New Basinwide Water Quality
Management Plan
Foreword and Executive Summary
September 1995

Clean water is critical to the health, economic well-being and quality of life of those living or working in the New River basin. Most water users throughout the basin, including industry, agriculture and the basin's nearly 54,000 residents, rely on surface water for basic needs such as water supply and/or disposal of treated wastewater. In addition, many businesses and residents of the New River basin rely directly or indirectly on the basin's 825 miles of rivers, including 575 miles of trout streams, to meet their recreational needs and provide a source of living. Tourism and resort development, along with related water-oriented businesses associated with canoeing and trout fishing are just some examples.

To these groups and the public they serve, it is important that the basin's waters support viable fisheries, that the waters be relatively safe (low risk of contracting water-borne disease) and that they be aesthetically desirable (free of objectionable colors, odors and smells). This is especially important in the New River Basin as it contains a 26.5 mile stretch of river, including portions of the South Fork New River and New River mainstem, that has been designated as both a State Scenic River and a National Wild and Scenic River. Maintaining clean water becomes increasingly difficult and more expensive as the population grows, as land develops and as competition for its resources heighten.

While the overall quality of surface waters in the basin is good, approximately 60 miles, or 7%, of the basin's streams are considered impaired. The major causes of impairment, in terms of the numbers of impaired stream miles are sediment, low pH (acid mine drainage), ammonia and metals. The major sources of impairment are agriculture (including Christmas tree farms), urban runoff, construction, point source discharges, forestry (logging) and mining.

Preserving and enhancing the quality of water in the basin is beyond the capabilities of any one agency or group. State and federal government regulatory programs will play an important part, but much of the responsibility resides at the local level. Those who live, work and recreate in the basin have the most at stake.

NORTH CAROLINA'S BASINWIDE APPROACH TO WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT - PURPOSE OF NEW RIVER BASIN PLAN

Basinwide management is a watershed-based water quality management initiative being implemented by the North Carolina Division of Environmental Management (DEM). The New River Basinwide Water Quality Management Plan (New River Plan) is the sixth in a series of basinwide water quality management plans that will be prepared by DEM for all seventeen of the state's major river basins by 1998. The plan will be used as a guide by DEM in carrying out its water quality program duties and responsibilities in the New River Basin.

Each basinwide management plan is prepared in order to communicate to policy makers, the regulated community and the general public the state's rationale, approaches and long-term water quality management strategies for each basin. The draft plans are circulated for public review and comment and are presented at public meetings in each basin. The plan for a given basin is completed and approved prior to the scheduled date for basinwide permit renewals in that basin. The plans are then to be evaluated, based on follow-up water quality monitoring, and updated at five year intervals.

The New River Plan will be updated in the year 2000. Basinwide NPDES permitting is scheduled to occur in November and December of 1995.

BASINWIDE GOALS

The three primary goals of DEM'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 allowing for reasonable economic growth.

In addition, DEM is applying this approach to each of the major river basins in the state as a means of better identifying water quality problems; developing appropriate management strategies; maintaining and protecting water quality and aquatic habitat; assuring equitable distribution of waste assimilative capacity for dischargers; and improving public awareness and involvement in management of the state's surface waters.

PUBLIC WORKSHOP

A public workshop was held on October 5, 1994 in Boone, NC to familiarize stakeholders in the basin with DEM's basinwide approach and to solicit their comments on this basinwide plan. The workshop, which had 32 participants, was sponsored by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service (CES), DEM and the North Carolina League of Municipalities. Discussion groups identified priority issues and recommended actions, listed below. DEM is striving to address these issues through its basinwide approach and has considered these and other issues identified by workshop participants in developing this basin plan. A more complete summary of the workshop is provided in Appendix V.

