Orange Creek Basin Management Action Plan

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Orange Creek BasinManagement Action Plan

• Alachua County Commission
• December 11, 2007

Fred Calder, FL DEP [phone] Fred.Calder_at_dep
.state.fl.us
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Total Maximum Daily Loads
Water quality targets needed to return a
waterbody to a healthy state

• Provides
• Quantitative restoration targets
• Identification of pollutant sources
• Regulatory backstop
• Application of good science to management

Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) implement
TMDLs
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BMAP Waterbodies Newnans, Orange, Wauberg,
Alachua Sink Nutrients Hogtown, Tumblin,
Sweetwater Bacteria ______________ Related
Waterbodies Hatchet Creek Iron, natural
condition Lochloosa Elevated nutrients, TMDL on
hold
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BMAP Basics

• Developed by stakeholders guidance from DEP
• Adopted by DEP Secretarial Order
• Linked directly to municipal stormwater and GRU
  wastewater permits
• Linked to best management practices and education
  for nonpoint sources (e.g. agriculture)
• Evaluated annually revised every five years

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BMAP Stakeholders (2004-2007)
Women for Wise Growth
Sustainable Alachua County
others
Other Forestry Representatives
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Key Parts of the BMAP Document

• Refined source identification
• Management actions (projects)
• Focused studies (good science)
• Funding
• Monitoring project tracking
• Commitments
• Follow-up and plan revision

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BMAP Development

• Improved scientific understanding (nutrients and
  bacteria)
• Developed new projects to address TMDLs,
  including cooperative efforts
• Expanded the scope of existing projects
• Began implementing projects to address known
  issues
• Identified additional studies to refine source
  understanding

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Working With Uncertainty

• Many unknowns remain in this watershed (e.g. lake
  nutrient sources)
• Thus, the Orange Creek BMAP does not lay out all
  necessary actions to achieve TMDLs
• Significant restoration efforts are underway to
  address known sources
• Additional projects will be implemented as the
  scientific understanding matures

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BMAP Projects
The BMAP contains over 100 activities that
address bacteria and nutrient sources

• Stormwater retrofits
• Wastewater infrastructure management
• Pollution prevention
• Agricultural and municipal BMP implementation
• Land use planning and land development
• Public education

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Bacteria Hot Spot Project

• Extensive water quality sampling and microbial
  source tracking (GRU Alachua County) completed
  to identify hot spots
• Hot Spots addressed geographically
• Pilot Elizabeth Creek

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Paynes Prairie/Sweetwater Branch Sheetflow
Restoration

• Feasibility study completed
• Constructed water quality treatment area
• Rehydrate existing wetlands
• Remove direct discharge to Floridan aquifer
• Will help meet TN reductions identified in TMDL
• Steps needed for project to proceed
• Funding commitments
• Land acquisition
• Project design

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Studies Underway and Planned

• BMAP identifies specific studies and monitoring
  needed to guide management

• Microbial source tracking
• In-stream bioassessments
• Storm event nutrient assessments
• Stormwater inlet protection pilot project
• Reclaimed water master plan

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BMAP Implementation Cost

• Approx. 200M in projects completed or in
  progress for the Orange Creek BMAP area

14M in broader actions/ programs emphasized in
BMAP areas Costs not estimated for most future
projects (not adopted)
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Commitment to Plan Implementation

• Once adopted by DEP, the BMAP is legally binding
  for responsible parties through Watershed
  Restoration Act and stormwater permit program
• Local commitments are needed before DEP will
  adopt the BMAP
• Government and non-government Working Group
  members signing statements of commitment

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Recommended Action

• Adopt Resolution 07-xxx
• A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
  COMMISSIONERS OF ALACHUA COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO
  SUPPORT AND WORK ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
  ORANGE CREEK BASIN MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN