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West Virginia's Nonpoint Source Program
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Goal: The goal of the West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection is to use all available resources, including technology-based best management practices (BMPs) and land use control, to protect and restore West Virginia’s environment in concert with the needs of present and future generations.
Mission: The Office of Water Resources' mission is to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of surface and ground waters, considering nature and the health, safety, recreational, and economic needs of humanity.
On February 1, 2001, West Virginia's Nonpoint Source Management Plan - December 2000 Update was approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency in Region 3. This Management Plan established important long-term goals to improve water quality and short-term actions to achieve those goals. Long-term goals included the following:
- To continue to assess the impact of the nonpoint sources on the surface and groundwaters of the state and to identify specific causes of nonpoint source pollution to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation program.
- To implement and update the nonpoint source assessment document and the management program plan as necessary and to suggest cost effective solutions and activities. Every effort will be made to make reasonable and effective use of the limited resources available to mitigate pollution problems.
- To achieve, maintain and protect state water quality standards for surface and ground water and to seek realistic improvement of water quality where standards are not met.
- To provide a balanced program of statewide nonpoint source program initiatives based upon education, technical assistance, financial incentives, demonstrations and regulation.
- To reduce nonpoint source loading to the state's waters and to preserve the designated uses for which water quality standards have been established.
Through environmental improvement programs such as the Watershed Assessment Program with the Office of Water Resources, the public can partake and share information with agency personnel at public meetings about water quality in the local area. Other valuable programs include Stream Partners Program, which assists watershed associations financially and technically to improve water quality in their watersheds, and West Virginia Watersheds Network, which is a cooperative of non-governmental and governmental organizations to meet together to share resources and information to improve water quality and enhance watershed management. With programs like these, West Virginia is working to improve water quality with the outcome of overall environmental improvement.
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Silviculture
- Resource Extraction
- Watershed Management
- Watershed Resource Center
Agriculture
Agriculture is a growing industry in West Virginia. There are about 20,000 farms statewide on 3.7 million acres of land. Gross farm income totals $502.9 million. Agricultural uses include poultry production, crop production including hay and corn, cattle, sheep and other livestock operations, and small aquaculture operations. Approximately 13,000 or 65% of the 20,000 farms are currently Soil Conservation District cooperators. District cooperators are required to have a conservation plan. The programs that West Virginia currently has, includes numerous watershed based, regional and statewide programs to address agricultural non point source threats to surface and groundwater. The West Virginia Stream Partners Program provides minigrants up to $5000 to watershed associations for watershed improvement projects. Assistance is also provided to develop grant proposals and carry out restoration projects. Assistance also comes from USDA, which provides cost-share incentives to control erosion from cropland and other related agriculture best management practices. The main nonpoint source pollutants associated with agriculture include nutrients, fertilizers, sediments, pathogens and toxins. Management plans include addressing eroding lands by improving vegetative cover, as in the Grasslands Management Program and restoring wetlands to help in cleansing waterways, as in the Wetland Reserve Program. The Water Quality Incentive Program is a three year program that provides funds and technical assistance to help landowners treat runoff from pastures, croplands, and livestock grazing lands. This ultimately aims to reduce nutrient load into nearby waters. Specific goals in the management plan for agriculture include:
- Provide support to and coordination with WV Watershed Management Framework to identify, prioritize, and implement watershed projects though the year 2005.
- Provide support and guidance to local watershed associations with agricultural nonpoint source issues through the year 2005.
- Establish riparian buffers and improve BMP technology to reduce impacts to surface waters from soil erosion on agricultural lands with a focus on priority watersheds identified through the Watershed Management Framework to achieve compliance with water quality standards by 2010.
- Develop and implement nutrient management plans with agriculture producers to manage 580,000 lbs of nitrogen and 420,000 lbs of phosphorus per year.
- Reduce reliance on government for implementation of the presidress nitrogen testing program (PSNT) to free up professional staff time to allow for broader education and technical assistance.
- Work with the agriculture community on the installation of agriculture best management practices with a focus on priority watersheds identified through Watershed Management Framework, TMDLs, etc. through the year 2005.
- Obtain a better understanding of the movement or transport of phosphorus through the soil to establish appropriate best management practices by 2005.
- Evaluate status of Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) in West Virginia.
- Coordinate with WVDA, WVSCA, USDA, CES, WV Department of Health and Human Resources and others to establish waste management guidelines for aquaculture.
- Manage pesticides on 5000 acres to protect surface and ground water by 2005.
