ࡱ > B bjbjVV ; < < : 8 U D 'i ] p " c c c h h h h h h h $ Gk m t h w # # @ w w h 4 h M' M' M' w h M' w h M' M' z ` f ^ )! d j h h 0 'i pd b ]n G" h ]n f ]n f c L 6 M' , f c c c h h $ c c c 'i w w w w ]n c c c c c c c c c : Section Twelve Cache River Priority Watershed 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan ADEQ Planning Segment 4B ( HUC 08020302 Introduction Segment 4B, located in the northeastern part of Arkansas, is a long, narrow segment that includes parts of Greene, Craighead, Poinsett, Jackson, Woodruff, Monroe, Prairie, Lawrence, and Clay counties. The segment includes Bayou DeView and Cache River and their major tributaries including Cow Ditch, Buffalo Creek, and Flag Slough. Figure 12.1 shows a map of the watershed. Figure 12.1: Map of Cache River watershed HYPERLINK "http://www.arkansaswater.org/NPSmanagementPlan/Images/Chapter12/Figure12.1_Cache_River_Watershed_Map.jpg" http://www.arkansaswater.org/NPSmanagementPlan/Images/Chapter12/Figure12.1_Cache_River_Watershed_Map.jpg Source: GeoStor Assessment The summary of water quality condition is described from the current 305(b) report from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and other sources as cited appropriately. The following was stated in 2008 305b report: The 599.1 miles of streams in this segment are designated for propagation of fish and wildlife, primary and secondary contact recreation, and domestic, agricultural, and industrial water supplies. None of these are designated as outstanding state or national resource waters. Water sampling stations allowed for the monitoring of 129.8 stream miles in this segment. An additional 114.6 miles of this stream were evaluated. The upper section of Bayou DeView and Lost Creek Ditch are not meeting the aquatic life use because of toxic metals including aluminum, beryllium, copper, lead, and zinc. In addition, elevated levels of chlorides and total dissolved solids are also listed as causes. Potential sources include an industrial point source discharge and row crop agriculture activities. Several segments of the Cache River and Bayou DeView have been listed because of lead contamination. It is thought that most of the elevated metals detections are associated with the large winter and spring storm events that carry large amounts of clay particles into the River. Additional investigation is needed to more accurately assess this problem. The University of Arkansas Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering has used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to model selected priority watersheds for the 2011-2016 Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Management Plan under contract with the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission (ANRC). Appendix B describes SWAT modeling process and the data used to estimate sediment and nutrient concentration for 12-digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) sub-watersheds. Brief Description of Land Uses in the Watershed Figure 12.2 shows land use in the Cache River watershed in 2006. Figure 12.2: Distribution of Cache River watershed land uses, 2006 HYPERLINK "http://www.arkansaswater.org/NPSmanagementPlan/Images/Chapter12/Figure12.2_Land_Uses_Map.jpg" http://www.arkansaswater.org/NPSmanagementPlan/Images/Chapter12/Figure12.2_Land_Uses_Map.jpg Source: Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies (CAST), LULC, 2006 The following provides a partial snapshot of the watershed: Nearly 67 percent of the watersheds land area is cultivated in row crops. Approximately 21.5 and 3.5 percent of the land is under forest and pasture land uses, respectively (CAST, 2006). Approximately 87,733 people live in the watershed (BAEG, 2011). Throughout much of the watershed population is declining at an accelerated rate. Most decline took place in Monroe county (-20.5 percent) whereas, the most gain in population took place in Craighead county (17.4 percent) from 2000 to 2010 (UALR, 2011). Water Quality/Program Goals ANRC is designating the Cache River watershed as a priority watershed for the first time in the 2011-2016 Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Management Plan. Based on the most current List of Impaired Waterbodies published by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, the impaired segments of the Cache River watershed can be viewed at the following links: HYPERLINK "http://arkansaswater.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=30%20" http://arkansaswater.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=30 HYPERLINK "http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/branch_planning/pdfs/303d_list_2008.pdf" http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/branch_planning/pdfs/303d_list_2008.pdf. The long-term goal of the priority watershed program is to reduce pollutants to levels that will restore all designated uses. The short term goal of the program is to measurably reduce pollutants of concern that reach waters of the Cache River watershed, targeting sub-watersheds where implementation can have the greatest impact. These goals will be achieved through implementation of a Nine Element Plan. Objectives and Milestones Based on SWAT and other available analysis, ANRC will review available data and select sub-watersheds for targeting of implementation funds. Data that may be considered in targeting includes, but is not limited to, the modeled loads for sediment and phosphorus, percentage of intact woody riparian vegetation, density of unpaved roads, number of stream road crossings, rural population density, intensity of row crop agriculture, degree of urbanization, and potential sources of pollutants. Other factors may also be considered at the discretion of ANRC, including but not limited to, local institutional capacity, input from the NPS Pollution Management Plan Stakeholder Group, local watershed groups or other agencies, the availability of funds, and other factors. The 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan includes statewide programs aimed at reducing pollutant loads from land uses that have the potential to impact water quality. These land uses and programs to reduce their water quality impacts are described in more detail in earlier sections of the 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan. The following objectives and milestones were identified with input from the NPS Pollution Management Plan stakeholders. Table 3.1 identifies cooperating entities that will partner to implement the NPS program in the Cache River watershed. Cooperating entities are described in Section 3 of this plan. 12.1. Continue development of the Nine Element Plan until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval is obtained. Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.2. Continue to develop support for implementation of the Nine Element Plan among potential cooperating entities and the general public. Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.3. Provide technical and financial assistance to local cooperating entities to implement the Nine Element Plan as resources allow. Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.4. As resources allow, use remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) analysis to identify sub-watersheds where more extensive assessment is needed. Conduct targeted geomorphological and bio-assessment to identify and target implementation of streambank stabilization projects for high impact sites (e.g., a geomorphologic study of logjams and assess beaver populations to determine their impact on streambank erosion and other studies). Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.5. Continue to develop models to represent sediment and nutrient loads in the watershed and in-stream processes to enable prioritization of implementation projects in sub-watersheds. Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.6. Continue to focus on BMP implementation to improve conservation practices for erosion control, sediment retention, irrigation management and nutrient management on row crop, animal agriculture and forestland. As appropriate, direct technical assistance to landowners in targeted watersheds giving emphasis to developing new conservation plans and areas that connect established riparian corridors. Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.7. Continue to provide and improve extensive education and training to promote best management practice (BMP) implementation (e.g., risk management, demonstrations to acquaint landowners and municipalities with the conservation practices most effective in reducing runoff, sediment detachment and transport, including but not limited to no-till, conservation till, ridge till, pipe drop outlets, riparian zone management, and wetland restoration). Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.8. Continue to encourage landowners to establish riparian buffer strips, grass drainage ways, stabilize streambanks, and restore riparian areas Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.9. Continue to secure conservation easements through donations as the opportunity arises in an effort to protect lands along the Cache River and its tributaries from development that would result in further NPS pollution. Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.10. Continue to increase public awareness and provide education to build support for citizen action to improve water quality in the watershed. Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.11. Build constituency for improved water quality by increasing volunteerism and promoting recreational use of the river (e.g., recruiting volunteers for cleanups, streambank restoration and other activities utilizing the Arkansas Stream Team program and other conservation groups as well as increasing public recreational access to the river with trails and boat ramps). Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.12. Encourage county and municipal elected officials as well as contractors, homebuilders, and consulting engineers to participate in construction and urban education programs to improve stormwater management. Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.13. Coordinate conservation planning within a watershed area to take full advantage of cost-share programs for riparian habitat improvement such as the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Wetland and Riparian Zone Tax Credit Program (through ANRC), and other programs. Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.14. Encourage plans for alternative irrigation water supply and supplemental stream augmentation, including off-stream storage of surplus flows. Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.15. Continue aquatic life assessments to assess response of waterbodies to NPS control measures as resources allow. Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.16. Continue to provide public education on proper application, storage and disposal of pesticides, regulations, and potential hazards of misuse (e.g., encourage use of FARM*A*SYST and HOME*A*SYST programs to assess potential pollution hazards). Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.17. Continue to provide education to rural homeowners and builders on proper construction and maintenance of onsite waste disposal systems. Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 12.18. Continue to provide technical assistance and make available financial assistance to agricultural operations where cost-share is a component of approved 319(h) implementation projects. Timeline for Milestones: October 2011 September 2016 Timeline for Milestones Provided sufficient financial and human resources are available to the cooperating state and local agencies and nonprofit organizations working together in the Cache River watershed, the short term objectives of this program can be met within five years of program initiation. Fully implementing management measures within the watershed to restore all designated uses is a longer term endeavor. A goal of this program is to fully meet designated uses within 15 years. Program Coordination There is currently no single entity in the Cache River watershed with the authority to implement the Nine Element Plan. ANRC will work with cooperating entities in the watershed to promote voluntary coordination and incorporate conditions requiring cooperation in grant agreements, as appropriate. A high degree of voluntary coordination already exists in the agriculture program, through the Arkansas Conservation Partnership (ACP) as well as through local coordination groups already in place. Significant local coordination is achieved through the Cache River Partnership. Federal Consistency The lead agency for each statewide program is responsible for working with federal partners to promote federal consistency. Statewide programs and their lead agencies are identified in the Cooperating Entities Section of the 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan. Program Tracking and Monitoring Water quality monitoring data will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of NPS management activities in the Cache River watershed. ADEQ is responsible for maintaining the states water quality inventory. Figure 12.3 shows monitoring stations in the watershed. Figure 12.3: Monitoring stations in the Cache River watershed HYPERLINK "http://www.arkansaswater.org/NPSmanagementPlan/Images/Chapter12/Figure12.3_Monitoring_Stations_Map.jpg" http://www.arkansaswater.org/NPSmanagementPlan/Images/Chapter12/Figure12.3_Monitoring_Stations_Map.jpg Source: GeoStor The NPS Pollution Management Plan may include as a condition of funding pre- and post-project measurements of changes in water quality. The NPS Pollution Management Plan encourages cooperating entities working in the watershed to meet annually to report on their activities of the previous year and discuss their successes, failures and future needs of their programs. The local watershed group is a logical convener for these discussions. Local cooperators are encouraged to compile this information, along with a summary of available water data and land use trends, into an annual watershed status report published and distributed in the watershed and to interested parties outside the watershed. References Cited BAEG, 2011. County-wise Population Data. Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department. University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture: Little Rock, AR. CAST, 2006. Land Use-Land Cover Data. Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department. University of Arkansas: Fayetteville, AR. Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report (IWQMAR). 2008. Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality: Little Rock, AR. Available at http://www.arkansaswater.org//Documents/305b/2008_305b.pdf. UALR, 2011. Percent Change in Total Population. Available at HYPERLINK "http://argis.ualr.edu/2010Census/Change_in_Pop_2000_to_2010_by_County.pdf"http://argis.ualr.edu/2010Census/Change_in_Pop_2000_to_2010_by_County.pdf. Submission Draft April 1, 2011 PAGE Cache River Priority Watershed 12. PAGE 6 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan Effective Date: October 1, 2011 / 3 7 8 9 < R V W X n o q Ƕn\nJ8J #hL h 5CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ #hL hj 5CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ #hL h; 5CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ #hL h^/ 5CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ #hL h; 5CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ #hL h