Tallapoosa - Alabama Department of Environmental Management

295 Pages·2006·36.7 MB·English

Tallapoosa River Basin
Management Plan

Prepared for
The Alabama Clean Water Partnership
PO Box 3623
Montgomery, AL 36109
August 2004
Prepared in partnership with
East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission
1130 Quintard Avenue, Suite 300
Anniston, AL 36202
and
Environmental Insight, Inc.
314 West Lafayette Street
Dadeville, AL 36853

2567 Fairlane Drive
Montgomery, AL 36116
Tallapoosa River Basin
Management Plan

Submitted to
The Alabama Clean Water Partnership
August 2004
Acknowledgements
This project was funded through a Clean Water Act Section 319 (h) grant by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Alabama Department of Environmental
Management.
CH2M HILL wishes to thank the Alabama Clean Water Partnership (ACWP) for funding the
Tallapoosa River Basin Management Plan. This Plan is an essential step in assisting
stakeholders in the river basin management process.
This project was a collaborative effort with the East Alabama Regional Planning and
Development Commission and Environmental Insight. The project also benefited from the
participation of stakeholder committees in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Tallapoosa
watersheds, as well as the Tallapoosa Steering Committee. Through this collaborative effort,
a wealth of information was used to devise a stakeholder-driven basin management plan.
Listed below are the Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership stakeholders that participated in
the development of this basin plan:
• Christopher Abbott/City of Alexander City
• Glenda Abbott/City of Alexander City
• John Aho/Auburn University–Montgomery
• Ramble Ankumah/Tuskegee University
• Cuperdine Bailey/Randolph County Industrial and Development Council
• Jim Bain/Russell Lands
• Darren Baldwin/Chambers County Board of Education
• David Barkley/Martin Marietta Aggregates
• Jim Bates/Mead Westvaco Forestry Division
• David Bayne/Auburn University
• Zona Beaty/Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Susan Bradley/Alabama Department of Public Health
• Eve Brantley/Alabama Cooperative Extension Service
• Gerard Brewer/ City of Alexander City
• Dick Bronson/Lake Watch of Lake Martin
• Judy Brown/Auburn University
• Tom Burnside/Land Owner
• Lem Burrell/Alabama Department of Public Health
• Prudence Cheatham/Russell Corporation
• Al Chieves/Avondale Mills
• Jeff Clarey/Lee County Alabama Cooperative Extension Service
• Jerald Conway/Water Works and Sanitary Sewer Board of the City of Montgomery
• Floyd Davis/Land Owner
• Gene Davenport/City of Alexander City
• Bill Deutsch/Auburn University
• Mason Dollar/Natural Resource Conservation Service
MGM04-TALLAPOOSA RIVER BASIN/MANAGEMENT PLAN/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.DOC II
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• James Dozier/Land Owner
• Sheila Eckman/Land Trust of East Alabama
• Joe Eichelberg/AME Engineers
• Shirley Flora/Keep Opelika Beautiful
• Susan Foy/City of Alexander City
• Tommy Futral/Alabama Cooperative Extension Service
• Dan Gilliland/Camp ASCCA Easter Seals
• John Glasier/Environmental Insight
• John Gowan/Macon County Soil and Water Conservation District
• Salvador Gray/Alabama Department of Public Health
• John Grogan/Alabama Power Company
• Brian Haigler/Alabama Department of Environmental Management
• April Hall/Alabama Rivers Alliance
• D. J. Hammett/Wedowee Water Board
• Geri Hammett/Land Owner
• Christine Hardin/Alabama Cooperative Extension Service
• Luise Hardman/City of Alexander City
• David Heinzen/Coalition of Associations at Lake Martin
• Jorge Hersel/U.S. Forest Service
• Tom Hoggle/Alabama Power Company
• Jon Hornsby/ Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• Richard Hulcher/Alabama Department of Environmental Management
• Allison Jenkins/Alabama Clean Water Partnership
• John Jenkins/Land Owner
• Eddie Jolley/Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Chris Johnson/Alabama Department of Environmental Management
• April Jones/Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Audra Jones/Tallapoosa County Public Health Department
• Bobby Jones/Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Gary Jones/Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Michael Jones/Alabama Department of Environmental Management
• Ryan Kallem/East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission
• Jackie Krem/Auburn University
• Liz Langston/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Carol Lee/Alexander City Chamber of Commerce
• Tim Logiotatos/City of Auburn
• Pam Mason/Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Roy McAuley/Alabama Forestry Association
• Don McClellan/City of Alexander City
• Pamela McDaniel/Alabama Power Company
• David Meddick/Tyson
• Missy Middlebrooks/Alabama Department of Environmental Management
• Robert Montgomery/Alabama Forestry Commission
• Angel Moore/Lee County Highway Department
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• Jim Moore/Alabama Department of Environmental Management–Office of Education
and Outreach
• Thomas “Buddy” Morgan/Water Works and Sanitary Sewer Board of the City of
Montgomery
• Robin Nelson/Alabama Department of Education
• William Nichols/Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• Judy Palfrey/City of Montgomery
• Vic Payne/Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Jim Peek/Randolph County Chamber of Commerce
• Melanie Pelham/Water Works and Sanitary Sewer Board of the City of Montgomery
• Gleason Pool/Land Owner
• Lane Powell/South Central Alabama Development Commission
• Enid Probst/Alabama Department of Environmental Management
• John Pulliam/Alabama Cooperative Extension Service
• Larry Raughton/Randolph County Commission
• Jason Reid/Homebuilder’s Association of Alabama
• Eric Reutebuch/Auburn University
• Donn Rodekohr/Auburn University
• Mike Rief/Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs–Office of Water
Resources
• Stan Roak/Alabama Cooperative Extension Service
• Euol Screws/SMT Farms
• Stan Segrest/City of Alexander City
• Gloria Sinclair/Tallapoosa County
• Brooke Smith/Alabama Water Watch
• Christina Smith/Russell Corporation
• Ronald Smith/Tuskegee University
• Erin Stephens/Lee-Russell Council of Governments
• Steve Stone/Soil and Water Conservation District
• Charlie Thomas/City of Opelika
• Glenn Thomas/Russell Corporation
• David Umling/East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission
• Bart Van Nieuwenhuise/City of Opelika
• Leonard Vining/Auburn University
• David Waites/Alabama Power Company
• Denise Walls/Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance
• Shannon Weaver/Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Kevin White/University of South Alabama
• Brian Whittwer/Alabama Department of Industrial Relations
• Lathonia Wright/Randolph County Commission
• Barbara H. Young/City of Alexander City
• Betty Zigler/City of Roanoke
We hope that the Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership stakeholders find this document
useful in guiding watershed protection efforts so that future generations can enjoy this
valuable resource.
MGM04-TALLAPOOSA RIVER BASIN/MANAGEMENT PLAN/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.DOC IV
Contents
Acknowledgements.....................................................................................................................ii
Acronyms and Abbreviations.................................................................................................xii
Glossary Terms..........................................................................................................................xv

