Annual Report Highlights for 2013 CD I *1 Inside this Issue National Water Quality Initiative Introduction 1 Delaware 3 District of Columbia 4 Maryland 5 Pennsylvania 6 Virginia 7 West Virginia 8 Overview 111 1987, Congress established the Nonpoiiit Source (NPS) Pollution Management Program under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). This program provides states with technical assistance and giant funding, through EPA, to implement NPS pollution controls to achieve goals that protect, improve and restore water quality as described in the State's NPS pollution management program plans. Annual NPS Reports are submitted from the states in response to Section 319(h)(8) and (11) of the CWA (33 USC1329. The Watts Branch riparian restoration project included over 1.7 miles of stream stabilization. 50 fish habitat structures and over 10.000 trees. Total project costs exceeded $3.7 million. *ir ' * •! ri * 4 % ¦ — \F*S ~ * 2EL The National Water Quality Initiative first established hi 2012 was expanded in 2013. NRCS identified priority watersheds hi each state through the help of local partnerships and state water quality agencies, hi many watersheds partners are offering assistance in addition to NRCS programs. This strategic approach leverages funds and provides streamlined assistance to help individual agricultural produc- ers take needed actions to reduce the runoff of sediment, nutrients and pathogens into water- ways where water quality is a critical concern. Eligible producers will receive assistance under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for installing conserv ation systems that may include practices such as nutrient management, cover crops, conservation cropping systems, filter strips, terraces, and in some cases, edge-of- field water quality monitoring. The following are the designated NWQI watersheds in our Region: Restoring Lakes and Streams States hi Region 3 documented restoration on 7 streams and 1 lake during the Year. The Region ranked 4th nationally hi Restoration efforts during 2013. States also documented water quality im- provement hi an additional 6 streams. All States Success Stories are located @ httu ://water.et>a. gov/ polwraste/nps/success319/ Projects described on this site have received funding from Clean Water Act (CWA) section 319 and/or other funding sources dedicated to solving nonpoiiit source (NPS) impairments. Water quality improvements are demonstrated through the achievement of water quality standards for one or more pollutants/uses (i.e.. removal from the state's CWA section 303(d) hst of impaired waters): measured in-stream reduction hi a pollutant: or measured improvement hi a parameter that indicates stream health such as hicreases hi fish or niacrohivertebrate counts. These stories also describe innovative strategies used to reduce NPS pollution, the growth of partnerships and a diversity of funding. State DE MD PA VA WV NWQI Watershed name Clear Brook-Nanticoke River Catocthi Creek Sacony, Upper Maiden & Upper Kishacoquillas Creeks Smith & Fifteen Mile Creeks Douthat and Knapp Creeks USGS Hydrologic Unit Code(s) 20801090404 20700080101, 20700080102 & 20700080103 20402030304, 20402030305 & 20503040701 20700060202. 20700060203 & 60101020401 50500030201, 50500030202 & 50500030203 ------- Annual Report Highlights for 2013 Virginia leads the Region in preventing the largest amount of Nitrogen from entering rivers and streams. Practices installed on farms during FY 13 will result in estimated edge of field nitrogen reductions of approximately 6.4 million pounds, phosphorus reductions of approximately 1,5 million potmds and sediment reductions of approximately 1.2 tons. Of that quantity, approximately than 3 million pounds of nitrogen and more than 306.000 potuids of phosphorus were supported by NPS Section 319 program. This was the highest concentration among Region 3 states and the highest nitrogen reduction in the nation. This was achieved largely by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts working closely with farmers, and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's efforts to recruit and train private nutrient management planners. Additional cost-sharing from the state and through the EPA NPS program grant enabled the districts to continue working to reduce non-point source pollution. The ability of districts to work in partnership with local, state and federal agencies increases their effectiveness at solving local environmental problems. ScdvnmtaijavSdUtnn t.OOOK ISOOK 7.000K FY 13 Reduction*. 