Use and Standards Attainment Project Presentation to New Jersey CSO LTCP Workgroup Meeting Case Study – Paerdegat Basin October 25, 2001 William E. McMillin,

Use and Standards Attainment Project

Presentation toPresentation to

New Jersey CSO LTCP Workgroup MeetingNew Jersey CSO LTCP Workgroup Meeting

Case Study – Paerdegat BasinCase Study – Paerdegat BasinOctober 25, 2001October 25, 2001

William E. McMillin, Jr., P.E.William E. McMillin, Jr., P.E.

HydroQual, Inc.HydroQual, Inc.

Mahwah, New JerseyMahwah, New Jersey

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Long Term CSO Control Planning

New York City is Conducting CSO Abatement Planning and New York City is Conducting CSO Abatement Planning and Implementation Throughout New York HarborImplementation Throughout New York Harbor

Paerdegat Basin Planning Illustrates Long Term-CSO Control Paerdegat Basin Planning Illustrates Long Term-CSO Control Issues Being Addressed by New York City’s CSO Abatement Issues Being Addressed by New York City’s CSO Abatement Program:Program:Paerdegat Basin is a confined tributary impacted by CSO dischargesPaerdegat Basin is a confined tributary impacted by CSO discharges

Anoxia and nuisance conditions are key issuesAnoxia and nuisance conditions are key issues

Paerdegat BasinPaerdegat Basin

New York HarborNew York Harbor Paerdegat Basin is a Tributary of Jamaica BayPaerdegat Basin is a Tributary of Jamaica Bay

Jamaica BayJamaica Bay

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Paerdegat Basin: Waterbody/Watershed

Watershed Drainage:Watershed Drainage:No freshwater flowNo freshwater flow

5,500 combined sewer acres5,500 combined sewer acres

375 separately sewered acres375 separately sewered acres

Approximately 70% imperviousApproximately 70% impervious

Waterbody Characteristics:Waterbody Characteristics:6,600 feet long6,600 feet long

450 foot average width 450 foot average width

Shallow depths at mouth and head, 16 feet maximumShallow depths at mouth and head, 16 feet maximum

Primarily natural shoreline with some bulkheadsPrimarily natural shoreline with some bulkheads

Combined

Separate

Paerdegat Basin

CSO storm sewer

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Paerdegat Basin: Existing Conditions

Designated Uses (Class I)Designated Uses (Class I)Secondary Contact RecreationSecondary Contact RecreationFishing/Fish Propagation and SurvivalFishing/Fish Propagation and Survival

Actual Uses:Actual Uses:Boating, Canoeing & KayakingBoating, Canoeing & KayakingShoreline AccessShoreline Access

CSO Discharges Cause/Impair:CSO Discharges Cause/Impair:Low Dissolved OxygenLow Dissolved Oxygen

Fish/Aquatic LifeFish/Aquatic Life

High Coliform BacteriaHigh Coliform BacteriaRecreationRecreation

Floatables, Oil & GreaseFloatables, Oil & GreaseAestheticsAesthetics

Sediment MoundSediment MoundOdorsOdorsAestheticsAestheticsAccessAccess

CSO Event in Paerdegat BasinCSO Event in Paerdegat BasinExisting UsesExisting Uses

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Paerdegat Basin: CSO Controls

EPA’s Watershed Approach in the Long Term Control Plan Was Used:EPA’s Watershed Approach in the Long Term Control Plan Was Used:Characterization of all pollutant sourcesCharacterization of all pollutant sourcesStakeholder participationStakeholder participationAlternative selectionAlternative selection

DEP is Implementing EPA’s Demonstration Approach for Long Term DEP is Implementing EPA’s Demonstration Approach for Long Term CSO Control at Paerdegat BasinCSO Control at Paerdegat Basin

DEP Is Constructing A CSO Storage FacilityDEP Is Constructing A CSO Storage Facility20 MG in-line storage + 30 MG off-line facility = $293,000,000 cost20 MG in-line storage + 30 MG off-line facility = $293,000,000 costReduce discharges (>70%) of TSS, BOD, floatables, settleable solids, etc.Reduce discharges (>70%) of TSS, BOD, floatables, settleable solids, etc.Improve dissolved oxygenImprove dissolved oxygenReduce indicator bacteria and sediment depositionReduce indicator bacteria and sediment depositionProvide permanent floatables controlProvide permanent floatables controlCombined with other abatement measures DEPCombined with other abatement measures DEP

will achieve 87% wet weather capturewill achieve 87% wet weather capture

Conceptual Facility PlanConceptual Facility Plan

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Paerdegat Basin: The Problem and Issues

Facility Plan Was Developed Using Knee-of-the-Curve Procedure Facility Plan Was Developed Using Knee-of-the-Curve Procedure Consistent with EPA GuidanceConsistent with EPA Guidance

Paerdegat Basin was presented as an EPA CSO policy case study in 1994Paerdegat Basin was presented as an EPA CSO policy case study in 1994Accepted by NYSDEC as a CSO abatement planAccepted by NYSDEC as a CSO abatement plan

