United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Total Maximum Daily Loads
TIDLs
TMDL at a Glance
Lynnhaven Bay, Broad Bay, and
Linkhorn Bay Watersheds TMBL
for Shellfish Areas Listed Bue to
Bacteria Contamination
(approved March 2004)
www.deq.virginia.gov/tmdl/apptrnclh/shellfish/lynnk.pclf
Coordinated Actions Lower Bacteria Levels and Reopen
Shellfish Areas in the Lynnhaven River Watershed
Oyster lovers and residents near Virginia Beach, Virginia remember a time that oysters
from the Lynnhaven Bay watershed were once a celebrated delicacy served to dignitaries.
Excessive bacteria levels in the Lynnhaven Bay watershed, however, forced the Virginia
Health Department to shut down almost all of the shellfish areas for decades—until
recently. Implementing the Lynnhaven Bay, Broad Bay, and Linkhorn Bay fecal coliform
TMDL for shellfish areas has helped to reduce bacteria levels. Management actions
targeting sources such as boating activities, on-site sewer systems, agricultural areas, and
pet waste have successfully reduced bacteria levels. As a result of these efforts,
Lynnhaven Bay watershed shellfish areas are reopening and Lynnhaven oysters are
returning as an edible, marketable natural resource on local restaurant menus.
Causes of impairment
Bacteria (Fecal coliform)
Sources of impairment
Discharges from municipal separate storm sewer
systems and sanitary sewer overflows, failing septic
systems, sanitary discharges from transiting vessels
Restoration options
Agricultural best management practices, sanitary
sewer system improvements, stormwater programs,
boating programs, pet waste programs and erosion
and sediment control
Stakeholder involvement
City of Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads Sanitation
District, Lynnhaven River Now, state and federal
agencies
Status of waterbody
Over 1,450 acres of shellfish areas meet bacteria
water quality standards to ensure safe shellfish
consumption
Benefits to stakeholders
Water quality, economic, recreation, funding,
education
How are TMDLs at work in the Lynnhaven Bay watershed?
In response to shellfish harvesting restrictions placed on the Lynnhaven, Broad,
and Linkhorn Bay watersheds, shown in Figure 1, the Virginia Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) listed these waters on the state's Clean Water
Act (CWA) section 303(d) list of impaired waters and initiated a fecal coliform
TMDL to address excessive bacteria levels. The goal of the TMDL is to set
bacteria reduction goals that will allow the Lynnhaven, Broad, and Linkhorn
Bay watersheds meet Virginia's bacteria water quality standards to support the
production of edible and marketable natural resource designated use.
The TMDL has provided
stakeholders with an
organized framework for
compiling and analyzing
data related to sources
of bacteria within the
watersheds. Identifying the
sources, understanding the
relative contributions from
each type of source, and
allocating the necessary
bacteria reductions has
helped stakeholders
plan and prioritize their
management efforts over
time.
Figure 1. Map of the Lynnhaven River Watershed.
What is a total maximum daily load (TMDL)?
It is a study or analysis that calculates the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet
water quality standards. The TMDL establishes a pollutant budget and then allocates portions of the overall budget to
the pollutant's sources. For more information on TMDLs, visit EPA's website at www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl.
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What is the current status of the Lynnhaven
River watershed as a result of the TMDL
process?
To map out a strategy for achieving bacteria reduction goals,
the Virginia DEQ developed a TMDL implementation plan
in conjunction with local, state, and federal partners. In
2006, the Virginia DEQ completed the TMDL implementa-
tion plan and the Virginia State Water Board approved it in
accordance with the provisions of the Code of Virginia. The
initial implementation plan focused on activities related to
human and pet sources of fecal coliform. Activities identified
in the implementation plan fell into 10 categories, including
agricultural best management practices (BMPs), sanitary
sewer improvements, stormwater programs, boating pro-
grams, and pet waste programs.