2.500K 3.000K 3.&00K Watershed Based Plan implementation in Region 3 The National NPS Program began requiring the development and implementation of Wa- tershed Based Plans in 2002. Since then. States in Region 3 have developed over 105 watershed based plans that cover over 270 watersheds when fully implemented over 3000 impaired streams will be restored. However the estimated cost to fully imple- ment these plans exceeds 2.7 billion dollars. ------- Annual Report Highlights for 2013 Overview DELAWARE Pg 3 The Delaware Nonpoint Source Program administers a competitive giant made possible through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The grant provides funding for projects designed to reduce nonpoint source (NPS) pollution in Delaware. NPS pollution may be defined as any pollution that originates from a diffuse source (such as an open field or a road) and is transported to surface or ground waters through leaching or run- off. Reduction of NPS pollution may often be achieved through incorporation of specific best management practices (BMPs) into project work plans. Projects may target any source of NPS pollution, but most frequently involve agriculture, silviculture, coils traction, marinas, septic systems, and hydromodification activities. Delaware Nonpoint Source Program 2013 Notable Accomplishments Projects funded with 319(h) funding during 2013 resulted in pollutant load reductions : 957, 425 pounds/year of nitrogen and 22,295 pounds year of phospho- rus. load reductions. The Upper Chesapeake Bay Watershed Management Plan was drafted and conditionally accepted by the EPA. along with three other watershed plans be- ing developed with anticipated completion by the end of 2014. Nutrient Relocation Program The Nutrient Relocation Program accounted for the transportation of over 56.000 tons of poultry manure out of Delaware's priority watersheds in 2013. If that tonnage had been applied to the source farm rather that relocated, significant nitro- gen and phosphorus could have potentially entered Delaware's surface waters. On a watershed scale, the tons of manure for each priority watershed are rep- resented in the Chesapeake Bay Load Reductions table below. Chesapeake Bay 2013 WIP Highlight Reports Delaware saw steady decreases in the modeled nitrogen, phos- phorus. and sediment loads due to increased implementation, improved data tracking and re- porting efforts, and improved communication and coordination with partners agencies through the Watershed Plan development process. Several regulatory revisions also got underway. The Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation regu- lations were revised to be con- sistent with federal standards and became effective in November 2011. Revisions to both the Sediment and Stormwater Regu- lations and the Regulations Gov- erning the Design, Installation, and Operation of On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Dis- posal Systems also went through the regulatory revision process. Broth sets of regulations were finalized at the end of 2013. Important improvements have also been made to data tracking and reporting systems through the conversion to the National Environmental Information Ex- change Network (NEIEN) plat- form. Section 319 Activity within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: 319 Projects Grant Year Status 319(h) Funds Ecological Restoration FY09, 10 Complete $15,785 Nutrient Management Planning FY08, 09, 11 Complete $152,289 Nutrient Management Relocation FY08, 09, 11 Complete $124,072 CREP Acres (Salary for Coordinator) FY11 Complete $60,000 (statewide) Chesapeake Bay Load Reductions based upon direct funding or leveraged funding associated with the NPS Program Practice Load Reductions N Load Reductions P Cover Crops 453,037 lbs/year 942 lbs/year Nutrient Relocation 148, 528 lbs/year 7,050 lbs/year Nutrient Management 88,623 lbs/year 4,598 lbs/year Wetland Restoration 13,650 lbs/year 470 lbs/year Bio Retention 4.14 lbs/year 0.61 lbs/year Wet Ponds/Wetlands 37,950 lbs/year 1,759 lbs/year Totals 741,792 lbs/year 14,820 lbs/ year DELAWARE ii*fs NONPOINT SOURCE PR0GFAM ------- Annual Report Highlights for 2013 Overview DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Pg 4 