Presented at the Stakeholder Meeting Mike Herrmann, NCEEP Central Watershed Planner January 27 th, 2009 Project Status & Phase I Results

 Field and GIS inventory  Delineate and characterize drainages  Assess Functions  Form stakeholder group  Review existing Monitoring data Products:  Critical data gaps identified  Goals for the LWP  Potential hotspots & projects  Monitoring & fieldwork plans  Preliminary Assessment Report Objective: Begin Characterizing Watershed Conditions Process: Phase I Activities & Products

Functional Assessment Phase I Assessment

oDiverse aquatic & terrestrial communities oAbundant and diverse microhabitat (sticks, leaf packs, logs, and root masses) oLimited embeddedness (covering of channel by fine sediment) oStable streambanks oA variety of bottom substrate (sand, gravel, cobbles and boulders) oStream canopy cover oTerrestrial habitat is abundant and provides adequate food and shelter oPromotes propagation of native and/or threatened species oMinimally fragmented forests oForested wetlands and corridors *Bold specifies that the factor was part of the Phase I Assessment Phase I Assessment Assessment Factors Hexastylis naniflora (Dwarf flowered Heartleaf). Habitat Function

Water Quality Function o Chemical, pathogens, and sediments are not excessive o Riparian zones and wetlands and promote nutrient & sediment uptake o Stream maintains a hospitable environment for aquatic life o Attaining its designated use (e.g., biological integrity, recreation, or water supply) *Bold specifies that the factor was part of the Phase I Assessment Phase I Assessment Assessment Factors

Hydrology Function Phase I Assessment Assessment Factors oWooded floodplains to slow flood flows, reducing stress on streams oUpland areas also have higher amounts of forests, wetlands, or other permeable land cover that encourage infiltration oEffective transport of water and sediment oLow bank-height ratios (vertical stability) oReasonably stable streambanks (lateral stability) oHigher base flows, and lower peak flows oPromote groundwater recharge while storing floodwater flows and deposited sediment *Bold specifies that the factor was part of the Phase I Assessment

Hydrology – Draft Results Phase I Assessment Forested floodplain & riparian area Watershed Disturbed Floodplain Acres Total Floodplain Acres % of Area Disturbed Indian Creek1,2866,13021% Howard’s Creek7552,61229% Middle South Fork5601,09051% LWP Total2,6019,83226% 100-year floodplain Floodplain Conditions, Middle Indian Creek

Subwatersheds Phase I Assessment

Watershed Functions Ratings Phase I Assessment High-functioning: Watershed is functioning efficiently and is resilient to changes in the natural environment. Functioning – at risk: Watershed functions are minimally achieved but have been diminished and are at risk to both natural and man- made alterations. Low-functioning: existing conditions indicate that function is not being achieved.

Watershed Functions Hydrology Phase I Assessment

Watershed Functions Results Phase I Assessment Funtional Rating Sub- watersheds (#) High4 At Risk16 Low14

Phase I Gaps Phase I Assessment How do streams compare to regional reference conditions? How has drought affected aquatic biology? Are water quality conditions in streams draining urban subwatersheds comparable to rural subwatersheds? Are water quality conditions healthy upstream of Cherryville’s drinking water intake? What are the stressors for the lower Indian Creek Impairment? Monitoring

Phase I Gaps Phase I Assessment oStreambank Stability oLow bank-height ratios (vertical stability) oMicrohabitat Condition (sticks, leaf packs, logs, and root masses) oLimited embeddedness (covering of channel by fine sediment) oA variety of bottom substrate (sand, gravel, cobbles and boulders) oIdentification of Stream and Wetland Stressors oIdentification of Natural Resource Assets oAssess Stormwater BMP opportunities in watersheds draining Cherryville. Stream and Wetland Conditions

 Instream Monitoring  Physical/chemical  Biological communities  Channel and riparian zone assessment  Stormwater BMP Investigation  Wetland Functional Assessments  Modeling the benefits of Restoration Practices/BMPs  Characterization of watershed condition and function  Phase II Detailed Assessment Report  DWQ Monitoring Reports (Water Chemistry, Biology, Wetlands)  Source Water Protection (SWP) Program activities  Activities to meet the Project Goals Phase II Objective: Complete assessments to characterize watershed and act on project goals. Phase II – Detailed Watershed Assessment Activities Products

Urban GoalsTimeframe 1 - Identify the best subwatersheds and project sites for stormwater BMPs.Short-term 2 - Develop recommendations for improving stormwater management.Short-term 3 - Seek funding for stormwater BMPs identified through the LWP.Long-term Rural Goals 1 - Work with rural landowners to implement agricultural BMPs within priority subwatersheds.Long-term 2 – Work with Land Trust(s) to develop a rural preservation strategy.Short-term Watershed-wide Goals 1 – Identify the best subwatersheds for various project types, and rank projects for implementation.Short-term 2 – Evaluate the effectiveness of current local ordinances related to watershed protection, and A – Establish new local ordinances as needed; and B- Provide for more effective enforcement of existing rules and ordinances Long-term 3 – Develop a local Watershed Education Program.Short-term 4 – Develop a Source Water Protection Plan for Cherryville.Short-term Project Goals Phase II Assessment

Phase II Fieldwork Planning Phase II Assessment Developing Fieldwork Plan –Entrix under contract to complete the following assessments FeatureSites VisitedProject Report Impacted Streams40 (~25 miles)25 (~15 miles) Impacted Wetlands30 (~270ac)20 (~150 ac) Stream Preservation 20 Streams (~14 miles) 10 (~10 miles) Stormwater BMPsUp to 10 stream reaches 3 BMPs Ag BMPs (modeled BMPs) 05

Winter 2008 Summer 2008 Winter 08/09 Summer 2009 Planning Process Begins Monitoring Begins Develop Preliminary Findings Phase 1 Activities End Fieldwork (Stream, Wetland, Stormwater, Ag BMPs) Data Analysis/Summaries Water Quality, Biologic Monitoring Watershed Finding Reports Final Public Meetings Final Reports Phase 2 Activities End Plan Implementation Phase 3 Activities End Winter 09/10 Atlas of Project Sites Final Assessment and Recommendations Monitoring Summary Report Form Stakeholder Group Project Timeline