2008 S.C. Water Resources Conference - Addressing Water Challenges Facing the State and Regio

Boring, Christine L

Thomson, William R

English

Clemson Open (Clemson University)

Fecal Coliform TMDL Implementation: Success Stories in Two WatershedsChristine L. BoringResearch Planning, Inc.1121 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201IntroductionPartners Research Planning, Inc. (RPI) Clemson University Cooperative Extension, Chester and Fairfield CountiesFunding Section 319 of the Clean Water ActProjects Implement Total Maximum Daily Loads in two SC WatershedsProject GoalsImplement Total Maximum Daily Loads for NPS Pollution: Fecal Coliform  TurbidityFocus on: Cost-sharing and community outreach Watersheds flow into Catawba River: important recreational area downstream BackgroundRPI Participation in Section 319 Grants 2000-2008 Rocky Creek: 2000-2007 Big Wateree Creek: 2005-2008 Little Saluda River: 2000-2004 Fishing and Tinkers Creeks: 2004-2008 Allison, Lower Allison, Beaverdam, and Brown Creeks, Calabash Branch: 2005-2009 Turkey and Bullock Creeks: 2008-2011South Carolina Watershed BasinsRocky and Big Wateree Creek WatershedsRocky Creek: 2000-2007Location: Catawba River Basin, Chester and Fairfield Counties ~ 200 square milesParticipants: 12 beef cattle farmers 1 horse farmer 3 failing septic systemsRocky Creek WatershedBig Wateree Creek: 2005-2008Location: Catawba River Basin, Fairfield County ~58 square milesParticipants: 4 beef cattle farmersBig Wateree Creek WatershedParticipation Requirements• Property location within watershed boundaries• Potential stream impacts by livestock or septic systems Emphasis: Decreasing fecal coliform loadings and turbidity• Ability to cost-share on BMPs• Ability to maintain BMPs beyond projectParticipation Process• Initial onsite meeting• Analysis and ranking of candidate sites• Generate cost agreement • Agreement approval• Begin implementing BMPs• Periodic site visits• Quarterly reimbursementBMPs Implemented• Exclusion fencing around creeks• Alternative water systems• Trampling protection around troughs• Creek crossings• Riparian buffers and wildlife habitat• Waste storage facilities/compostingProject# of Farms# of Live-stockAcresFencing (LnFt)Water-lines (LnFt)Trough (#)Creek Crossings(#)Buffer Zones (acres)Rocky Creek Phase I5 350 600 57,200 15,200 9 4 36Rocky Creek Phase II7 400 1,400 52,600 14,600 31 11 388Big Wateree Creek4 600 2,000 31,800 23,500 36 3 31TOTAL 16 1,350 4,000 141,600 53,300 76 18 455Sample Farm Layout detailing BMPsBEFORE: Cattle drinking out of the stream and trampling the banks before BMPsAFTER: Cow drinking from trough on stabilized geotextile pad and gravel after BMPsAFTER: New fence excluding cattle from streamBEFORE: Trampled bank showing signs of erosion before BMPsAFTER: New creek fence and wildlife bufferBEFORE: Cow standing in trampled, stagnant pool of water before BMPsAFTER: Farmer displaying trough with trampling protection to EPA and SC DHECResults of Rocky Creek: 2007SCDHEC reported to EPA that:“Following these efforts, water quality improvements have been observed at 3 monitoring sites in the watershed.[These 3 stations] have all improvedfrom non-support to partial support”.Results of Big Wateree Creek: March 2008SCDHEC reported that:“Water quality standards have not been exceeded at the water quality monitoring station since February of 2007”.Benefits to the Landowners and the Community• Cost-sharing opportunity to improve farm• Alternative water sources result in healthier livestock• Cleaner water provides more pristine recreational land in the county• Relationships between watersheds• Long term benefits: a legacy for future generationsCommunity Outreach• Slide-show presentations• Farm tours (up to 250+ farmers annually)• Classroom visits:Enviroscape• Community events• 4-H20 programWater Quality Classroom ExerciseWater Quality Field TripStorm Drain DecalsRocky Creek Farm Tour 2006

Fecal Coliform TMDL Implementation Success Stories in Two Watersheds

https://open.clemson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=0&article=1189&context=scwrc&type=additional

Fecal Coliform TMDL Implementation Success Stories in Two Watersheds

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