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Application for Section 319
Non Point Source Pollution Control Grant---FY2010
Division of Water Quality
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources

1. Project Title North Meck Park Retrofit and Stream Restoration

1
2a. Grantee Primary Contact or Project Manager
David Woodie, PE, CPSWQ
Name
Project Manager
Title
Charlotte/Mecklenburg Storm Water Services
Organization Name
David.Woodie@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
E-mail address
18335 Old Statesville Road, Suite K
Mailing Address
Cornelius NC 28031
City State Zip
704-336-3873 704-432-2523
Telephone Fax Number
1
A one-page Statement of Qualifications must be attached to the end of this application form to confirm that
anyone designing, installing, or monitoring the proposed project is qualified to do so. Include in the
statement any past and/or ongoing 319 grant funded projects.

2b. Grantee Execution Address (where contract will be mailed for signature)
Max Buchanan, P.E.
Name
Town Engineer and Public Works Director
Title
Town of Huntersville
Organization Name
mbuchanan@Huntersville.org
E-mail Address
Huntersville Town Hall, P.O. Box 664
Mailing Address
Huntersville NC 28270
City State Zip
704-875-7007 704-948-0111
Telephone Fax Number
Federal Tax ID Number

2c. Grantee Payment Address (where invoice payments will be mailed)
Max Buchanan, P.E.
Name
Town Engineer and Public Works Director
Title
Town of Huntersville
Organization Name
mbuchanan@Huntersville.org
E-mail Address
Huntersville Town Hall, P.O. Box 664
Mailing Address
Huntersville NC 28270
City State Zip
704-875-7007 704-948-0111
Telephone Fax Number

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

10. Project Location – Important to submit as completely as possible, especially the Lat/Long
coordinates and 303(d) List Assessment Unit Number
River Basin Catawba
Watershed(s) McDowell
Watershed size 19,200 acres
303(d) listed Stream Yes X No
303(d) List 11-115-(1); 11-115-(1.5)a; 11-115-(1.5)b; 11-115-(5)
Assessment Unit Number
HUC(s) (12 digit USGS 03050101-170010
Hydrologic Unit Codes)
County Mecklenburg County
USGS. 7.5 minute topographic Cornelius
quadrangle map(s) in project area
Position coordinates of project Latitude 35.434712
location Longitude 80.847097

11. NPS Pollution Sources to be addressed (Check all that apply)
Agriculture Waste Disposal (includes onsite systems)
Construction X Hydrologic Modification
Silviculture Marina and Recreational Boating
X Urban runoff/Stormwater Groundwater Loading
Resource Extraction Natural Sources
X Habitat Modification (drainage/filling Other:
wetlands, streambank destabilization)

12. NPS Pollutants to be addressed (check all that apply)
X Excess Nitrogen Pesticides
X Excess Phosphorus X Oil and grease
X Sedimentation X Temperature
X Pathogens/Bacteria pH
X Metals Alterations
Low dissolved oxygen Other:

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

13. Estimate Load Reduction, if checked for excess nitrogen, excess phosphorus and/or
2
sedimentation
# pounds of nitrogen saved from project Reference: Site Evaluation Tool, version 3.3,
implementation 61 pounds/year December 2005. Developed by Tetra
Tech, Inc. for Mecklenburg County, NC.
# pounds of phosphorus saved from project Reference: Site Evaluation Tool, version 3.3,
implementation 12.5 pounds/year December 2005. Developed by Tetra
Tech, Inc. for Mecklenburg County, NC.
# tons of soil saved from project implementation Reference:
6.4 tons/year from upland sources
56 tons/year from in-stream sources
Load Reduction Model Used:
Huntersville Site Evaluation Tool (TR-55, SUNOM,
locally derived loading rates), Rosgen Stream
Channel Assessment (BEHI/NBS)
2
Providing a load reduction estimate is required for all BMP implementation projects, including
demonstrations.

