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Maine’s Lake
Watershed-based
Protection Plans:
An Alternative to Nine Element Plans
Wendy Garland Watershed Management Unit Division of Environmental Assessment
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Protecting Maine’s Air, Land and Water
Maine’s Lake Resources
• Over 5,700 lakes
• Impaired Lakes
o 24 NPS impaired
o 3.7% of Maine’s lake acres
o 12 have nine-element plans
• Lakes Threatened by NPS
o 147 Threatened Lakes on Priority
Watersheds List
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
Nonpoint Pollution Sources
• Dissolved phosphorus and
phosphorus attached to sediment
is pollutant of concern
• Soil erosion is biggest NPS
source in most lake watersheds
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
Maine’s Approach to Lake Protection
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
Watershed Survey
Phased Implementation Projects
Watershed Survey of NPS Sites
• Trained volunteers assess
watershed critical source areas
• Find, describe, and rate
phosphorus sources (i.e.,
sediment likely to reach lake)
• Recommend BMPs needed to
treat NPS sites
• Data compiled in report
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/
materials/lakewsurveyguide.pdf
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
Phased Implementation Projects
Prompt BMP installation at important
NPS sites from watershed survey.
• Outreach - Recruit landowners to
adopt BMPs
• Technical Assistance - Evaluate
NPS sites, designs BMPs,
oversee installation
• BMP Installation - Landowners
install BMPs at NPS sites (self-
funded, YCC labor or cost share)
• NPS Site Tracker
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
Phased Implementation Projects
• NPS Site Tracker - Continue to
scout for, find and record new NPS
sites using “NPS Tracker Tool”
o Used to prompt maintenance
o No need to invest in watershed
survey updates
Site
# Land Use Location
Description of
Problem
Landowner name
& contact info.
Date
Identified
Year
Fixed
Description of
Work Completed
Date
Inspected
Follow-up Action
Needed?
1PR Private
Road 7th Street
Ditch backslope
failing; runoff from
road flowing into
stream.
Jon Scarpelli
207-767-8828,
2008
Watershed
Survey
2010
Slope cut back,
stabilized with
ECM and planted
with junipers.
Ditch and settling
basin installed.
8/19/2013
Send annual
reminder email to
landowners to
cleanout basin.
Inspect again in
2015.
3R Residential 17 Pine
Ave.
Erosion along roof
dripline, lack of
buffer and bare soil
on sitting area.
Diane Harkins,
636-2215
2008
Watershed
Survey
Landowner Tech
assistance visit on
6/13/13.
Follow up with
landowner to see if
work done.
4R Residential 110 8th
Street
Shoreline erosion,
lack of buffer and
erosion on path to
lake.
Brad and Carol
Oates, 636-2118 2014
Schedule site visit
in 2015.
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
• Nine element plans
• 2013 Guidance
o WBPs Required
o Alternative Plans
EPA 319 Guidance
Alternative Plan Required Elements
• Identification of the causes or sources of NPS
threat;
• Watershed project goal(s) and explanation of
how the proposed project(s) will achieve or
make advancements towards achieving goals;
• Schedule and milestones;
• Proposed management measures; and
• Water quality results monitoring component
EPA regions may approve the use of watershed
project funding to implement alternative plans in
the following circumstances:
a. When the impairment is not specific to a
pollutant.
b. When responding to a NPS pollution
emergency or urgent NPS public health risk.
c. When protecting assessed unimpaired/high
quality waters.
d. When addressing an isolated, small-scale
water quality problem resulting from one or a
few sources of pollution.
Alternative Plan Development
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
• EPA Involvement
• Developed Guidance
• Helped Develop First Plan
Plan Framework
• Applicability
• Watershed Survey Report
• Components
– Watershed Background
– Causes of NPS Threat
– Plan Goal & Objectives
– Schedule and Milestones
– Plan Ownership & Partner Roles
– Management Measures
– Water Quality Monitoring
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
Lake
Impaired (303d list)
EPA nine-element plan required
Unimpaired
(not on 303d list)
Threatened by NPS (NPS Priority
Watersheds List)
Watershed survey no longer accurate (>5 years old)
Update survey before completing MDEP Lake Watershed-Based Plan
Recent watershed survey (<5 years old)
Eligible to complete MDEP Lake Watershed-
Based Protection Plan
Ellis Pond Case Study
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
• Lake & Watershed Overview
• Watershed Survey
• Plan Development
• Progress to Date & Next Steps
TABLE 2: ACTION ITEMS & M ILESTONES Schedule Who Potential Funding
Sources Reduce current sources of phosphorus loading to the lake by addressing NPS sites identified in the watershed survey Contact landowners with survey sites. Share information about technical and financial resources and encourage independent efforts to make repairs
2015-2016 EPWC EPWC
Create a list of local suppliers and costs of commonly recommended materials 2015-2016 MDEP, OCSWCD NA Establish a small grants program to assist landowners with purchasing materials for BMP installation on low impact and residential sites
2015-2020 EPWC, Landowners EPWC, Private, EPA
(319) Establish volunteer work parties and student service learning projects to help install BMPs at NPS sites
2015-2020 Schools, SLCOA, EPWC NA
Provide technical assistance to landowners 2016-2021 OCSWCD, MDACF EPA (319), DACF Provide cost sharing assistance and oversee design and implementation of BMPs at high and medium NPS sites identified in the watershed survey
Town and Private Roads (15 sites) Residential Sites (18 sites) Logging (14 sites) Recreational Trails (20 sites)
2016-2025 Landowners, Towns, DACF, Local Snowmobile and ATV
Clubs, OCSWCD, MDEP
Towns, Private, EPA (319), DACF
Prevent new sources of phosphorus loading to the lake Outreach and Education
Post survey results on partner websites, mailings and meetings 2015 SLCOA, Towns NA
Create and post watershed signs at entry points to the watershed 2015 Town of Roxbury Town
Create demonstration projects and signage that educates public about BMPs 2016-2018 EPWC EPA (319) Create handout for Town CEOs to distribute to homeowners with information about DEP-certified contractors, erosion control guidelines, etc.