- Implement pesticide container disposal program coordinated by WV Department of Agriculture.
- Develop professional and credible field staff through 2005.
- Manage 3,000,000 lbs of nitrogen, 6,000,000 lbs of phosphorus and save 200,000 tons of soil through the statewide grassland management program by 2005.
- Conduct 55 (1 per county) presentations of WV Watersafe Program by 2005.
- Use the Agriculture Water Quality Loan Program (AgWQLP) in priority watersheds (including TMDL watersheds) in West Virginia to encourage implementation of needed best management practices through 2005.
- Plan for nutrient and animal waste to reduce NPS impacts to surface and ground water by managing 65,000 lbs of nitrogen, 45,000 lbs of phosphorus and reduce soil erosion by 6500 tons, with a focus on priority watersheds identified through the Watershed Management Framework by 2005.
- Improve and protect surface and groundwater in the South Branch, Potomac by managing 134,000 tons of animal waste consisting of 11,691,200 lbs of nitrogen and 8,170,400 tons of phosphorus by 2005.
- Coordinate efforts between agencies through WVDA Laboratory facilities through 2005.
- Utilize USDA Environmental Quality Incentive Program and other available programs to provide financial assistance to implement water quality best management practices in watersheds targeted through the WV Watershed Management Framework through 2005.
- Work to address issues related to the urban/rural interface in the growing Eastern Panhandle and other areas of the state through 2005.
- Improve data management and tracking of BMPs to show and measure water quality improvements through 2005.
- Conduct conservation and water quality education presentations and programs through 2005.
- Increase public involvement in agriculture NPS program.
Construction
West Virginia has ongoing construction development. This includes highway construction, residential development and commercial development. Construction sites greater than 3 acres must have a NPDES permit, which includes the submission of a sediment and erosion control plan, and implementation of identified best management practices (BMPs). By volume, soil is the largest pollutant source in West Virginia’s waterways. Excessive sedimentation in waterways destroys aquatic habitats, increases drinking water costs, and reduces the recreational value of the waters. Construction Sediment Control Plans are submitted to the Soil Conservation Districts (SCD), and are reviewed by NPS personnel in that area. Sediment and erosion control plans are submitted, designed and implemented by contractors and developers with the assistance of the NPS personnel and the local SCD. Some programs are voluntary, particularly those for construction sites less than three acres. These voluntary programs have been successful from the considerable amount of participation by contractors and developers. Specific goals in the management plan for construction include:
- Provide support to and coordination with WV Watershed Management Framework to identify, prioritize, and implement watershed projects through 2005.
- Provide support and guidance to local watershed associations with construction nonpoint source issues through 2005.
- Reduce erosion of 108,000 tons of soil on 1200 acres of construction sites and other disturbed areas by 2002.
- Obtain consistent implementation and maintenance of construction BMPs by contractors by providing routine, on-site technical assistance to contractors and developers in cooperation with WVDEP by 2005.
- Educate contractors, developers, engineers and other professionals on construction nonpoint source issues and best management practices by 2005.
- Educate the general public including schools on construction nonpoint source issues and best management practices using the Enviroscape and the Watershed Resource Center through 2005.
- Improve the understanding of local governments on the need for regulations and adequate construction and stormwater management programs in identified priority watersheds by 2010.
- Improve stormwater management in West Virginia by 2010.
- Provide information to contractors, developers and landowners on the potential for groundwater impacts from construction activities and ways these might be reduced by 2005.
- Increase public involvement in construction NPS program by 2005.