14. Do you intend for collected data to be used by DWQ for Use Support decisions?
Yes No

15. Project Abstract (short concise summary of the project – DO NOT EXPAND SPACE PROVIDED)

The North Meck Park Retrofit and Stream Restoration project will treat 5.3 acres of high traffic parking lots
and restore approximately 1050 linear feet of a tributary of McDowell Creek. The project will not only
address significant sources of pollution in the McDowell Creek Watershed but also act as an
environmental educational site for the citizens of the region. The rain garden and detention devices will be
equipped with signage describing their function, maintenance and role in protecting the environment.
Similarly, the stream restoration piece of the project will act as a destination for property owners that may
be impacted from future projects to provide a perspective on the potential impacts and benefits of stream
restoration or enhancement on their property. Moreover, the restoration of the 1050 feet of stream will
protect downstream stream segments that are currently only in need of preservation. However, if the
impacts of the 1050 feet of stream identified for restoration in this project are left unchecked it will
eventually negatively impact the downstream segments resulting in a substantially larger problem within
the park and further downstream.

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

21. Background and goals of the project. Expand space, if necessary
Mountain Island Lake serves as the primary drinking water source for the Charlotte metro region,
including over 800,000 people in Mecklenburg County, Gaston
County and Clover, South Carolina. McDowell Creek Cove on
Mountain Island Lake has shown a significant decline in water
quality conditions due to nutrient and sediment impacts from
increased development in the Huntersville and Cornelius area.
McDowell Creek, a Class WS-IV, CA stream is listed on North
Carolina’s 2008 303(d) list due to biological impairment
associated with development activity (sediment). The McDowell
Creek listing for biological impairment was moved to category 4b
of the 303(d) list as a direct result of the McDowell Creek
Watershed Plan, which was completed in 2006 with the overall
goal of restoring McDowell Creek to its designated use.
Category 4b recognizes that watershed management plan
implementation will result in attainment of water quality
standards. The plan identifies five focus areas in the watershed
to concentrate BMP retrofit projects to treat upland sources of
pollution. The BMP portion of this project is identified in
Appendix C of the plan as a critical component of the restoration
of Focus Area 3. The plan also included an in-stream assessment of all of the perennial and intermittent
streams in the watershed. The assessment included a determination of the sediment production of each
reach in the watershed, an identification of the management technique that should be employed
(restoration, enhancement or preservation) and potential constraints. The field data was used to produce
a list of projects needed to restore the watershed to its designated use. The stream restoration part of
this project is identified as the highest ranked restoration project in the Torrence Creek sub-watershed of
McDowell Creek. Together, the BMP and stream restoration components of this project elevate it to the
highest priority project in the entire watershed and the next step towards restoration of McDowell Creek to
meeting its designated use.

The goals of this project will be to at a minimum conform to the
overall watershed goals outlined in section 3.1.2 of the
McDowell Creek Watershed Management Plan. Specifically,
the goals for the BMP portion of the project are 4 pounds per
acre per year of Total Nitrogen, 0.6 pounds per acre per year
of Total Phosphorus and 0.22 tons per acre per year of
sediment. The sediment goal for the in-stream restoration
portion of the project is 0.3 tons per acre per year derived from
both upland and in-stream sources. This translates into a goal
of 0.08 tons per acre per year from in-stream sources.

In 2003, the Town of Huntersville (which has 90% land use
control of the McDowell Creek Watershed) adopted a Low
Impact Development (LID) Ordinance to address non point
source pollutants from new development in the watershed.
The ordinance was designed to hold the line on new sources
of pollution, however existing sources, such as those identified
in this application, need to be retrofitted. This is an important
element of the overall strategy for the watershed because
without the LID Ordinance, conditions would continue to
deteriorate as development proceeds.

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

The implementation of the McDowell Creek Watershed Plan has numerous partners, some of which are
listed in section 18 of this application. Grants totaling more than 3.3 million dollars have already been
awarded by the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF), the NC Natural Resource
Conservation Service (NC NRCS), and the NC Division of Water Quality 319 Program to implement
projects within the watershed. The NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) has also invested
significant funds in the watershed through stream restoration projects. The Town of Huntersville in
partnership with Mecklenburg County is committed to restoring the watershed and has invested to date
approximately 3 million dollars for BMP and stream restoration projects and over 27 million dollars (since
1991) for land acquisition to be used for preservation, parks, greenways and restoration in the watershed.