CSO Abatement Will Significantly Improve Water Quality But:CSO Abatement Will Significantly Improve Water Quality But:Dissolved oxygen standard will not be met 100% of the timeDissolved oxygen standard will not be met 100% of the time

95% annually95% annually40% in wet months40% in wet months

Coliform bacteria concentrations will periodically exceed “swimmable” standardsColiform bacteria concentrations will periodically exceed “swimmable” standardsFloatables and settleable solids will be discharged during extreme eventsFloatables and settleable solids will be discharged during extreme events

CSO Policy Issues - How Much Control Is Enough?CSO Policy Issues - How Much Control Is Enough?CSO discharges are episodic eventsCSO discharges are episodic eventsLarge range of rainfall intensity and durationLarge range of rainfall intensity and durationCannot design for largest eventCannot design for largest eventKnee-of-the-curve is accepted and makes senseKnee-of-the-curve is accepted and makes sense

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Paerdegat Basin: The Questions

What Is the Significance of Non-Attainment of the Dissolved Oxygen What Is the Significance of Non-Attainment of the Dissolved Oxygen Standard on Fish/Aquatic Life After Controls Are Implemented?Standard on Fish/Aquatic Life After Controls Are Implemented?

Is Paerdegat Basin a suitable habitat?Is Paerdegat Basin a suitable habitat?How significant is Paerdegat Basin to the ecosystem?How significant is Paerdegat Basin to the ecosystem?

Is a Swimmable Use Appropriate for an Urban Tributary?Is a Swimmable Use Appropriate for an Urban Tributary?

Is Zero Discharge for Floatables and Settleable Solids Needed To Is Zero Discharge for Floatables and Settleable Solids Needed To Protect Uses?Protect Uses?

What Regulatory Opportunities Exist To Bring What Is Attainable into What Regulatory Opportunities Exist To Bring What Is Attainable into Compliance?Compliance?

Mixing Zones/Outfall RelocationMixing Zones/Outfall Relocation Special Water Use Special Water Use DesignationsDesignations

Site-Specific Water Quality CriteriaSite-Specific Water Quality Criteria Use Attainability AnalysisUse Attainability Analysis

What Other Opportunities May Be More Effective to Enhance Water Use What Other Opportunities May Be More Effective to Enhance Water Use and Ecological Values in Paerdegat Basin?and Ecological Values in Paerdegat Basin?

88EPA’sEPA’s Guidance: Coordinating CSO Long-Term Planning with Water Quality Standards Reviews Guidance: Coordinating CSO Long-Term Planning with Water Quality Standards Reviews

EPA’s CSO LTCP Process

DEP is at this DEP is at this stage in the stage in the

Paerdegat Basin Paerdegat Basin Planning Planning ProcessProcess

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What Will the USA Project Do?

Review Beneficial Waterbody and Riparian Uses for Paerdegat Review Beneficial Waterbody and Riparian Uses for Paerdegat Basin with Stakeholder/Public Participation:Basin with Stakeholder/Public Participation:

Fish, Aquatic Life and Wildlife ProtectionFish, Aquatic Life and Wildlife ProtectionBathing and RecreationBathing and RecreationAestheticsAesthetics

Include Non-Numerical Aspects of Beneficial Uses into Planning Include Non-Numerical Aspects of Beneficial Uses into Planning ProcessProcess

Recommend the Highest Water Quality Standards That Are Recommend the Highest Water Quality Standards That Are Reasonably Attainable and Consistent with Regulations and Reasonably Attainable and Consistent with Regulations and Desired UsesDesired Uses

Serve as the Basis for Potential Use Attainability AnalysesServe as the Basis for Potential Use Attainability Analyses

Maximize Environmental Return of Water Quality Improvement Maximize Environmental Return of Water Quality Improvement Plans Considering Beneficial Uses and Water QualityPlans Considering Beneficial Uses and Water Quality

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Waterbody/Watershed Assessments

• Develop waterbody-specific information and preliminary data.

• Review WQS, policies, local concerns/interests/issues, goals.

• Identify, prioritize and rank all issues.

• Develop and execute waterbody/watershed-specific data analysis.

• Develop approaches to attain goals.

• Evaluate alternatives to achieve goals.

• Recommend uses and Water Quality Standards.

• Develop waterbody/watershed plan.

• Conduct preliminary environmental review.

Waterbody and Watershed Analyses

• Computer Modeling and GIS

• Facility Plan Assessment

• Ecosystem Analyses

• Land Use Analyses

Data Collection

• Receiving Water Quality

• Biology and Habitat

• Shoreline Characterization

• Relational Database

Engineering Analyses

• Engineering Technologies

• Innovative Approaches

• Best Management Practices

• Watershed Controls

• Technology Ranking

Stakeholders

Waterbody/Watershed Stakeholder Teams

USA ProjectWaterbody/Watershed Assessments

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Integrated Waterbody Monitoring Program for Assessing Water Uses and Goal Achievement

Fish and Aquatic Life ProtectionFish and Aquatic Life ProtectionDissolved Oxygen and Related VariablesDissolved Oxygen and Related Variables