Executive Summary...............................................................................................................ES-1
The Process.........................................................................................................................ES-1
Background on the Plan...................................................................................................ES-2
What is a Watershed?.................................................................................................ES-3
Why is it Important to Protect Our Watersheds?...................................................ES-3
How do we Affect our Watersheds?........................................................................ES-4
What are the General Characteristics of the Tallapoosa River Basin?................ES-5
Watershed Assessments...................................................................................................ES-7
How is the Quality of the Tallapoosa River Basin?...............................................ES-7
What is the Primary Cause of Water Quality Impairment in the
Tallapoosa River Basin?.............................................................................................ES-7
Watershed Management Strategies................................................................................ES-7
Plan Adoption and Implementation Issues...................................................................ES-9
Implementation and Funding...................................................................................ES-9
How Will We Know if the Watershed Plan is Working?....................................ES-10
Measures of Success.................................................................................................ES-10

1. Introduction...........................................................................................................................1-1
Background..........................................................................................................................1-1
Goal of the Plan...................................................................................................................1-4
Basin Plan Development Process......................................................................................1-4
Stakeholder Involvement............................................................................................1-5
Assess Current Conditions..........................................................................................1-5
Evaluate Options and Strategies................................................................................1-5
Prepare Plan..................................................................................................................1-5

2. Overview of the Tallapoosa River Basin.........................................................................2-1
Physical Characteristics......................................................................................................2-1
Geological and Ecological Features..................................................................................2-4
Climate..................................................................................................................................2-8
Water Resources..................................................................................................................2-8
Water Quality................................................................................................................2-9
Water Quantity...........................................................................................................2-11
Water Use....................................................................................................................2-15
Natural Resources.............................................................................................................2-17
Aquatic and Riparian Biota.......................................................................................2-17
Threatened and Endangered Species.......................................................................2-19
Critical Habitat............................................................................................................2-22

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CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
Sociological Settings.........................................................................................................2-22
Demographics.............................................................................................................2-22
Economy......................................................................................................................2-28
Land Cover and Land Use...............................................................................................2-32

3. Regulatory Considerations.................................................................................................3-1
Introduction.........................................................................................................................3-1
Clean Water Act (1972 Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments).............3-1
Water Quality Standards...................................................................................................3-1
Use Classifications........................................................................................................3-2
Water Quality Criteria.................................................................................................3-3
Nutrient Criteria...........................................................................................................3-3
Antidegradation...........................................................................................................3-3
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program........................................3-4
State Indirect Discharge Permits................................................................................3-5
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation/Animal Feeding
Operation Regulations.............................................................................................3-5
Storm Water Phase I and Phase II Regulations........................................................3-6
Surface Mining Rules...................................................................................................3-7
Total Maximum Daily Loads.............................................................................................3-7
Groundwater Protection and Monitoring.......................................................................3-8
Water Withdrawals.............................................................................................................3-9
Drought Management........................................................................................................3-9
Flood Management...........................................................................................................3-10
Interstate Water Compacts..............................................................................................3-10
Onsite Septic Disposal......................................................................................................3-10
Endangered Species, Threatened Species, and Critical Habitat.................................3-11
Other Programs for Protecting and Maintaining Water Quality...............................3-12
Zoning, Building Codes, and Easement Restrictions............................................3-12
New Federal Tools.....................................................................................................3-12

