Lower Huron River Watershed Management Plan

Transcription

1 Lower Huron River Watershed Management Plan Prepared by the Lower Huron Watershed Advisory Group and the Alliance of Downriver Watersheds: City of Belleville Berlin Township Brownstown Township City of Flat Rock City of Gibraltar Huron Township City of Rockwood City of Romulus South Rockwood Sumpter Township Van Buren Charter Township Wayne County City of Woodhaven Woodhaven Brownstown School District Assistance provided by: In association with WadeTrim Revised May 2012

2 Huron River near S. Huron River Drive, Village of South Rockwood, Michigan photo: F. Wenzel 1 2 Table of Contents Executive Summary... i Introduction Overview of the lower Huron River Watershed Watershed Management Plan Purpose Lower Huron River Watershed Advisory Group Coordination with Federal Water Quality Programs Public Participation Watershed Characteristics Watershed Boundaries Climate Geology and Soils Topography Ecology Land Use/Land Cover Political Jurisdictions NPDES Permittees Sanitary Sewer Service Areas and Privately Owned Systems Recreation i

3 3 4 5 Watershed Condition Overview of Subwatersheds Stream Flow Geomorphology Biological Communities Benthic Macroinvertebrates Fish Mussels Water Quality Indicators Total Phosphorus Pathogens (Bacteria) Total Suspended Solids Conductivity Stream Temperature Dissolved Oxygen Mercury Impervious Cover Field Inventory Summary Challenges & Goals Designated Uses and Desired Uses Threats to the Watershed, their Sources and Causes Watershed Management Goals and Objectives Management Alternatives Information Gathering LHRWIC Meetings & Workshops Public Meetings Individual Community/Entity Interest Watershed Management Plan Update Codes & Ordinances Worksheet Analysis of Existing Policies & Programs Minimizing Impervious Land Area Preserving Natural Areas Treating Runoff Description of Best Management Practices (BMPs) Identification of Critical Areas Critical Areas Identified by the 2006 Method Critical Areas for Preservation & Conservation Critical Areas based on MDEQ Landscape Level Wetland Functional Assessment Critical Areas based upon Pollutant Loads/Field Estimated Pollutant Load Reductions ii

4 6 7 Watershed Action Plan Management Practices Management Practices by Community/Entity Measuring Progress Qualitative Evaluation Techniques Quantitative Evaluation Techniques Watershed Management Plan Review and Revision Sustainability Lower Huron River WAG NPDES Stormwater Phase II Regulations Lower Huron River Watershed Inter Municipality Committee Alliance of Downriver Watersheds Sustainability iii

5 List of Tables 1 1 Land Area of Watershed by Community Rare Species in the Main Stem Subwatershed Rare Species in the Wood Creek Subwatershed Rare Species in the Silver Creek Subwatershed Rare Species in the Mouth of the Huron River Current Land Uses Watershed Area and Population by Community NPDES Permits Summary of Water Quality Indicators Daily Discharge Statistics for Grow Zone Sites Flashiness Index for Lower Huron River Sites Inventoried Dams Tractive Force Calculations for ADW Sites Stream Quality Index Ratings for Select Sites Freshwater Mussel Species Freshwater Mussel Species Total Phosphorus Monitoring Results, Wayne County Total Phosphorus Monitoring Results, Woods Creek Friends Total Phosphorus Results for Select Sites E. coli Monitoring Results, Wayne County E. coli Results for Select Sites Total Suspended Solids Monitoring Results, Wayne County Total Suspended Solids Results for Select Sites Conductivity Monitoring Results, Wayne County Conductivity Results for Select Sites Stream Temperature Monitoring Results, HRWC Adopt A Stream Stream Temperature Results for Select Sites Ratio of Green and Grey Infrastructure State and Local Status of Designated Uses Lower Huron River Watershed Uses and Pollutants/Impairments Pollutants/Impairments, Sources and Causes in the Watershed Goals and Objectives for the Watershed Wetlands Resources and Trends Watershed Treatment Model Pollutant Sources Management Practices in the Watershed Treatment Model Modeled Runoff Values Comparison Modeled Total Phosphorus Values Comparison Modeled Total Suspended Solids Values Comparison Observed Total Phosphorus and Total Suspended Solids Values Estimated Pollutant Load Reductions w/ Future Practices Prioritized Target Audiences per Communication Strategy Five Year Monitoring Plan Summary Best Management Practices by Community/Entity Best Management Practices by Community/Entity Indicators for Assessing Water Quality Programs Summary of Qualitative Evaluation Techniques iv