22. A detailed description of the project. Note: if project entails developing or implementing a
Watershed Restoration Plan, see section 27. Expand space, if necessary

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

North Meck Park Retrofit and Stream Restoration Project is a portion of the overall strategy for the
restoration of Focus Area 3 identified in the McDowell Creek Watershed Plan. The project will treat most
of the impervious area within the North Mecklenburg Park and restore a degraded section of a tributary of
Torrence Creek (Tributary I11a). Furthermore, the project is being designed as an example of BMP
retrofit and stream restoration for the citizens and property owners of the area. Full implementation of the
McDowell Creek Watershed Plan will necessitate construction on private property and it is one of the
goals of this project to provide a destination for affected property owners to view the practices that may
be implemented on their property. Similarly, the project will provide an example of maintenance and
upkeep practices for retrofit BMPs and stream restoration as well as devices installed as a result of the
Huntersville LID Ordinance.

The North Meck Park Retrofit and Stream Restoration Project will be comprised of two distinct
management techniques: 1) Stream Restoration; and 2) BMP retrofit. Nearly all of the project will be
sited on parcel 0091119, which is owned by Mecklenburg County. Approximately 15% of the stream
restoration portion of the project will extend onto private property (Parcel # 00911105) owned by Joseph
Grooms and Andrew Beard of Davidson, NC. The parcel is currently undeveloped and the stream
restoration that will occur on the property will take place within designated buffer areas, which will in no
way affect the developable area of the parcel. Because of this, no property access issues are anticipated
at this time.

Stream Restoration: The stream restoration of the project will restore approximately 1050 linear feet of
Tributary I11a which is located in the upper portion of Torrence Creek Tributary #1, which is a tributary of
Torrence and McDowell Creeks. A total of approximately 102 acres drain to the Tributary I11a. The
following map shows the location of I11a within North Meck Park.

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

The drainage area includes the following landuses:

Landuse Acres Percent of Total
Forest 18.71 18.3%
Industrial 56.59 55.3%
Open Space 17.26 16.9%
Institutional 5.02 4.9%
Large Lot Residential 4.81 4.7%
Total 102.4 100%

Historically, the stream was channelized at some point. Most of the streams in the McDowell Creek
Watershed have been moved from their natural location to either facilitate drainage of wetlands or to
maximize the amount of agricultural land available to farmers. The process of moving the channel is
obviously very destructive to the stability of the stream. Within the last 20 - 30 years much of the farm
land was replaced with industrial operations. This land-use conversion dramatically increased the built
upon area which, in turn, increased both the volume and velocity of storm water runoff. The result was
the exposure of an already unstable stream channel to greatly increase storm flow that rapidly increased
in-stream erosion and further destabilized an already fragile system. Remarkably, this instability has not
migrated downstream beyond the tributary to be restored and it is believed that restoration of the unstable
reach will prevent significant downstream damage.

In 2005 an assessment was made of the conditions of Tributary I11a. The following Table presents the

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

observations made during the assessment:

Reach ID I11a
Stage of Channel Stage III - degradation
Evolution
BEHI/NBS (Tons/year) 62.1 tons/year (124,200 lbs/yer)
BEHI/NBS (ft3/ft) 1.53
Habitat Partially to fully shaded riffle/runs system consisting of a few short stable
riffles with long, shallow runs. Pools are infrequent and typically occur
below debris jams and along outside of meander bends. Habitat
structures are sparse and include isolated areas of undercut banks, leaf
packs, woody debris, and root mats.

Existing Riparian Forested riparian buffer and floodplain consisting of scattered mature
Vegetation trees and dense invasive understory. Buffer width ranges from 20 to
greater than 50 feet. Banks are well vegetated with moss and woody
invasive species.
Human Impacts Road crossing, sanitary sewer line right-of-way, and power line
easements are present throughout the reach.

Erosion Banks are more vertical and exposed along meanders and tight
constrictions. Roots from large woody vegetation provide adequate
surface protection in isolated areas. Deposition from localized bank
erosion is evident.
Incision Vertically unstable due the degradational nature of this sediment
"starved" system. Bed scour is evident and grade control is minimal. The
channel is completely disconnected from its floodplain and exhibits high
bank ratios that range from 1.8 to greater than 2.0.
Feasibility Minimal constraints - Work space is limited due to existing power line
and sewer easement. Property on public land.
Recommendation Restoration

The following photos show typical conditions in Tributary I11a:

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

The proposed project will restore I11a to a stable natural system capable of safely conveying storm flows
from the upstream watershed.

