Regional & Special Projects of interestTotal Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) StudiesThe Falling River Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation PlanBackground Three segments of the Falling River were listed on the Virginia’s 1998 303(d) Total Maximum Daily Load Priority List and a forth segment was listed on the Virginia’s 2002 303(d) Report on Impaired Waters. Each of four segments are listed as impaired due to violations in the State’s water quality standard for fecal coliform bacteria. The total four segments, all located on the Falling River mainsteam combine for a total segment length of 10.49 miles. In 2004 the TMDL study was developed by George Mason University and The Louis Berer Group Inc., consulting firm from Washington, D.C. EPA approved the TMDL study on July 9, 2004 and the Virginia State Water Control Board approved the study on December 2, 2004. A copy of the TMDL study can be obtained through the DEQ website Implementation Plan Development The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is now developing a TMDL Implementation Plan (IP), or comprehensive plan to meet water quality standards for the approximate 151,150 acre Falling River watershed located in Campbell and Appomattox counties. The Implementation Plan will be developed, with assistance from MapTech, Inc., a Blacksburg, Virginia engineering firm, and through participation with local stakeholders including land owners, farmers, local government officials, and local citizens and watershed groups, to reduce fecal coliform bacteria in the streams of the Falling River Wateshed. The Falling River TMDL Implementation Plan will outline activities, or best management practices (BMPs), needed to reduce the sources of fecal coliform bacteria, the benefits of BMP activities, a timeline to achieve measurable water quality goals, and the associated costs of implementing the activities. Examples of BMPs include activities such as repairing failing septic systems, ensuring regular pump out of septic tanks, fencing livestock from access to streams, and establishing vegetated buffers along streams. Strong local pubic participation is a vital element in development of an IP. Local participation ensures the plan represents local ideas and promotes local support. To that end, the Falling River Implementation Plan will be developed under the overall guide of the Falling River Management Team and through citizen participation in public meetings and in participation through working groups. There will be three individual working groups that will identify specific practices to reduce bacteria concentrations. Each group will work with DCR to discuss possible pollution prevention activities. Fact sheets describing the role of each of the working groups are available by clicking the links below. The three working groups are:
MeetingsUpcoming Meetings: There will be a Falling River TMDL IP Residential Working Group meeting on Thursday, November 29, 2007 beginning at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the Historic Courthouse Conference Room, 774 Village Highway, Rustburg, Virginia. There will be a Falling River TMDL IP Governmental Working Group meeting on Thursday, November 29, 2007 beginning at 3:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the Historic Courthouse Conference Room, 774 Village Highway, Rustburg, Virginia.
Past Meetings: The first Falling River TMDL Implementation Plan Public Meeting was held on September 25, 2007 at the Campbell County Agricultural Building in Rustburg. The Department of Conservation and Recreation led a presentation outlining the implementation plan development, the reason for developing the IP, and an overview of how local citizens, officials, and agencies will assist in the development of the watershed protection plan. It was noted that input will take place through participation in working groups. As part of the meeting, a power point presentation was provided and developed by Mr. Rod Bodkin of Map Tech Incorporated that provided general overview of the IP process and more detailed information specific to the Falling River watershed. A copy of the presentation can obtained below.
Meeting Minutes: January 15, 2008 Meeting: November 29, 2007 Meeting:
September 25, 2007 Meeting:
July 26, 2007 Meeting: For Additional Information ContactCharlie Lunsford Kelly Hitchcock Links for Additional InformationVirginia Department of Environmental Quality - TMDLs in Virginia Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation - Soil and Water Conservation Programs Environmental Protection Agency - Virginia TMDL Program MapTech Inc. – Blacksburg Consulting Firm Last updated 2/12/08 |
