United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Out
Oc&e^ io Improve
'Restore
Total Maximum Daily Loads
THSDLs
TMDL at a Glance
Carrier Creek TMDL
(approved July 2002)
www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/
deq-swq-gleas-tmdlcarrier.pdf
Factors causing impairment
Aquatic life use impaired by habitat loss due to
excessive sediment and changes in natural hydrology
A history of changing landscapes in the Grand River watershed, first to support agricultural
activity and then urban land uses, created a series of local water quality problems due to
sediment from stormwater runoff and eroding streambanks. Excessive sediment eventually
took a toll on Carrier Creek, a tributary to the Grand River in Eaton County, Michigan.
Data collected by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), the Eaton
County Drain Commissioner, and other key partners demonstrated that Carrier Creek did
not have the habitat necessary to sustain healthy fish and macroinvertebrate communities
and, therefore, was not supporting its aquatic life designated use.
Starting in 2000, local stakeholders worked together to implement nonpoint source best
management practices (BMPs) using Clean Michigan Initiative grant funding from MDEQ.
The TMDL for biota in Carrier Creek, completed in 2002, provided a framework
for understanding the problems and making the connection between the sources,
water quality standards, and implementation activities. Implementation activities,
such as stream channel restoration and wetland creation, have reduced stream bank
erosion, improved aquatic habitat, and improved the health of aquatic communities
at some monitoring locations in Carrier Creek. Continued monitoring efforts will
help stakeholders identify progress toward achieving the numeric biota and habitat
endpoints to support the aquatic life designated use.
Sources contributing to impairment
Soil erosion and stream bank erosion due to
construction activities, road projects, drainage
projects and urban runoff
Restoration options
Stream channel restoration and stabilization,
stormwater management and retention projects,
improve in-stream habitat, wetland construction,
detention basin construction and re-vegetation
Stakeholder involvement
Eaton County Drain Commissioner, Friends of Carrier
Creek, City of Lansing, Delta Charter Township,
Michigan Department of Transportation, Trout
Unlimited, and local consultants
Status of waternody
All phases of restoration project completed as of fall
2008. Some trends in monitoring data indicating
improvement in fish taxa and habitat conditions.
Benefits to stakeholders
Water quality improvements, added recreational
and aesthetic value, healthier aquatic communities,
reduced flooding, funding opportunities, effective
partnerships
How are TMDLs at work in the Carrier Creek watershed?
The sediment TMDL to address aquatic life impairments in Carrier Creek provided
a vehicle to compile the existing data and information about trends in the health
of Carrier Creek's aquatic life, particularly the macroinvertebrate community, and
provide the framework necessary to support implementation efforts. Stakeholders
recognized that implementation activities to restore Carrier Creek could start before
the completion of the TMDL, based on existing information on the factors causing
impairment and the likely sources. Through the TMDL analysis, MDEQ provided
stakeholders with documented numeric targets for restoring biological communities
and habitat conditions related to changes in sediment load. The TMDL report
supported the approach of implementing best management practices that will reduce
sediment with the goal of improving biological integrity. In addition, the TMDL
emphasized the need for reassessments of the biological communities of Carrier
Creek to determine progress toward supporting the aquatic life designated use.
Who were the participating stakeholders and key partners?
MDEQ was responsible for the development of the Carrier Creek sediment TMDL
for biota. Stakeholders participated after the TMDL was approved and included
residents and officials from Eaton County, the city of Lansing, Delta Charter
Township, and members of the Friends of Carrier Creek. State partners, in addition
to MDEQ, included the Michigan Department of Transportation (MOOT).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a key federal partner involved
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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"The Carrier Creek project successfully
balanced the needs of so many
competing interests. It protected the
health of the Grand River, provided
drainage for industrial, commercial,
and residential development, and
preserved the aesthetics of Carrier
Creek. Ultimately, the project saved
and greatly improved the water
quality of the creek and improved
the health of the wildlife. It will meet
the needs of local communities in the
long-term—for the next 75years, not
just the next 10 years."
—Lyle Frost, President
Friends of Carrier Creek
in both reviewing and approving the sediment TMDL for Carrier Creek and providing
funding to support implementation.