BMP Retrofit: Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services under contract with the Town of Huntersville
has already completed the survey and conceptual design of the BMP portion of the project. The design
includes five retrofit BMPs that treat built-upon area in the North Mecklenburg Park. The BMPs to be
retrofit include three rain gardens, check dams in an existing grass swale and a dry detention device with
a high infiltration capacity substrate to improve treatment and encourage as much infiltration as possible.
The following map shows the location of the BMPs in the park property:

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

The following table presents the area treated by each of the BMPs and the land-cover breakdown:

Drainage Area (acres)
Device Type Impervious Open Space Forest Total
Dry
BMP1 Detention 2.35 4.08 1.53 7.96
BMP2 Check Dams 0.26 1.06 1.32
RG3 Rain Garden 0.51 0.33 0.84
RG4 Rain Garden 0.93 0.4 1.33
RG5 Rain Garden 1.25 3.03 4.28
Project Total 5.3 8.9 1.53 15.73

The soils below BMP2, RG3, RG4 and RG5 are Class B soils, indicating a reasonable infiltration rate,
which will maximize the infiltration and ground water recharge capacity of these devices. The soils under
BMP1 (dry detention) are Class C, which will limit infiltration and ground water recharge. However, BMP1
will be constructed with a sand base with a grass cover to encourage as much infiltration as possible.
The influent to RG3 will be routed through a grassed area that will effectively act as pre-treatment. The
effluent from the under-drains in RG3 and RG4 will be discharged slowly to a wooded area, which will
increase treatment.

The BMP retrofit portion of the project is estimated to result in the following loading rates:

Fecal
Upland Loading Rates Total Total Coliform
Sediment Phosphorus Nitrogen (# x
(ton/ac/yr) (lb/ac/yr) (lb/ac/yr) 109/ac/yr)
Existing Condition 0.44 1.26 7.9 151.6
As Designed 0.04 0.47 4.0 26.6
Upland Goal 0.22 0.6 4.0 NA
Upland Goal Met? Yes Yes Yes NA

The stream restoration portion of the project is projected to eliminate >90% of the in-stream sources of
sediment in Tributary I11a. It is estimated that the sediment load will be reduced from 62.1 tons/year to
less than 6.2 tons/year. Considering an upstream drainage area of 102.4 acres this results in an in-
stream loading rate of approximately 0.06 tons/ac/year, which meets the goal of 0.08 tons/ac/year for
channel sources of sediment. The ultimate goal of the stream restoration portion of the project is to
construct a stable natural channel that is in balance with upstream sediment loads. In other words, the
mass of sediment leaving Tributary I11a will be equal to the mass entering it.

23. Monitoring/Environmental Data Collection Describe in section below how project data will be
used (i.e. demonstrate effectiveness of BMPs installed, calculate load reductions, data to be used for
TMDL development, data to be used for State use support purposes, etc.). If monitoring is needed to
document a demonstration project or water quality improvement, a Quality Assurance Project Plan
(QAPP) will be required (reviewed and approved by DWQ). For a QAPP template, visit the 319 Program
website at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nps/Section_319_Grant_Program.htm.

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

Mecklenburg County proposes to conduct two distinct forms of monitoring to determine the effectiveness
of the proposed project. The monitoring will be focused upon either the BMP retrofit or the stream
restoration as detailed below:

BMP Retrofit: Mecklenburg County proposes to monitor flow and water chemistry from the effluent of
RG4 and BMP1 quarterly for 2 years (a total of 8 events) as a part of this project. At a minimum, samples
will be analyzed for TSS, TP and TN. RG3, RG4 and RG5 will be constructed using the same sizing and
design criteria based upon the area draining to them. Because of this, Mecklenburg County believes that
each of the rain gardens will respond similarly rendering monitoring all of them redundant. Therefore it
will be assumed that the loading values calculated from RG4 will be representative of RG3 and RG5.
BMP2 will not be monitored and will be assumed to meet its designed loading values as long as routine
inspections document proper function. The data will also be used to determine effluent loading values for
the events monitored and an annual loading value will be estimated based upon this information.
Monitoring will commence after one complete growing season after the BMPs have been installed. The
results will be compared to the upland goals presented earlier to determine success.

