| Neuse Basinwide Water Quality Management Plan Foreword and Executive Summary February 1993 |
|
 Neuse River |
Prepared by the: |
| Neuse Basinwide Water Quality Management Plan Foreword and Executive Summary February 1993 |
|
Neuse River |
Prepared by the: |
The Neuse Basinwide Water Quality Management Plan was approved by the NC Environmental Management Commission on February 11, 1993 to be used as a guide by the NC Division of Water Quality in carrying out its Water Quality Program duties and responsibilities in the Neuse River Basin. Copies of the entire plan may obtained by contacting the Division of Water Quality at the above address and phone number.
...this particular document provides a vision into the future of what the sorts of costs of cleanup are going to be as a consequence of growing population and growing use of resources. In my judgment, these sorts of costs aren't often enough contemplated in the planning that local communities do for their future. And it strikes me that that is one of the major roles in a broader philosophical sense that this exercise plays as it puts a local community in the context of the broader system in which it exists. So that local government leaders can look to the kinds of issues that are going to lie ahead in the sense of costs of activities that they may undertake. And that planning, I think, is part of an important process."
Dr. Charles Peterson, Member
Environmental Management Commission
February 11, 1993
NORTH CAROLINA'S BASINWIDE APPROACH TO WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT - PURPOSE OF NEUSE BASINWIDE PLAN
Basinwide water quality management is a new watershed-based management approach being implemented by the North Carolina Division of Environmental Management (NCDEM) to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and consistency of its Water Quality Protection Program. Two key features include basinwide discharge permitting and preparation of a basinwide management plan for each of the seventeen major river basins in the state. The Neuse Basinwide Water Quality Management Plan is the first of a series of basinwide plans that will be prepared by NCDEM for all of the state's major river basins over the next five years. The full schedule is presented in Chapter 1.
The purpose of the Neuse Basinwide Management Plan is to report to citizens, policy makers and the regulated community on:
the current status of surface water quality in the basin;
major water quality concerns and issues;
projected trends in development and water quality;
long-range water quality goals for the basin;
point and nonpoint source pollution control programs and regulations;
recommended waste limit strategies for discharges of nutrients, oxygen- demanding wastes and toxic substances; and
followup monitoring to gauge the Division's performance in implementing the plan to meet established goals.
Basinwide plans will be updated at five-year intervals. The Neuse Basinwide Plan is due for completion in April of 1993 and will be updated in 1998.
BASINWIDE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The primary goals of NCDEM's basinwide program are to 1) identify and restore full use to impaired waters, 2) identify and protect highly valued resource waters, and 3) manage problem pollutants throughout the basin so as to protect water quality standards while accommodating population increases and economic growth. Near-term objectives, or those achievable at least in part during the next five years, include implementing management strategies to significantly reduce point and nonpoint source pollution and making measurable improvements towards addressing the major issues presented below. Longer-term objectives will include refining the recommended basinwide management strategies during the next round of water quality monitoring after obtaining feedback on current management efforts.
Near-term point source management efforts will include establishing more restrictive waste limits for oxygen-consuming wastes at new and expanding wastewater treatment plants and on a case-by-case basis at some existing plants in areas where documented water quality problems exist; continuing efforts to improve compliance with permitted limits; improving pretreatment of industrial wastes to municipal wastewater treatment plants so as to reduce the toxicity in effluent wastes; increasing compliance surveillance of designated concentrated-animal feeding operations; and requiring multiple treatment trains at wastewater facilities as designated by rules adopted by the Environmental Management Commission.
Near-term nonpoint source management efforts will include working with the appropriate nonpoint source agencies to target the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff to the most sensitive surface water areas in the basin, as well as implementing NCDEM's water supply watershed protection, federal urban stormwater and state animal waste control rules. Particular emphasis will be placed on evaluating nonpoint source nutrient loading with a goal of developing nonpoint source nutrient reduction goals in the next five years.
For point sources, long-term control efforts will stress reduction of wastes entering wastewater treatment plants, seeking more efficient and creative ways of recycling byproducts of the treatment process (including recycling wastewater), and keeping abreast of and recommending the most advanced and cost-effective wastewater treatment technologies.
