EEP Watershed Planning Overview August 12, 2009. Ecosystem Enhancement Program Nationally recognized, innovative, non-regulatory program formed in July

EEP Watershed Planning OverviewEEP Watershed Planning OverviewAugust 12, 2009August 12, 2009

Ecosystem Enhancement ProgramEcosystem Enhancement Program

Nationally recognized, innovative, non-regulatory Nationally recognized, innovative, non-regulatory program formed in July 2003 through an program formed in July 2003 through an

agreement sponsored by:agreement sponsored by:

NC Department of Environment & Natural ResourcesNC Department of Environment & Natural Resources

NC Department of TransportationNC Department of Transportation

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District

U.S. Army Corpsof EngineersWilmington District


MissionMission: To restore, enhance, : To restore, enhance, preserve, and protect the preserve, and protect the functionsfunctions associated with wetlands, streams, associated with wetlands, streams, and streamside buffers including, but and streamside buffers including, but not limited to those necessary for the not limited to those necessary for the restoration, maintenance, and restoration, maintenance, and protection of protection of water qualitywater quality and and riparian riparian habitatshabitats throughout North Carolina. throughout North Carolina.

Subwatershed

14-Digit HU

8-Digit CU

River Basin

EEP Watershed Planning ScaleEEP Watershed Planning Scale

EEP Watershed Planning ScaleEEP Watershed Planning Scale

Local Watershed PlanningLocal Watershed Planning

Selection Criteria For LWP Area

Contain anticipated quantity / types of mitigation projects

Consider willingness of local RPs (and other stakeholders) to work with EEP

Consider scale and potential to evaluate water quality or habitat improvements


Purpose

identify major causes/sources of impacts to water quality, habitat and hydrology and develop strategies for addressing these watershed stressors.

Goal

ensure that projects are selected and located to achieve maximum long-term improvement to local watershed functions.

Local Watershed Planning: Phase ILocal Watershed Planning: Phase I

Preliminary Watershed Characterization

Preliminary characterization of watershed conditions & functional needs based on best available data/GISProducts:

• Collection and evaluation of existing data

• Identification of critical data gaps

• Convene Local Advisory Team

• Develop Outreach Strategy

• Preliminary Findings & Recommendations report


Subwatershed Delineation

Function Stressor Functional Indicator Measure and Data Source

Hydrology Buffer removal, storm-water

Stream Bank Erosion Potential

Mean Bank Erosion Hazard Index score (field)

Channelized Streams

Extent of Stream Channelization

% of low gradient streams channelized (GIS analysis)

Habitat Riparian area cleared

Woody Debris/instream habitat

NCDWQ stream habitat protocol (field survey)

Sedimentation

Microhabitat Diversity and Abundance

Mean microhabitat score, NCDWQ stream habitat protocol (field survey)

Water Quality

Ag. and road runoff

Specific Conductance

Mean specific conductance(field measurement)

Riparian area cleared

Riparian Forest Area Extent

% of stream length with forested riparian zone ≥30 ft1 wide (GIS analysis)

Local Watershed Planning, Phase IILocal Watershed Planning, Phase II

Detailed Assessment

Detailed assessment of watershed down to reach scale

Products:• Develop GIS datasets• Field data collected and analyzed • Watershed Assessment Report


Field Data

Biological SamplingBiological Sampling•InsectsInsects•FishFish• AlgaeAlgae

Water Quality SamplingWater Quality Sampling•Flow, DO, pH, Temperature, conductivity Flow, DO, pH, Temperature, conductivity •NutrientsNutrients•ToxicityToxicity

Physical Measurements Physical Measurements •Riparian AssessmentRiparian Assessment•Channel MorphologyChannel Morphology•Channel StabilityChannel Stability•HydrologyHydrology


Stakeholder Process

• Identify local liaison/partner Identify local liaison/partner • Convene Local Advisory TeamConvene Local Advisory Team• Community outreach / educationCommunity outreach / education

Local Watershed Planning, Phase IIILocal Watershed Planning, Phase III

Developing The Watershed Plan

Stressor Management Strategy

Livestock grazing, access to stream

Stream restoration, riparian buffers, livestock exclusion, BMPs

Lack of adequate forested buffer Stream restoration, riparian buffers

Impervious coverStormwater BMPs, stormwater ordinance, low impact

development

Upland erosion

Agriculture & forestry BMPs, erosion and sedimentation control ordinance, subdivision ordinance modifications, steep slope ordinance, public education

NutrientsIllicit discharge program, ag BMPs, riparian buffers,

watershed education program, stormwater BMPs,


Matching Management Strategies to Implementation

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FS1bFS1a

FS3a

FS3b

MR1a BD1aBD1b

BD1c

BD3a

BD3b

BD2a

BD1d

MR2a

MR1b

MR1c

FS3c

FS2

RO1

RO2b

RO2a

RO3b

RO3a

RO4a

RO4d

RO4b

RO4cBD3c

RO5b

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MR2b

m Swamp

al

Shallotte

GR

EE

N S

WA

MP

RD

SOUTHPORT-SUPPLY RD

OLD OCEAN HWY

_̂ Restoration Sites

_̂ Stormwater BMP Sites

Coastal Plain Stream Assessment

#* Severely Altered

#* Altered

#* Somewhat Altered

#* Relatively Unaltered

po Impounded

Additional Assessment Sites

Stream & Wetland Assessment

Stream Assessment

Wetland Assessment

Visual Assessment

Subbasins

Royal Oak Swamp Subbasin

Model Subwatersheds

Tier 2 Subwatersheds

Municipalities

Major Roads

Minor Roads

Waterbodies

Streams

0 60003000 Feet

p

D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D DD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D DD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D DD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D DD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D DD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D DD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D DD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D DD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D DD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D DD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D DD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D DD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D DD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

DWE I LLC

DWE I LLC

Woodington

Muckalee

p

0 500250 Feet

RO

YA

L O

AK

RD

NWProject Site

Streams

Hydric Soils

D D DD D DWetland Restoration

Parcels

2ft Contours

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Local Watershed Planning, Phase IVLocal Watershed Planning, Phase IV

Implementation

Use momentum to move from plan development to implementation


Watershed Project Implementation

Focus on projects that have the greatest likelihood for improving watershed conditions

Consolidate compensatory mitigation resources in targeted areas to achieve maximum watershed benefit

Documents

EEP Watershed Planning Overview August 12, 2009. Ecosystem Enhancement Program Nationally recognized, innovative, non-regulatory program formed in July