Montana 319 NPS Funding TrendsMontana 319 NPS Funding Trends

Watershed Protection SectionWatershed Protection Section

Water Activities Work Group Water Activities Work Group June 24, 2009 Helena, MTJune 24, 2009 Helena, MT

• Program Evolution: TMDLs to Projects to Program Evolution: TMDLs to Projects to Integrated Watershed RestorationIntegrated Watershed Restoration

• Category Trends from 2002 to 2009Category Trends from 2002 to 2009

• Project TrendsProject Trends

• Closing Questions and ThoughtsClosing Questions and Thoughts

Influences on Montana’s 319 ProgramInfluences on Montana’s 319 Program

1997 TMDL Law and 2001 TMDL Court Order – ‘complete 1997 TMDL Law and 2001 TMDL Court Order – ‘complete all Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) by year 2007’ all Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) by year 2007’ pushed early and rapid TMDL activity emphasispushed early and rapid TMDL activity emphasis

Presently moving to emphasize on-the-ground projects Presently moving to emphasize on-the-ground projects within an overall decline in 319 fundingwithin an overall decline in 319 funding

Based on leadership by local watershed groups with Based on leadership by local watershed groups with capacity and interest in restoration as guided by a TMDL capacity and interest in restoration as guided by a TMDL (or other approved water quality) restoration strategy(or other approved water quality) restoration strategy

Emphasis on implementing “Watershed Restoration Emphasis on implementing “Watershed Restoration Plans” – local integrated watershed “road maps” using Plans” – local integrated watershed “road maps” using identified funding sources, activities, priorities, and identified funding sources, activities, priorities, and timelines (coordinating multi-faceted WRP’s)timelines (coordinating multi-faceted WRP’s)

Trends in Overall 319 FundingTrends in Overall 319 Funding Total Montana 319 funding from EPA has notably declined, Total Montana 319 funding from EPA has notably declined,

from ~ $1.95 million in 2002/3 to $1.20 million presently.from ~ $1.95 million in 2002/3 to $1.20 million presently.

Montana 319 Funding PatternsYears 2002- 2009

0.1

0.5

0.60.5

0.7

0.2

0.1

0.2

0.0

0.1

0.0

0.5

0.20.2

0.1 0.1

0.3

1.8

0.3 0.3 0.3

1.1 1.2 1.1

1.0

0.9

0.6

0.4 0.3

0.10.1

0.1 0.1

2.01.9

1.21.31.3 1.4

1.2

$0.000

$0.500

$1.000

$1.500

$2.000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Mill

ion

s

Restoration On-the-Ground

Planning(TMDL)

Groundwater

I&E

Total 319Funds

TMDL Planning 319 TrendsTMDL Planning 319 Trends Funds for TMDL plans have greatly decreased, from Funds for TMDL plans have greatly decreased, from

~$1.15 million to $ .33 million annually~$1.15 million to $ .33 million annually

Montana 319 Funding PatternsYears 2002- 2009

0.1

0.5

0.60.5

0.7

0.2

0.1

0.2

0.0

0.1

0.0

0.5

0.20.2

0.1 0.1

0.3

1.8

0.3 0.3 0.3

1.1 1.2 1.1

1.00.9

0.6

0.4 0.3

0.10.1

0.1 0.1

2.01.9

1.21.31.3 1.4

1.2

$0.000

$0.500

$1.000

$1.500

$2.000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Mill

ions

Restoration On-the-Ground

Planning(TMDL)

Groundwater

I&E

Total 319Funds

Watershed Restoration 319 TrendsWatershed Restoration 319 Trends 319 funds to Watershed Restoration have greatly increased, 319 funds to Watershed Restoration have greatly increased,

from ~ $ .3 million to $ .6 million annuallyfrom ~ $ .3 million to $ .6 million annually

Montana 319 Funding PatternsYears 2002- 2009

0.1

0.5

0.2

0.1

0.2

0.0

0.1

0.0

0.5

0.20.2

0.1 0.1

0.3

1.8

0.7

0.50.6

0.3 0.3 0.3

1.1 1.2 1.1

1.0

0.9

0.6

0.4 0.3

0.10.1

0.1 0.1

2.01.9

1.21.31.3 1.4

1.2

$0.000

$0.500

$1.000

$1.500

$2.000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Mill

ion

s

RestorationOn-the-GroundPlanning(TMDL)

Groundwater

I&E

Total 319Funds

Education/Outreach & GroundwaterEducation/Outreach & Groundwater 319 funds to Education/Outreach have moderately decreased, 319 funds to Education/Outreach have moderately decreased,

from ~ $ .4 million to $ .2 million annually. from ~ $ .4 million to $ .2 million annually.