For nonpoint sources, long-term efforts will include more effective controls of urban runoff and continuing efforts to work with the agricultural, forestry and development communities to reduce nutrient, sediment and chemical runoff through expanded and improved best management practices (BMP). Innovative management strategies will be sought to optimize distribution of assimilative capacity and may include tradeoffs between point and nonpoint source controls such as the nutrient trading program that is being developed in the Tar-Pamlico River basin. If proven successful in that basin, similar programs may be developed in other basins including the Neuse. Public review and involvement in the long-range planning process will also be emphasized.
Integrating Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Strategies
Basinwide management will facilitate the integration of point and nonpoint source
pollution assessment and control, relying in part on a concept called total maximum
daily loads (TMDLs). This concept, which is being required by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) pursuant to Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act,
is based on the process of determining the total waste (pollutant) loading, from point and
nonpoint sources, that a water body, such as a stream, lake or estuary, can assimilate
while still maintaining its designated uses. In this document, it is applied primarily to
the control of nutrients and biochemical oxygen-demanding wastes (BOD). Chapter 5
describes North Carolina's approach to the TMDL concept. Recommended strategies for
specific water bodies are presented in Chapter 6.
As NCDEM's abilities to quantify and predict the impacts of point and nonpoint source pollution become more sophisticated, the basinwide approach will allow more innovative management strategies to be implemented. Possible strategies that might be considered in future Neuse Basinwide Plans or in the plans for later basins in this first five-year basinwide planning cycle include agency banking, pollution trading among permitted dischargers (or point and nonpoint sources), industrial recruitment mapping and consolidation of wastewater discharges (defined in Chapter 5). Improvements in understanding the relative contributions and effects of point and nonpoint source pollution on water quality will also help in developing a more equitable approach in managing and regulating these sources.
NCDEM's Point Source Control Program
Point source discharges, which are defined and described more fully in Chapter 3,
are not allowed in North Carolina without a permit from the state. Discharge permits are
issued under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program which was
delegated to North Carolina from the USEPA. NPDES permits contain effluent limitations
which establish the maximum level of various wastes, or pollutants, that may be discharged
into surface waters. North Carolina has a very comprehensive NPDES program, described in
Chapter 5, which includes permitting, compliance and enforcement, wasteload allocation
modeling, pretreatment, aquatic toxicity testing, water quality monitoring, operator
training and consideration of nondischarge alternatives.
NCDEM's Nonpoint Source Control Program
There are a wide array of programs designed to address nonpoint source pollution
that are introduced in Chapter 5 and discussed more fully in Appendix IV. The major
categories include agriculture, urban stormwater, forestry, onsite wastewater treatment,
construction, and mining. NCDEM administers several regulatory programs that address
nonpoint sources including coastal and urban stormwater rules, water supply watershed
regulations and nonpoint source requirements associated with high quality and outstanding
resource waters. However, many programs are administered by other agencies including the
Departments of Transportation and Agriculture as well as the Divisions of Land Resources,
Soil and Water and Coastal Management. NCDEM coordinates with these agencies to target and
implement appropriate nonpoint source controls which generally involve land use controls
or best management practices.
The Neuse River basin encompasses 6192 square miles in 19 counties and contains roughly one sixth of the state's population. It is the third largest river basin in North Carolina and is one of only three major river basins whose boundaries are located entirely within the state. The Neuse River originates northwest of Durham in the northern Piedmont region of North Carolina and then flows southeasterly for over 200 miles past the cities of Raleigh, Smithfield, Goldsboro, Kinston and New Bern to the tidal waters of Pamlico Sound. There are 3,293 miles of freshwater streams in the basin, 328,700 acres classified as salt waters and thousands of acres of freshwater impoundments.
Analysis of land cover data based on 1987 satellite imagery provided by the North Carolina Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (CGIA) reveals that agriculture and forestry comprise nearly two thirds of the basin's total surface area (34.7% and 33.9% of land area, respectively). Wetlands and open water (including the Neuse estuary and large impoundments) comprise over 20% of the surface area, and urban development, concentrated mostly in the upper basin around Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Garner, comprises 5.1%. Comparison of 1970 to 1990 census data indicates that the two most rapidly growing regions in the basin are the greater Raleigh area and the lower Neuse in the vicinity of New Bern and Havelock. Population growth in both areas exceeded 70% over the 20-year period. Total population in the Neuse basin, based on 1990 census data, is estimated at 1,015,511. There are a total of 350 discharge permits issued for the basin, 187 of which are active. Of these, there are 20 major municipal facilities, 10 major nonmunicipals, 20 minor municipals and 137 minor nonmunicipals. Municipals are publicly-owned treatment facilities for towns, cities and counties. Nonmunicipals are privately-owned facilities such as industrial plants and private package plant facilities.