6 List of Maps (italics) and Figures 1 1 Huron River Watershed Alliance of Downriver Watersheds Area of Community in Watershed Watershed Management Plan Elements Potential Impacts of Climate Variation by Sector Glacial Geology Hydrologic Soil Groups Soil Permeability Southern Michigan Glacial Geology and Landscape Ecosystems Environmentally Sensitive Areas Bioreserve Sites Ecosystems circa 1830s Land Use Future Land Use (Master Plans 2030) Population Density NPDES Facilities Sanitary Sewer Service Areas Subwatersheds Hydrograph for Huron River at River Road ( ) Flow Monitoring Locations Hydrographs for Woods Creek Woods Creek Storm Event Discharge Mean Daily Water Levels for Bancroft Noles Drain Daily Mean Discharge for Silver Creek Silver Creek Storm Event Discharge Stream Channel Sites with Tractive Force Stability Woods Creek Channel Profile Silver Creek Channel Profile Woods Creek Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Results Woods Creek EPT Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Results Woods Creek Sensitive Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Results Huron River Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Results Huron River EPT Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Results Huron River Sensitive Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Results Port Creek Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Results Port Creek EPT Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Results Port Creek Sensitive Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Results Stream Quality Index Results for Spring Monitoring Stream Quality Index Results for Spring Monitoring Total Taxa Diversity Results for Spring Monitoring Total Taxa Diversity Results for Spring Monitoring Stream Quality Index Results for Fall Monitoring Stream Quality Index Results for Fall Monitoring Total Taxa Diversity Results for Fall Monitoring Total Taxa Diversity Results for Fall Monitoring Woods Creek Stream Temperature, July Aug Land Cover for ADW Land Cover in lower Huron River watershed Goals Development Diagram v

7 5 1 Components of the 2006 Critical Area Methodology Critical Subwatersheds based on 2006 Methodology Critical Areas from Impaired Waters List and Field Observations Priority Areas for Preservation and Conservation Existing and Potential Wetland Restoration Areas in the LLFWA Priority Wetland Areas for Preservation in Critical Subwatersheds Model Structure of the Watershed Treatment Model Critical Areas Based on Water Quality Indicators Potential Project Locations in the Lower Huron River Watershed Forces Affecting Integrated Watershed Management Steps of Watershed Management Planning ADW History Timeline Appendices (Appendices available on CD) bold indicates in 2006 version Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Appendix F Appendix G Appendix H Appendix I TMDL for E. coli in Pink Wagner Drain Stream Crossing Watershed Survey w Field Photos 2006 Critical Area Methodology Codes & Ordinances Worksheet Results and Recommendations Conservation Planning in the Huron River Watershed (Bioreserve Project) Pollutant Load Analysis (WTM analysis update) Communications from the LHRWIC Model Ordinances and Development Principles SEMCOG Survey Results for Downriver Area vi

8 Abbreviations BMP: Best Management Practice FERC: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission GIS: Geographic Information System HCMA: Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority HRWC: Huron River Watershed Council IDEP: Illicit Discharge Elimination Program Lower Huron River WAG: Lower Huron River Watershed Advisory Group LHRWIC: Lower Huron River Watershed Inter Municipality Committee LID: Low Impact Development L THIA: Long Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment MDEQ: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality MDNR: Michigan Department of Natural Resources MDOT: Michigan Department of Transportation MNFI: Michigan Natural Features Inventory NPDES: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NPS: Non Point Source OSDS: On site Disposal Systems PEP: Public Education Plan PLOAD: Pollutant Load SEMCOG: Southeast Michigan Council of Governments STORET: Storage and Retrieval Database SWPPI: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Initiative TMDL: Total Maximum Daily Load U.S. EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency USDA: United States Department of Agriculture USGS: United States Geological Survey WMP: Watershed Management Plan WQS: Water Quality Standards WTM: Watershed Treatment Model WWTP: Wastewater Treatment Plant vii

9 Smith Creek, Brownstown Township, Michigan photo: HRWC Executive Summary Introduction to the Lower Huron River Watershed The Huron River watershed is one of Michigan s natural treasures. The Huron River supplies drinking water to approximately 150,000 people, supports one of Michigan s finest smallmouth bass fisheries, and is the State s only designated Scenic River in southeast Michigan. The Huron River watershed is a unique and valuable resource in southeast Michigan that contains ten Metroparks, two thirds of all southeast Michigan s public recreational lands, and abundant county and city parks. In recognition of its value, the State has officially designated 37 miles of the Huron River and three of its tributaries as Michigan Department of Natural Resources Country Scenic River under the State s Natural Rivers Act (Act 231, PA 1970). The Huron is home to one half million people, numerous threatened and endangered species and habitats, abundant bogs, wet meadows, and remnant prairies of statewide significance. The Huron River basin (Hydrologic Unit Code ) is located in southeastern Michigan and encompasses approximately 900 square miles (576,000 acres) of Ingham, Jackson, Livingston, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties (Figure 1 1). The main stem of the Huron River is approximately 136 miles long, with its origin located at Big Lake and the Huron Swamp in Springfield Township, Oakland County. The main stem of the river meanders from the headwaters through a complex series of wetlands and lakes in a southwesterly direction to the area of Portage Lake. Here, the river begins to flow south until reaching the Village of Dexter in Washtenaw County, where it turns southeasterly and proceeds to its final destination of Lake Erie. The Huron is not a free flowing river. At least 98 dams segment the river system, of which 17 are located on the main stem. The immediate drainage area to the lower Huron River is 74 square miles, representing approximately 8% of the 908 square mile Huron River basin (Figure 1 1). The vast majority of the lower Huron River watershed lies within the Charter County of Wayne (Wayne County) and comprises all or portions of fourteen municipalities. Impacts to the downriver reaches of the Huron River have long been felt since human activities historically have been located in this area as a result of close proximity to Detroit and other Great Lakes coastal towns and harbors. In recent decades, the lower Huron River Watershed and the Huron River basin have experienced amplified development pressures from a growing economy and urban sprawl. The U.S. Census in 2010 counted 58,000 individuals living in the census blocks of the lower Huron River Watershed. 8

