Weeks Bay Watershed Project Management Plan - Mobile Bay ...

1
I. INTRODUCTION
The Weeks Bay Watershed Management Plan is based on the results of eight years of
technical investigation and research in the Weeks Bay Watershed by the Weeks Bay
Watershed Project. The Project began when the Fish River Watershed Project was
initiated in 1993 by the NRCS, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Gulf
of Mexico Program and ADEM in cooperation with numerous other Federal and
State agencies in order to provide an integrated holistic approach to the management
of the Fish River Watershed. The Fish River Project was expanded in FY-94 to
include the Magnolia River Watershed and the project was renamed “Weeks Bay
Watershed Project”. The Weeks Bay Watershed Project was initiated to assess water
quality conditions in the Weeks Bay Watershed and develop a plan for improving
and protecting Weeks Bay. Interagency coordination has assured that the project is
technically consistent with the Coastal Zone Management Act Reauthorization
Amendments (CZMARA) of 1990 and other Federal, State, and local regulations.
The Weeks Bay Watershed Project is a multi-agency project governed by the CAC
that is supported by a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and an Education
Subcommittee (Appendix 1). Approximately 20 Federal and State agencies and local
organizations are actively involved in the project.
A. Purpose of Plan
The goal of the Weeks Bay Watershed Project is to improve and protect
water quality in the Watershed in order to meet or exceed Alabama water
quality standards for Swimming and Fish and Wildlife classification. This
management plan describes the fourteen objectives that will lead to the
accomplishment of this goal. Specific strategies that focus on cooperative
action are presented for each objective. Plan objectives and strategies have
been developed with assistance from technical experts and the CAC. The
CAC has held a series of community forums to present the issues to be
addressed in the plan and solicit additional public input.
B. Weeks Bay Watershed Project Research and Monitoring
The Weeks Bay Watershed has been the focus of numerous research and
monitoring projects over the last 10 years. Many of the projects have been
supported by ADEM and EPA, Region IV’s Clean Water Act, Section 319
Program. A summary of research in the Weeks Bay Watershed that has been
supported by the EPA Section 319 Program is provided below.
1. Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)
Construction and monitoring of four alternative on-site wastewater
treatment systems. Four constructed wetland systems were installed
at four residences on Fish River in October 1995. Systems were
monitored following construction to determine effluent water quality.
2. Geological Survey of Alabama (GSA)
Weeks Bay Watershed Management Plan