An important method for assessing water quality in a stream, lake or estuary, is to determine whether its quality is sufficient to support the uses for which the waterbody has been classified by the state. Uses, depending on the classification of the waters, refers to activities such as swimming, fishing, aquatic life support, water supply and shellfishing. NCDEM has collected extensive chemical and biological water quality monitoring data throughout the Neuse basin. All data for a particular stream segment have been assessed to determine the overall use support rating; that is whether the waters are fully supporting, partially supporting or not supporting their uses. A fourth rating, support-threatened, applies where all uses are currently being supported but that water quality conditions are marginal. Use support ratings in the Neuse basin, described more fully in Chapter 4, are summarized below for freshwater streams, saltwaters (estuarine areas) and lakes.
Freshwater Streams
Of the 3,293 miles of freshwater streams in the Neuse basin, information was available to
develop use support ratings for 92% or 3,053 miles. Of the 92% that were evaluated, 22%
were rated as fully supporting their designated uses, 40% were support-threatened,
25% were partially supporting and 5% were not supporting. Those waters not
evaluated are primarily headwater streams and small tributaries. Of the total 990 miles of
streams rated as partially or not supporting, the probable causes and sources of
impairment were identified for approximately 75%.
Sediment (from nonpoint sources such as construction, agriculture, urban development, mining and forestry) was considered the most widespread cause of use support impairment (30%). This was followed by low dissolved oxygen (mostly from point sources), bacteria, metals/toxicants, and solids/turbidity. Metal violations were usually associated with urban areas or located downstream of dischargers where streamflow was often dominated by effluent.
Nonpoint source pollution was identified as the most widespread source of stream use support impairment in the basin. Thirty-four percent of the impaired streams were estimated to be impaired by agriculture, 14 percent by urban development, and 13 percent by construction activity. Eleven percent of the streams were judged to be impaired by point sources. Other categories of nonpoint pollution included forestry, land disposal, hydrologic modifications and general erosion. The type and significance of sources of impairment varies considerably throughout the basin. While agricultural sources were identified throughout the basin, urban sources were, for the most part, more severe and concentrated in the Piedmont area of the basin. Above Falls Lake, more streams were judged to be impaired by point sources than agriculture. Also, in the Raleigh-Durham area, urban and construction related nonpoint runoff were the main sources of impairment. The Contentnea Creek and Trent River subbasins had the highest number of stream miles thought to be impaired by agriculture.
Saltwaters
Use support determinations were made for all of the 328,700 acres of saltwater in the
Neuse Basin. Eighty-six percent of the saltwaters were rated fully supporting, 5%
support-threatened, and 9% partially supporting. No waters were rated as not supporting.
Eutrophication, as evidenced by high chlorophyll a levels, was the most widespread cause of impairment followed by fecal coliform bacteria. Both of these causes are indicators of water quality degradation and are discussed further under Priority Water Quality Concerns and Management Strategies. Eutrophication is related to nutrient overenrichment and the excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants. Elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria require the closure of commercial shellfishing areas. The majority of partially supporting waters were in the upper part of the Neuse River estuary, from New Bern to Minnesott Beach. These waters were mainly impacted by nutrient over enrichment (chlorophyll a exceedances and algal blooms). Waters rated as partially supporting in the lower part of the estuary were related primarily to closed shellfish waters. A smaller number of saltwater acres were impaired by low dissolved oxygen and metals, mainly in the Neuse River above and near New Bern and Oriental Harbor. Waters were impacted by multiple sources, but the most widespread probable source of impairment was agriculture, followed by point source discharges. Swamp drainage, urban runoff and malfunctioning septic tanks were identified as pollution sources for a smaller set of waters.