How did stakeholders participate in the TMDL process?
The overall TMDL process includes the following elements: Clean Water Act (CWA) section
303(d) listing decisions, TMDL development, and TMDL implementation. Each element
of the TMDL process provided stakeholders with an opportunity to express concerns and
share information about the water quality problems in the Carrier Creek with MDEQ and
other key partners. A description of each element of the TMDL process is provided below.
Section 303(d) listing decisions
If a waterbody does not meet water quality standards (i.e., numeric or narrative criteria)
for one or more pollutants, it goes on a state's 303(d) list. Impaired waterbodies on this
list require a TMDL for each pollutant contributing to the impairment. Stakeholders have
the opportunity to provide input during the 303(d) listing process. MDEQ placed Carrier
Creek on Michigan's 303(d) list in 1996.
TMDL development
In 2002, MDEQ began developing a TMDL for sediment to address the aquatic life
designated use impairment in Carrier Creek. The ultimate goal of restoring the condition
of the biological communities and in-stream habitat in Carrier Creek is linked to reducing
the amount of sediment entering Carrier Creek from the identified sources. The TMDL
identifies two numeric end targets for determining attainment of water quality standards.
The first numeric end target is a minimum score of -4 for macroinvertebrate community
health determined through a biological assessment using Michigan's Qualitative
Biological and Habitat Survey Protocols for Wadeable Streams and Rivers (Procedure 51).
The second numeric target is a score of 30 for in-stream habitat conditions focused on
three sediment-related habitat metrics found in Michigan's Procedure 51.
Through the TMDL development process, MDEQ determined that no continuous
permitted point sources discharge to Carrier Creek and that nonpoint sources are
responsible for the sediment load. Specific nonpoint sources contributing excessive
sediment to Carrier Creek include soil erosion resulting from changes to the natural
shape of Carrier Creek (e.g., from winding to straight or channelized) to accommodate
agricultural uses and construction projects. In addition, changes in the amount of
impervious surfaces within the communities surrounding Carrier Creek have led to
increases in urban runoff, which affects both the quality and the quantity of storm water
conveyed by Carrier Creek. Figure 1 illustrates the appearance of Carrier Creek due to
erosion and straightening that affect instream habitat.
Because the focus of the TMDL is to improve in-stream habitat and the health of
biological communities, as quantified through Procedure 51 biological assessments, the
Note erosion of historic dredge spoils and poor instream
habitat
Note shallow, linear stream channel and lack of instream
habitat features
Carrier Creek-2
Figure 1. Pre-BMP Pictures of Carrier Creek.
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TMDL is not based on a specific mass load expressed as a weight or a volume. Instead, the
TMDL focuses on reductions in sediment through the implementation of BMPs that will
result in an acceptable macroinvertebrate community.
MDEQ made the draft TMDL available for public review and comment. Despite the
availability of the draft, MDEQ did not receive any public comments.
TMDL implementation
Under the Reasonable Assurances section of the TMDL report, MDEQ acknowledged
that stakeholders initiated implementation activities. Stakeholders developed a
watershed management plan that identified the causes of the impairment and provided
recommendations for BMPs with the goals of (1) minimizing and controlling sediment loads
and (2) re-establishing the link between Carrier Creek's floodplain and adjacent wetlands.
Under the umbrella of the Carrier Creek Storm Water Management and Restoration Project,
a team of stakeholders worked to secure federal CWA section 319 nonpoint source grant
funds and state section 319 matching funds through the Clean Michigan Initiative. The
project team is led by the Eaton County Drain Commission with participation from the
city of Lansing, Delta Charter Township, Friends of Carrier Creek, MOOT, MDEQ, and
U.S. EPA Funds obtained for implementation projects included the following:
O A federal CWA section 319 nonpoint source grant of $19,890 and local matching funds
of $75,900 to create an education and public information program.
Q Three Clean Michigan Initiative Nonpoint Source Control grants totaling $1,232,637,
with local matching funds totaling $4,227,751 to implement multiple BMPs in Carrier
Creek.