Priority Issues Identified by Two or More Groups:

• Point sources of pollution
• Agricultural pollution sources including Christmas tree production
• Development and land use planning
• Education and public involvement
• Communication among agencies, citizens and media
• Economic impacts of environmental regulations
• Sedimentation
• Recreation impacts on water

Recommended Actions Identified by Two or More Discussion Groups:

The New River Basin is the fourth smallest river basin in the state covering 765 square miles. It is located within the Blue Ridge Province of the Appalachian Mountains region of western North Carolina. The New River originates at the confluence of the North Fork New River and the South Fork New River in northeastern Ashe County (Figure 1). It flows northward from North Carolina through Alleghany County into Virginia, loops back briefly into North Carolina, and then flows back into Virginia. The New River takes a northwesterly turn into West Virginia where it joins the Kanawha River. Eventually, waters from this system drain to the Gulf of Mexico via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. The New River is part of the oldest river system in North America, flowing through a terrain containing metamorphic rocks that date up to 1.1 billion years old.

That portion of the New River basin in North Carolina is divided into three subbasins. They include the North Fork New River, South Fork New River and Little River. There are 825 miles of freshwater streams in the basin and one man-made lake that DEM has monitored located at Appalachian State University in Watauga County. Water quality is high and nearly 70% of the streams in the basin are classified as trout waters. Although situated entirely within the mountains, there are major differences in average water velocities between the North and South Forks. The North Fork New River falls from an elevation of 3,800 feet to 2,550 feet for a drop of about 29 feet per mile in this 43 mile reach. In contrast, the South Fork New River has a more gentle slope dropping from 3,100 feet to 2,550 feet over 72 miles for a fall of about 7.6 feet per mile (NCDWR, 1962).

A segment of the river including the lower South Fork New River and the New River mainstem to the North Carolina/Virginia state line, has been designated as both a National Scenic River and a state Natural and Scenic River, one of just four in North Carolina. This 26.5 mile stretch of river is classified as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) due to its recreational and ecological significance and excellent water quality. It is situated on an elevated plateau, generally between 2500 to 3000 feet above sea level. Mount Jefferson State Park is known for its magnificent oak-hickory forests and has a peak approximately 4700 feet in elevation, one of the highest points in the basin.

Figure 1 General Map of the New River Basin

There are 3 counties and 6 municipalities located in whole or in part in the basin. The population of the basin, based on 1990 census data, was estimated to be 53,662. Population among the municipalities ranges from 13,078 in Boone to 171 in Lansing. The overall population density of the basin is 71 persons per square mile versus a statewide average of 123 persons per square mile. The percent population growth over the past ten years (1980 to 1990) was 6.4% versus a statewide percentage increase of 12.7%.

The land comprising the New River basin is mountainous and distinctly rural. Over half of the land in the basin is forested with another 25% devoted to pastureland. Steep slopes limit the land area suitable for development and crop production. Slopes of less than 12% are desirable for development purposes and, in the absence of public sewer lines, soil depth of three feet or more over bedrock is desirable in order to allow construction of onsite septic systems. It is estimated that just 18% of lands in North Carolina's mountains meet these requirements. Most agricultural and development activities are therefore concentrated in river valleys. Statistics provided by the US Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service indicate that cultivated cropland is shrinking as developed lands are increasing. Major industries in the basin include silviculture, agriculture (dairy, livestock, apples, Christmas trees) and tourism.

Water quality is generally high throughout the basin. Trout waters are abundant and many waters have been reclassified as High Quality or Outstanding Resource Waters.

ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY IN THE NEW RIVER BASIN

An assessment of water quality data collected by DEM and others reveals that the New River Basin has generally high water quality. Water quality is assessed first, below, by summarizing biological monitoring data collected by DEM. This summary is followed by use-support ratings which combine several types of water quality data and best professional judgment to get an overall description of water quality in the basin.

Biological Indicators

This analysis focuses on collections of benthic macroinvertebrate data for the basin between 1983 and 1993. Benthic macroinvertebrates are mostly aquatic insect larvae that live on the bottoms of streams throughout the basin. From 1983 to 1993, DEM made 130 benthic macroinvertebrate collections at 70 sites in the New River basin. The results clearly indicate the high water quality found in the basin: 37% were rated Excellent, 33% were rated Good, 11% were Good-Fair, 9% were Fair and 10% were Poor. These collections can also be used to determine changes in water quality for the 27 sites that have been sampled more than one time. Of these, 63% showed no change in water quality. Eight sites (30%) indicated improvement in water quality, though some of these were slight, while two sites suggested a decline in bioclassification.

