders.”Thewebbasedplanknownas“WinnipesaukeeGateway”islocatedatwww.winnipesaukeegateway.org.Itisthefirstofitskindinthestateinthatratherthanastaticdocument,theweb-basedplanwillensurethattheplanisreadilyaccessibletoallstakeholdersandthegeneralpublicwiththemostcurrentinformationsothatprogresscanbetracked.Italsolaysthefoundationforfuturesub-watershedplandevelopmentthatwilleventuallyresultinacomprehensivewatershedmanagementplanfortheentireWinnipesaukeewatershed.Inrecognitionofcreatingthefirstweb-basedwatershedmanagementplantobeapprovedbyDES,theWinnipesaukeeGatewaywasselectedbytheNewHampshirePlannersAssociationasProjectoftheYearin2011.BuildingfromthesuccessfuldevelopmentoftheWinnipesaukeeGateway,theLakesRegionPlanningCommissionhasalreadyinitiatedthenextphaseofwatershedmanagementplanningforCenterHarborandhasplanstopursueadditionalfundinginthecomingyearstodevelopaplanforMoultonboroughInletaswell.
Lake Winnipesaukee. Photo by Gary Tompkins.
20
MerrimackRiverWatershed
Cobbett’sPondWatershedRestorationPlan
Cobbett’sPondImprovementAssociation
2004/2005/2008Restoration
GrantAmount:$83,591
LocalMatch:$61,826
Cobbett’s Pond Watershed Restoration Plan
Cobbett’sPondinWindhamislocatedinaheavilydevelopedwatershedinsoutheasternNewHampshire.VLAPmonitoringhasshownthatoverthepast19yearsthepondhasshiftedfromoligotrophictoeutrophicstatus.Diminisheddissolvedoxygenlevelsandincreasedlevelsofchlorophyll-ahaveresultedinCobbett’sPondnolongersupportingthedesignateduseforaquaticlife.Whentheprojectstarted,Cobbett’sPondwasonthe305(b)/303(d)listofimpairedwatersforadissolvedoxygensaturationimpairment.Afterthegrantaward,additionalimpairmentsforchorophyll-a,non-nativeaquaticplants,andtotalphosphorushavebeenadded.
In2008,theCobbett’sPondImprovementAssociationwasawardedSection319grantfundstocreateawatershedrestorationplan.Thegoalsfortheassociationweretoidentifypollutantsourcescausingthedissolvedoxygenimpairment,generateawatershedrestorationplantoaddressthesesources,andimplementrecommendedactionswithinthewatershedtohelprestorethepondtofullysupportingstatus.Afterthedevelopmentoftherestorationplan,theassociationcreatedateamofresidentstoreviewandprioritizesitesinthewatershedthatshouldmoveforwardwiththeimplementationofBMPs.
InAugustof2009,theCPIAwroteaWatershedProtectionOrdinanceforCobbett’sPond.InDecember,theWindhamPlanningBoardunanimouslysupportedthepetitionfortownmeeting,andinMarchof2010,townresidentsadoptedtheordinance.TheadoptionoftheseadditionalprotectionsforCobbett’sPondwillfacilitatewaterqualityimprovementpracticesinthewatershed.
AlthoughtheultimategoalofrestoringCobbett’sPondtofullysupportingdesignatedusesmaynotberealizedimmediately,therecommendedstrategiesintheplanaswellastheimplementationofpriorityNPScontrolmeasureswillactasthecatalystforchangestobemadeatboththemunicipalandindividuallandownerscalesthroughregulatoryandvolunteerinitiatives.
A stormwater generated sediment plume discharging to Cobbett’s Pond from the Fossa Road area - one of the priority sites identified for the
construction of BMPs in the Cobbett’s Pond watershed restoration plan.
21
MerrimackRiverWatershed
LakeHoraceMarshRestoration
PiscataquogLandConservancy
2003/2004Restoration
GrantAmount:$64,359
LocalMatch:$42,843
Lake Horace Marsh Restoration
LakeHoraceMarshisadesignated“primewetland”inWearealongtheNorthBranchofthePiscataquogRiver.Itsecologicalfunctionswereseverelycompromisedbydownstreamdamoperations.RaisingthelevelsofLakeHoraceinthespringandloweringtheminthefalltoaccommodatewaterfrontdockprotectiononHoraceLakehaddireeffectsformostaquaticfloraandfauna.Wildlifesurveysthroughoutthemarshreflecteddrasticreductionsfromnumbersonewouldexpectofwaterfowl,amphibians,mammals,aquaticreptilesandinsects.