Silviculture
Silviculture is a branch of forestry dealing with the development and care of forests. West Virginia has approximately 12 million acres of forest land of the States 15.4 million acres. Wood production is a growing industry in West Virginia. About 29,000 jobs and 3.1 billion dollars of business volume are generated from the wood product industry. Despite the benefits from the wood product industry, there are environmental impacts that tend to cause damage to streams and rivers. Studies show that a timber harvest operation disturbs 8-10 percent of the total area in road construction and landing sites. These areas can contribute to erosion, soil loss, and sedimentation. Amelioration of these effects include planting trees, which can be a long term benefit to soil and water resources. However, if heavy equipment is used, damage can ensue as soils are compacted, ruts and furrows are created that accelerate water flow and cause erosion along streambanks. Another culprit of water pollution is wildfires. These fires drastically reduce woodland values, potential timber production, and wildlife habitat. There is a study that shows that extensive erosion can result from forest fires. It was found that both high intensity fires and repeatedly burned forests are sources of severe soil erosion, which leads to water pollution. One program that West Virginia currently has is the Logging Sediment Control Act, which establishes a process for logger licensing, logger certification, timber operation notification, posting and best management practice implementation. Other existing programs include Forest Protection, specifically preventing fires, Cooperative Forest Management, which provides technical assistance to private nonindustrial landowners in proper forest management activities, Tree Farm Program, which encourages private forest landowners to manage their forests to protect wildlife habitat, water quality and recreational opportunities. Urban and Community Forestry programs that emphasize forestry in urban areas. Trees reduce surface runoff and increase ground water recharge. These outcomes benefit water quality. The Stewardship Incentive Program, Forest Incentive Program and Watershed Management are three other programs in place to encourage improvement of soil and water quality, tree quality, and protecting prioritized hydrologic regions, respectively. Specific goals in the management plan for silviculture include:
- Administer the Logging Sediment Control Act which will reduce the impacts or potential impacts to water quality by the year 2005.
- Educate industry and consulting foresters along with private non-industrial landowners on the use and advantages of best management practices.
- Reduce the occurrence and size of fires and protect the forest land from insect and disease problems by developing a strong prevention program in each county.
- Enhance detection capability and increase suppression activity.
- Monitor and protect forest health.
- Encourage forest management on all forest land which will ensure a productive forest and enhance water quality by the year 2005.
- Conduct multiple-use management on public lands.
- Promote and service the West Virginia Tree Farm Program, which requires a management plan for involvement.
- Increase communities involved with the Urban Forestry Program by the year 2005.
- Support the Stewardship Incentive Program (SIP) and Forest Incentive Program (FIP) and promote increased landowner involvement by 2005.
- Cooperatively manage watersheds as a whole with other players and achieve common goals with sound forestry management practices by 2010.
Resource Extraction
Resource extraction includes activities such as mining, specifically for coal. More than two-thirds of West Virginia’s 24,282 square miles lie within the Appalachian bituminous coal area, an area rich in coal and natural gas. This area is recognized to be the most valuable fuel deposit in the U.S. Coal production is a popular industry in West Virginia. Thirty-nine of the 55 counties in West Virginia are coal producing counties. West Virginia has ranked among the top five states in coal production for most of the twentieth century. Despite the economic benefits from this industry, coal production has also caused environmental impacts. Some nonpoint source pollutants include sediments produced from erosion, wastewater from mining, alkaline mine drainage, acid mine drainage and metal-laden drainage. The resources affected include agriculture, air, fish and wildlife, groundwater, surface water, land, soils, vegetation, human quality of life and water usage. The programs that West Virginia currently has is the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Program, which aims to reclaim and restore abandoned mine areas to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the public and the environment, the Abandoned Mine Land Fund, which has enabled West Virginia to reclaim thousands of acres of abandoned mine lands and many miles of streams clogged by mine sediment or polluted coal mine drainage. Two other important programs is Stream Partners and the Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative, partnerships of federal, state, local government, and university researchers, that have focused on education and restoration projects in watersheds. Specific goals in the management plan for resource extraction include:
- By 2025, support and attain designated and beneficial water uses in watersheds affected by acid mine drainage from abandoned mine lands.
- By 2010, provide information and data necessary utilizing a Holistic Watershed Approach to assist in developing watershed management plans through the Watershed Management Framework for the protection and restoration of water resources impacted by resource extraction category NPS pollution.
- Participate in watershed-based programs to support resource extraction category NPS pollution watershed protection and restoration activities.
- By 2001, begin the implementation of watershed protection and restoration plans in priority watersheds that address resource extraction category NPS pollution utilizing a Holistic Watershed Approach through a Watershed Management Framework that identifies priorities, solutions, funding, implementation, and stakeholders.
- By 2001, begin the development and implementation of new and innovative BMPs, treatment and abatement alternatives, and prevention technologies for resources extraction category NPS pollution.
- By 2004, increase existing and secure additional funding for resource extraction category NPS pollution watershed protection and restoration projects, Holistic Watershed Approach, and Watershed Management Framework.
- Participate in fostering five Watershed Associations per Watershed Management Framework cycle to implement a Holistic Watershed Approach and participate in the Watershed Management Framework to support watershed protection, restoration, and management activities relating to resource extraction category NPS pollution.
- Participate in five public forums by 2006 to provide outreach and education and create resource extraction category NPS pollution awareness as a part of the Holistic Watershed Approach, Watershed Management Framework, Watershed Network, and Stream Partners Program.