Lakes
There are nearly 100 named lakes and ponds in the Neuse basin and an innumerable number of
unnamed farm ponds and other impoundments. Most of these are considered eutrophic, meaning
that they are enriched with nutrients and may have an overabundance of algae and aquatic
plants. Thirty of the named lakes, totaling 20,586 acres, were monitored and assigned use
support ratings. Of these 30, eleven fully supported their uses, eleven were
support-threatened, five were partially supporting, and three were not supporting. Major
causes of impairment included nutrient enrichment, noxious aquatic plants (Hydrilla and
algal blooms), and siltation. Major sources of impairment include municipal point sources
and runoff from construction, urban and agricultural areas.
Several water quality issues emerge as being of particular importance in light of factors such as the degree of water quality degradation, the value of the resources being impacted, the number of users affected or the sensitivity of the resources involved. Those issues considered most significant on a basinwide scale and requiring the most immediate attention by NCDEM are presented below as major issues. Other important issues and control strategies are discussed.
Major Issues:
Lack of Assimilative Capacity for Oxygen-Consuming Wastes in the Neuse Mainstem and Major Tributaries
Analysis of 1987 to 1991 water quality data collected at 13 ambient sampling stations on the river from Falls Lake Dam to New Bern has revealed occurrences of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations below the standard (5 mg/l) in the lower Neuse below Streets Ferry. Low DO is also a problem in some of the major tributaries. Low DO in these areas, which generally occurs in warm weather under low flow conditions, is attributed in large part to biochemical oxygen demanding wastes (BOD) originating primarily from point source discharges, both on the river's mainstem and along its tributaries. BOD is a term referring to organic substances and chemicals, such as ammonia, that use up dissolved oxygen as they decay or react with other substances in the water. The lower Neuse also experiences low DO due to the relatively large inflow of swamp waters that are naturally low in dissolved oxygen.
To evaluate BOD waste assimilative capacity in the mainstem and the relative impacts of wastewater discharges, a field calibrated computer model was utilized. The model, which applies to a 185 mile reach of the river from Falls Lake Dam to Streets Ferry, indicated that BOD waste loading had been overallocated to many permitted dischargers in the past. The model predicted if all permitted dischargers were to discharge at their full permitted loadings of BOD (BOD5 and ammonia), DO violations would be expected in Johnston County (below the Central Johnston WWTP and Swift Creek) and also downstream Kinston.
Recommended NPDES Control Strategies for BOD:
It is clear from analysis of the instream water quality data and the modeling that
additional controls on Neuse River BOD loadings from dischargers are required. The model
also indicates that tributary loading of BOD can significantly affect the water quality of
the Neuse mainstem and that tributary control strategies will also be needed. Below are
recommended point source TMDL control strategies of BOD that are discussed more fully in
Chapter 6.
Neuse Mainstem from Falls Dam to Streets Ferry: Advanced tertiary treatment levels (i.e., generally 5 mg/l BOD and 2 mg/l NH3 in summer and 10 mg/l BOD and 4 mg/l NH3 in winter) for municipalities, and an equivalent level of treatment for existing industries, are recommended for facilities discharging to the Neuse mainstem to protect the instream dissolved oxygen standard of 5 mg/l. This recommendation would apply to new and expanding facilities at permit issuance and would be a long-term goal for most dischargers on the mainstem. Wasteloads for nonexpanding dischargers will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Neuse Tributaries below Falls Lake (not including those tributaries listed below): NPDES allocations will be recommended so as to minimize BOD loading to the mainstem. Where a discharge is close to the mouth of the tributary, the permittee will not be given limits more stringent than for mainstem dischargers unless required to protect water quality standards in the tributary.
Eno River, Knap of Reeds Creek, Ellerbe Creek, Lick Creek, Crabtree Creek (above Lassiter Mill Pond), Swift Creek (below Lake Benson), Middle Creek, and Slocum Creek: Studies indicate that no 1new discharges should be permitted. Existing discharges should be removed, where feasible. Advanced tertiary treatment will be phased in for those that cannot be removed (this has already been accomplished for several major dischargers in Durham, Cary and Fuquay-Varina).
Neuse River Estuary below Streets Ferry, Contentnea Creek Subbasin, Flat River and Crabtree Creek below Lassiter Mill: Permit strategies are being developed. Water quality problems have been identified but are not fully understood. Wasteloads will be done on a case-by-case basis. A computer model is being developed for the estuary. Tertiary limits are anticipated to be recommended for new and expanding facilities.
