1. 303(d) List March 9, 2016 WQC Jeff Manning, DWR

2. 303(d) list: What and Why 303(d) list identifies waters that
Do not meet water quality standards, and
Require development of total maximum daily load (TMDL) or other restoration plan
Federal Clean Water Act, Section 303(d)
Requires states to develop list every 2 years
NC General Statute 143B-282
- Requires EMC to identify impaired waters

3. State Role / Federal Role
State determines its methods for listing
State creates the 303(d) list using its methods
US EPA determines whether any waters should be added to state’s proposed 303(d) list
Based on State’s water quality standards
Based on EPA’s policies and opinions

4. What are impaired waters?
Impaired waters are where water quality sampling shows water quality standards are not met and the assessment methodology provides for the determination that the waterbody is indeed impaired for the particular parameter
Minimum of 10 samples, 10% of samples fail standard, with 90% confidence
Impaired waters are grouped into two categories:
Category 4 = already have a TMDL or Restoration Strategy.
Category 5 = need a TMDL or Restoration Strategy; this is 303(d) list.

5. Basically, it’s what we know, and what we don’t know
The Methodology, the Assessment, the List
Methodology: EMC approved the Listing Methodology at its May 2015 Meeting.
Assessment (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Categories + a,b,c lots of subcategories)
Assessment Output Categories:
1,2 - we know these waters are not impaired
we don’t know
4,5 - we are 90% confident that these waters are impaired
4-have been addressed, something is in place for it (e.g. Falls, Lake)
5-need to be addressed, “the 303(d) list”
- The List: 303(d) List are Category 5 waters only

6. EMC 303(d) Listing Methodology
6 different general methods for water quality standards assessment:
10 % exceedance method with 90% statistical confidence, used for most numeric water quality standards. Where applicable, biological rating will be also considered for assessment of metals.
Biological rating method used to assess benthic and fish community collections.
Pathogen criteria method to assess recreation standards.
Swimming advisory method to assess waters with postings.
Shellfish growing area assessment method to assess waters classified for as “SA” (Shellfish).
Fish advice and advisories with fish tissue data method to assess fish consumption.

7. What else do we look at?
~88 Parameters examined, ~18 resulted in listings
Draft (d) Listings
Parameters (18)
Standard
Related Use
Applicability
# of 303(d) Assessments
Arsenic
10 μg/l
Human Health
all NC waters 2
Chlorophyll a
40 μg/l
Aquatic Life 28
Copper
3 μg/l
Saltwaters
7 μg/l
Freshwaters 19
Benthos
Nar
263
Mercury
0.012 μg/l
Fish Consumption
Dissolved Oxygen
4 mg/l 31
5 mg/l 8
5 mg/l daily avg 1 pH
6 su 14
6.8 su 6
4.3 su
9 su
8.5 su 3
Nickel
8.3 μg/l
NO2+NO3-N
10 mg/l
Water Supply
Fecal Coliform
GM 200/400
Recreation 53
Turbidity
50 NTU 18
25 NTU
Lake, Estuary 15
10 NTU
Trout waters 7
Zinc
50 μg/l 11
Enterrococcus
GM 35
Hardness
100 mg/L
Dioxin Fish Tissue Advisory
Advisory
PCB Fish Tissue Advisory 38
Shellfish Growing Area Status
Fecal
Shellfish Harvesting
SA Waters
579
Fish Community 76
TOTAL LISTINGS:
1,236
EMC July 2014

8. Draft 2016 List – Most Common Listings
Most common Problem Parameters & Uses Affected:
High Copper
Low Dissolved Oxygen
High Turbidity
Low pH
High Chlorophyll a
High Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Closed Shellfishing Areas
Fish Advisories
Biology Negatively Affected (Benthic & Fish Communities)

9. ~100 Waters REMOVED, ~33 ADDED to List
2014 vs Assessment
~100 Waters REMOVED, ~33 ADDED to List
2014 Category 5 assessments= 1245 parameters in 1109 waterbody areas (AUs).
2016 Category 5 assessments=1234 parameters in 1133 waterbody areas (AUs).

10. Opportunities for Public Input on 303(d) list
Public input on Listing Methodology. EMC approved the methods in May 2015.
Data can be provided by any entity following protocols.
30 day public comment period on list results.
List is finalized and provided to EPA.
EPA seeks public comment before making the list final if making additions.

11. Timeline of 2016 303(d) List Process
DONE: 5 year Monitoring
DONE: Data compilation & preparation
DONE: Assessment using EMC’s Methods & Standards
DONE: Fact Sheets for each water on “the list”
DURING MARCH: Public review and comment: March 2016
DURING MARCH: Respond, provide info, adjustments
NEXT: Submit list for EPA approval April 2016

12. More Info on 303(d) List
Website
Historical information on current & prior lists
Comments and responses
Maps
Methods and instructions

13. Thank you. http://deq. nc
Department of Environmental Quality