2012 Water Quality Assessment Process Assessment Review and

2012 Water Quality Assessment Process Assessment Review and Information Overview of 2012 Assessment Cam Mc. Nutt DWQ Planning Section EMC 20120307 1

Supporting Assessment Process • Excellent, Good, Natural, Good-Fair, Moderate, Not Impaired biological ratings-AL • Less than 10% exceedance of numeric criteria-AL and WS • Approved Shellfish Harvesting Area-SH • No fish consumption advice or advisory- FC • No exceedances of bacteria criteria or advisory postings-REC Impaired • • • Fair, Severe and Poor biological ratings-AL Greater than 10% exceedance of numeric criteria-AL and WS Non-Approved Shellfish Harvesting Area-SH Fish consumption advice or advisory- FC Exceedances of bacteria criteria or advisory postings-REC EMC 20120307 2

Assessment Process EPA Approval 303(d) April 1 st 303(d) submittal Public Review Data Collection Period 2002 -2006 2007 2008 2004 -2008 2009 2006 -2010 2011 2012 5 -year Data Window We are here EMC 20120307 3

Assessment Process Integrated Report Categories 1 1 - All uses monitored and supporting 2 2 - Monitored uses supporting 3 4 5 Integrated Report 305(b) Report 3 -Inconclusive or insufficient data NC Impaired Waters List 4 -At least one impairment no TMDL required 303(d) List 5 -At least one impairment TMDL required EMC 20120307 4

Assessment Review and Information Sample of what is out to the public EMC 20120307 5

Assessment Review and Information Supplemental Information includes • All Impaired Waters • Impaired Waters by County • GIS of all Impaired Waters Public Comment Period Ends March 12, 2012 http: //portal. ncdenr. org/web/wq/ps/mtu/assess ment EMC 20120307 6

Percent of Monitored Waters by Category Atlantic Coast Reservoirs/Lakes 26 27 100% Supporting Categories 2 -Supporting 6 3 -Inconclusive 4 -Impaired 5 -Impaired 303(d) Rivers/Streams 24 41 Estuaries 43 53 5 16 55 EMC 20120307 3 7

Impaired Assessments Category 4 and 5 600 Non Approved Growing Areas 500 400 Biological Integrity 300 200 Turbidity Bacteria 100 Parameter of Interest c Zin ct s Tu rb id ity pa B Im PC xic To N 3 - l NO ck e 2+ Ni NO p. H Lo w DO ad Lo w Le p. H gh re Hi Te m pe ra tu Hg ia er Ba ct EB I in ox Di er pp Co rid e lo ra Ch m iu dm ch lo GA d ve ro Ca c ni se t. A pp Ar No m on ia 0 Am Count of AUs Overview of 2012 Assessment 8

Overview of 2012 Assessment Differences from 2010 Assessment • Increase by 7 for Chlorophyll a Impairments • Increase by 18 Fecal Coliform Impairments • Increase by 19 Turbidity Impairments • Decrease by 18 for Enterrococci Impairments EMC 20120307 9

Trends and 303(d) List ? 303(d) process not the right tool • Data window overlap of 3 years • Data noise • Methods/standards/guidance changes • Perceived 2 -year baseline • Changes in data availability • Monitoring Scale vs. Implementation Scale EMC 20120307 10

State of the Environment Report http: //portal. ncdenr. org/web/guest/2011 -state-of-the-environment-report EMC 20120307 11

Next Steps • • Complete Public Review Make changes/corrections as needed Submit category 5/303(d) to EPA. April 1 st After approval review methods/guidance/standards EMC 20120307 12