2016 EPWC, OCSWCD, Towns EPA (319)
Conduct campaign to encourage landowners to protect and expand shoreline and streambank buffers
2016-2020 EPWC, SLCOA, OCSWCD EPA (319)
Host hands-on workshops on water quality monitoring, trail BMP installation and road
maintenance Ongoing SLCOA, EPWC,DACF EPWC, EPA (319)
Share resources and project information through newspapers, online media, flyers, mailings, and town meetings
Ongoing EPWC, SLCOA NA
TABLE 2: ACTION ITEMS & M ILESTONES (CONTINUED) Schedule Who Potential Funding
Sources Local Land Use Protection, Regulation and Policy
Encourage Towns to provide better enforcement of existing ordinances 2016-2018 Towns NA Create a phosphorus control ordinance for new development that is smaller than DEP regulated subdivisions and focuses on maintaining natural buffers
2017-2018 Roxbury, DEP EPA (319)
Partner with local land trusts and pursue conservation easements as water quality protection within the watershed
2023-2025 EPWC, land trusts NA
Other Nutrient Sources and Issues
Form EPWC subcommittee to explore, investigate and clarify the issues surrounding water level, shoreline erosion and water quality
2015-2016 EPWC, VLMP EPWC
Gather technical input on water level issues and potential management options 2015-2016 EPWC, VLMP EPWC Update a survey of septic systems and encourage maintenance/replacement of potential problem systems
2020-2022 SLCOA, EPWC EPWC
Build local capacity for watershed stewardship Establish the Ellis Pond Watershed Committee and meet regularly to guide and oversee plan implementation
Ongoing EPWC NA
Request funds from Towns, SLCOA and other sources for plan implementation Ongoing EPWC, SLCOA NA
Invite other groups/partners as needed to shepherd plan Ongoing EPWC NA
Apply for Phase I and Phase II 319 grants through Maine DEP 2015 & 2018
EPWC, OCSWCD NA
Apply for recreational trail use grants through DACF 2015-2020 Local Clubs NA Build privately-accessible NPS site tracker, website, or webpage to track and manage updates to site data.
2016-2018 OCSWCD, MDEP EPA (319)
Conduct ongoing lake and watershed assessment Continue with lake water quality monitoring Ongoing VLMP, EPWC, MDEP Roxbury, VLMP Conduct biannual boat survey and review of roads to update NPS Site Tracker and prompt maintenance as needed
Ongoing EPWC NA
Plan Progress to Date
Contact landowners with survey sites. Share information about technical and financial resources and encourage independent efforts to make repairs
Post survey results on partner websites, mailings and meetings
Create and post watershed signs at entry points to the watershed
Form EPWC subcommittee to explore, investigate and clarify the issues surrounding water level, shoreline erosion and water quality
Establish the Ellis Pond Watershed Committee and meet regularly to guide and oversee plan implementation
Request funds from Towns, SLCOA and other sources for plan implementation
Apply for Phase I and Phase II 319 grants through Maine DEP
Build privately-accessible NPS site tracker, website, or webpage to track and manage updates to site data.
Outcomes to Date
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
• Accepted Plans
o 7 Accepted in 2013 and 2014
o Another 6+ submitted in 2015
• Resources Needed
o 20-40 Hours to Prepare
o Mostly by Professional Staff
o DEP and EPA Review
Benefits
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
• Removes Barrier for Lake
Protection Work
• Cost Effective
• Prompts Local Action and
Greater Ownership
Challenges
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
• Watershed Survey Funding
• NPS Site Tracker Use
• Make sure plans get used
Measuring Success & Environmental
Results
Watershed-based Plan
Implementation
Watershed-based Plan
Development
Targeted Assessment &
Stressor Analysis
Available Resources
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep
• Guidance for Maine Lake Watershed-
based Protection Plans
http://www.maine.gov/dep/water/grants/319.html
– Samples plans
– NPS Site Tracker
– Watershed Survey Generic QAPP
• DEP Contacts
– Wendy Garland (207) 615-2451, [email protected]
– Norm Marcotte, NPS Program Coordinator
(207) 215-6277, [email protected]
www.maine.gov/dep