319 funds to Groundwater have gradually decreased, 319 funds to Groundwater have gradually decreased, from ~ $ .2 million to $ .1 million annually.from ~ $ .2 million to $ .1 million annually.

Montana 319 Funding PatternsYears 2002- 2009

0.1

0.5

0.20.1

0.5

0.2 0.3

1.8

0.30.30.3

0.60.5

0.7

0.30.4

0.6

0.9

1.0

1.11.21.1

0.10.10.00.0

0.1

0.2

0.10.10.10.1

0.2

1.21.41.3 1.3

1.2

1.92.0

$0.000

$0.500

$1.000

$1.500

$2.000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Mill

ion

s

Restoration On-the-Ground

Planning(TMDL)

Groundwater

E & O

Total 319Funds

Montana’s 319 Program FrameworkMontana’s 319 Program Framework

Comprehensive NPS Comprehensive NPS Management ProgramManagement Program (319 requirement) (319 requirement)

– The year 2007 NPS Management Plan The year 2007 NPS Management Plan identifies BMPs to address pollutantsidentifies BMPs to address pollutants

– Plan also identifies: Plan also identifies: • programs supporting implementation of BMPsprograms supporting implementation of BMPs• a schedule of NPS program implementation a schedule of NPS program implementation

milestonesmilestones

Annual 319 Grants Program Annual 319 Grants Program (required)(required)

319 Geographic Trends319 Geographic Trends

Court Settlement Agreement prioritized early TMDL plans Court Settlement Agreement prioritized early TMDL plans (until year 2006) toward fish-sensitive western Montana (until year 2006) toward fish-sensitive western Montana watershedswatersheds

319 Funds for TMDL work require active local watershed 319 Funds for TMDL work require active local watershed group partnerships with many active local watershed group partnerships with many active local watershed groups located in central and western Montanagroups located in central and western Montana

These TMDL watershed partnerships have strengthened These TMDL watershed partnerships have strengthened many central and western Montana watershed groups many central and western Montana watershed groups

Recent 319 funds have tended to be awarded to watershed Recent 319 funds have tended to be awarded to watershed groups around the continental divide, since these groups groups around the continental divide, since these groups have completed TMDLs and are interested in developing have completed TMDLs and are interested in developing “Watershed Restoration Plans” “Watershed Restoration Plans”

CDs, local, state and federal agencies have been key CDs, local, state and federal agencies have been key stakeholders in watershed groups and have provided stakeholders in watershed groups and have provided critical technical and project guidancecritical technical and project guidance

All Montana 319 Projects - GeographyAll Montana 319 Projects - Geography

Watershed Restoration ProjectsWatershed Restoration Projectsare focused in headwaters watershedsare focused in headwaters watersheds

Groundwater Projects Groundwater Projects

Education and Outreach Projects Education and Outreach Projects

319 Project Trends319 Project Trends

319 restoration has shifted from demonstration projects 319 restoration has shifted from demonstration projects toward “watershed projects” using TMDL or WRP guidancetoward “watershed projects” using TMDL or WRP guidance

TMDLs (required) and 319 watershed grants (to active TMDLs (required) and 319 watershed grants (to active groups) have been concentrated around headwaters areasgroups) have been concentrated around headwaters areas

Gallatin, Flathead and Bitterroot drainages have notable Gallatin, Flathead and Bitterroot drainages have notable concentrations of TMDL Planning Projectsconcentrations of TMDL Planning Projects

Education and Outreach projects tend to have a statewide Education and Outreach projects tend to have a statewide educational focus (60% are statewide)educational focus (60% are statewide)

Groundwater projects tend to be in populated communities Groundwater projects tend to be in populated communities with potential valley aquifer pollution issueswith potential valley aquifer pollution issues

319 partnerships require an active watershed group, which 319 partnerships require an active watershed group, which tend to be concentrated around headwaters watershed tend to be concentrated around headwaters watershed areas, with Lower Missouri group as downstream exceptionareas, with Lower Missouri group as downstream exception

