Phase 2 Start-up Session Presentation November 15 th , 2012 Sharon Coldren, President & Executive Director Patricia Reed, Environmental Projects Manager Coral Bay Community Council
Welcome & Introductions This is the “soft start” for Phase 2 of the WMP. Process of gathering partners, identifying scope, mgt methods. Soliciting ideas, resources and funds. Need to create goal & “branding” - Catchy title and slogan to energize all partners. After this, also have Ceremonial Start – with Governor and NOAA & EPA & other dignitaries. (Feb. 2013)
Agenda Overview & Goals Branding Partners Steering Committee & Team structure Scope, Plan and Study ideas (team interests) PROJECT 1: Update of Watershed Management Plan Description of NFWF-funded Watershed Mgt elements Group Review of progress on first plan goals Identify core team to update Plan document (*) Next Steps
History CBCC as Watershed Management agency since founding 2003. 2008 Watershed Management Plan EPA CARE grant 2009-11 to implement plan and start the Watershed Mgt Project NOAA ARRA Grant projects, community participation DPNR and Public Works and other govt. efforts Potable cistern water quality initial testing Wetlands restoration grant, cleanups Partner research ongoing
Why Continue the Coral Bay Watershed Management Project? Strong community goal to preserve the beautiful natural environment of the Coral Bay Watershed, both sea and land. Protect water quality, which protects public health, habitat for wild creatures, long term economic prosperity, and the well-being of our residents. Project has demonstrated success in dealing with the major contaminant of bay waters: plumes of muddy sediment from roads and other development. There is still much work to be done…..
2012 – Second Phase Needed Much progress has been made in 5 years since plan adopted - need to mark progress & update goals and objectives Significant Marina and Coastal Development is being planned by developers – and more will come… Hiatus of recession is lifting – need to have process to engage all stakeholders in planning for protecting the environment during development, and having development that is compatible with Plan goals Studies are needed that will be assets for the community, developers and future protection of the Coral Bay environment
What is Watershed Management?
The four core Watershed Management principles from EPA’s Watershed Academy : Watersheds are natural systems that we can work with. Watershed management is continuous and needs a multi disciplinary approach. A watershed management framework supports partnering, using sound science, taking well-planned actions and achieving results. A flexible approach is always needed. Available on WEB and CD’s
EPA Watershed Academy: Overview of Watershed Planning Build a watershed planning group Develop a watershed mgt plan Stage 1: Concerns, Information, Objectives Stage 2: Game Plan, Action Alternatives, Selection, Tracking Progress Stage 3: Implement and Evaluate
Project Management CBCC is focal point, primary Watershed Mgt Agency DPNR, NOAA, EPA full active partner resources “ On the ground”: Public Works, other local agencies, local land owners, businesses and developers are critical implementation partners. Community residents and all the above are stakeholder partners in the outcome
Proposed Phase 2 Goals Empower the community to 1) Effectively reverse the past environmental degradation caused by poor construction practices, badly designed roads, violated wetlands, and other human and development choices, and to 2) Envision and plan for future physical and economic development that does not exceed the carrying capacity of the land and environment, while still providing all infrastructure needs (water, waste water, solid waste, roads, public services)
Branding… Need to create an ID and image “Catchy title” and slogan to energize all partners. Ideas? Discussion
First Phase: Partners and Stakeholders Low Participation High Participation Government Prospective developers Community segments Affordable housing apartments developer/ owner Homeowners assns Large landowners Construction contractors Local Businesses University of the VI & other researchers
Second Phase: Partner list Government – Local & Federal NOAA, EPA, DOI, VI National Park. DOA DPNR – various Divisions PW, Waste Mgt, VITEMA, Ag, & other Community segments Homeowners assns Nonprofit agencies University of the VI & other researchers Local Businesses Large property owners and developers, contractors