10 If current development practices are employed to accommodate the projected increase in population and associated infrastructure, then SEMCOG estimates 40% of the remaining open spaces will be developed within the watershed by Much of this projected conversion of undeveloped land will occur in the lower Huron River Watershed where it will hasten degradation of the hydrology and water quality of surface waters. To an extent, the lower Huron River is the reflection of human activities and natural conditions of the upper 92% of the Huron River basin. However, the close proximity of activities from within the lower Huron River watershed directly impact this downstream reach of the River and, therefore, are the focus of this Watershed Management Plan. Purpose of the Watershed Management Plan The assesses current conditions of freshwater resources, identifies current and future threats to those resources, sets goals for watershed management, and presents a robust strategy for implementation of management practices. The Lower Huron River WAG would like to see this plan become integrated into the future decisions of local governments, position communities to be eligible for state and federal implementation funds in order to address the priorities identified in the plan, and foster stewardship of watershed resources at the local level. This effort arose from the recognition that a holistic, cross jurisdictional approach is essential for the long term health of this watershed. A comprehensive Watershed Management Plan addresses the following elements: Elements of the Watershed Management Plan o Watershed Condition o Challenges and Goals o Identify Management Alternatives o Watershed Action Plan o Methods and Milestones to Measure Progress. o Future Organizational Structure o Public Involvement The goal of the Watershed Management Plan is to create a tool that the entities within the watershed can use to guide implementation of action items that will help achieve long term goals of the watershed, including addressing the TMDL for pathogens. The Lower Huron River Watershed Inter Municipality Committee (LHRWIC) developed a Watershed Management Plan in 2006 that was approved (CMI) by the State in This document is an update to the 2006 Watershed Management Plan to include activities and data that have since been collected and/or developed. The plan was also updated to achieve section 319 approval from the State. Lower Huron River Watershed Advisory Group In June 2003, the municipalities and/or political subdivisions located within the lower Huron River watershed formed the Lower Huron River Watershed Advisory Group (WAG) whose mission is to provide: A lower Huron River watershed and riverine corridor system that is aesthetically pleasant, clean, healthy and safe so that watershed residents and visitors can enjoy an improved quality of life, with reduced risk of flooding and better coordination of stormwater management throughout the region. 9

11 In December 2003, the Watershed Advisory Group formed the Lower Huron River Watershed Inter Municipality Committee (LHRWIC) to coordinate and facilitate the study, development, preparation and timely filing with the MDEQ of a as part of the required NPDES Phase II stormwater compliance. The LHRWIC formed for the duration of 2 ½ years beginning in January 2004 to complete the Watershed Management Plan and the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Initiative. These same groups functioned as the technical advisory group, as well. The Lower Huron River WAG still assembles on an as needed basis. Its members meet quarterly with the members of the neighboring watersheds, Combined Downriver and Ecorse Creek, via the Alliance of Downriver Watersheds (ADW), which serves as the regional watershed organization. ADW members have been formally and informally working together for several years to manage the area s water resources on a watershed basis and to comply with federal regulations regarding the discharge of storm water. Formation of the Alliance of Downriver Watersheds The Alliance of Downriver Watershed (ADW) members have been formally and informally working together for several years to manage the area s water resources on a watershed basis and to comply with federal regulations regarding the discharge of storm water. The ADW is a permanent watershed organization formed under Public Act 517 of the Public Laws of The ADW was formed in January 2007 and consists of 26 public agencies in the Ecorse Creek, Combined Downriver, and Lower Huron River Watersheds in southeast Michigan. The agencies and communities that comprise the ADW believe there are substantial benefits that can be derived by joining together and cooperatively managing the rivers, lakes, and streams within the watersheds and in providing mutual assistance in meeting state water discharge permit requirements of the members. The ADW is relatively urban in nature with more open and rural lands as you move south within the watershed boundaries. Based on 2000 Census data, approximately 453,436 people reside within the watershed boundaries. Article III of the ADW Bylaws details the assessment of cost to members methodology. The members of the ADW developed a cost allocation methodology based on each member s total area (acres) in all three watersheds and total population in all three watersheds. Among other things, the annual membership dues provided by each member have been successful in serving as local match and leveraging several hundred thousand dollars in grant funds. Watershed Condition The current condition of the lower Huron River Watershed was determined through a review of existing reports, water quality sampling data and field investigations. The information reviewed came from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the U.S. Geological Survey, Huron River Watershed Council, Alliance of Downriver Watersheds, Wayne County Department of Public Services and other sources. MDEQ also completed a Wetlands Landscape Level Functional Assessment for the watershed to identify functions provided by wetlands and opportunities for restoration. The entire Huron River watershed is listed on the 2010 Integrated Report from the MDEQ as failing to meet water quality standards for mercury. The watershed is identified on Michigan s list of waterquality limited or threatened waters as failing to meet Michigan water quality standards for the protection of other indigenous aquatic life and wildlife. The State will conduct a comprehensive review of mercury concentrations throughout Michigan at a later date and include the Huron River watershed 10

