Talbot County Cle lean Water Mobile Workshop April 17, 2015 Hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Supported by the Talbot County Department of Public Works
Introductory Briefing
Pollution sources in Talbot County Pounds of nitrogen per year 75,000 Wastewater 186,000 Polluted Runoff 85,000 Septic Systems 952,000 Agriculture
Reducing pollution from agriculture • County targets (2017): 213,000 pound reduction in nitrogen (22%) 10,000 pound reduction in phosphorus (16%) • Coordinator: MDA, with assistance from NRCS, SCD and FSA • Progress:
Reducing polluted runoff • County target for ‘17 midterm assessment: 33,000 pound reduction in nitrogen from 2013 (18%) • Coordinator: Talbot County
Reducing pollution from septic systems • County target for ‘17 midterm assessment: 23,000 pound reduction in nitrogen from 2013 (27%) • Coordinator: Talbot County, with assistance from MDE
Talbot County’s Milestone Commitments Milestone Status 1. Coordinate with the state, Talbot County Departments, municipalities and private UNDERWAY { landowners the development of inventory potential sites for BMP installation. 4. Explore the efficacy of improving management of roadside ditches UNDERWAY Polluted Runoff 5. Propose and seek adoption of a surface water management utility to develop a NEEDS ACTION sustainable funding mechanism 13. Develop a mechanism for urban nutrient management planning and implementation. UNDERWAY { 9. Pursue implementation of a septic utility for inspection and pump out of on-site NEEDS ACTION septic systems. Septic 10. Establish a water and sewer plan policy giving priority to the connection of existing UNDERWAY Systems onsite septic systems with an order of location precedence for connection. This policy would set priorities for achieving the maximum pollution reduction. { 15. Devise interim strategy to achieve 2017 TMDL goals NEEDS ACTION Project 16. Determine local funding requirements and develop method for obtaining funds NEEDS ACTION Planning
Progress in Talbot County to-date • Town/Village/community clean water plans • 26 ditch bio-retention systems • Floating wetland • 5 bag filters for stormwater outfalls • Stormwater treatment pond • 250 Inlet filters for storm drains • 17 acres of tree planting
A path to achieve 2017 goals for polluted runoff in Talbot County 2017 2013 Ditch restoration Municipal action Potential future credits (includes urban nutrient management, County progress Miles River WRAS, Tanyard Branch work, to-date natural filters, & practices awaiting credit) 33000
A path to achieve 2017 goals for septic systems in Talbot County 2013 2017 Septic system upgrades Potential future credits Potential future credits for septic systems include: Community/village-based ENR WWTPs (micro-bioreactor) Oxford WWTP ENR upgrade Region V upgrade & sewer extension County progress to-date 23000
Funding Viable models for dedicated, on-going clean water funding The state and many local governments are ramping up investments in clean water. In 2012, the State of Maryland doubled the Bay Restoration Fee, raising an additional $50 million in revenues to be redeployed to local government infrastructure around the state. That same year, stormwater utility fees became mandatory for Maryland’s 10 largest counties, raising an additional $100 milli on annually. Local jurisdictions on the Eastern Shore are also taking action to raise the funds needed to correct pollution problems. Clean water funding can take a variety of forms. The most Projected local funding for stormwater effective approaches have dedicated revenue streams. on the Eastern Shore through 2017 Stormwater/surface water utilities: 3,000,000 City of Salisbury Town of Oxford 2,500,000 Town of Berlin 2,000,000 Renewable capital funding: 1,500,000 Queen Anne’s County Wicomico County 1,000,000 ACTION NEEDED: Talbot County’s clean water efforts are 500,000 hampered by a lack of recurring local investment. CBF encourages the County Council to evaluate and select a 0 long-term funding strategy that includes local revenue. Queen Anne's Oxford Salisbury Wicomico Talbot
Bus tour of clean water projects See the projects and meet the people working to stop polluted runoff in Talbot County
Mobile Workshop Locations Urban practices 1. Waterside Village parking lot 2. Talbot Ln parking lot 3. Dove Ln stormwater retention pond Ditch restoration 4. Trax farm 5. Klondike Rd site 6. Glebe Rd site 7. Swaine farm
Stop 1: Waterside Village Sector: Polluted Runoff parking lot Strategy: Minimize new loads WHAT: Better stormwater management practices for new growth Newly hardened surfaces and higher wastewater flows can increase pollution loads to local waters and the Chesapeake Bay. In 2008, the state adopted new regulations for stormwater management that prioritize Environmental Site Design (ESD). The infiltration practices installed at Waterside Village are good examples of how ESD promotes the use of natural drainage patterns and “green infrastructure” to protect water quality. WHY: Mitigates pollution due to growth Traditional practices, such as curb and gutter or large holding ponds, often focused on centralized collection and treatment of stormwater. ESD retains the benefits of this “gray infrastructure” while more effectively slowing and filtering nutrient and sediment pollution. Even with the 2008 regulations, new development has the potential to increase polluted runoff by one to two million pounds of excess nitrogen over the next twenty years. Under current policy, this additional load will be added to state and local reduction targets, increasing the effort and cost of achieving clean water goals by as much as 20%. The state has drafted an Accounting for Growth policy that would ensure that new loads from growth are properly offset; however, these regulations have not yet been adopted.
Stop 2: Talbot Lane Parking Lot Sector: Polluted Runoff Strategy: Municipal action WHAT: Retrofit of existing impervious surface Previously a private, fenced valet lot that allowed for double parking of vehicles, the Town of Easton needed to reconfigure the parking spaces to allow normal parking, pursuant to accepted Town of Easton Planning and Zoning parking lot standards. Additionally, the lot and sidewalks needed updating to meet ADA requirements. In every planned configuration there was excess or non-usable space remaining. While not required by state regulations, the Town used the extra space for an opportunity to treat stormwater runoff. Town staff removed asphalt, hauled debris, replaced soil with a suitable mix, and planted the site with compatible trees and shrubs. The finished bio-retention area allows for water absorption, groundwater recharge and water quality improvements, in addition to beautifying the streetscape. WHY: Leverage pre-programmed work to reduce costs Facing a design challenge, the Town of Easton identified this project as an opportunity to mobilize staff and equipment to reduce pollution. The Town estimates value of the work completed to construct the stormwater facility at approximately $10,000.
Stop 3: Dove Ln SWM pond Sector: Polluted Runoff Strategy: Municipal action WHAT & WHY: Comprehensive approach & partnership to restore an urban watershed The Town of Easton and Talbot County have partnered to make substantial improvements to Tanyard Branch, an urban stream flowing through the heart of Easton. In 2010, a state Trust Fund grant provided funding to construct more than 2 acres of ponds and wetlands located at a natural low point near an existing storm drain collection system. In 2014, funds were leveraged from the Governor’s Stream Restoration Challenge to plant 13 acres of riparian buffer along the north edge of the facility and install a 600 square-foot floating wetland in the pond. The total state investment in this work stands at about $829,000. These projects demonstrate that partnership between Talbot County, its towns, and citizens is a successful formula to leverage outside funding and make substantial progress towards goals to reduce polluted runoff.
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