Pollution Prevention The mission of the District of Columbia's (DC) Non- point Source program is to prevent and control non- point source pollution in the District's watersheds. Employing both regulatory and non-regulatory approaches, the Program I works to safeguard the city's water and soil I resources as well as the health and welfare of citi- I zens using those resources. RiverSmart Homes is a Low Impact Development (LID) retrofit program aimed at single family homes Through this program DDOE performs audits of homeowner s properties and provides feedback on what LTD technologies can be installed. In 2013. the program has installed 776 ram barrels, planted 775 shade trees, installed 128 ram gardens, implemented BayScapmg at 151 properties, replaced impervious surfaces with green space or pervious pavers at 35 properties and conducted 1,010 audits. Tree Planting: In FY2013, DDOE and partnering non-profit organizations Casey Trees and Washington Parks and People planted 775 trees as part of the RiverSmart Homes and Tree Rebate Program and awarded 298 rebates for District of Columbia residential and commercial property owners to plant trees on their District property. Green Roof Rebate/Retrofit Program: In 2012 there were 449,000 sq ft of green roof installations, with 85,704 sq ft added to the District s portfolio m 2013, funded publicly and privately. DDOE s rebate program offered a $7 rebate per sq ft and funded 39, 313 sq ft (approx. 45%) of all green roofs installed District-wide in 2013. Rain Barrel Rebate Program: Property owners who purchase and install rain barrels from an approved ram barrel list are able to apply for rebate, administered by a partnering non-profit organization, DC Greenworks. Ram barrels with a capacity of 75 gallons or more are eligible for a $75 rebate and a 500 gallon cistern will merit a $500 rebate. Homeowners are eligible to receive up to two rebates per property. Forty-six (46) rain barrels have been in- stalled and rebated in FY 2013. Education, Protection and Restoration DDOE rtininwmffNT iM&wagsr . PntKtofOur Anacostia River \ l mumts Report pollution! till 311 Do Not Pollute! !No Contaminai! Drains to the IEPARTMENT >FTH£ Pope Branch Stream Restoration and Sewer Line Replacement In August 2013. DCWATER began repairing and replacing portions of the sewer line that runs through Pope Branch's stream valley. Sewer line repair was to be completed in calendar year 2013. with stream restoration work to begin in 2014 to connect the stream to its historic flood- plain level and create a series of pools and riffles throughout the corridor ensuring high flow events spread out on the floodplain. MWCOG was awarded a grant in early FY2013 to perform pre- and post-monitoring at Pope Branch for water quality, storm flow, bacterial source tracking, and macroinvertebrates. Combined monitoring conducted by both MWCOG and DDOE staff post-restoration will help demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed restoration design technique. Teacher Training Workshops Figuit 9 - A RiverSmart Schools teacher training tvnikslinp Teacher training workshops can provide teachers with continuing education credits through accred- ited environmental ciuiiculums that support the DCPS teaching and learning standards. FY2013 workshops included: Two Project Learning Tree (PLT) workshops with the Department of Parks and Recreation staff and one PLT workshop for Student Conservation Association staff and crew leaders. WPD partnered with non-profit organizations to train 6-12th grade DCPS teachers using the outdoors as a classroom and conducting site investigations as part of two pro- fessional development days orga- RiverSmart Schools DuPont Park Adventist School Constructed a French dram system to solve a stormwater drainage issue. Installed a pollinator garden after amending the compacted soil. Constructed two outdoor class- room seating areas for 30 pre- school students. Completed three community action days where students plant natives and landscape plants along the fence area. Conducted four classroom vis- its and provided two boat trips on the Anacostia River. Figure 12 - Stoiieah and teachers working to instnll a pollinator garden ------- Annual Report Highlights for 2013 Overview Maryland Department of the Environment plays a lead role in helping to achieve protection and improvement of Maryland's water quality by