12 in that review. Previous Integrated Reports listed portions of the lower Huron River watershed as impaired due to pathogens (bacteria), specifically in the Pink Wagner Drain. Assessments of the biological communities and other key parameters with the potential to impact the aquatic habitat and life were evaluated. The specific water quality indicators and a summary of the rating/observation for each are listed below: Water Quality Indicator Biological communities Rating/Observation Fair to Good Sedimentation/Total Suspended Solids Fair to Good Hydrology Low flashiness on studied tributaries Imperviousness (current ratio of Green and Grey Infrastructure) Total Phosphorus Dissolved oxygen Conductivity Pathogens (E. coli) Ratios range from 2.4 to 11.7 across the 16 subwatersheds Up to 4 times the recommended value of mg/l TP as max. monthly avg Not enough data Designated and Desired Uses and Pollutants Up to 4 times the recommended value of <800 S/cm Exceedences of the recommended max. of 130 cts/100 ml as a 30 day geometric mean All surface waters in Michigan are designated for and protected for a variety of uses. The designated uses that are applicable to the lower Huron River Watershed are shown in the following table. In addition to the designated uses, certain desired uses were identified for the watershed. The desired uses are also shown in the table below. Some of the uses are considered impaired, meaning the use is not being met. Threatened indicates that the use is being met. However, the use could become impaired in the future under a Business as Usual scenario. For those uses recognized as impaired, the ADW identified known (k) and suspected (s) pollutants. Sources and causes for the pollutants were also identified. 11

13 Lower Huron River Watershed Uses and Pollutants/Impairments Impaired Uses Partial Body Contact Recreation Other Indigenous Aquatic Life/Wildlife Total Body Contact Recreation Known and Suspected Pollutants/Impairments (in order of priority for each use) E. coli and other pathogens (K) Lack of stable flow (K) Lack of habitat (K) Sediment (K) Elevated stream temperature (K) Nutrients (K) E. coli and other pathogens (K) Nutrients (K) Stressed Uses Warmwater Fishery Desired Uses Recreation Areas, Greenways, and Blueways Wetlands and Natural Areas Stormwater and Flood Management Unique Species and Habitats Native Vegetation Known and Suspected Pollutants/Impairments Lack of stable flow (K) Lack of habitat (K) Sediment (K) Elevated stream temperature (K) Nutrients (K) Known and Suspected Pollutants/Impairments E. coli and other pathogens (K) Inadequate protection measures (K) Lack of habitat (K) Invasive Species (K) Lack of stable flow (K) Inadequate protection measures (K) Loss of wetlands (K) Increase of impervious surfaces (K) Inadequate protection measures (K) Lack of habitat (K) Invasive Species (K) Inadequate protection measures (K) Lack of habitat (K) Invasive Species (K) Note: (K) refers to known pollutants and (S) refers to suspected pollutants 12

14 Goals and Objectives Once the LHRWIC identified the designated and desired uses, determined pollutants and their sources and causes, and considered plan maintenance and sustainability issues, goals and objectives for the watershed were developed. A goal is a long term qualitative description of a desired future condition stated in general terms without criteria of achievement. An objective is an action that can be either short term or long term that will reduce pollution from a source to protect or restore a designated or desired use. The LHRWIC s goals and the associated objectives are shown in the following table. 1 Goal: Reduce flow variability Objectives: Short Term (1 5 yrs) Maintain or improve the ratio of Green Infrastructure to Grey Infrastructure Restore wetlands and increase floodplains and other pervious areas with infiltration capacity for floodwater control Increase adoption of Low Impact Development design principles in new developments and retrofits Create short list of potential locations for regional stormwater storage and treatment facility Modify operations of dams, barriers and pursue opportunities for removal of selected structures Objective: Long Term (5+ yrs) Reach halfway point to meeting Grey Infrastructure reductions in key subwatersheds Create more storage for floodwaters in wetlands, floodplains, and other pervious areas with infiltration capacity Designated Use(s) Addressed: Warmwater fishery Other indigenous aquatic life and wildlife Desired Use(s) Addressed: Unique habitat and species Stormwater and flood management 13