Ongoing and near-term activities identified in the TMDL
implementation plan played a significant role in reducing
fecal coliform levels and restoring the health of shellfish
areas. In late 2007, the Virginia Department of Health
opened a total of 1,462 acres of shellfish areas in the three
watersheds. According to the local watershed organization,
Lynnhaven River NOW, the area has not had such a large
area open to shellfish harvesting since 1931.
How did local stakeholders benefit from the
TMDL process?
The Phase I and ongoing management activities imple-
mented to achieve bacteria water quality standards
generated a number of benefits for stakeholders. Benefits
from TMDL implementation include the following:
O Improved water quality. Management activities focused
on limiting human sources of bacteria, such as the No
Discharge Zone that prohibits discharges of sanitary
waste from boats and the significant reduction of septic
systems, as well as voluntary compliance with pet waste
ordinances, have contributed to reduced bacteria levels
and improved water quality. In the Lynnhaven, Broad,
and Linkhorn Bay watersheds, one indicator for improved
bacteria levels is the
amount of shellfish
areas open for harvest-
ing. In 2006, thousands
of partners and
stakeholders released
oysters onto a sanctu-
ary reef to promote
oyster repopulation, as
shown in Figure 2. The
number of acres open
for shellfish harvesting
rose 22 percent from
Figure 2. Bucket of oysters released to the 2006 to 2007. As of
Lynnhaven Bay in 2006. 2007, 29 percent of the
"In 2007, we have resounding evidence that the steps we
are undertaking to restore water quality in the Lynnhaven
River are working."
—Lynnhaven River NOW, 2007 State of the River Report
Lynnhaven River met bacteria water quality standards set
to ensure safe shellfish consumption.
O Increased economic opportunities related to market-
able shellfish production. With the opening of more
than 1,450 acres of shellfish areas comes the opportunity
to harvest and sell oysters and clams. There is a growing
demand for Lynnhaven oysters by local and regional sea-
food restaurants, resulting in an increase in sales for local
shellfish businesses.
O Cleaner recreational activities. The No Discharge Zone
in the Lynnhaven River means that illicit discharges of
sanitary waste by recreational vessels are prohibited.
Through Virginia's Clean Marina program, four marinas
located in the Lynnhaven Bay watershed gained clean
marina certification. As a result, local residents and tour-
ists have cleaner water for recreational activities such as
boating and swimming.
O Increased public awareness and participation. The
City of Virginia Beach works with Lynnhaven River
NOW, a local watershed organization, to conduct public
outreach and education programs that will help to reduce
bacteria levels. The organization's membership total
is nearly 10 percent of the Lynnhaven River watershed
population. Through the use of newspaper and television,
Lynnhaven River NOW helps to increase the awareness
of issues affecting the watershed. Educational efforts
include promoting the City of Virginia Beach's "Don't
Feed the Ducks and Geese" program, "Scoop the Poop"
program, and informing boaters about the No Discharge
Zone.
O Increased access to funding. The TMDL implementa-
tion plan estimates over $10 million is needed to cover
the initial costs of implementing all management activi-
ties and an annual operation and maintenance cost of
over $6 million. Therefore, access to funding to imple-
ment these activities is essential. The City of Virginia
Beach worked with other local communities, as well as
state and federal agencies, to obtain federal and state
funding for TMDL implementation activities. The City
has set aside funds in their Capital Improvements bud-
get to use it for future projects in the Lynnhaven Bay
watershed. In 2007, the City of Virginia Beach provided
approximately $2 million to continue retrofitting some
of nearly 1,000 untreated stormwater outfalls in the
Lynnhaven Bay watershed.
For more information on the bacteria TMDL for the Lynnhaven, Broad, and Linkhorn Bay watersheds, contact
Jennifer Howell, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, jshowell@deq.virginia.gov, (757) 518-2111
For more information on the Virginia TMDL Program, visit www.deq.virginia.gov/tmdl/homepage.html
&ER&
December 2009
EPA841-F-09-002H
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