promoting and funding state and local water quality monitoring, stream and wetland restoration. education and outreach, and other measures to reduce and track nonpoint source pollution loads. M _ Maryland MARYLAND Accomplishments Casselman River In Maryland, the Casselman River flows about 20 miles from Savage River State Forest into Pennsylvania. The watershed area is 66 square miles and is part of the Mis- sissippi River drainage. Goal MDE's 2011 watershed plan goal is to meet the pH wa- ter quality standard of no less than 6.5 pH and no greater than 8.5 pH by increasing alkalinity (nig CaC03/l). Implementation Phase 1 BMP implementation on public land was com- pleted in 2013 at all eleven sites with FFY2009 319(h) Giant funding and other funds. Also in 2013, Phase 2 implementation for private lands began initial site selec- tion and planning using 319(h) Grant FFY2009 and FFY2013 hinds. Corsica River Pg 5 Figure 8. Casselman Rrvei watershed Phase 1 AMD mitigation sites. The Corsica River, which is 6.5 miles in length, is located in Queen Anne's County. The watershed area is 40 square miles and is part of the larger Chester River Watershed. Goals: The NPS annual TMDL load allocation for nitrogen is 268,21 libs and for phosphorus is 19,380 lbs. Corsica River watershed ambient NPS nutrient loads already met the TMDL when it was approved by EPA, so the TMDL serves as a benchmark to prevent degradation addition, other goals were established as listed in the following implementation progress table. The volunteers show here are planting live oysters this year on an oyster reef in the Corsica River The oysters were collected through the Maryland Grows Oysters (MGO) program (Photo by the Maryland Depart Of Natural Resources and courtesy of the Corsica River Conservancy Table 13. Corsica River Watershed Plan - 2013 Implementation Progress Summary Goals C ategoiy (1) Agricultural BMP; Cover Crop (3) Azriculturai Buffers Forest Buffers (urban) Manure Transfer (3) Oyster Bed Restoration Rain Gardens & Bioretention Septic Tank Upgrades Stormwater Retrofits Stream Restoration Waste Storage Facilities tag) Wetland Restoration t'nil miles acres Coal 50 5.500 100 200 27.4 20 408 30 300 1 108 Progress (2) Implementation Progress 2013 5.756 0(4) 2005 thru 2012 94 3 14 11 373 18 112.5 1 883 Percent of Goal Achieved 22% 105*. 94*. 7% 0*. 55*. 91*. 60*. 37 5*. 0 0*. 100*. 82*. 1 at'le footnote* 1 Categoric* lot wiimhed plan aoal* Hacked by EPA l"i |>ro|u«« 2 201J caIcimW yciw Town of <"ciiwMlle ts the tend iiillilruinilri leimitn tn CMfMiMmi Willi tlx- r«nk« Implemented (Honji All * I!iIGntnl-fttuded tmplancut'i'ion H reported Zeto menus no fiopr« or not lepoireti Ckcv vlucluu lucdin ii"« dK'lKllilc .V Covet ctoj."» nud manure tramfci me iuuiuI BMP* Ttm table icpoid Mil)' IIm> tnihi i«nii i-.tleiulu yeJit 4. FiMt ictiofits wetc completed lUmiui 210.4 Nit will tie reported next yea* wbm CeiiitevUle"* FTT11 Mftht Gtnut project ck>*ev Total Pollutant Reduction Watershed Plan Nutrient Reduction Goal Percent of Goal Achieved Total Pollutant Reduction Reported 2005 thru 2013 Nitrogen (lbs yt i 35,846 32.777 2.173 150 73 0 61.7 08 2100 71.320 100.132 71J«. Phosphorus (Ibvyr) 4.791 4.393 141 20 59 0 1 420 9.401 6.306 1491' Sediment (tons/yi) 863 1.5 0 1 864 ------- Annual Report Highlights for 2013 Pa NPS Program Pennsylvania continues its efforts to implement their NPS Management Program PIan-200S Update which outlines current efforts that the Com- monwealth can take to address Nonpoint Source (NPS) pollu- tion of siuface water bodies. Pennsylvania has been very successful in its efforts to pull various partnering agencies and organizations together to work to- wards the goal of im- proving Nonpoint Source (NPS) im- paired streams and lakes throughout Pennsylvania. Through the imple- mentation of restora- tion projects. Pa has been able to restore over 125 miles of NPS impaired streams as well as over 1.800 acres of NPS impaired lakes since 2008. Ssp In LIGfW&jr (*%) PENNSYLVANIA Pe 6 Stream and Lake Assessments Approximately 16.353 of the 84,571 miles of assessed streams in PA. or about 19%, were found to be impaired for the Aquatic life designated use. The 16.353 mile figure includes the Impaired. Approved TMDL and Compliance categories. Approximately 67,972 of 84.571 miles of streams in PA. or about 80%. support the aquatic life designated use. Approximately 