Watershed Management
The Office of Water Resources’ Nonpoint Source Program coordinates overall activities of the overall management plan to insure that goals and objectives are achieved and that components of the management plan achieved, in addition the Office implements many watershed based activities. Some of the details of the program include water quality monitoring, resolving nonpoint source pollution complaints, promotion of BMP planning, implementation of BMP’s to control nonpoint source pollution, and enforcement support. The Office of Water Resources Watershed Assessment Program is responsible for monitoring water quality using the watershed approach and providing this data and monitoring support to various programs and projects in West Virginia. The Pollution Prevention Program aims to reduce wastes at their source and assists various nonpoint communities by providing pollution prevention alternatives, and compliance assistance when ever possible. West Virginia’s Division of Environmental Protection is working with partners to institute a watershed management approach to restore and protect water resources in the state. This approach compiles programs and activities existing already to achieve shared water resource management goals and objectives. The term “watershed” refers to a geographic delineation of an entire water body system and the land that drains into it. The basis for a watershed approach is to focus on water resource protection and restoration through integrated efforts within defined hydrologic regions. Currently, many groups are coordinating together in this watershed management approach. Such groups include West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection, West Virginia Soil Conservation Agency, West Virginia Division of Forestry, West Virginia Bureau of Public Health, West Virginia Bureau of Commerce, U.S. EPA, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Office of Surface Mining, U.S. Forest Service, Monongahela National Forest, Natural Resources Conservation Service. and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Specific goals in the watershed management plan include:
- Conduct restoration activities and best management practices implementation in the priority watersheds by 2020 as designated by the Watershed Management Framework and the TMDL process with the goal of achieving compliance with the Clean Water Act and fulfillment of all designated uses for all the state’s watersheds.
- Annually update each existing category (agriculture, construction, silviculture, and resource extraction) and includes additional sub-category updates on sludge land application, basin wide management, hydrologic modification, urban stormwater and septic tank retrofit to allow use of SRF monies.
- To assess the impact of nonpoint source pollution on the surface and groundwaters of West Virginia and to identify the specific causes of nonpoint source pollution by 2010.
- Implement a pilot project to serve as a template for the establishment and refinement of a state wide program to replace or repair failing septic systems by 2015.
- Enforce the 404 permit through the 401 certification with compliance and technical assistance from the WV Soil Conservation Agency, WV Division of Natural Resources and the US Fish & Wildlife Service to achieve at least 90% compliance by 2005.
- Identify streams in the priority watersheds, as designated by the Watershed Management Framework process, where stream bank erosion is causing water quality problems.
- Provide assistance through the Landowner Stream Access Program to stabilize stream banks in the priority watersheds.
- Assess the impact of urban runoff in the state’s watersheds by 2005.
- Develop an urban runoff program by 2005.
Watershed Resource Center
The West Virginia Watershed Resource Center is an expansion of the Nonpoint Source Resource Management Training Center. It is a cooperative project by the West Virginia Soil Conservation Agency, West Virginia Department of Education, West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection and US EPA. The main objectives of this project is to reduce nonpoint source pollution through education and information to government and non-governmental organizations including, watershed groups, local, state and federal agencies and members of the general public and community at large. The West Virginia Watershed Resource Center at Cedar Lakes, West Virginia provides information on water quality enhancement to all groups of land users, including urban developers, loggers, farmers, earth moving contractors, and consulting engineers. Erosion control materials, videos, and pertinent publications are available at the resource center. Environmental implications that can occur due to a lack of knowledge include siltation of streams from timbering operations, pollution of groundwater from improperly constructed oil wells, impacts from bacteria and nutrients from animal wastes to surface water, and impacts from chemical fertilizers from over application by landowners. The programs that West Virginia currently has, includes numerous training programs on NPS pollution and BMP implementation. These trainings are specified for particular groups, especially watershed groups. It is with these educational resources that knowledge of NPS pollution and its prevention can be shared with a wide range of members in the community. Specific goals in the management plan for the West Virginia Watershed Resource Center include:
- Provide support, education and information to WV’s watershed based management efforts.
- Provide training and information transfer for watershed associations, agencies, and the general public on nonpoint source pollution, watershed management, and NPS best management practices.
- Assist in the outreach and recognition for watershed activities.
- Promote an understanding of nonpoint source issues, conservation education, watershed management, and NPS best management practices.