All BMPs will be inspected at least annually by a Storm Water BMP Inspection and Maintenance
Professional. The data collected from these inspections will be included with the flow and water
chemistry information generated.

The following table shows how the performance of each BMP will be assessed:
BMP ID Assessment Methodolgy
BMP1 A total of 8 full storm composite effluent samples from the BMP along with
effluent flow will be used to calculate compliance with upland loading rate goals.
BMP2 Device will be assumed to be meeting its design goals if device is properly
installed per design and properly maintained as determined through BMP
inspection documentation.
RG3 Effluent loading values determined at RG4 will be applied to RG3
RG4 A total of 8 full storm composite effluent samples from the BMP along with
effluent flow will be used to calculate compliance with upland loading rate goals.
RG5 Effluent loading values determined at RG4 will be applied to RG5

Stream Restoration: The effectiveness of the stream restoration portion of the project will be determined
through post-construction assessment of BEHI/NBS (Rosgen Stream Assessment). The sediment
loading values determined will be summed with the upland loading values to determine compliance with
the overall in-stream sediment loading goal.

24. Public Involvement

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

Public involvement and education is a primary driver for the proposed project. The Huntersville LID
Ordinance requires the installation of raingardens and other LID and conventional BMPs to treat storm
water runoff. As such, the citizens of the area need to understand the importance of these devices, what
their purpose is and how to properly maintain them. Furthermore, the Huntersville LID Ordinance was
designed to mitigate future sources of pollution; however existing sources will need to be addressed
through retrofit activities. The retrofit activities (as documented in the McDowell Creek Watershed
Management Plan) include BMPs as well as stream restoration and enhancement. The proposed project
will serve as a destination for landowners curious about how retrofit practices look, function and
potentially affect their property. Educational signage will be constructed throughout the project describing
the various practices and their function in the environment. Similarly, signage will be constructed
describing the challenges within the McDowell Creek Watershed and how the project fits into the plan and
helps to address these challenges.

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

25. Project Measures of Success or “Measurable Results Anticipated from the Project”

Success of the proposed project will be measured in three ways. First, TN, TP and TSS levels entering
the stream will be reduced to levels identified in the McDowell Creek Watershed Management Plan.
Specifically, these goals are 4 pounds per acre per year of Total Nitrogen, 0.6 pounds per acre per year
of Total Phosphorus and 0.22 tons per acre per year of sediment. Compliance with these goals will be
determined through a combination of monitoring, inspection and modeling. Second, the success of the
proposed project will be determined by comparison of upland pollutant loading rates (from the BMPs) and
in-stream loading rates (from the stream restoration portion of the project) with the overall goal of 0.3
tons/acre/year. Attainment of this goal will represent a reduction of approximately 90% of the sediment
generated from the project area. Specifically, a reduction from 62.5 tons/acre/year will be reduced to 6.24
tons/acre/year. Third, the proposed project is a part of the initial phase to restore McDowell Creek to its
designated use. Upon completion of the proposed project along with other efforts in the Torrence Creek
sub-watershed of McDowell Creek, an in-stream monitoring effort at Torrence Creek and Bradford Hills
Lane will be undertaken. Historic turbidity, TN, TP, macroinvertebrate and habitat data will be compared
with data collected after completion of the project. It is expected that a 30-40% improvement in the
turbidity values will be realized along with improvements in nutrient levels and macroinvertebrate counts
and diversity along with improvements in habitat. The results of this watershed scale monitoring will be
used to modify the watershed approach as necessary to achieve the overall goal of McDowell Creek
meeting its designated use.

26. List Project Outputs and Products (All 319 funded projects are required to submit Quarterly
Progress Reports and a detailed Final Project Report, which must be submitted at least *30 days
before* the end of the contract for DWQ review and approval.)