1.500 lakes and reservoirs comprising approximately 161.455 acres exist in Pennsylvania. Of these lakes and reservoirs there are about 380 ( 25%) that are open to the public and 150 (10%) within Pennsylvania's State Parks. Pennsylvania has been able to dociunent that 1.862 lake acres, which had been listed as impaired in 2008. are now attaining aquatic life uses. Estimated Load Reductions From 319 Federally Funded Projects Completed in 2013 Nutrient and Sediment Pollutant Load Abandoned Mine Drainage Pollutant Reduction Estimates Load Reduction Estimates Nitrogen (lbs/year) Phosphorus (lbs/year) Sediment (tons/year) 51,287 11,616 3,781 Iron (lbs/year) Aluminum (lbs/year) Acidity (lbs/year) 18,800 3,800 19,000 Improving Waters Kettle Creek & Two Mile Creek Watersheds The Kettle Creek watershed is located in the Deep Valley Section of the Ap- palachian Plateau. Although more than half of the Kettle Creek watershed is classified as Exceptional Value for water quality, abandoned mine drain- age (AMD) historically polluted over six miles of the lower mam stem and another eight miles of streams in the Two Mile Run sub-watershed. Most recently, the Swamp Area Passive Treatment System was completed in October 2012 to address severe AMD flows (average pH of 3.1 and flow of 45 gpm, 522 mg/L as CaC03 acidity, 80 mg/L iron, and 41 mg/L aluminum) in the headwaters of Two Mile Run. The completion of two final passive treatment systems m early summer of 2013 that will address AMD in Robbins Hollow will wrap up the effort to reme- diate all the treatable AMD within the Two Mile Run watershed. West Branch Susquehanna The West Branch Susquehanna River watershed spans 6,978 sq miles m north central and central Pennsylvania. The majority of the mountainous area is comprised of dense forests, with ap- prox. 10% of the land-used for agricul- ture. Results from the 2009 West Branch Susquehanna Recovery Bench- mark Project indicated significantly better water quality and biological conditions compared to historical conditions. For AMD-impaired tribu- taries between Curwensville and Renovo, pH improved 85%, acidity concentrations decreased 79%, iron decreased 68%, and aluminum de- creased 92%. While large tributaries such as Moshannon Creek and Kettle Creek still contribute acidity to the West Branch Susquehanna River, the amount of acidity contributed has greatly reduced over the years. Photo 1: The Swamp Area Passive Treatment Figure 1: A depiction of change from 1970's acidic conditions to 209 net- aUcalme conditions on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River ------- Annual Report Highlights for 2013 Overview Virginia's goal is that all rivers, lakes, streams and tidal waters attain the appropriate beneficial uses. These beneficial uses are described by the following use goals: drinking water, primary contact swimming, fishing, sliellfishing. and aquatic life. These uses are protected by application of the state's numeric and narrative water quality criteria. When the beneficial uses are not being met these waters are considered "impaired" and the state must take steps to meet water quality standards. One very important step in restoring water quality in the nonpoint source (NPS) impaired streams is the development and implementation of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). The goal of the TMDL program is to achieve attainment of water quality standards. The Commonwealth achieves this goal by means of a three -phase process: TMDL development, development of TMDL Implementation Plans (IPs) and implementa- tion of best management practices (BMPs). TMDL reports, implementation plans and implementation progress updates are availa- ble from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) at www.deq. Virginia. gov/ Programs Water W aterQualitylnformationT - MDLs.aspx. Information on Virginia's Nonpoint Source (319) Management Program is available from DEQ at: www.deq.viiginia.gov/ Programs. Water/ WaterQualitylnformationT- MDLs; NonpointSourcePollution- Management.aspx VIRGINIA TMDL Implementation Projects Virginia state law requires the development of a TMDL implementation plan (IP) after a TMDL is developed and approved by EPA. In Virginia TMDL IPs function as water- shed based plans under Section 319(h) grant requirements. The IP describes the measures that must be taken to meet the TMDL. In FY 2013. DCR DEQ. and other