Sediment CharacterizationSediment Characterization

Benthic and Epibenthic BiologyBenthic and Epibenthic Biology

IchthyoplanktonIchthyoplankton

Fish Abundance and DiversityFish Abundance and Diversity

Habitat EvaluationHabitat Evaluation

Bathing and RecreationBathing and RecreationTotal and Fecal Coliform BacteriaTotal and Fecal Coliform Bacteria

Fish, Aquatic Life, and Wildlife ProtectionFish, Aquatic Life, and Wildlife ProtectionWater Column Toxicity (Chronic)Water Column Toxicity (Chronic)

Sediment Toxicity (Chronic)Sediment Toxicity (Chronic)

Sediment Pore Water AnalysisSediment Pore Water Analysis

Fish Tissue AnalysisFish Tissue Analysis

Paerdegat Basin Biological SamplingPaerdegat Basin Biological Sampling

USA Project Sampling VesselUSA Project Sampling Vessel

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Mathematical Modeling

Mathematical Models Were Used to Simulate Existing and Mathematical Models Were Used to Simulate Existing and Projected Water Quality for Paerdegat Basin:Projected Water Quality for Paerdegat Basin:

Paerdegat BasinReceiving Water Model

Jamaica Bay Receiving Jamaica Bay Receiving Water ModelWater Model

Paerdegat Basin Paerdegat Basin Receiving Water ModelReceiving Water Model

Jamaica BayReceiving Water Model(Boundary Conditions)

Watershed ModelsSWMM & Rainfall-Runoff Model

(CSO & Stormwater Loads)

Evaluate AlternativesEvaluate Alternatives

&&

Use AttainabilityUse Attainability

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Work Elements Addressing Riparian Uses

PurposePurposeIdentify opportunities for public use and ecological enhancementIdentify opportunities for public use and ecological enhancementIdentify locations which constrain attainment of designated / enhanced water useIdentify locations which constrain attainment of designated / enhanced water use

Land Use AnalysisLand Use AnalysisDefine existing land usesDefine existing land usesIdentify proposed development plansIdentify proposed development plansIdentify areas of opportunityIdentify areas of opportunity

Shoreline CharacterizationShoreline CharacterizationPhysical characterization of existing shorelinesPhysical characterization of existing shorelines

Natural, altered, developedNatural, altered, developed

Biological characterizationBiological characterizationMarshes, wetlandsMarshes, wetlands

Identify proposed modificationsIdentify proposed modificationsNew York City Department of Parks and RecreationNew York City Department of Parks and RecreationU.S. Army Corps of EngineersU.S. Army Corps of EngineersHarbor Estuary ProgramHarbor Estuary Program

Identify areas of opportunity for enhancementIdentify areas of opportunity for enhancement

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Fish and Aquatic Life Protection Water Uses

Regulatory Issues:Regulatory Issues:Identify desired usesIdentify desired uses

aquatic life propagationaquatic life propagationfish survivalfish survival

Determine required level of protectionDetermine required level of protectionSelect and apply appropriate criteriaSelect and apply appropriate criteriaDetermine attainability of criteria and uses Determine attainability of criteria and uses

Relevant Factors:Relevant Factors:Dissolved OxygenDissolved OxygenHabitatHabitat

substrate compositionsubstrate compositionorganic carbon depositionorganic carbon depositionsediment pore water chemistrysediment pore water chemistry

ToxicsToxics

EPA’sEPA’s Ambient Aquatic Life Water Quality Criteria for Ambient Aquatic Life Water Quality Criteria for Dissolved Oxygen (Saltwater): Cape Cod to Cape HatterasDissolved Oxygen (Saltwater): Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras

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Bathing and Recreation Water Uses

Regulatory IssuesRegulatory IssuesIdentify desired usesIdentify desired uses

bathing, wading, kayaking, canoeing fishing, boatingbathing, wading, kayaking, canoeing fishing, boating

Apply appropriate use designationApply appropriate use designationprimary vs. secondary contact recreationprimary vs. secondary contact recreation

Determine needed level of protection related to desired usesDetermine needed level of protection related to desired uses

Assess attainability of criteria and usesAssess attainability of criteria and uses

Relevant CriteriaRelevant CriteriaTotal ColiformTotal Coliform

Fecal ColiformFecal Coliform

Enterococci (EPA recommended)Enterococci (EPA recommended)

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USA Project Planning

Waterbody/Watershed Plans Are Being Developed for 23 Waterbody/Watershed Plans Are Being Developed for 23 USA Project WaterbodiesUSA Project Waterbodies

Plans Integrate Long-Term CSO Control Plans and Other Plans Integrate Long-Term CSO Control Plans and Other Water Quality Improvement Programs in a Watershed Water Quality Improvement Programs in a Watershed ApproachApproach

Opportunities for Enhancing Beneficial Uses Are Being Opportunities for Enhancing Beneficial Uses Are Being Identified (e.g. habitat, riparian)Identified (e.g. habitat, riparian)

Use and Standards Attainment Is Being Evaluated Use and Standards Attainment Is Being Evaluated Consistent With Clean Water Act Goals and CSO LTCP Consistent With Clean Water Act Goals and CSO LTCP RequirementsRequirements