Falls Lake, Lake Michie, Orange Reservoir, Wiggins Mill Reservoir, Buckhorn Reservoir and Unnamed Tributaries to the above: Studies indicate that no additional discharges should be permitted in order to protect water quality standards.
Most recently-permitted wastewater treatment plants have already received waste limits consistent with the above recommendations. Scheduling for compliance of these limits for existing nonexpanding discharges will be determined on a case-by-case basis taking into account the type and age of the plant, size of its discharge, current treatment levels, cost feasibility, and significance of water quality impacts.
Lack of Nutrient Assimilative Capacity in the Neuse Estuary and Major Lakes
Algal blooms resulting from excessive nutrient loading (eutrophication) have occurred regularly in the lower Neuse River between New Bern and Minnesott Beach and in the upper reaches of Falls Lake, and have been observed in several other freshwater lakes throughout the basin, six of which are in the Contentnea Creek subbasin. The nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen, in sufficient quantity and under favorable conditions, can stimulate the occurrence of algal blooms in waters such as ponds, lakes, and estuaries. The algae, through respiration and decay, deplete the water column of dissolved oxygen resulting in serious water quality problems such as fish kills. Undesirable species of algae are also a leading source of taste and odor problems in drinking water supplies. Studies indicate that municipal wastewater treatment plants and agricultural runoff are the two main sources of nutrients.
Point source nutrient loading has been reduced significantly in the Neuse basin since the state classified it as nutrient sensitive waters (NSW) in 1988 (The Falls Lake watershed portion had been previously classified NSW in 1983). The percentage of total phosphorus (TP) loading attributed to point sources is estimated to have been reduced from 57% in 1986 to 21% in 1990. Total nitrogen (TN) point source loadings have been reduced from 25% to 12%. These reductions were accomplished through implementation of a statewide ban on phosphate detergents and by requiring phosphorus discharge limits at NPDES facilities pursuant to the requirements of the NSW reclassification. For discharges above Falls Lake, all discharges greater than 0.05 million gallons per day (MGD) have been required to meet a total phosphorus limit of no greater than 2.0 mg/l. Most major dischargers have actually been given limits of 0.5 mg/l. For discharges located on the Neuse mainstem or on tributaries to the mainstem downstream of Falls Lake, all existing discharges greater than 0.5 MGD have been required to meet a total phosphorus limit of not greater than 2.0 mg/l by May, 1993. All new or expanding discharges greater than 50,000 gallons per day (0.05 MGD) have been required to meet this limit upon discharge initiation or expansion.
As nutrient loadings from point sources has decreased, the relative significance of nutrient loading from nonpoint sources has increased. While the actual amounts of nonpoint source nutrient loading are difficult to quantify, the relative contributions of nonpoint loading from several major sources in the basin have been estimated in a nutrient study conducted under the Albemarle/Pamlico Estuarine Study program.
Land Cover Type Phosphorus (%) Nitrogen (%) Agriculture 65.5 63.9 Forestry 8.4 14.9 Urban Development 10.3 7.2 Wetlands 1.9 3.3 Atmospheric deposition over open water 12.9 8.9 Other 1.0 1.8
Recommended Control Strategies for Nutrients
The relative contributions of point and nonpoint source nutrient loading combined with the
fact that much of the feasible point source phosphorus reduction has already been
accomplished suggest the need to actively target nonpoint sources of nutrients for
implementation of best management practices. The Contentnea Creek basin, which has six
impaired reservoirs and is estimated to contribute 20% of the nonpoint source nutrient
loading to the lower Neuse estuary, has been given a high priority for action. NCDEM will
work with the appropriate agencies to target sources of agricultural nonpoint pollution
for BMP implementation. NCDEM will also be reevaluating its nutrient control strategy for
the basin as more information is gained on implementation of agricultural best management
practices.