partners developed 10 IPs covering 102 impaired segments. In addition, six IPs covering 71 impairments were under development, but were not completed or approved by the end of the fiscal year. Since 2000. Virginia has completed 68 IPs. addressing 336 impair- ments. As of June 2013. Virginia's TMDL Implementation Program includes 16 imple- mentation projects currently or previously funded with Federal 319(h) and state fluids, 2 projects that received one-time allotments from federal, state, local and non-profit sources, and 14 projects receiving state fluids Pa 7 Cumulative Summary of TMDL Implementation Plan Development in Virginia: 2001-2013 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 20OC 2007 2308 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Year TMDL IP Completed The chart above summarizes TMDL implementation plan development in Virginia since 2001 In the majority of cases, watersheds that have a complet- ed implementation plan also have TMLD implementation projects underway for agricultural implementation. BMP Implementation and Pollution Reductions Tracking BMP implementation in TMDL watersheds is critical in measuring success within the TMDL program. BMPs are effective and practical ways to prevent or reduce pollution from NPS to ensure water quality. From July 1, 2012 thru June 30, 2013. 29 active implementation projects jointly funded by Federal EPA §319(h), state Water Quality Improvement Funds, and state Virginia Natural Resources Commitment Fluids implemented 538 agricultural and residential septic BMPs. This implementation resulted in over 230.997 feet of stream exclusion and the reduction of 1.295+16 colony forming units (CFU) of fecal coli- form bacteria. 52,722 pounds of nitrogen, 8,726 pounds of phosphorous, and 8.606 tons of sediment. Water Quality Improvements. Watershed Restoration, and Delistings The Craig, Browns, and Marsh Run watersheds are located in Fauquier County. VA in the Rappahannock River Basin. The watershed comprises approximately 29.400 acres, with agri- culture and forest as the predominate land uses. Bacterial TMDLs were completed for the creeks in April 2007 as part of the Rappahannock River Basin TMDL. approved by the EPA in 2008. A TMDL implementation plan was completed in 2010. Implementation Hi s>h1i plits The John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was awarded fluids for agricultural and residential BMP implementation in July 2012. Both the agricultural and residential BMP programs are off to a good start, with nearly 20,000 feet of livestock exclusion fencing installed within the first year of the project, two septic system re- placements and one repair completed. Associated pollutant reductions are shown in the table provided. Cblpeper Pollution Reductions for Craig, Brown and Marsh Runs: July 2012^)une 2013 Pathogens {Coliform) CFU Nitrogen Lbs/year Phosphorus Lbs/year Sedimentation- Siltation tons/year 9.40E+14 4,893 706 18 Targeted TMDL Implementation Project Begins in Northern Piedmont Cfdfmy jf ------- Annual Report Highlights for 2013 Overview According to recent survey information of our nation s streams, rivers, wetlands and estuanes. nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is the largest source of water quality problems. Approximately 40% of our waters surveyed do not support their designated uses due to NPS pollution. NPS pollution is impairment associated with precipitation and run-off and other non-permitted activities. Smce it is mostly un-regulated. NPS is the people's pollution. Many communities and local organizations are working together to improve their environment. Participation is key Local leaders must understand the importance of sustainable practices, low impact develop- ment (LID) and organizing to do our best to restore and protect water ways for the future. Section 319 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) distributes grant monies to the states to implement NPS programs. This national program, administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), is vitally important and its results have been significant. Section 319 provides monies for base and incremental grant programs Base grants provide monies for our staff. These experts are essen- tial for project management and for encouraging participation from local communities and organiza- tions m areas impacted by NPS pollution. Base grant