3. HB 1141: Water Resources
Water Resource Element
A. Analyze longâterm water needs      Â
and supplies
B. Analyze the impact of sewerÂ
treatment plants 15, 2008
September
C. Analyze the impact of stormwaterÂ
(diffuse sources)
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17. HB 1141: Water Resources
Water Quality: Based on
Land Use and Pollutant
Loads
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18.
19. Impervious
Surfaces
Most of our
subwatersheds have
less than 5%
impervious surfaces.
Two subwatersheds
would be considered
âurbanâ (more than
10% impervious
surfaces.)
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21. HB 1141: Water Resources
So what can we conclude
from the data?
⢠Our nutrient loads are higher than we want.
⢠Erosion has caused significant stream damage
in places.
⢠There are opportunities for good water quality
⢠Impervious surfaces are still low and forest
cover is still high in most watersheds.
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32. HB 1141: Water Resources
Include the following:
â˘Set water quality goals.
â˘Prepare subwatershed plans.
â˘Continue to monitor water quality.
â˘Include tree ordinances, with tree canopy
goals, in all town center ordinances.
â˘Update the stormwater management
ordinance.
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33. By what standards should we
measure water quality?
Draft goals for fresh water:
⢠<0.71 milligrams of nitrogen per liter
⢠<0.031 milligrams of phosphorus per liter
⢠<10 TNUs of turbidity
Draft goals for tidal water:
⢠Chlorophyll <10 micrograms per liter of water
⢠Secchi Depth measurements > 1 meter
â˘Oxygen levels: 4 mg/l for deep waters and 6 mg/l
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for surface waters.
34.
35. Draft goals for urban
subwatersheds > 10% impervious:
â˘Maintain swimmable/ fishable
water quality;
â˘Improve water clarity by reducing
sedimentation;
â˘Restore aquatic diversity in
freshwater streams;
â˘Increase groundwater recharge;
â˘Enhance waterfront access.
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36. Draft goals for rural subwatersheds
< 10% impervious:
Achieve the goals of the urban
subwatersheds, plus the following:
â˘Maintain or restore anadromous (fish
spawning) streams
â˘Develop and maintain shellfish beds,
both sanctuary and open to
harvesting.
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37. Subwatershed Master Plans
⢠Build Partnerships
⢠Characterize Subwatershed
⢠Finalize Goals and Identify
Solutions
⢠Design Implementation
Program
⢠Implement Watershed Plans
⢠Measure Progress and make
adjustments.
49. Challenges
⢠Creating walkable communities while protecting
water quality.
⢠Developing mitigation strategies.
⢠Paying for infrastructure needed for smart growth.
⢠Determining the most cost effective tools to achieve
nutrient reduction.
⢠What to do first?