Thisprojectinvolvedtheconstructionofarun-of-riverecologicalwatercontrolstructure,designedbyengineersfromtheDESDamBureau,downstreamofthemarshattheconfluenceofHoraceLake.Consistingofcrushedstone,coveredbyageomembranefabricwithlargerdiameterstoneontop,theinstalledcontrolstructureextendsacrosstheriverinadownstream-facingarc.Whenthelakeisdrainedinthefall,waterlevelsdonotfallbelowthetopofthestructure,thuseliminatingthedramaticspringandfallfluctuationsthatcharacterizedthemarshsystembeforeinstallation.Atfullpondelevationinthesummermonths,theecologicalwatercontrolstructureissubmergedbyatleasttwofeetofwaterallowingpassageforcanoes,kayaksandsmallboats.Postmonitoringtodatehasshownthatmarshvegetationhasrespondedpositivelytothestabilizedwaterlevelswithdamagestonestingareasofmanymammalsbeingeliminatedaswell.
Additionalmonitoringisplannedforfiveyearspostconstructiontofurtherevaluatehowtheplantandfishpopulationsareresponding.
Lake Horace Marsh before construction of water control structure in 1998 and after construction in 2011.
22
ConnecticutRiverWatershed
WarrenBrookRestorationPlanning
TownofAlstead
2007Restoration
GrantAmount:$12,600
LocalMatch:$8,600
Warren Brook Restoration Planning
AsaresultoftheOctober2005flooddisasterinAlstead,WarrenBrookwaslistedasimpairedforaquaticlifeusesupportbasedonbioassess-mentdata.InitialdisasterresponsefundingfromtheNaturalResourcesConservationServiceledtostabilizationofWarrenBrook,mostlywithstonebanking,in2006and2007.DESprovidedfundingtothetownofAlsteadin2008todeveloparestorationplan,prioritizerestorationsites,anddevelopandpermitafinaldesignforonesite
Theprojectpartners,includingtheNewHampshireFish&GameDe-partmentandthetownofAlstead,identifiedthereachofWarrenBrookbetweenstateRoute123andGriffinHillRoadasthetopprioritysiteforrestorationduetoitsgeomorphicinstabilityandthelimitednumberoflandownersthatwouldbeaffectedbyconstruction.
Projectdesignandpermittingwerecompletedwith319fundswhich,inturn,helpedAlsteadsecure$240,000infederalstimulusmoneyfromtheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceforconstruction,whichwascompletedin2011.
Restored channel of Warren Brook looking upstream.
Section of Warren Brook prior to restoration.
23
Looking Ahead
In2012,stateswillbeworkingwithEPAtoredesignthefederal319programtoaddressconcernsde-scribedinEPA’sreporttotheOfficeofManagementandBudget.ItislikelythatNewHampshire,likemanystates,willberequiredtoupdatethestateNonpointSourceManagementPlanbytheendof2013.Thisworkwillbeginin2012andislikelytoincludeaprioritysystemforworkinginwatersheds,aswellasrecommendedchangestostatewideapproachestononpointsourcemanagement.
Weanticipateincreasedfederalscrutinyrelativetotheuseof319funds,forwhichDESiswell-pre-pared.Wearecarefultoensurethatgranteesfollowfederalfundingguidelinesandthateachprojecthasquantifiablegoalsandsystemstomeasureprogresstowardthosegoals.Itisourrecentexperi-encethatsuchanapproachimprovesthelikelihoodofsuccessforlocalwatershedpractitionersbecausewatershedstakeholdersbetterunderstandwhyspecificmeasuresarebeingproposedandimplemented.
NitrogenfrompermittedwastewaterdischargesintheGreatBaywatershedhasreceivedquiteabitofattentioninthenewsmediaduringthepastyear.Meanwhile,DEShasbeenbusyworkingtoquan-tifythenonpointsourcesofnitrogeninthewatershed.BySeptember2012,DESexpectstohavethebreakdownofNPSnitrogenfromlawnfertilizer,septicsystems,andstormwaterrunoff,whichwillguideeffortsbymanystakeholdersworkingtorestoreGreatBay.
Alongtheselines,DESwillbeparticipatinginaneffortledbytheNewEnglandgovernorstodevelopvoluntarylawnfertilizerguidelines.WithheavystakeholderparticipationandcoordinatedbytheNewEnglandInterstateWaterPollutionControlCommission,thegoalofthiseffortistocreateguide-linesforthemanufacture,saleandapplicationoflawnfertilizers.