The most recent benthos data from the 36 basin assessment sites sampled in 1993 indicate even better results: Excellent=24, Good=7, Good-Fair=0, Fair=2 and Poor=3.

The Poor sites were located at Peak Creek below Ore Knob Mine, and above and below the West Jefferson wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) on an unnamed tributary to Little Buffalo Creek and Little Buffalo Creek where Poor water quality has been documented since 1985. Peak Creek is being impaired by acid mine drainage from the abandoned Ore Knob copper mine. Little Buffalo Creek and its unnamed tributary appear to be impaired by urban stormwater from the Town of West Jefferson and from the West Jefferson WWTP.

The Fair sites are located on the South Fork New River below Boone (near Perkinsville), on Naked Creek downstream from Jefferson, on Peak and Little Peak Creeks below Ore Knob Mine, and on Laurel Creek at the eastern edge of the basin. The South Fork New and Naked Creek sites appear to be impaired by urban runoff and wastewater treatment plant dischargers from Boone and Jefferson, respectively. Laurel Creek has been impacted by sedimentation from construction of the Olde Beau golf course and nearby development.

Fifteen of the sites sampled in 1993 have long-term benthos data. These are generally located at sites on larger rivers and tributaries and probably give the most accurate presentation of overall changes in water quality in the basin. Of the 15 sites, 11 had no long-term change in bioclassification, 4 showed improvement, and none showed a decline. The clearest improvement in water quality in the entire basin was found in the Little River about 3-4 miles below the Sparta WWTP. It's bioclassification improved from Fair in 1989, to Excellent in 1993. The increase in water quality seems to be related to upgrades at the Sparta WWTP made since the 1989 survey.

Although no DEM fish community structure sampling has been conducted in the New River basin, about 20 native fish species, and several introduced, have been identified in the North Carolina portion of the New basin. Four are endemic to the upper New and four others are native to the state only in this watershed (Bailey, 1977). Fish tissue data were collected from the New River at Amelia in 1981 and from Big Laurel Creek in 1984. All parameters analyzed were below EPA and FDA limits.

Use-Support Ratings

Another important method for assessing surface water quality is to determine whether the quality is sufficient to support the uses for which the waterbody has been classified by the state. 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 designated uses (such as swimming, fishing or water supply). A fourth rating, support-threatened, is a subset of supporting streams and applies where all uses are currently being supported but that water quality conditions are marginal for full support. Streams referred to as impaired are those rated as either partially supporting or not supporting their uses. Use support ratings in the New River basin, described more fully in Chapter 4, are summarized below.

Freshwater Streams - Of the 825 miles of freshwater streams and rivers in the New River basin, use support ratings were determined for 96% or 795 miles. Eighty-nine percent of the streams were considered to be supporting their uses (78% fully supporting and 11% support-threatened). Seven percent were considered to be impaired (6% partially supporting and 1% not supporting). The remaining 4% were not assessed.

Summary of Stream Use-Support Ratings in the New River Basin.

All three subbasins had over 70% of streams rated fully supporting, and less than two percent of stream miles rated not supporting their uses. Subbasin 03 (Little River subbasin) had the highest percentage of stream miles rated support-threatened and partially supporting, but this was still a low percentage compared to most other basins throughout the state.

Probable sources and causes of impairment were determined for about 95% of the impaired streams. Sediment was the most widespread cause of impairment. Other causes included ammonia, pH and metals.

Information on sources of impairment for stream miles rated partially or not supporting indicated that 59 stream miles were thought to be impaired by nonpoint sources, and 17 stream miles were thought to be impaired by point sources. Agriculture was thought to be the most widespread nonpoint source, followed by construction and urban runoff. Subbasins 01 and 02 each had more than 18 miles of streams thought to be impaired by agricultural sources. Subbasin 01 had the highest number of stream miles impaired thought to be impaired by urban runoff and construction.