Other Important Issues and Pollution Control Strategies
Urban and Industrial Stormwater Runoff
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requiring states to implement discharge permit programs for stormwater runoff in urban areas and at industrial sites. North Carolina has taken a leadership role among the states in this effort. Under this program most industrial sites will be covered by general permits. In addition, NPDES discharge permits will eventually be required for stormwater systems in Raleigh and Durham. However, present efforts are focusing on monitoring the waste loading from urban runoff, determining its impacts and developing appropriate management strategies. The program is intended to reduce water quality and flow impacts from urban stormwater in both existing and proposed development areas within the extra-territorial jurisdictions of the affected cities.
Animal Wastes from Intensive Livestock Operations
On December 10, 1992, the Environmental Management Commission approved a modification to a rule (15A NCAC 2H .0217) to establish procedures for properly managing and reusing animal wastes from intensive livestock operations. The goal of the rule is for intensive animal operations to operate so that animal wastes are not discharged to waters of the state. This means that if criteria are met and no wastes are discharged to surface waters, then an individual permit from NCDEM is not required. The rule applies to new, expanded or existing feedlots with animal waste management systems designed to serve more than or equal to the following animal populations: 100 head of cattle, 75 horses, 250 swine, 1,000 sheep or 30,000 birds with a liquid waste system. These operations are deemed permitted if a signed registration and waste management plan certification are submitted to DEM by the appropriate deadlines.
Shellfish Water Closures
Commercial shellfish harvesting occurs throughout the lower Neuse estuary and Pamlico Sound in waters classified SA. Fecal coliform bacteria levels in shellfish waters must be maintained at extremely low levels in order for harvesting to be allowed (14 MF/100 ml). By contrast, the fecal coliform standard for outdoor bathing waters (SB) is 200 MF/100 ml. Shellfish waters are closed for commercial harvesting if the fecal coliform limit is exceeded in order to protect consumers from potential health risks. Sources of fecal coliform problems are often difficult to identify and may include leaking septic tanks, urban runoff, improperly treated wastewater, farm animal runoff or congregations of waterfowl in shellfish areas. Discharge permits are not issued where there is a risk of closure to shellfish waters.
Metals
In general, there do not appear to be widespread water quality problems with elevated metals concentrations in the Neuse Basin although metals concentrations have been found on occasion to be above "action level" limits. Independent research through the Albemarle Pamlico Estuarine Study program has identified a number of locations in the lower Neuse where bottom sediments have been found to have elevated levels of metals, especially in Slocum Creek near Cherry Point. Fish tissue analyses conducted by NCDEM in Slocum Creek and other areas have not revealed any significant bioaccumulation and water quality violations have not been found. Monitoring in these areas will continue. Also, throughout the basin, metals discharges from wastewater treatment plants will continue to be closely monitored and controlled. Whole effluent toxicity testing of the treated effluent and continued strengthening of pretreatment programs will be important in this effort.
Reclassification of Waters to Protect Special Uses
Water Supply Watershed Protection (HB 156) - Water supply watersheds have recently been reclassified by the EMC into one of five "WS" classifications. Each classification is accompanied by water quality standards and protection provisions. Water quality information generated for preparation of the Neuse basinwide plan was used to help determine the most appropriate WS classification for a given watershed, but the WS classification process takes precedence over and guides the management strategies set forth in this document for water supply protection.
High Quality (HQW) and Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) - Several stream segments and estuarine areas are identified in the plan as having excellent water quality and are suggested for further consideration for reclassification to ORW or HQW. These include portions of Deep Creek and a portion of the Flat River above Falls Lake (subbasin 01), and West Thorofare Bay (Subbasin 14).
Critical Habitat for Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species - Areas formally designated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as critical habitat will be considered for reclassification to High Quality Waters by the Environmental Management Commission (EMC). Consideration will also be given to protection of federally and state listed rare, threatened and endangered species through NPDES permit reviews.
Noncompliance, Enforcement and Treatment Plant Operator Training
NCDEM is aggressively improving permit compliance through such methods as better screening of effluent violations, streamlining enforcement actions and imposing automatic penalties. At the same time, NCDEM's training and certification program for wastewater treatment plant operators is being expanded and improved in order to reduce problems associated with operator errors and to improve plant operations and efficiency.
Attainability of the goals and objectives for the Neuse Basin Plan will require determined, widespread public support along with the combined cooperation of state, local and federal agencies, and agriculture, forestry, industry, and development interests. However, with the needed support and cooperation, NCDEM believes that success can be obtained through the basinwide management approach.