In2012wealsohopetogainsomeclarityonhowstormwaterisaddressedwithrespecttothe319program.SincestormwaterisregulatedasapointsourceunderthefederalMS4program,and319fundscannotbeusedtoimplementprojectsrequiredbyapointsourcepermit,thedistinctionofwhatisrequiredbythepermitisanimportantone.Adraftpermitreleasedin2009byEPAincludesprovisionsrequiringmunicipalretrofitsinareasdrainingtoimpairedwaters.Severalwatershed-basedplansdevelopedbyourpartnersinMS4areasrecommendthisveryactivity.Ifthedraftpermitlanguageremainsunchanged,thiswillcurtailourabilitytoassistlocalgroupswhocontinuetoimple-menttheseplans.Buildingthecapacitytodevelopandimplementwatershed-basedplansrequiressignificantinvestmentsoftimeandmoney,anditisourhopethatthisworkcancontinue,regardlessofhowitisfundedorpermitted.
24
Appendix ADESSection319WatershedAssistanceGrantsforHighQualityWatersAwardedinFFY2011
Grantee ProjectName ProjectNo.
NPSPollutantCategory
Watershed SourceofFunds(FFY)
GrantAward
LakesRegionPlanning
Commission
LakeWinnipesaukeeWatershedMgt.Plan-CenterHarbor
B-11-M-02 AllSources Merrimack 2011Baseand2010/2011
Incremental
$55,000
GreenMountainConservation
Group
OssipeeWatershedPlan-Phase1AlternativesAnalysis
B-11-S-01 AllSources Saco 2011Base $15,000
TownofWolfeboro LakeWentworthandCrescentLakeWatershedMgt.Plan
B-11-M-03 AllSources Merrimack 2011Base $67,800
TownofBrentwood
MiddleExeterRiverWatershedMgt.PlanImplementationPhase1,RowellRoadWest
B-11-C-04 UrbanRunoff/
Stormwater
Coastal 2010Incremen-tal
$49,152
UNHStormwaterCenter
UNHStormwaterCenterOnCallEngineersforSmallScale
BMPImplementation
B-11-C-01 UrbanRunoff/
Stormwater
Statewide 2010Incremen-tal
$25,000
TotalAward:$211,952
DESSection319WatershedRestorationGrantsforImpairedWatersAwardedinFFY2011Grantee ProjectName Project
No.NPSPollutant
CategoryWatershed Sourceof
Funds(FFY)GrantAward
BlueOceanSocietyforMarine
Conservation
HodgsonBrookWatershedRestorationPlanPhase2BMPsand
ChlorideTMDLdevelopment
R-11-C-05 UrbanRunoff/
Stormwater
Coastal 2009/2010Incremental
$104,574
CityofFranklin WebsterLake-LakeShoreDriveCommunitySepticSystemDesign
andDesign/implementationofBMPs
R-09-M-03 Stormwater/Other
Merrimack 2009Incremental
$70,000
CityofDover BerryBrookWatershedRestorationPlanPhase1Implementation
R-06-C-10 UrbanRunoff/Storm-
water
Coastal 2006Incremental
$55,000
CityofDover BerryBrookWatershedRestorationPlanImplementationPhase2,LID
Retrofits
R-11-C-02 UrbanRunoff/Storm-
water
Coastal 2008/2011Incremental
$147,200
CobbettsPondImprovement
Association
CobbettsPondWatershedRestorationPlanImplementation
Phase2,FossaRoadBMPs
R-10-M-05 UrbanRunoff/Storm-
water
Merrimack 2006/2010Incremental
$100,000
CochecoRiverWatershedCoalition
CochecoRiverWatershedRestorationPlanImplementation
Phase2,RochesterLID
R-11-C-04 UrbanRunoff/Storm-
water
Coastal 2011Incremental
$109,500
NHRiversCouncil McQuestenBrookWatershedRestorationPlanPhase1
R-11-M-01 UrbanRunoff/Storm-
water
Merrimack 2011Incremental
$17,000
TotalAwarded: $603,274
Appendix B
25
Appendix CDistribution of Section 319 Grant Dollars
Awarded in FFY 2011 by Watershed
Appendix DDistribution of Section 319 Grant Dollars
Awarded in FFY 2011 by NPS Category
Statewide3%
Saco2%
Merrimack38%