Lakes

MAJOR WATER QUALITY ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Sedimentation is the most widespread cause of water quality impairment in the New River Basin as it is throughout most of the state. The most significant sources include agricultural activities such as Christmas tree farming, road construction, urban development and timber harvesting. Sediment control is of particular concern in the mountains because of the high erosion potential associated with the clearing of steep slopes. For example, according to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the average cropland erosion rate for the Blue Ridge Mountain Region was 18.3 tons/acre/year. This was up from 12.7 tons/acre/year in 1982 (although down from 20.8 tons/acre/year in 1987). The southern Piedmont Region has the second highest erosion rate at 10.5 tons/acre/year with all other regions being less than 5.1 tons/acre/year.

There are 19 programs in North Carolina administered by various local, state and federal agencies which have been developed to control sediment from these activities (Table 6.3 of Chapter 6). Without these programs, sediment-related water quality impacts would be much worse. However, despite the combined efforts of all of the above programs there were still 40 miles of streams in the New River Basin found to be impaired by sediment, thus pointing to the need for continued overall improvements in erosion and sediment control. Most of the programs referenced above and listed in Chapter 6 are the responsibility of agencies other than DEM. DEM is using the basinwide approach to draw attention to this issue to work more closely with the responsible agencies to find ways of continuing to improve erosion and sediment control.

Agriculture

Christmas tree farming is perhaps the most rapidly growing segment of agricultural production in the mountains and one with the highest potential for erosion and sedimentation because of the steep slopes on which it often occurs. The CES, in cooperation with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), US Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Avery County Soil and Water Conservation District, has initiated a project in nearby Avery County to promote best management practices on Christmas tree farms. The project, which is being funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency, is aimed at implementing and demonstrating BMPs to limit nonpoint source pollution. Results of the study should be of benefit to Christmas tree growers in the New River basin and elsewhere in the state.

For more conventional crops, no-till farming and integrated crop management are potentially cost-effective methods of minimizing sedimentation and environmental impacts that are strongly encouraged by DEM. Technical assistance can be provided by the NC Cooperative Extension Service and USDA Natural Resrources Conservation Service. Cost-share funding for implemenation ofbest management practices (BMPs) can be provided by the NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation.

Highway Construction

Public road construction is a high profile, widely-occurring, land-disturbing activity with a significant potential for stream sedimentation, particularly in the mountains. A high level of sediment and erosion control management is needed in order to protect local streams. The NCDOT has taken major steps in recent years to provide greater oversight of sediment and erosion control on their projects across the state and it is reported that these efforts have substantially reduced sediment losses. Continued diligence is needed in this area in order to minimize soil loss and to provide a positive example for others for controlling erosion and sedimentation.

Land Development

The sedimentation problems associated with a resort development on Laurel Branch in the eastern part of the basin have shown how significant inadequate erosion and sediment control in this mountainous region can be on the relatively pristine waters of the New River basin. Extreme care needs to be taken on the part of builders and developers in implementing and maintaining sediment and erosion control measures on both small and large scale projects. If these projects are carried out in an environmentally sound and cost-effective manner, the need for government oversight can be reduced.

Timber Harvesting

Undisturbed forested areas are an ideal land cover for water quality protection. However, unless appropriate BMPs are implemented, harvesting, logging road construction and stream crossings can produce damaging sedimentation which may require many years to restore. This is of particular concern in the New River Basin because of the high erosion potential of the land, the potential increase in logging activity in the maturing forests in this region and the value of aquatic resources at risk. About 70% of the streams in the basin are classified as trout waters and others serve as public water supplies.

To minimize the potential impacts of timber harvesting on private lands, DEM strongly encourages strict adherence by property owners and loggers to the Forest Practices Guidelines Related to Water Quality that are administered by the NC Division of Forest Resources (DFR). The guidelines were developed in 1990 after the Sediment Pollution Control Act (SPCA) was amended in 1989 to limit the forestry exemption to just those operations that adhere to the forest practice guidelines. These guidelines are used to determine if a forestry operation will fall under the jurisdiction of the Division of Land Resources (DLR) which enforces the SPCA. Guidelines consist of nine performance standards for activities such as maintaining streamside management zones and applying fertilizer and pesticide applications. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Division of Forest Resources and the Division of Land Resources to coordinate their respective activities in the sedimentation control program. Site-disturbing forestry activities are being inspected by local DFR personnel as part of a training, mitigation and monitoring program. Site inspections are conducted when a problem or potential problem is suspected to exist. Sites not brought into compliance within a reasonable time schedule are referred by DFR to DLR or DEM for appropriate enforcement action.