15 2 Goal: Protect and mitigate loss of natural features Objectives: Short Term (1 5 yrs) Maintain or improve the ratio of Green Infrastructure to Grey Infrastructure Enact policies in at least 3 communities to protect critical natural areas especially riparian corridors Increase extent of contiguous protected land through conservation agreements, acquisition, and other land protection tools Objective: Long Term (5+ yrs) Enact policies in all watershed communities to protect natural areas especially riparian corridors Reach halfway point to meeting Grey Infrastructure reductions in key subwatersheds Restore a minimum of 150 acres of previously converted wetlands, and maintain network of existing wetlands 3 Goal: Reduce pathogen (E. coli) loading Objectives: Short Term (1 5 yrs) Continue to detect and correct improper connections to stormwater infrastructure through Illicit Discharge Elimination Programs Eliminate failing septic systems in Wagner Pink Drain Objective: Long Term (5+ yrs) Continue to detect and correct improper connections to stormwater infrastructure through Illicit Discharge Elimination Programs Designated Use(s) Addressed: Warmwater fishery Other indigenous aquatic life and wildlife Partial and total body contact recreation Desired Use(s) Addressed: Native vegetation Wetlands and natural areas Unique habitat and species Designated Use(s) Addressed: Partial and total body contact recreation Desired Use(s) Addressed: Recreation areas and greenways 14

16 4 Goal: Reduce nutrient loading 5 Objectives: Short Term (1 5 yrs) Continue to detect and correct improper connections to stormwater infrastructure through Illicit Discharge Elimination Programs Message soil testing and proper lawn fertilization with homeowners Enact policies in at least 3 communities to protect critical natural areas especially riparian corridors Improve application and enforcement of Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Controls Preserve and restore wetlands and open space Reduce contributions from effluent at NPDES permitted facilities Increase adoption of Low Impact Development design principles to 10% of new developments and retrofits Goal: Reduce soil erosion and sedimentation Objectives: Short Term (1 5 yrs) Improve application and enforcement of Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Controls Increase adoption of Low Impact Development design principles to 10% of new developments and retrofits Integrate storm water management in planning and land use approval process Objective: Long Term (5+ yrs) Enact policies in all watershed communities to protect natural areas especially riparian corridors Continue to detect and correct improper connections to stormwater infrastructure through Illicit Discharge Elimination Programs Designated Use(s) Addressed: Partial and total body contact recreation Warmwater fishery Other indigenous aquatic life and wildlife Desired Use(s) Addressed: Unique habitat and species Recreation areas and greenway Objective: Long Term (5+ yrs) Increase use of Low Impact Development design principles to 50% of new developments and retrofits Designated Use(s) Addressed: Partial body contact recreation Warmwater fishery Other indigenous aquatic life and wildlife Desired Use(s) Addressed: Unique habitat and species 15

17 6 Goal: Educated, informed, and involved watershed citizenry Objectives: Short Term (1 5 yrs) Increase watershed residents awareness and knowledge of the Huron River system Increase opportunities for public involvement in protecting watershed resources Increase participation in watershed stewardship Increase the number of households that report taking some type of action to protect water resources. (SEMCOG 2004 Regional Water Quality Survey 32% indicate having done so). Educate decision makers on impacts of development and best practices Designated Use(s) Addressed: All Desired Use(s) Addressed: All 7 8 Goal: Coordinated long term watershed monitoring Objectives: Short Term (1 5 yrs) Secure funding and develop partnerships to continue monitoring of key indicators Implement 5 year monitoring plan Regularly report monitoring results to watershed governments and public Goal: Sustainable watershed management Objectives: Short Term (1 5 yrs) Establish institutional relationships to ensure plan implementation Develop long term funding plans Develop a climate action plan for the ADW Objective: Long Term (5+ yrs) Continue adaptive and iterative management Update Lower Huron River Watershed Management Plan Objective: Long Term (5+ yrs) Revise 5 year monitoring plan following an adaptive management process Integrate monitoring results into watershed management plan and shortterm strategy revisions Designated Use(s) Addressed: All Desired Use(s) Addressed: All Designated Use(s) Addressed: All Desired Use(s) Addressed: All 16