TMDLs in Active DevelopmentTMDLs in Active Development

TMDL Planning AreaTMDL Planning Area ContactContact ColumbiaColumbia

– Bitterroot Mainstem: Bitterroot Mainstem: Banning StarrBanning Starr, , Darrin KronDarrin Kron  – Flathead Lake – Phase II: Flathead Lake – Phase II: George MathieusGeorge Mathieus  – Flint: Flint: Darrin KronDarrin Kron, , Jim BondJim Bond  – Little Blackfoot: Little Blackfoot: Lisa KusnierzLisa Kusnierz; ; Banning StarrBanning Starr  – Lower Blackfoot:Lower Blackfoot: Tim ByronTim Byron - Submitted to EPA- Submitted to EPA– Lower Clark Fork Tributaries: Lower Clark Fork Tributaries: Jim BondJim Bond; ; Christina StatenChristina Staten– Upper Clark Fork: Upper Clark Fork: Jim BondJim Bond; ; Lisa KusnierzLisa Kusnierz  – Tobacco: Tobacco: Banning StarrBanning Starr; ; Christina StatenChristina Staten  

Lower Missouri River BasinLower Missouri River Basin– Redwater: Redwater: Tim ByronTim Byron  

Upper Missouri River BasinUpper Missouri River Basin– Beaverhead: Beaverhead: Pete SchadePete Schade; Dean Yashan; Dean Yashan– Middle & Lower Big Hole: Darrin Kron; Lisa Kusnierz Middle & Lower Big Hole: Darrin Kron; Lisa Kusnierz – Upper & North Fork Big Hole: Darrin Kron - Submitted to EPAUpper & North Fork Big Hole: Darrin Kron - Submitted to EPA– Lower Gallatin: Pete Schade; Lisa Kusnierz Lower Gallatin: Pete Schade; Lisa Kusnierz – Upper Gallatin: Pete Schade; Banning StarrUpper Gallatin: Pete Schade; Banning Starr– Upper Jefferson: Darrin Kron; Banning Star Upper Jefferson: Darrin Kron; Banning Star – Boulder River (Big Timber Area) Pete Schade - Submitted to EPABoulder River (Big Timber Area) Pete Schade - Submitted to EPA– Shields River: Lisa Kusnierz - Submitted to EPAShields River: Lisa Kusnierz - Submitted to EPA

National and Montana QuestionsNational and Montana Questions CWA assumed watersheds would be rapidly restored CWA assumed watersheds would be rapidly restored

(in >10 years) (in >10 years) likely creating unrealistic expectationslikely creating unrealistic expectations Tepid government restoration funding Tepid government restoration funding (declining 319 funding (declining 319 funding

and exclusion from 2009 federal stimulus)and exclusion from 2009 federal stimulus) indicates lower priority indicates lower priority

Watershed “success stories” appear not to be Watershed “success stories” appear not to be motivating governments or systemic local actionsmotivating governments or systemic local actions

EPA water delisting goals are very difficult to attain EPA water delisting goals are very difficult to attain (PAMS metrics may create “delayed accomplishment” or “failure” stories)(PAMS metrics may create “delayed accomplishment” or “failure” stories)

Current federal trendsCurrent federal trends (PAMS and 319 funding)(PAMS and 319 funding) are pushing are pushing state programs to focus restoration efforts on fewer state programs to focus restoration efforts on fewer “highly restorable” watersheds“highly restorable” watersheds

Montana TMDLs in areas without an active watershed Montana TMDLs in areas without an active watershed group may lack locally-led restoration effortsgroup may lack locally-led restoration efforts

Are new ideas and new policy frames needed?Are new ideas and new policy frames needed?

Closing ThoughtsClosing Thoughts

Local watershed groups and government agency Local watershed groups and government agency cooperation and coordination continues to be cooperation and coordination continues to be critical in Montana’s NPS programcritical in Montana’s NPS program

Local watershed groups need technical and Local watershed groups need technical and financial assistance – federal and state agencies financial assistance – federal and state agencies participating at local levels is importantparticipating at local levels is important

319 Program presently has ongoing flexibility – 319 Program presently has ongoing flexibility – the ability to fund many different activities (e.g. the ability to fund many different activities (e.g. planning, coordination, outreach, monitoring, planning, coordination, outreach, monitoring, revegetation, or channel restoration) revegetation, or channel restoration)