In addition, DEM encourages land owners to become involved in the Forest Stewardship Program initiated by the Division of Forest Resources in 1991 along with the cooperation and support of several other natural resource and conservation agencies. This program encourages landowners with ten or more acres of forestland to become involved and committed to the wise development, protection and use of all natural forest resources they own or control.

Point Source Toxicity Control Strategies

Toxic substances routinely regulated by DEM include metals, organics, chlorine and ammonia. Point source dischargers will be allocated chemical specific toxic substance limits and monitoring requirements based on a mass balance technique. Whole effluent toxicity limits are also assigned to all major dischargers and any discharger of complex wastewater. Six dischargers in the basin are required to conduct toxicity testing. Also, discharges in most of the basin (including all those to surface waters in subbasins 01 and 02 and half of subbasin 03) are subject to effluent toxicity limitations pursuant to rules for HQW and ORW waters.

Point source-related toxicity impairment problems are being addressed on Naked Creek at Jefferson's wastewater treatment plant. All new and expanding dischargers in the basin are required to dechlorinate their effluent if chlorine is used for disinfection.

Nonpoint Source Toxicity Control Strategies

Strategies being implemented through the industrial and urban NPDES stormwater program, discussed below, should be helpful in reducing toxic substance loading to surface waters. Industries are being required to prevent contamination of stormwater runoff from their sites through practices such as covering stockpiles of toxic materials that could pose a threat to water quality, and where necessary, implementing other best management practices to control the water quality of runoff. Pesticides on agricultural, forest and residential lands need to be applied, stored and disposed of properly.

Waters considered to be biologically sensitive or of high resource value may qualify to be afforded added protection through reclassification to HQW (high quality waters), ORW (outstanding resource waters), WS (water supply) and/or Tr (trout waters). Waters eligible for reclassification to HQW or ORW may include those designated as native trout waters, primary nursery areas, critical habitat for threatened or endangered species (as designated by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission or the NC Department of Agriculture), or waters having Excellent water quality. Waters used for domestic water supply purposes and classified WS I or II are considered HQW by definition.

The HQW, ORW and WS classifications have provisions which may restrict certain waste discharges and which may limit the manner in which land development can occur in protected watershed areas upstream from the classified waters.

Portions of the following streams and their tributaries have been identified as potential candidates for reclassification to HQW or ORW based on excellent water quality and other attributes. These streams will be evaluated for reclassification during the next basin sampling schedule.

D. Runoff From Urban Stormwater And Development

Water quality impairment from growth and development is a concern in the New River Basin. The region's scenic countryside and clean environment have made it a popular vacation destination. These positive features have also stimulated second home and retirement developments which will continue to place pressures on the region's natural resources. DEM has identified 15 miles of streams in the New River Basin thought to be impaired by urban stormwater. Impaired waters downstream from Boone (South Fork New River), Blowing Rock (Middle Fork South Fork New River), Jefferson (Naked Creek) and West Jefferson (Little Buffalo Creek and an unnamed tributary) appear to be partially the result of urban stormwater runoff. Impacts from a golf resort and development on Laurel Branch have also been well-documented. DEM administers a number of programs aimed at addressing urban stormwater. These include: 1) programs for the control of development activities near High Quality Waters (HQW) and Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW), 2) activities within designated Water Supply (WS) watersheds and 3) NPDES stormwater permit requirements for industrial activities and municipalities greater than 100,000 in population.

DEM would welcome an opportunity to meet those municipalities mentioned above to explore ways of addressing water quality problems in a cooperative and cost-effective manor.

E. Management of oxygen-consuming wastes for wastewater treatment plants

These management strategies apply to all waters draining to the South Fork New River and New River ORW areas that are not classified HQW. This includes all waters in subbasins 01 and 02 (except for HQW waters) and most of subbasin 03 (as shown in Figure 6.1 in Chapter 6). Classified HQW waters are subject to the HQW management strategies described above. Point source management strategies have been adopted for these upstream waters in accordance with .15 NCAC 2B .0216(e)(4)(B) and (C).

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