18 Management Strategy After establishing goals and objectives for the watershed, the LHRWIC discussed various management alternatives that could be employed to fulfill them. Management alternatives are presented in the Action Plan in Chapter 6 as actions that will help the LHRWIC achieve the goals and objectives for the lower Huron River watershed. Alternatives include managerial, vegetative and structural practices intended to be implemented in combination rather than in isolation for greater cost effectiveness and pollutant removal. Where possible, each management alternative in the Action Plan is presented with which goals it addresses, level of effort, estimated capital and maintenance costs, technical and/or financial resources, and intent of the permittees to employ the alternative. Management Activities Chapter 6 presents the management practices and potential best practices. These practices were added to the Watershed Treatment model and estimated pollutant reductions are shown in Table 5 8.Practices were identified by the LHRWIC, many of which are currently being performed or will be performed by a number of entities as part of their individual Phase II storm water permits. The remaining BMPs are in addition to the requirements of the Phase II storm water regulations and thus may qualify for future Clean Michigan Initiative funding and EPA section 319 funding. The best practices selected were gathered through the following means: LHRWIC Meetings and Workshops Public Meetings Individual Community/Entity Interviews Management Activity Selection Sheet Code & Ordinance Worksheet (COW) Field Observations Potential reductions in annual loads stemming from the implementation of select actions and practices were estimated using information provided by members of the ADW, published reports, and geographical information analysis and modeling using the Watershed Treatment Model. The estimated load reductions are based off of a 15 year timeline ( ). As Chapter 6 details, watershed communities identified specific projects that they wish to implement over the near term ( ) in addition to best practices needed to address problems observed in the field and to attain designated and desired uses. The acreage, number of installations, miles, etc. of these projects desired in the near term were extrapolated an additional ten years with the assumption that projects would continue to be implemented at the same rate. In addition to best practices on public properties, it has been assumed that practices on privately owned properties will occur at the same rate. These reductions represent a 2% to 9% decrease (depending on parameter) in existing loads to surface waters for the first five years a significant step in the right direction to meeting the goals of this watershed management plan. The practices modeled should not be considered the only best practices that will assist communities in progress toward meeting water quality goals. Public education, policy review and implementation of new or revise d ordinances, demonstration of porous parking and paver materials, retrofitting stormwater treatment controls in areas of redevelopment, and other practices will lead to additional reductions. xvii

19 Partnering with the general public, Wayne County Department of Public Services, The Stream Team, Huron River Watershed Council, the Woodhaven Brownstown School District and other entities active within the region will help stretch available funding and maximize the benefit to the watershed. Activities that these organizations can accomplish at relatively low cost to the communities include volunteer monitoring, bank stabilization, wetland plantings, IDEP activities and the promotion of watershed education and awareness. Measuring Progress The Watershed Management Plan includes ideas on how to measure the effectiveness of the various BMPs. Measuring progress will be done by both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Qualitative measures include: public surveys, ordinances passed, stream surveys, written evaluations following watershed activities, visual documentation, complaint records and citizen participation. Quantitative techniques include: public surveys, stream surveys, aquatic life, suspended solids, pathogens/bacteria, dissolved oxygen, geomorphology, flow stability and method and frequency of monitoring activities. The ADW tracks and reports on progress with the Annual Report submitted to the MDEQ each November. Sustainability Sustainability is a required element of the Watershed Management Plan. It is important that implementation of the action items or BMPs occurs throughout the watershed, and that the effectiveness of the implemented activities is measured and evaluated. The evaluation results will help determine if future modification to the Plan are needed, so that revisions can be accomplished in a timely manner. Working together as a team for the development of this Watershed Management Plan, the communities, Wayne County and the Wayne County Airport Authority have realized many benefits. Sharing technical and financial resources resulted in development of a more affordable and comprehensive plan addressing the goals of all involved. Similarly, when implementing the plan, it is anticipated that the entities will continue to realize the many positive benefits. The Alliance of Downriver Watersheds provides the means for continuing efforts to work together to benefit the watershed as a whole and comply with permit requirements. xviii

20 Huron River behind Flat Rock Dam, City of Flat Rock, Michigan photo: D. Edmondson 1. Introduction 1.1 Overview of the Lower Huron River Watershed The Huron River watershed is one of Michigan s natural treasures. The Huron River supplies drinking water to approximately 150,000 people, supports one of Michigan s finest smallmouth bass fisheries, and is the State s only designated Scenic River in southeast Michigan. The Huron River watershed is a unique and valuable resource in southeast Michigan that contains ten Metroparks, two thirds of all southeast Michigan s public recreational lands, and abundant county and city parks. In recognition of its value, the State has officially designated 37 miles of the Huron River and three of its tributaries as Michigan Department of Natural Resources Country Scenic River under the State s Natural Rivers Act (Act 231, PA 1970). The Huron is home to one half million people, numerous threatened and endangered species and habitats, abundant bogs, wet meadows, and remnant prairies of statewide significance. The Huron River basin (Hydrologic Unit Code ) is located in southeastern Michigan and encompasses approximately 900 square miles (576,000 acres) of Ingham, Jackson, Livingston, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties (Figure 1 1). The main stem of the Huron River is approximately 136 miles long, with its origin located at Big Lake and the Huron Swamp in Springfield Township, Oakland County. The main stem of the river meanders from the headwaters through a complex series of wetlands and lakes in a southwesterly direction to the area of Portage Lake. Here, the river begins to flow south until reaching the Village of Dexter in Washtenaw County, where it turns southeasterly and proceeds to its final destination of Lake Erie. The Huron is not a free flowing river. At least 105 dams segment the river system, of which 17 are located on the main stem. The immediate drainage area to the lower Huron River is 74 square miles, representing approximately 8% of the 908 square mile Huron River basin (Figure 1 2). The vast majority of the lower Huron River watershed lies within the Charter County of Wayne (Wayne County) and comprises all or portions of fourteen municipalities. The southernmost portion of the Watershed is located in Monroe County and the far western portion lies in Washtenaw County s Ypsilanti Charter Township. The Watershed includes large portions of Belleville, Brownstown, Huron Township, Flat Rock and Rockwood, the southern half of Van Buren Charter Township, the northeastern edge of Sumpter Township, the western edge of 1