1. 1050 linear feet of stream restoration, which will result in a 90% reduction of sediment from in-stream
sources.
2. BEHI/NBS and habitat data to further evaluate the effectiveness of stream restoration projects.
3. Education opportunities to the residents of Huntersville and surrounding communities. The project will
provide examples to residents that may have similar devices near the homes and to property owners
potentially affected by future retrofit and restoration projects.
4. Quarterly Progress Reports to all associated partners.
5. Final Project Report including all pre/post project water quality data.

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

27. Projects Developing or Implementing a Watershed Restoration Plan must include EPA’s 9 Key Elements
for Watershed Restoration Plans. Draft Plans must be submitted to DWQ for review and approval at least
*60 days before* end of the project/contract period.

NOTE: Please provide information on the following ONLY if applying for Incremental funds to develop or
implement a Watershed Restoration Plan: (use additional pages if necessary)

A full version of the McDowell Creek Watershed Management Plan can be accessed at the following website:

http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/StormWater/Projects/McDowell+Creek+Watershed.htm

An identification of the causes and sources or groups of similar sources that will need to be controlled to
1 achieve the load reductions estimated in the watershed

Through extensive monitoring and stream assessment it has been determined that sediment is the primary
source of impairment in the McDowell Creek Watershed. The sources of the sediment are a combination of
in-stream sources (such as bank erosion) and upland sources associated with construction and un-treated
storm water runoff. The primary pollutants of concern in McDowell Creek Cove on Mountain Island Lake are
nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. These nutrients are bound to sediments that are also contributed
from impervious surfaces and other developed areas. Chlorophyll-a levels in the cove have been
documented above state standards several times. Nutrient levels have been significantly reduced at the
Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities McDowell Creek WWTP with the addition of nutrient removal technology.
Monitoring indicates that the nutrients are typically correlated with suspended sediment. These pollutants will
be addressed with the management measures in the proposed project. The McDowell Creek Watershed Plan
(website above) specifically lists causes and sources of impairment.

Based upon the preparation and ongoing implementation of the McDowell Creek Watershed Management
Plan the North Carolina Division of Water Quality moved McDowell Creek from Category 5 of the 303(d) list to
Category 4b. This re-listing recognizes that implementation of the Plan will result in a fully supporting water
body.
2 A description of the NPS management measures that will need to be implemented to achieve load
reductions as well as to achieve other watershed goals identified in the watershed based plan

The restoration of McDowell Creek will address non point sources at several levels. The first and most
obvious source of sediment is sedimentation from active construction sites throughout the watershed. In
order to address this source Mecklenburg County has dedicated one erosion control inspector for the
McDowell Watershed in order to concentrate efforts and increase compliance inspections. The County has
implemented more stringent erosion and sedimentation control requirements for special interest waters such
as McDowell Creek. These additional measures are likely to include things such as basin baffles, flocculants,
and surface weirs to improve performance. The County has also strongly promoted the Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Certified Site Inspector (CMCSI) erosion and water quality training for contractors and
developers. Over 900 people have completed the training in fiscal year 2005-2006 alone.

In order to address post construction non point sources, the Town of Huntersville has adopted a Low-Impact
Development (LID) ordinance for new development activities which requires that storm water be managed
using innovative measures such as bioretention, storm water wetlands, infiltration trenches, and grass swales
to mimic the pre development hydrology of the site. In order to address pollutants from sites that were
developed prior to the Huntersville LID ordinance, Mecklenburg County is actively seeking grant funds such
as this one to retrofit sites with BMPs. The County is also actively purchasing properties within the watershed
in order to construct regional BMPs and preserve open space.

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

The last and most significant source of sediment in the McDowell Creek Watershed is associated with in-
stream channel erosion. Channel erosion is accelerated by increasing impervious areas in the watershed that
results in increase volume and velocity of storm water runoff. The BMPs discussed above will provide a
certain level of detention and infiltration as well as water quality benefits which will assist in reducing channel
erosion. Mecklenburg County staff has evaluated all perennial streams in the watershed and rated the
channels using the Bank Erosion Hazard Index. From this assessment an overall sediment balance and
project list was developed. The list can be accessed in the full McDowell Creek Watershed Plan (website
above).

3 An estimate of the load reductions expected for the management measures

For the proposed project the following load reductions are predicted:

The McDowell Creek Watershed Management Plan identifies specific goals for nutrients and sediment
throughout the watershed.

