Lower Laguna Madre/ Brownsville Ship Channel Watershed Characterization Tim Cawthon TCEQ Nonpoint Source Program Jude Benavides University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Texas Nonpoint Source Management Program Partnering with You to Restore and Protect Texas Rivers, Lakes, and Bays Local Stakeholders

Watershed Protection Plans (WPPs) WPPs are developed through local stakeholder groups, usually with funding and technical assistance from the TCEQ and/or the TSSWCB, along with the EPA. All WPPs funded with CWA Section 319(h) grant funds will be required to meet EPA’s Nine Elements for Watershed-Based Plans Four Principals: Diverse, well integrated partnerships A specific geographic focus (watershed) Action driven by environmental objectives and by strong science and data Coordinated priority setting and integrated solutions

Plans are Stakeholder Driven Stakeholders involved throughout process Approve watershed characterization and modeling results Identify and select management measures Approve plan Open and Inclusive process Anyone who lives, plays, or works in the watershed is invited to participate. Work Groups - Subject matter experts Lots of available guidance EPA – Getting in Step

Three Recommended Steps Watershed Characterization - Water Quality Monitoring, assessing existing data and information, and collecting new data and information. Modeling - Modeling or other method to estimate pollutant loads and reductions needed to meet water quality criteria or goals WPP Development

EPA’s 9-Elements A- Identify causes and sources of pollution B - Estimate pollutant loading into the watershed and the expected load reductions C - Describe management measures that will achieve load reductions and targeted critical areas D - Estimate amounts of technical and financial assistance and the relevant authorities needed to implement the plan E - Develop an information/education component F - Develop a project schedule G - Describe the interim, measurable milestones H - Identify indicators to measure progress I - Develop a monitoring component First 3 most time consuming and the reason many WPPs not accepted by EPA. Can required modeling. SELECT Model in association with LDCs typically used for bacteria.

Examples SELECT Model Arroyo Colorado Bacterial Source Tracking Estimating Septic Systems

Watershed-Based Planning in Lower Rio Grande Valley

2014 Integrated Report Water Quality Assessment

Lower Laguna Madre/ Brownsville Ship Channel

Port Isabel Fishing Harbor (2494A) Laguna Madre (2491)* Low Dissolved Oxygen Bacteria Ammonia Nitrate Chlorophyll-a Low Dissolved Oxygen Port Isabel Fishing Harbor (2494A) Bacteria Brownsville Ship Channel (2494) Bacteria Low Dissolved Oxygen

*No Bacteria data collected from 2008 - 2016 Segment Uses (Recreation, Aquatic) Criteria (Bacteria, DO) 2014 Assessment 2491_03 Lower Laguna Madre* PCR1 E/O 35/14cfu 5.0 mg/L Concern 2494 Brownsville Ship Channel* NCR E 35 cfu Impaired 2493 South Bay* 35/14 cfu 2494A Port Isabel Fishing Harbor* H 3.0 mg/L *No Bacteria data collected from 2008 - 2016 Contact Recreation: PCR = Primary Contact Recreation, NCR = Noncontact Recreation Aquatic Life Use: E = Exceptional, H = High, I = Intermediate, L = Low Other: O = Oyster Waters , DO = Dissolved Oxygen

LLM/BSC WPP Next Steps Determine Focus of WPP (Water Bodies, Water Quality Parameters, etc.) Fill Data Gaps Continue Watershed Characterization Calculate Existing Pollutant Loadings Calculate Load Reductions Needed to meet water quality goals Determine best management practices Write Plan