21 Romulus, the northeastern portion of Ash Township, the southern portions of Woodhaven and Gibraltar, and the northern portions of Berlin Charter Township and South Rockwood. Active agricultural fields, grasslands/old agricultural fields and low density residential areas are found throughout the watershed while medium and high density residential and commercial and industrial areas are focused in the downstream communities and in the villages and cities. Nearly 3,000 acres of wetlands remain in the watershed as of Included in the watershed are four Metroparks (Lower Huron; Willow; Oakwoods; and Lake Erie), and the Pointe Mouillée State Game Area providing over 7,500 acres of public land for recreation and natural resource protection. 2

22 Figure 1 1. Huron River Watershed 3

23 The lower Huron River begins downstream of the French Landing Dam that creates Belleville Lake in Van Buren Charter Township, and flows to Lake Erie. More than a dozen tributaries flow into the lower Huron River including the more significant Silver Creek that drains the eastern areas of the watershed and has 81 miles of streams and Woods Creek that drains the northwestern area of the watershed and has 27 miles of streams. The main stem of the Huron River itself is 28.5 miles long with an additional 145 miles of streams. Impacts to the downriver reaches of the Huron River have long been felt since human activities historically have been located in this area as a result of close proximity to Detroit and other Great Lakes coastal towns and harbors. In recent decades, the lower Huron River Watershed and the Huron River basin have experienced amplified development pressures from a growing economy and urban sprawl. The U.S. Census in 2010 counted 58,643 individuals living in the census blocks of the lower Huron River Watershed, an increase of 10,000 people from the 2000 U.S. Census. Projections by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) estimate a 42% average increase in total households in 2030 from 2004 levels. If business as usual development practices are used to accommodate the projected increase in population and associated infrastructure, then SEMCOG estimates 40% of the remaining open spaces will be developed within the watershed by While development has slowed in recent years, positive economic changes will likely result in build out into open spaces once again. Much of this projected conversion of undeveloped land will occur in the lower Huron River Watershed. To an extent, the lower Huron River is the reflection of human activities and natural conditions of the upper 92% of the Huron River basin. However, the proximity of activities from within the lower Huron River watershed directly impact this reach of the River and, therefore, are the focus of this Watershed Management Plan. 4

24 Figure 1 2. Lower Huron River Watershed and ADW Region 5

25 Table 1 1 Land Area of Watershed by Community Community/Entity Total Area of Community Total Area of Community in Watershed Percent of Community in Watershed Percent of Total Watershed Acres Acres Ash Township 22,263 2, % 6.4% City of Belleville % 0.9% Berlin Township 19,217 1, % 4.2% Brownstown Township 14,768 5, % 12.3% City of Flat Rock 4,216 4, % 9.1% City of Gibraltar 2, % 0.8% Huron Township 22,973 11, % 25.5% Huron Clinton N/A 4, % Metropolitan Authority City of Rockwood 1,698 1, % 3.7% City of Romulus 23,018 1, % 3.3% Village of South 1, % 2.1% Rockwood Sumpter Township 23,976 2, % 5.3% Van Buren Charter 23,084 6, % 14.3% Township Wayne County N/A % Woodhaven N/A % Brownstown Schools Total 100.0% Source: Wayne County Dept of Environment,

26 Figure 1 3 Area of Community in Watershed (Acres) Source: Wayne County Dept of Environment, Watershed Management Plan Purpose The assesses current conditions of freshwater resources, identifies current and future threats to those resources, sets goals for watershed management, and presents a robust strategy for implementation of management practices. The Lower Huron River WAG would like to see this plan become integrated into the future decisions of local governments, position communities to be eligible for state and federal implementation funds in order to address the priorities identified in the plan, and foster stewardship of watershed resources at the local level. This effort arose from the recognition that a holistic, cross jurisdictional approach is essential for the long term health of this watershed. The developed in 2006 was part of an effort undertaken by the communities seeking the NPDES Wastewater Discharge General Permit MIG (watershed based). As that permit states the permittee shall participate in the development and implementation of a Watershed Management Plan (WMP). The purpose of the WMP is to identify and execute the actions needed to resolve water quality and water quantity concerns by fostering cooperation among the various public and private entities in the watershed... The emphasis of the WMP shall be to mitigate the undesirable impacts caused by wet weather discharges from separate storm water drainage systems. As required by the General Permit, this WMP also addressed the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) established within the lower Huron River watershed by discussing the concerns related to any TMDLs and detailing appropriate actions specific to storm water controls to meet the TMDL. To date, a TMDL for pathogens (E. coli) was established in 2003 for 0.5 miles of Wagner Pink Drain. Since a dedicated TMDL implementation plan was not produced for this pollutant, the WMP serves as the vehicle for conveying progress on meeting the TMDL. No parts of the lower Huron River watershed, specifically, are listed as impaired or threatened on the state s Integrated Report for The entire Huron River watershed is 7