4 An estimate of the amount of technical and financial assistance needed associated costs and or sources
and authorities that will be relied upon, to implement the plan

The restoration of McDowell Creek and McDowell Creek Cove on Mountain Island Lake will only be
accomplished through the cooperation of numerous partners. Some of these partners are listed in Section 19
of the application. Fortunately the watershed restoration effort has been supported politically by the Town of
Huntersville and Mecklenburg County. The NC Division of Water Quality has been supportive through the
basin planning initiative by emphasizing the importance of restoring the watershed. Several restoration
projects are currently underway in Focus Areas 1 and 3. The proposed project is located in Focus Area 3.

5 An information/education component that will be used to enhance public understanding of the project

The information/education component of the project involves numerous initiatives aimed at various target
audiences. The general public will be reached through educational signs which will be installed at the
proposed BMPs and stream restoration component to provide information regarding the purpose and function
of each measure. We also have a detailed Communication Plan that is followed for all storm water projects,
which involves press releases and routine information flyers that are mailed to all stakeholders regarding the
status of projects. The County’s Adopt-A-Stream program, CreekReleaf and Storm Drain Stenciling program
will be emphasized throughout the watershed in an attempt to get the public involved in hands-on water
quality projects. In addition, Huntersville, along with the other five Mecklenburg County towns included in the
Phase II NPDES requirements have budgeted approximately $70,000 for radio, print and TV advertisements
relating to water quality.

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

Land Developers and contractors will be reached through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Certified Site Inspector
(CMCSI) Program. The CMCSI program is a full day seminar aimed at land developers and contractors to
educate them regarding water quality and erosion control issues and techniques. The CMCSI course is
currently offered quarterly and a test is given at the end of each course for those interested in becoming
certified. In fiscal year 2005-2006 alone, over 900 people went through the course.
6 A schedule for implementing the NPS management measures identified in this plan that is reasonably
expeditious

Implementation of the Huntersville WQ Ordinance has already occurred. Implementation of the McDowell
Creek Watershed Plan is underway, including the project described herein. The schedule for full
implementation of the Plan and restoration of the designated use of McDowell Creek is scheduled to be
completed in 2020.

In regards to the retrofit projects, Mecklenburg County will continue to identify retrofit opportunities throughout
the watershed and take advantage of every opportunity to improve water quality. Mecklenburg County will
also continue to purchase property in the watershed as funds become available.

7 A description of interim, measurable milestones for determining whether NPS management measures or
other control actions are being implemented

Success of the NPS management measures will be gauged by numerous factors and activities within the
watershed. The ultimate success will be gauged by the pollutant reductions and biological improvements
measured over time throughout the watershed by the watershed monitoring program. The following activities
are considered interim measurable milestones towards goal achievement.

 Successful funding through grant and public funding opportunities.
 Continued support from numerous public and private partners.
 Continued acquisition of property throughout the watershed for preservation and regional BMP
installation.
 Identification of BMP retrofit and stream restoration opportunities and successful implementation
throughout the watershed.

8 A set of criteria that can be used to determine whether loading reductions are being achieved overtime
and substantial progress is being made towards attaining water quality standards

Pre and post construction geomorphic and post construction water chemistry and physical measurements will
demonstrate if the targeted load reductions were achieved by the project. The goals for the project are
consistent with those outlined in the McDowell Creek Watershed Plan.

9 A monitoring component to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation efforts over time measured
against the criteria established under item 8.

On a small scale, load reductions will be gauged by conducting chemical and biological monitoring after
construction. Results will be compared to the estimated load reduction goals for sediment and nutrients. On
a larger scale, in-stream monitoring will be conducted throughout the watershed at various locations in order
to compare results to sub-basin pollutant goals. Specifically, a study of the turbidity, sediment and nutrient
concentrations in Torrence Creek will be assessed after completion of the proposed project and other projects
currently under construction. This data will be used to determine progress on restoring McDowell Creek to its
designated use.

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NC Application for Section 319 NPS Pollution Control Grant

In addition to these specific studies, Mecklenburg County collects water chemistry, habitat and physical
parameter data at several locations in the Watershed as part of its routine monitoring network. Additionally,
samples are collected from McDowell Creek Cove 8 times per year.

28. References and Literature Cited

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