Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Mark Enders, Watershed Program Manager
Contact Info
(830) 221-4020- menders@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Presentation on the Dry Comal Creek/Comal River Watershed Protection Plan.
Body
BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
In 2010, the Dry Comal Creek was listed on the Texas 303(d) list due to bacteria levels that exceeded the state water quality standard. The Dry Comal Creek has remained on the 303(d) list since 2010. Mean bacteria concentrations in the Comal River have also increased over the past several years and are nearing the state water standard for bacteria.
In 2015 and 2016, the City received grant funding from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the development of a Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) to address bacteria loading to both the Dry Comal Creek and the Comal River.
City staff has been working with local stakeholders and technical advisors since 2015 to develop the WPP. The Dry Comal Creek/Comal River WPP identifies sources of bacteria pollution, provides estimates of the load reduction needed to meet applicable state water quality standards, and describes the management measures needed to reduce bacteria loading. The WPP also includes an Outreach and Education Plan, an implementation schedule and an estimate of the financial resources needed to implement the plan.
The WPP includes voluntary bacteria management measures that specifically reduce bacteria loading to the Dry Comal Creek and Comal River. These management measures include wildlife, livestock, and stormwater/infrastructure management measures.
The WPP will be submitted to the TCEQ and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval. An EPA-approved WPP will aid the City in obtaining Clean Water Act Section 319 grant funds to implement management measures identified in the WPP.
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The stakeholder group provided input and supports the Dry Comal Creek/Comal River Watershed Protection Plan.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
None