27 listed as impaired by mercury as is much of the state of Michigan and will be addressed under the MDEQ s strategy to address mercury reaching the state from atmospheric deposition. Since 1990 the State of Michigan has pursued the development of watershed management plans for Michigan rivers as the best approach for their protection and restoration in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act (1972). Watershed management plans are necessarily holistic, in that they assess the full range of stressors and opportunities, and cross jurisdictional since a rain drop cares not about political abstractions like county lines. The State of Michigan supports watershed management planning at the local level through grant funding from the U.S. EPA and through technical support from its own staff. Funding for updating the was awarded to Wayne County and the ADW via federal Clean Water Act 319 funding. In Michigan, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers the NPDES program. A Watershed Management Plan is necessary in order to satisfy requirements of the State of Michigan Phase II Watershed Based Storm Water General Permit (MIG619000). In order for the to be approved by the State of Michigan, it must contain the following: The geographic scope of the watershed. The designated uses and desired uses of the watershed. The water quality threats or impairments in the watershed. The causes of the impairments or threats, including pollutants. A clear statement of the water quality improvement or protection goals of the watershed management plan. The sources of the pollutants causing the impairments or threats and the sources that are critical to control in order to meet water quality standards or other water quality goals. The tasks that need to be completed to prevent or control the critical sources of pollution or address causes of impairment, including, as appropriate, all of the following: o The best management practices needed. o Revisions needed or proposed to local zoning ordinances and other land use management tools. o Informational and educational activities. o Activities needed to institutionalize watershed protection. The estimated cost of implementing the best management practices needed. A summary of the public participation process, including the opportunity for public comment, during watershed management plan development and the partners that were involved in the development of the watershed management plan. The estimated periods of time needed to complete each task and the proposed sequence of task completion. A description of the process that will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing the plan and achieving its goals. Moreover, in order for the activities in this WMP to be eligible for federal funding through the Clean Water Act section 319 program in Michigan and the Clean Michigan Initiative, it must meet the following nine minimum elements: 1. An identification of the causes and sources or groups of similar sources that will need to be controlled to achieve the load reductions estimated in this watershedbased plan 8

28 2. An estimate of the load reductions expected for the management measures described in element (c) below 3. A description of the NPS management measures that will need to be implemented to achieve the load reductions estimated in element (b) above, and an identification (using a map or a description) of the critical areas in which those measures will be needed to implement this plan 4. An estimate of the amounts of technical and financial assistance needed, associated costs, and/or the sources and authorities that will be relied upon, to implement this plan 5. An information/education component that will be used to enhance public understanding of the project and encourage their early and continued participation in selecting, designing, and implementing the NPS management measures that will be implemented 6. A schedule for implementing the NPS management measures identified in this plan that is reasonably expeditious 7. A description of interim, measurable milestones for determining whether NPS management measures or other control actions are being implemented 8. A set of criteria that can be used to determine whether loading reductions are being achieved over time and substantial progress is being made towards attaining water quality standards and, if not, the criteria for determining whether this watershed based plan needs to be revised. 9. A monitoring component to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation efforts over time, measured against the criteria established under item (h) immediately above Figure 1 4 illustrates the various components and elements that went into the development of this Watershed Management Plan. 9

29 Figure 1 4 Watershed Management Plan Elements 1.3 Lower Huron River Watershed Advisory Group The Lower Huron River Watershed Advisory Group was formed in June 2003, by the municipalities within the lower Huron River watershed (Berlin Township, Brownstown Township, Huron Township, Sumpter Township, Van Buren Charter Township, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Rockwood, Romulus, Woodhaven, South Rockwood, along with Wayne County and the Woodhaven Brownstown School District). The mission of Lower Huron River WAG was: A Lower Huron River Watershed and riverine corridor system that is aesthetically pleasant, clean, healthy and safe so that watershed residents and visitors can enjoy an improved quality of life, with reduced risk of flooding and better coordination of stormwater management throughout the region. In order to move toward fulfilling this mission, the municipalities, Wayne County and the School District filed an application with the MDEQ to proceed with the NPDES Phase II Stormwater Permit compliance pursuant to applicable federal and state law. An initial requirement of this compliance was to study, develop, prepare and file a Lower Huron River Watershed Management Plan within approximately two (2) years following the date of issuance of the Certificate of Coverage (2003). A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was developed to formalize the group and establish financial responsibility and by laws. Each municipality, Wayne County and the School District adopted the MOA and then formed the Lower Huron River Watershed Inter Municipality Committee (LHRWIC) in December The function of the LHRWIC was to coordinate and facilitate the study, development, preparation and timely filing with the MDEQ as part of the 10