Nutrient Criteria Development Plan for High Rock Lake Summary Update

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Nutrient Criteria Development in North Carolina has evolved through various stages since 2001, with the key milestones being the development of the Nutrient Criteria Implementation Plan in 2004 and the Nutrient Criteria Development Plan in 2014. The plan aims to link nutrient concentrations with the protection of designated uses and evaluate causal and response variables. Site-specific standards have been developed for High Rock Lake, Albemarle Sound/Chowan River, and Central Cape Fear River. Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) and Criteria Implementation Committee (CIC) have been established to provide scientific and social input, respectively. High Rock Lake has a history of impairment for chlorophyll-a, leading to intensive monitoring and the issuance of reports. The SAC has made recommendations for site-specific standards, influencing the drafting of rules by the DWR.

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NCs Nutrient Criteria Development Plan: A Summary and Status Update for High Rock Lake Karen Higgins, Division of Water Resources January 13, 2021

Nutrient Criteria Development in NC 2001 EPA encouraged states to develop nutrient management plans 2004 NC developed Nutrient Criteria Implementation Plan (NCIP)* 2011 EPA placed new emphasis on nutrient reductions 2012 NC Forum on Nutrient Over Enrichment 2014 Nutrient Criteria Development Plan (NCDP) * 2019 NCDP Renewal* * Approved by EPA 2

Nutrient Criteria Development Plan Links nutrient concentrations with protection of designated uses (e.g. fishable, swimmable, boatable, trout, PNA, water supply) Evaluate causal and response variables (nutrients, chlorophyll a, pH, dissolved oxygen, etc.) Express numerically or in narrative form with numerical translator 3

Nutrient Criteria Development Plan Develop site-specific standards in three water body types High Rock Lake Albemarle Sound/Chowan River Central Cape Fear River 4

SAC and CIC Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) Established to assist DWR with the development of scientifically- defensible nutrient criteria Members include experts in water quality, nutrient management, and nutrient abatement Criteria Implementation Committee (CIC) Established to advise DWR on the social and fiscal impacts of proposed nutrient criteria Members include economists, stakeholder representatives and academics 5

High Rock Lake (HRL) History Task Year(s) HRL first listed as impaired for chlorophyll-a 2004 2008 2010 Intensive monitoring in the lake and watershed HRL Watershed Model Report issued 2012 HRL Nutrient Response Model Report completed 2016 2015 2019 Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) meetings re HRL 2020 SAC issued recommendations for HRL site-specific chlorophyll-a standard 2015 2020 CIC meetings re HRL DWR drafts rule for site-specific standard for HRL based upon SAC recommendations 2020 6

High Rock Lake (HRL) Moving Forward Date Task Request WQC approve HRL site-specific standard for chlorophyll-a (HRL standard) to go to EMC March 2021 Request EMC approve HRL standard to go to Public Hearing/Comment May 2021 Public Comment Period Summer 2021 EMC approval of HRL standard November 2021 RRC approval December 2021 Submit HRL standard to EPA for approval February 2022 Request EMC approval of 2024 303(d) Listing and Delisting Methodology (including methodology for new HRL standard) July 2023 7