^E0SX ' Q' \ PRC'"' NONPOINT SOURCE SUCCESS STURY %entuckW Watershed Planning and Septic Outreach Leads to Red Bird River Delisting WafprhnHv imnrnvpH T^e Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) added an approximately y 15-mile segment of Red Bird River (miles 0.0-15.35) to the 2016 Clean Water Act (CWA) section 303(d) list/Integrated Report as impaired (partial support) for primary contact recreation (PCR) due to Escherichia coli bacteria. In 2021, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved DOW's statewide bacteria total maximum daily load (TMDL), which includes Red Bird River. After years of outreach and septic system improvements, water quality collected in 2018 indicated the segment fully supports its PCR designated use. As a result, DOW proposes to delist the E. coli impairment for this Red Bird River segment in the 2022 Integrated Report to Congress. Problem Red Bird River (KY-2483) drains into the South Fork of the Kentucky River in southeast Kentucky (Figure 1). Red Bird River is approximately 34 miles iong and drains a 195.5-square-miie watershed dominated by forestland in Clay, Leslie, and Bell counties. Water chemistry sampling of Red Bird River in 2013 Indicated that concentrations of E. coli did not support the PCR designated use, resulting In a 15-miie segment being listed as impaired on the 2016 CWA section 303(d) list/ integrated Report. A bacteria TMDL was subsequently developed and was approved in 2021. Other Red Bird River watershed streams listed in this bacteria TMDL include Upper jacks Creek (mi. 0-2.3), Big Creek (mi. 0-4.25), Elk Creek (mi. 0-5.75), and Lawson Creek (mi. 0-2.85). Story Highlights Watershed planning efforts began in June 2010 when the U.S. Forest Service and local community partners met to find ways to improve water quality and tourism in the Red Bird River watershed. In 2015, the CWA section 319(h) program awarded $231,237 to the Daniel Boone National Forest to develop and implement the Red Bird River watershed plan. In 2016, the Red Bird River Watershed Team finalized the plan, which outlines watershed needs for septic system improvements, erosion mitigation, and trash cleanup. To reduce bacteria loading in the watershed, this project funded two septic system workshops (Figure 2), 24 septic cleanouts, and 11 new septic VGIN. Esri. HERE, Garmin, Safe&aph. METi/NASA, USGS. EPA, NPS, USOA 0 0.97 1.9 Legend 319 Funded BMPs ® Habitat Protection © Onsite Wastewater © Stream Restoration Delisted Red Bird River Segment Red Bird River & Tributaries I I Red Bird River HUC12 Watersheds Figure 1. Red Bird River is in southeastern Kentucky. system installations through partners such as Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, the Red Bird Mission, the University of Kentucky, and the Cumberland Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council (CVRCD). Outside funding to the Red Bird Mission made it pos- sible to multiply the impact of this effort by installing an additional 19 new septic systems and completing two septic repairs. ------- Attend a workshop to qualify for A FREE SEPTIC PUMPOUT A failing septic system can cost thousands of dollars to repair, pose a serious health risk to your family and have negative impacts on water quality in your community. Attend this FREE workshop to learn: How does my septic system work? How can I prevent my system from needing expensive repairs? Am I eligible for financial assistance to pump or replace my system? THE CARE AND FEEDING OF YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM WHEN: May 2, 2018; l-2pm WHERE: Cardinal House Red Bird Mission Workhouse 70 Queendale Center Beverly KY For More Information Please Contact Lois Smith 606-598-0520 E. coli Sampling in Red Bird River Presented by Brad Lee * College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Cooperative Extension Service This work was funded in part by a grant from the US EPA under 319(h) of the Clean Water Act Figure 2. Septic system outreach flyer for Red Bird River. i-igure 3. Red Bird River cleanup, November 2017. Community engagement was high throughout the project, as evidenced by volunteer engagement on streamside trash cleanups, erosion control projects, and septic system workshops. Over the course of three years, volunteers conducted trash cleanups along 16.6 miles of stream in the Red River watershed (Figure 3). Grant funding also helped mitigate erosion along 69.2 miles of hiking trails in the Daniel Boone National 014 2015 2016 Sampling Year • E. coli Water Quality Standard Samples Used For Delisting Figure 4. Bacteria sampling in the Red Bird River watershed. Forest. Additionally, 100 community members attended an informational meeting on septic improve- ments, and 73 people attended septic workshops. Results Following substantial watershed planning, septic investment and watershed cleanup, new data demon- strates the Red Bird River Creek segment from miles 0.0 to 15.35 now supports the PCR designated use. in 2018, DOW monitoring results show that all five samples during the PCR season (May-September) were under the 240 most probable number (MPN)/100 milliliters (mL) water quality threshold for delisting (see Figure 4). As a result, Red Bird River (miles 0.0-15.35) now meets its primary contact recreation designated use, and E. coli is proposed for delisting as part of the 2022 Integrated Report to Congress. Partners and Funding Substantial local engagement led to finalization of the Red Bird River Watershed Plan and focused engage- ment on septic system improvements. The U.S. Forest Service and Red Bird Mission played pivotal roles in galvanizing community support, while also leverag- ing over $154,000 in matching funds. DOW awarded another EPA 319(h) grant for $178,255 in 2019 to con- tinue septic system improvements, erosion mitigation, and stream restoration efforts. Matching funds nearing $119,000 are slated to multiply this investment, with an enduring impact on the health of this watershed. & *L PRO^° 2 o U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Washington, DC EPA 841-F-23-001K September 2023 For additional information contact: Josiah Frey Kentucky Division of Water 502-782-0164 • josiah.frey@ky.gov ------- |