Choosing a Steering Committee Structure Incorporate Community and Professionals Engagement of all stakeholders, and commitment Practical Should Teams to lead individual projects ? How frequent should steering committee meetings be? Other advice Discussion
In Phase 1: 2008- 2012 Coral Bay Watershed Management Project Watershed Management Plan Coral Bay Vision Begun Restoration & Retrofits Water Quality Testing/Research Land and Water Stormwater Wetlands Use Planning Publicity discussed
Needs for Phase 2 5 year old plan – needs evaluating and updating More stormwater retrofit needs ( $10 Million Plus) Planning for all purposes WMP as structure for all planning Understanding of water resource issues, beyond initial look (water & sewer – ground water, cisterns, Reverse Osmosis) Environmental protection and enhancement Follow EPA Watershed Academy guidelines
Activity Areas Planning, Studies, Research Laws, Implementation Regulations & Enforcement
Broader Scope for Second Phase Implementation Components: Stormwater Management Retrofits Restoration of natural areas: Ghuts and Wetlands Seeking solutions for Road maintenance responsibility, funding, & redesign issues Relocation of solid waste bins out of wetlands and adding recycle/reuse area continued
Broader Scope for Second Phase Planning & Studies and Research Many ideas:
Planning Coral Bay Ideas: Vision Potable Water/Waste water ??? Capacity planning Integration with other Other Territorial Infrastructure Plans: Capacity Transportatio Planning WMP n, VIITEMA, WAPA etc. Turbidity & Floating Debris Land use Targets - planning Updated WM Plan Historic Cultural Marine Uses Preservation Plan Plan
Planning Coral Bay Ideas: Vision Potable Water/Waste water ??? Capacity planning Integration with other Other Territorial Infrastructure Plans: Capacity Transportatio Planning WMP n, VIITEMA, WAPA etc. Turbidity & Floating Debris Land use Targets - planning Updated WM Plan Historic Cultural Marine Uses Preservation Plan Plan
Broader Scope for Second Phase Laws, Regulations, and Enforcement Steep slope development regulations Upcoming Zoning Law rewrite review & analysis Stormwater mgt authority possibility ??? Continue/add objectives (in WM Plan doct.) Leadership by DPNR, NOAA, EPA
Discussion of Scope More Ideas? Priorities? Teams?
Project 1 - Update Watershed Management Plan
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) – Coral Reef Conservation Fund Grant EPA requires all CWA Section 319-funded watershed projects to be supported by a watershed plan which includes nine minimum elements. NFWF CRCF Grant Proposal Category = Enhance Watershed Management Planning Establish robust watershed management plans that will foster the ability to measure and evaluate successful investment in priority watersheds. By enhancing the development of evaluation and monitoring components of these plans. By focusing current planning efforts on EPA watershed planning elements b-d and h-i.
EPA’s Nine Elements a - Impairment & Pollutant Source Identification b – Load Reduction Estimates c - Nonpoint Source Management Measures d – Technical & Financial Assistance Estimates e – Information & Education Component f - Management Measures Implementation Schedule g - Interim Measurable Milestones h - Water Quality Benchmarks for Tracking Progress i – Monitoring Component
CBCC’s Project Addresses two major threats Sediment in stormwater runoff Floating debris solid waste pollution Uses the 2008 Coral Bay Watershed Management Plan as a building block for: Incorporating EPA’s nine elements to address water quality threats and impairments The result of this project will be a set of load reduction targets and refined short and long-term strategies for dealing with sediment and floating debris.
Baseline Monitoring Shoreline Debris Monitoring 3 Shorelines (Nanny Point, Coral Harbor, Friis Bay) September “Clean Sweep” Cleanup October 2012 – September 2013 Monthly Monitoring Cleanups Turbidity Monitoring Turbidity and Bay Water Quality Monitoring from October 2012 through September 2013 Targeting six storms Bay Water Clarity Monitoring Weekly secchi disk monitoring in three locations from November 2012 through October 2013
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