The initial phase of the implementation project began in 2001 and consisted of stream
stabilization in an upstream reach by narrowing and deepening an over wide channel
using a series of stone meander structures. In addition, the project team used numerous
in-stream structures (e.g. crossvanes, j-hooks, and lunkers) to stabilize eroding banks
and removed berms to provide greater access of stream flow to the floodplain. Figure 2
shows the improvements to Carrier Creek resulting from the restored stream meanders,
and the use of crossvanes and j-hooks. The remaining work under Phase I involved the
reconstruction of 1,200 feet of stream channel to stop massive erosion. Phase II involved
the construction of a storm water wetland at the upstream end of the impaired reach to
assist in flow mitigation and habitat restoration.
Community outreach was a key part of the overall restoration project and included grant
funding for information and education from 2001-2003. To keep local stakeholders informed
about restoration efforts, the project team maintained a website (www.carriercreek.com)
that provided status updates and other project related information. To involve stakeholders,
the project team held public meetings that not only provided project status updates, but also
recruited volunteers. Other outreach included local high school class presentations and field
trips for hands-on monitoring experience, educational brochures and newsletters, and cross-
training for other county drain commissioners in the state of Michigan.
Restored stream meanders
Crossvane
J-Hook
Figure 2. Post-BMP Pictures of Carrier Creek.
Carrier Creek-3
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Monitoring is an essential component of TMDL implementation because it provides
the data and information necessary to gauge progress toward achieving the biota and
habitat endpoints identified through the TMDL analysis. The TMDL states that MDEQ
will conduct monitoring after implementing the applicable BMPs. Annual sampling will
occur during the June to August timeframe at specified locations within Carrier Creek.
Sampling for the macroinvertebrate community and habitat will follow the protocols set
forth in Procedure 51. According to the TMDL, the sampling will continue at six specified
sites until the target values are met for two consecutive years.
What is the current status of Carrier Creek as a result of the
TMDL process?
Monitoring data collected in Carrier Creek before and after implementing the restoration
project show a few signs of in-stream improvements. According to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's CWA section 319 Nonpoint Source Success Story for Carrier Creek,
the number of fish taxa increased from 2000 (pre-restoration) to 2007 (post-restoration).
Habitat assessment data from 2006 also show an improvement from the 2000 pre-
restoration conditions at one monitoring site. The project team recently completed
implementation of Phase II of the project; subsequent monitoring data from stations in
Carrier Creek will indicate if the newly completed implementation activities produced
additional progress toward TMDL target values.
How did local stakeholders benefit from the TMDL process?
The efforts implemented under the Carrier Creek Storm Water Management and
Restoration Project has generated initial improvements in biota and habitat conditions.
Once monitoring data show that biota and habitat meet the target values established
through the TMDL, project partners will know that Carrier Creek can again support its
aquatic life designated use. The project has generated interim benefits for stakeholders,
including the following:
O Improved hydrology and habitat. The projects were effective in increasing channel
stability, improving in-stream habitat, reconnecting the channel to its floodplain, and
decreasing stream flashiness during periods of elevated storm runoff.
O Increased awareness and involvement. Restoration projects included the
implementation of local educational programs to gain public support and voluntary
assistance. The project team distributed brochures, fact sheets, and newsletters,
conducted field trips for local high school students, and provided cross-training
opportunities for other Michigan drain commissioners.
O Continued monitoring. The TMDL process has provided local stakeholders with the
framework and rationale for continued monitoring in Carrier Creek to assess whether
implementation projects are making progress toward achieving water quality standards.
O Effective local partnerships. Cooperative efforts among MDEQ, the Eaton County
Drain Commissioner, Friends of Carrier Creek, and other local partners and volunteers
were underway before the finalization of the Carrier Creek biota TMDL. However,
these local partnerships will serve as the driving force to achieving the TMDL target
values and attaining water quality standards in Carrier Creek.
©EPA
December 2009 • EPA841-F-09-002K
Carrier Creek-4
For more information on the Carrier Creek biota TMDL, contact Joe Rathbun, Michigan Department
of Environmental Quality Water Bureau, rathbunj@michigan.gov, (517) 373-8868
For more information on the Michigan TMDL Program, visit
www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3686_3728-12464--,00.html
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