Wyoming Nutrient Strategy Update February 2017
Outline • Wyoming’s Nutrient Strategy • 2017 Priorities • Identifying Priority Watersheds 2
Wyoming Nutrient Strategy • Identify priorities and key next steps to assist the state in addressing nutrient pollution 3
Wyoming Nutrient Strategy • Kick-off meeting April 2016 • Formed four support groups (Criteria Development, Point Sources, Nonpoint Sources, Education and Outreach) • Held 5 conference calls for each support group • Developed draft strategy and priorities for each support group • Received preliminary feedback on strategy 4
Criteria Development Priority 1: Identify Nutrient Conditions in Wyoming Priority 2: Develop Numeric Criteria For Lakes/Reservoirs in the Short-term Based on Data Availability Priority for Lakes/Reservoir Criteria Development Status as of July Criteria Group 2016 Development 1 Wyoming Basin Under Development 2 Bighorn Basin Continue Supplemental Data Collection 3 *Boysen Reservoir Continue Supplemental Data Collection 4 Southeast Wyoming Continue Supplemental Data Collection 5 *Seminoe Reservoir Continue Supplemental Data Collection 5
Wyoming Basin Lakes 6
Short-Term Criteria Development 2 4 3 5 7
Criteria Development Priority 3: Update Nutrient Criteria Development Plan Priority 4: Evaluation of Existing Narrative Criteria 8
Criteria Development Priority 5: Use Prioritization System for Remaining Waters Waterbody Use Tier 1 - Human Health Tier 2 - Commerce Tier 3 - Other Public Public Public Non-game Recreation Recreation Agriculture, Drinking Recreation Fisheries & (Swimming, (Boating, Industry, Water (Fishing, other aquatic Water and Fishing, Wildlife Wading) life Jet Ski) Wading) Priority High Moderate Low Moderate to High HABS Nutrient Potential High Very High Very High High High Moderate Moderate Risk, High Chlorophyll-a High TP or TN, Risk Moderate Chlorophyll-a Moderate High High Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Chlorophyll-a, Low Low Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Low to Moderate TP or TN 9
Point Sources Priority 1: Collect and analyze existing nutrient effluent data Priority 2: Evaluate ways to reduce surface water discharges Priority 3: Develop nutrient reduction targets for individual facilities 10
Point Sources Priority 4: Identify facilities that may be exempt or subject to delayed implementation of nutrient reduction goals Priority 5: Identify feasible options individual facilities can use to meet technology based effluent limits and any expected in-stream water quality criteria Priority 6: Evaluate feasibility of rulemaking for interim effluent limits 11
Point Sources Priority 7: Identity technical assistance, training, and funding for facilities discharging to priority waters Priority 8: Develop BMP based nutrient reduction compliance strategies for industrial, construction, and municipal stormwater permittees Priority 9: Coordinate with NRCS, WY Dept. of Ag, and other partners to develop nutrient compliance strategies for CAFOs 12
Nonpoint Sources Priority 1: Identity voluntary, incentive-based actions and how to encourage implementation Priority 2: Identity and target most effective nutrient reduction practices in agricultural areas Priority 3: Determine how to reduce nutrients from stormwater in non-MS4 communities Priority 4: Determine how to reduce nutrients from septic systems 13
Nonpoint Sources Priority 5: Recommend how different agencies can work together on planning, implementation, and documentation Priority 6: Recommend protection strategies for drinking water supplies 14
Education and Outreach Priority 1: Refine and Finalize Plan For Harmful Algal Blooms Priority 2: Improve DEQ Nutrient Pollution Website Priority 3: Educate Public About Nutrient Pollution and Wyoming’s Efforts to Address Nutrient Pollution Priority 4: Planning and Public Reporting on Nutrient Strategy Implementation 15
Feedback on Strategy? • Comments? • Also email comments on the document to Lindsay.Patterson@wyo.gov • Call Lindsay Patterson at 307-777-7079 with questions or suggestions 16
2017 Priorities - Criteria Development 1. Finalize Nutrient Maps 2. Using prioritization matrix, identify priority waters for criteria development and nutrient strategy implementation 3. Continue working on numeric nutrient criteria for Wyoming Basin Lakes (finalize technical support document, external peer review, Nutrient Work Group feedback) 4. Update nutrient criteria development plan 5. Review narrative criteria and work on more detailed assessment methods to assist in identifying impairments due to nutrient pollution 17