4. Upper Tallapoosa.................................................................................................................4-1
Background Information....................................................................................................4-1
R. L. Harris Reservoir (Lake Wedowee)....................................................................4-1
Water Quality and Biological Data...................................................................................4-3
Upper Tallapoosa Reservoir Studies.........................................................................4-4
Surface Water Quality Screening Assessment..........................................................4-5
Alabama Report to Congress......................................................................................4-5
Fish Tissue Surveys......................................................................................................4-5
Alabama Water Watch Program................................................................................4-6
USGS Data.....................................................................................................................4-6
Biotic Species Information.................................................................................................4-6
Watershed Assessment......................................................................................................4-7
Impaired Stream Segments.........................................................................................4-7
Water Quality Concerns..............................................................................................4-9
Prioritized Watersheds..............................................................................................4-13
Watershed Management Strategies................................................................................4-14
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CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
Nutrient Management...............................................................................................4-16
Monitoring Plan................................................................................................................4-17
Existing Monitoring...................................................................................................4-17
Monitoring Objectives...............................................................................................4-17
Proposed Monitoring Approach..............................................................................4-17
Implementation Plan........................................................................................................4-19
Organizational Structure...........................................................................................4-19
Priorities.......................................................................................................................4-20
Approach.....................................................................................................................4-21
Watershed-based Plans..............................................................................................4-22
Education/Outreach..................................................................................................4-23
Ongoing Activities......................................................................................................4-23
Stakeholder-suggested Activities.............................................................................4-24
Additional Education and Outreach Opportunities..............................................4-25
On-the-Ground Strategies.........................................................................................4-25
Urban BMPs................................................................................................................4-26
Rural BMPs..................................................................................................................4-26

5. Middle Tallapoosa................................................................................................................5-1
Background Information....................................................................................................5-1
Lake Martin Reservoir.................................................................................................5-1
Water Quality and Biological Data and Analyses..........................................................5-7
Surface Water Quality Screening Assessment..........................................................5-8
Biotic Species Information...............................................................................................5-10
Watershed Assessment....................................................................................................5-12
Water Quality and Biological Concerns..................................................................5-13
Prioritized Watersheds..............................................................................................5-23
Watershed Management Strategies................................................................................5-23
Monitoring Plan................................................................................................................5-27
Existing Monitoring...................................................................................................5-27
Monitoring Objectives...............................................................................................5-29
Proposed Monitoring Approach..............................................................................5-30
Implementation Plan........................................................................................................5-31
Organizational Structure...........................................................................................5-31
Priorities.......................................................................................................................5-32
Approach.....................................................................................................................5-33
Watershed-based Plans..............................................................................................5-34
Education/Outreach..................................................................................................5-34
On-the-Ground Strategies.........................................................................................5-43
Urban BMPs................................................................................................................5-43
Rural BMPs..................................................................................................................5-44

6. Lower Tallapoosa.................................................................................................................6-1
Background Information....................................................................................................6-1
Yates Reservoir.............................................................................................................6-1
Thurlow Reservoir........................................................................................................6-1
Water Quality and Biological Data and Analyses..........................................................6-3
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CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
Biotic Species Information...............................................................................................6-10
Watershed Assessment....................................................................................................6-11
303(d) Listed Streams.................................................................................................6-11
Water Quality and Biological Concerns..................................................................6-11
Prioritized Watersheds..............................................................................................6-26
Watershed Management Strategies................................................................................6-26
Monitoring Plan................................................................................................................6-29
Existing Monitoring...................................................................................................6-29
Monitoring Objectives...............................................................................................6-29
Proposed Monitoring Approach..............................................................................6-29
Implementation Plan........................................................................................................6-31
Organizational Structure...........................................................................................6-31
Priorities.......................................................................................................................6-32
Approach.....................................................................................................................6-33
Watershed-based Plans..............................................................................................6-34
Education/Outreach..................................................................................................6-34
On-the-Ground Strategies.........................................................................................6-39
Urban BMPs................................................................................................................6-39
Rural BMPs..................................................................................................................6-41

7. Funding Opportunities........................................................................................................7-1
Introduction.........................................................................................................................7-1
Funding Options.................................................................................................................7-1
Federal and State Grant Programs.............................................................................7-1
Grant Programs Commonly Used for Watershed Programs.................................7-4
Contributions................................................................................................................7-6
User Fees, Taxes, and Assessments............................................................................7-8
Bonds and Loans........................................................................................................7-11
Investment Income.....................................................................................................7-12
Emerging Opportunities for Program Support......................................................7-12
Options Often Overlooked or Unnoticed................................................................7-13

8. References..............................................................................................................................8-1

Appendixes
A: Water Quality and Biological Data
B: Abbreviated Draft 2004 §303(d) List for Alabama
C: Water Quantity Information
D: Water Use Data
E: Sociological Setting
F: Water Use Classifications
G: ADEM Water Quality Criteria
H: NPDES Permits and Other Registrations
I: Abbreviated Final 2002 §303(d) List
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