Coastal57%
C. Distribution of Section 319 Grant Dollars Awarded in FFY 2011 by Watershed
Urban Runoff/Stormwater
$677,426
General NPS $137,800
D. Distribution of Section 319 Grant Dollars Awarded in FFY 2011 by NPS Category
26
Appendix EDESSection319BaseProjectsCompletedinFFY2011
Grantee ProjectName FFYSourceof
Funds
Grant# DateCompleted
Watershed 319Funds
TotalCost
ActonWakefieldWatershed
Alliance
Watershed-BasedPlanforHighQualityWatersinthe
AWWARegion
2005/2007/2008
B-08-C-02 10/14/2010 Coastal $108,266 $318,363
TownofHancock HancockVillageStormwaterMgt.andWaterQuality
Improvement
2005/2007 B-07-M-04 1/18/2011 Merrimack $94,800 $220,679
LakesRegionPlanning
Commission
LakeWinnipesaukeeWatershedMgt.Plan:Meredith,Paugusand
SaundersBays
2008 B-08-M-04 3/31/2011 Merrimack $76,640 $150,159
Total $279,706 $689,201
Appendix FDESSection319RestorationProjectsCompletedinFFY2011
Grantee ProjectName FFYSource
ofFunds
Grant# DateCompleted
Watershed 319Funds TotalCost
CobbettsPondImprovement
Association
CobbettsPondWatershedRestorationPlan
2004/2005/2008
R-08-M-01 1/3/2011 Merrimack $83,591 $145,417
TownofAlstead
WarrenBrookRestorationPlanning
2007 R-07-CT-05 1/5/2011 Connecticut $12,600 $21,200
CityofDover WillandPondDrainage 2004/2007
R-07-C-02 1/31/2011 Coastal $68,064 $126,581
PiscataquogLand
Conservancy
LakeHoraceMarshRestoration
2003/2004
R-04-M-01 2/7/2011 Merrimack $64,359 $107,201
BlueOceanSociety
forMarineConservation
HodgsonBrookWatershedRestorationPlan
ImplementationYears3&4
2006 R-05-C-13 3/10/2011 Coastal $85,020 $143,297
TownofSeabrook
CainsBrookandMillCreekRestoration
2006 R-06-C-06 4/15/2011 Coastal $68,240 $125,998
TownofSeabrook
CainsPondRestoration-DredgingtoRemove
NavigationImpairment
2006 R-08-C-03 3/28/2011 Coastal $91,800 $288,100
Total $473,674 $957,794
27
Appendix G2011EstimatedPollutantLoadReductionsAchieved
Grantee ProjectName FFYSourceofFunds
319Funds
TotalCost
P(lbs/yr)
N(lbs/yr)
Sediment(tons/yr)
Other Model/Method
Notes
CochecoRiver
WatershedCoalition
IntroducingLIDinthe
WillowBrookWatershed
2005and2009-
Restoration
$84,912 $141,548 n/a n/a n/a 34lbs/yrTSS
Region5Model
projectstillin
progress
BlueOceanSociety
forMarineConserva-
tion
ReducingEf-fectiveImper-viousSurfaceintheLower
HodgsonBrookWater-shedThrough
LID
2007and2009-
Restoration
$120,416 $210,398 3 18 1.3 n/a Region5Model
projectstillin
progress
CobbettsPondIm-
provementAssocia-
tion
CobbettsPnd-WatershedRestorationPlanImple-mentation
Phase2:FossaRoadBMPs
2006and2010-
Restoration
$100,000 $173,000 12.1 n/a 4.7 n/a Physicalmeasure
NewfoundLake
RegionAs-sociation
NewfoundLakeWater-shedMasterPlanImple-mentation:
Phase1
2008and2010-Base
$127,960 $238,600 2.7 9.9 0.5 n/a Region5Model
Also43.9lbs/yrBOD,0.26lbs/yrlead,
and0.54lbs/yrzinc
CityofDover
BerryBrookWatershed
ManagementPlan-Imple-
mentationProjectsPhase
1
2006-Restoration
$55,000 $96,790 1 0.01 n/a 147.8lbs/yr
TSS
Region5Model
GraniteLakeAs-sociation
GraniteLakeWatershed
ManagementPlan
2008-Base $50,000 $83,354 0.25 n/a n/a n/a Region5Model
ActonWakefield
Water-sheds
Alliance
SalmonFallsHeadwater
LakesWater-shedManage-
mentPlan
2010-Base $107,952 $214,189 18.7 n/a 21.7 n/a Region5Model
projectstillin
progress