EMC to Tackle Neuse River Protection Plan

RALEIGH -- The Environmental Management Commission (EMC) will tackle a Neuse River clean-up plan next week that is designed to reduce the amount of nitrogen in the river by 30 percent, and would call for other dramatic changes by cities, developers and farmers to restore and protect the troubled river.

As part of the Neuse clean-up plan, the EMC will consider at its June 12 meeting tougher rules for stormwater management for all urban areas in the Neuse River basin; tougher requirements for how fertilizer must be applied; buffers alongside existing streamside areas; an innovative five-year plan to allow more flexibility for farmers to control nutrient runoff; and cutting the amount of nitrogen allowed to be discharged -- from 6 to 3.5 milligrams per liter -- by municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants.

The American Rivers Association has ranked the Neuse as one of the nation's 20 most troubled rivers, mostly due the high amount of nitrogen in the river. Too much nitrogen contributes to fish kills, algae blooms and other water quality problems. Sources of nitrogen in the Neuse include runoff from residential developments, municipal wastewater treatment and farms, and animal waste from livestock operations.

The Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW) Management Strategy is built on the concept of shared responsibility and flexibility: everyone must take part in reducing nitrogen going into the river by 30 percent, but it allows cities and farmers to work together in new and flexible ways to use the most effective and economical methods to meet that goal.

"All of us have to do our share to restore this river," said Jonathan Howes, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources. "There is no easy way to clean up the Neuse, and this plan recognizes the shared sacrifices required -- by cities, farmers and developers -- in order to leave our children with a clean and healthy resource."

After a series of massive fish kills in the Neuse River in 1995, Gov. Jim Hunt proposed a comprehensive plan to restore the river, as a long-term method of protecting and restoring the region's resources.

That plan -- the NSW strategy -- has been the topic of four public hearings attended by more than 600 people across the state, and the topic of some 300 written public comments. State officials have worked to incorporate public comments from farmers, cities, environmental advocates and citizens but have not changed the reduction goals.

Here is what the plan would do:
Dischargers

Point sources, such as wastewater treatment and industrial plants, discharging more than 500,000 gallons of wastewater per day would have to improve their facilities for nitrogen removal and then meet a "mass-based" nitrogen limit in terms of pounds per year. Dischargers would have the option of meeting the mass-based load collectively through a coalition of dischargers or paying offset fees to fund nonpoint (run-off) source controls.

Agriculture

Owners and operators of agricultural lands would have two options -- either become part of a collective county plan for implementing best management practices on their land, or implement standard best management practices specified by the rules.

County farming plans implemented under the collective option would be coordinated by a multi-agency Basin Oversight Committee. The committee would be responsible for assisting in targeting reductions so they can be achieved in the most cost-effective manner while meeting quantifying and reporting reductions.

Protecting Streamside Areas

A modified "buffer" rule is to be offered that does not require establishment of new streamside buffers. The proposal would require that existing vegetated areas be protected and maintained on both sides of streams, rivers and lakes. Fifty feet of vegetated area would be required on each side of a stream. This 50-foot area would consist of 30 feet of undisturbed trees and 20 feet of a grassed and vegetated area of trees that could be harvested.

Urban Stormwater

For the first time, the basin's most populated cities, towns and counties would be required to develop and implement local stormwater management programs to prevent run-off. These local stormwater programs would have to address nitrogen control on new developments and include components such as public education and protection of existing riparian areas.

Nutrient Management

Nutrient management training would be required for individuals who apply nutrients to 50 acres or more. This would include lawn care companies, developers, golf courses, farmers, etc. These people would have to successfully complete nutrient management training administered by the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service or the Division of Water Quality.

The hearing officers will present their recommendations at Thursday's meeting. If the EMC approves the plan, a new 60-day public notice will be given, and the EMC can make a final decision December 11, 1997.

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Date Posted: June 9, 1997

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