2017 Priorities - Point Sources 1. In priority watersheds, identify, collect, and analyze facility effluent nutrient data for priority facilities 2. For priority facilities, use effluent data and other information to develop nutrient reduction targets 3. For priority facilities, develop a list of treatment options that would allow the facility to meet nutrient reduction targets 18
2017 Priorities - Nonpoint Sources 1. Within priority watersheds, work with partnering agencies and local entities to identify and prioritize nutrient management activities 2. Announce locally prioritized watersheds statewide to better inform funding agencies where technical and financial assistance could be prioritized 3. Work with partner agencies to promote cropping systems based on NRCS Soil Health Initiative in priority watersheds 19
2017 Priorities Education and Outreach 1. Continue to work on refining and finalizing plan for educating the public about and responding to harmful algal blooms 2. Work on updates to DEQ nutrient pollution website 3. Work with WNWG to edit the Wyoming Nutrient Strategy 4. Work with WNWG to finalize 2017 priorities 5. Determine strategy to outreach to the public about the Wyoming Nutrient Strategy and initiate outreach 20
Feedback on Priorities? • Comments? • Email comments to Lindsay.Patterson@wyo.gov or call 307- 777-7079 21
Prioritizing Watersheds for Nutrient Strategy Implementation
Prioritization Overview 1) Identifying Priority Reservoirs Prioritization Matrix a. Waterbody Use b. Nutrient Risk c. Matrix Results d. WDEQ 2) Ranking Priority Reservoirs Weighting by Population and Health Risk a. Standardization b. Ranking Results c. WDEQ 2 3 Introduction Introduction IDENTIFY Matrix Waterbody Use Nutrient Risk Results RANKING Weighting Standardizing Results Questions
Why Prioritize? We need to identify watersheds where we want to focus nutrient strategy implementation. 3 Introduction IDENTIFY Matrix Waterbody Use Nutrient Risk Results RANKING Weighting Standardizing Results Questions
How to Prioritize? Stakeholders recommended a risk matrix to prioritize waters for criteria development. Prioritization should be based on: Nutrient Risk Waterbody Use WDEQ The matrix also seemed appropriate to identify areas for nutrient strategy implementation. 4 Introduction IDENTIFY Matrix Waterbody Use Nutrient Risk Results RANKING Weighting Standardizing Results Questions
Prioritization Matrix 5 Introduction IDENTIFY Matrix Waterbody Use Nutrient Risk Results RANKING Weighting Standardizing Results Questions
High Risk Waters Lakes and reservoirs have sensitive waterbody uses: Drinking water supplies Primary contact recreation Aquatic life Lakes and reservoirs are susceptible to nutrient impacts because they function as nutrient sinks. WDEQ 6 Introduction IDENTIFY Matrix Waterbody Use Nutrient Risk Results RANKING Weighting Standardizing Results Questions
Prioritization Matrix 7 Introduction IDENTIFY Matrix Waterbody Use Nutrient Risk Results RANKING Weighting Standardizing Results Questions
Determining Waterbody Uses A list of reservoirs was created using the WDEQ Nutrient Database and WGFD Fishing Guide: Total of 169 lakes and reservoirs Uses were assigned using best available information: Drinking water intake locations WGFD regulations Water activities found online Watershed Protection Program comment 8 Introduction IDENTIFY Matrix Waterbody Use Nutrient Risk Results RANKING Weighting Standardizing Results Questions
Waterbody Uses Results 169 reservoirs with waterbody uses 59 reservoirs 106 reservoirs 4 reservoirs 9 Introduction IDENTIFY Matrix Waterbody Use Nutrient Risk Results RANKING Weighting Standardizing Results Questions
Prioritization Matrix 10 Introduction IDENTIFY Matrix Waterbody Use Nutrient Risk Results RANKING Weighting Standardizing Results Questions
Nutrient Potential Risk Cyanobacteria have the potential to produce harmful algal blooms (HABs) that threaten drinking water supplies and contact recreationalists. Chlorophyll-a is a measure of floating plant growth. Nutrients such as total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) stimulate plant growth. 11 Introduction IDENTIFY Matrix Waterbody Use Nutrient Risk Results RANKING Weighting Standardizing Results Questions
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