A Plan for Clean Water in Smith Creek

Nesha MizelVA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation

Developing the Plan

Background on Total Maximum Daily Loadso Study of E. coli and

sediment in 2004o Can serve as a guide in

developing the plan A comprehensive plan Should serve as a tool

rather than a constraint

A Community-Based Plan

Implementation Plan will be done locally

Stakeholders will have the opportunity to participate in developmento Public meetingso Working groupso Steering committee

What will go into the plan?

Existing plans or improvement projects

Actions to improve water quality Project timeline

o Implementation goalso Implementation milestones

Roles and responsibilities Funding opportunities

What else?

Support for local governmento Integrated with

local comprehensive plans

Land use planning recommendations

Land conservation strategies

Fisheries management plans

Best Management Practices to Address Bacteria

Riparian buffers Exclusion of livestock

from streams Rotational grazing Waste storage

facilities

Agricultural

Photo: Jeff Vanuga, NRCS (2002)

Riparian buffer adjacent to pasture

Septic tank pumpout Septic system

repair/replacement Alternative on-site

septic systems Pet waste programs

Residential

Best Management Practices to Address Bacteria

Alternative waste treatment system

Photo:Julie Jenkins, Shenandoah Valley SWCD

Cover crops Streambank

stabilization Grass filter strips Riparian buffers

Agricultural

Best Management Practices to Address Sediment

No-till planting of corn into a cover crop of barley

Photo by Jeff Vanuga, NRCS (2002)

Best Management Practices to Address Sediment

Rain gardens Bioretention filters Erosion and

sediment control Riparian

buffers/no-mow zones

Rain barrels

Residential and Urban

Rain garden at private residence in Lexington VA

Potential Funding Sources

USDA Programs - CREP/EQIPState Cost-Share ProgramState Tax CreditsState Revolving Loan FundsNational Fish and Wildlife Foundation

oSmall Watershed GrantsoTargeted Watershed Grants

Water Quality Improvement Fund

Roles and Responsibilities

Resource Team:o VA Dept. of Environmental Qualityo VA Dept. of Conservation and

Recreationo Virginia Highlands Action Programo Virginia Tech Biological Systems

Engineeringo Virginia Institute for Environmental

Negotiations