monies also support outreach and education activities, monitoring and many partner agencies that work to address NPS pollution West Virginia has allocated $8.3 mil- lion towards base grants since 2007. Incremental grants are used for project implementation. The planning and the areas that are targeted are driven by the 303(d) list and TMDL (total maximum daily loads) process. West Virginia has allocated $9.3 million towards incremental grants since 2007. WEST VIRGINIA Ps 8 Students learn about and get to hold live aquatic invertebrates at one of he many provides a wide variety of technical assistance. In 2013, well over 2,000 people actively took part m SOS training. Numbers were significantly higher but difficult to quantify due to water festivals where students rotated through stations. For instance, this past July at the Boy Scouts Jambo- ree, over 100,00 scouts were present. There were increased duties as a technical advisory position in both presentations and m applying knowledge gamed through special- ized training. Executive Summary In FY2013, the NPS Program man- aged a total of 100 projects. Forty- two (42) of those projects were addi- tional grant opportunities (AGOs). All of the 2009, 33% of the 2010, and 48% or the 2011 projects were closed-out in 2013. Significant progress was made m the reduction of pollutants that are tracked on a national level; these are sediment and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous). Most of the sources of these pollutants are from agricultural and stormwater sources. West Virginia does not have large scale agricultural operations, and as a whole is still largely un-developed. Many of our urban areas are small when compared to the larger urban areas within EPA Region ID. The largest category of BMPs imple- mented in 2013 is our agricultural efforts, mostly through the work of the WV Conserv ation Agency (WVCA). The WVCA works on watershed projects m priority water- shed and has statewide programs that reduce a significant amount of nutri- ents and sediment. Examples of agricultural BMPs include livestock exclusion fencing, vegetative buffers, nutrient management, prescribed grazing, feedlot relocation, alterna- tive water and barnyard runoff man- agement West Virginia Save Our Streams: SOS is West Virginias long-term volunteer momtormg program that encourages citizens groups, schools and many others of all ages to become involved m monitoring their own local waterways. The program not only teaches procedures but assists groups m developing long-term monitoring plans and Figure 1 - Summary of BMPs implemented during 2013 Restoration Stormwater Agriculture Wastewater WV Conservation Agency The West Virginia Conserv ation Agency (WVCA) remains the primary entity responsible for the implementation of the West Virginia Agriculture and Construction components of DEP's NPS Program and for coordinating and implementing water quality improvement projects. Conserv ation Specialists (CS) serve as direct service providers or help coordinate assistance from other sources to watershed organizations and landowners. WVCA supports statewide efforts to address nonpoint pollution with education and outreach, coordination and implementation of projects addressing runoff, erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, nutrient and pest management, stream cleanup, ripari- an demonstrations, streambank stabilization, pre and post project momtormg, watershed assessments, agriculture BMP selection and installation, the availability and types of conservation programs, financial assistance, and water quality improvements. In addition to the statewide support WVCA will focus efforts m the following project areas: WVCA offers technical assistance and program guidance where the resource conservation problems extend beyond the normal realm of NRCS programs WVCA is respon- sible for all of the 319 projects that involve agriculture, and now have the capacity to develop watershed based plans (WBPs) m-house. In 2013, WVCA submitted plans for Upper Meadow River and revised the Elk Run WBP. WVCA also provided assistance in developing a quality assurance project plan (QAPP) for the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) in Knapps Creek. In addi- tion to promoting USDA's Farm Bill Programs, WVCA takes advantage of several statewide programs through the local Conserv ation Dis- tricts. ------- |