Moving towards compliance with US EPA Bathing Water Regulations: the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Dr. Julie Kinzelman City of Racine, WI (USA)

Transcription

1 Moving towards compliance with US EPA Bathing Water Regulations: the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Dr. Julie Kinzelman City of Racine, WI (USA)

2 USEPA Recreational Water Quality Criteria (2012)

3 Beach Action Values Proposes more stringent BAV of 190 E. coli/100 ml vs. current single sample threshold of 235 E. coli/100 ml (rolling GM of 126/100 ml) Must comply with lower standard in order to receive funding until state adoption of criteria Would result in increased beach advisories and/or closures 8 to 14 (North Beach) and 8 to 19 (Zoo Beach) local Minimal difference in risk to health SSSM of 235 E. coli/100 ml = 36 illnesses/1000 BAV of 190 E. coli/100 ml = 32 illnesses/1000

4 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Arose out of the 2005 Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategic plan developed by local, state, federal, tribal governments and other stakeholders Developed a set of recommendations to achieve standards for water quality Since 2009, over $500 Million has been provided by the federal government to assess pollution sources at bathing beaches and implement remediation measures 488 Great Lakes Beaches have had sanitary inspections 74 have begun to implement control measures

5 The End Goal is to PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH RETAIN/MAXIMIZE UTILITY PRESERVE ENVIRONMENT

6 Sustainable Water Resource Management Identify pollution sources and environmental degradation Develop solutions Naturalized or engineered, public education Implement best management practices Restore beneficial uses Maximize utility Protect for the future Provide ecosystem service functions

7 Annual Number of BWQF Year North Beach Zoo Beach Total Days Racine, WI Primary pollution sources: storm water, gulls

8 Storm Water Control Measures ( ) Grade and Grooming Alterations Constructed Wetland Encouraged Dune Swales

9 North Beach Use & Economic Study Over 200,000 beach visits 25% of North Beach visitors traveled >100 miles Voted one of top beaches in USA $5 million in annual revenue

10 Simmons Island Park (2014) Designed to mitigate pollution sources while still fitting into the City of Kenosha s park master plan Design elements reduce storm water runoff from impervious surfaces (paved and turf grass) Increase native vegetation as a deterrent to gull loafing,, i.e. dunes Change elevation to reduce wave run up resulting in transfer of bacteria to near shore water Create better public access

11 2014 Simmons Island Conceptual Redesign Plan

12 Initial Restoration Results 2015 Simmons Island sampling site SI 5 had significantly less gulls and E. coli. The beach as a whole had fewer BWQF than the previous 5 years.

13 Eichelman Park (2015) Embayed Low profile jetty Lack of beach elevation Lack of circulation Invasive species

14 Exceedances of water quality standards are the lowest in 6 years Initial Restoration Results 2015

15 Sherman Park Beach, Michigan As many as 13 closures ( ) due to storm water runoff Only 1 wet weather associated beach advisory ( ) Photos: Lauren Wisniewski, WRD

16 Grant Park Beach (2015) Catchment influences: Dam impoundment just upstream Permitted sewage bypass locations Storm water infrastructure Mixed use catchment Nearshore influences: Gulls Impervious surface runoff Accumulation of algae Litter

17 Bio infiltration Cells & Dunes

18 Initial Restoration Improvements 2015 MST & catchment assessment are under way.

19 Samuel Myers Park (2013) On average 18% of samples failed to meet EPA standards for swimming/permanent swim ban Multiple pollution sources Embayed, poor circulation, low profile jetty 45% invasive species = poor habitat SM 1 SM 2 SM 3 PHRAGMITES ADDITION TO BREAKWATER 1970 S

20 Points of Pollutant Loading

21 Final Redesign Plan

22 Invasive Species Removal

23 Jetty Supplement and Wetland Conversion

24 Restoration Expectations Initial 10% improvement in nearshore water quality Establish off shore swim zone Enhanced migratory bird habitat 38 new species seen since restoration began Public access Walking trails Environmental education opportunities Signs Passive recreation Canoe/kayak access launch

25 In Conclusion Mitigation of pollution sources will allow local authorities to comply with revised recreational water quality criteria (USA and EU). Mitigation can be accomplished through the use of green infrastructure approaches, waterfowl management, habitat restoration and other pollution reduction measures. (Adaptive) One should have realistic expectations of what can be feasibly accomplished and be prepared for creative solutions. (Create an amenity)

26 Thank You!!! Shari Barash, US EPA Office of Water Holly Wirick, US EPA Region 5 Dr. Shannon Briggs, MDEQ RHD Staff Hi Calum!!!