2/28/2014

Lake Fred

Watershed Management Plan (TMDL)

Monica Zabroski

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1. Sources and Causes

There are several types of sources that cause nitrates and phosphates to enter Lake Fred on The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey campus. One particular is non-point source pollution which incorporates runoff from several areas on campus. These include fertilizer, storm water, and sediment load runoff. (EPA, 1970). Stockton College uses fertilizer to keep vegetation healthy and these consist of nitrogen and phosphate rich components. In addition to fertilizer runoff, storm water and sediment load are sources as well. These runoff types are caused when rain hits pavement and bare soil areas on campus and runoff into the lake.

2. Load Reductions

Currently there are five pounds of nitrates and ten pounds of phosphates that run off into Lake Fred each day. The goal of this total maximum daily load plan is to implement a target of reducing this amount by sixty percent. By the end of the time allotted test performed should not exceed two pounds of nitrates and six pounds of phosphates per day.

3. Non-Point Source Pollution Management

Managing the non-point source pollution is key to reducing the amount of nitrates and phosphates that enter Lake Fred daily. Implementing bio retention areas or there smaller partner rain gardens are the first step of the process. Bio retention basins and rain gardens create onsite treatment of storm water runoff. (EPA, 1970 ). Bio retention basins will also provide help for the reduction of sediment load on campus. In order to keep a bio retention basin in good-working order there are a few steps to make it work. These basins should be above the water table so that there will not be complete saturation at all times as well as planting native vegetation around the area (EPA,1970).

Another step to managing runoff around campus will be to create a bank stabilizing native ecosystem. This will consist of implementing native vegetation around the lake’s perimeter and reducing the grass areas. Creating a natural buffer will decrease the runoff from fertilizer, sediment load, as well as storm water and this will in turn reduce the nitrates and phosphates accumulation in the lake. Bringing back the life on the edge will reduce erosion as well. Native plants will thrive and the environment of the lake as a whole will come back to life and welcome more wildlife. (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1921).

These practices will also reduce the need for fertilizer application. Bio retention basins and rain gardens will have self-sustaining properties due to the native vegetation and wildlife. The natural lake buffer will have its own native plant life that will supply its own nutrients. Wildlife will help the sprawl of seeds that will allow the spread of more native vegetation and in cycle wildlife will be the natural gardener in keeping the vegetation at a clear height.

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4. Resources Needed

Each project that is done needs some type of resource to be able to complete. The first step is to apply for State and Federal grants that enhance green infrastructure. In New Jersey,especially, we have 319 h grants that allow the opportunity to reduce non-source point pollution with a little help from the government (New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection Grants and Loan Program, 2014). Grants are a great start for acquiring the right amount of resources, but help from the college faculty, staff, and students will enhance a more fiscal budget. Clubs will be involved with raising money for this plan, especially the certain environmental clubs on campus. Holding a plant sale, where you buy a plant and one is donated to the Lake Fred fund, can be implemented into the club events. Faculty, staff, and students can donate a native plant as well as donating money. People can donate money for their name on a sign because most people do enjoy getting a little something out of the mix. All of this will help reduce the money that is needed for the start of protecting the present and future of Lake Fred.

The actual amount needed will be according to the price of the projects designed. On average each bio retention basin will cost five thousand to ten thousand dollars (University of Florida: Low Impact Development, 2008). This plan will implement one by the dorms and one by the main campus buildings costing between fifteen to twenty-five thousand dollars. Rain gardens cost a third of that price, four to five hundred dollars a garden. If implemented where needed, there will be a cost of five thousand dollars. The buffer cost about double the price of a large basin, which will be roughly five to ten thousand dollars. Altogether, forty thousand dollars are needed for the process of carrying out this plan.

5. Outreach/Education

The community surrounding Lake Fred are the sources for preserving the future of the lake. Starting with the education of the problems involved with Lake Fred. Making poster board of pictures with the algal bloom and the non-native vegetation is a good start. Introducing the idea of the plan and why it needs to be done will get the community at Stockton to understand and stand behind this plan. The Barnegat Bay partnership has done a wonderful job in educating the public. They go out to every event possible to tell people about the dangers of NPS and what is done to fix it. (Barnegat Bay Partnership,1995). Any events that are held at Stockton, members of environmental clubs can inform the public about the plan and why we are doing it. A Lake Fred committee or club with students and faculty can be created.

The future is what needs to be the main form of education. Applying educational signage around the lake will help ensure the future. Signs can be placed along the black and white trails around the lake where they will always been seen. Also allowing donators to place their name somewhere will help ensure community involvement.

6/7. Schedule/ Milestones

This project will be completely done within three years. Applying for grants needs to be done a year in advance and this will allow time to inform the public on what is going on and why. Money can be donated and collected at this time and by year two the plan can be implemented. This will give time for the Lake Fred club/committee to organize. After the first summer, during the second year, the construction process of the natural lake buffer can start, preferably in the summer and finish before the

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soring time. This will be efficient because this is when most of the vegetation is dormant and it will be easier to plant native species. The following spring, second year, is when the bio retention basins and rain gardens can be constructed around the main buildings, parking lots, and dorms. The summer time, third year, is the best time to finish everything that needs to be done. Since classes are out the time and space allotted will be much greater and easier for workers and volunteers alike. By the third year, summertime, there should be ten rain gardens, a natural buffer around the college, and two bio retention basin by the main campus and dorms parking lots.

It will be for the benefit of the project to make sure we have progress throughout the year. The first year, every month we should calculate how much money we have and at least a hundred dollars every month for 12 months. The second year summertime the natural buffer process has begun and some check points to look for will be retrieving and cutting of non-native species, by fall have the perimeter of the lake cleared and ready for planting, by spring have the plants planted around the lake, and by the third summer have the buffer completed. For the bio retention basins and rain gardens, there should be progress every three months as well. The fall the digging should be done for the planting of the native vegetation, the spring should have the plants in place ready to grow, and by the third summer have they stabilized.

8. Evaluation

There are a few ways to evaluate the lake. First would be to do a biological evaluation and this would consist of examining the algal blooms and the macro invertebrates of the lake. The other form of evaluation would be to perform a chemical evaluation. Testing the water for the nitrate and phosphates levels will help and ensure that this plan performed its duties. Faculty and students can perform testing for close to nothing. Professor can implement these types of testing into their labs and this process will be performed.

9. Monitoring

The best way to monitor the lake would be to have the campus still involved. Extra credit can be given to students to help ensure the future of the lake stays within the plans conceptions. Bi-yearly testing of the chemical pollutants of the lake would be a great way to monitor. While a yearly summary and evaluation of the biological aspects can be reported.

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Florida Field Guide to Low Impact Development. Bioretention Basins/ Rain Gardens. University Of

Florida-Program for Resource Efficient Communities, n.d. Web. 22

Feb. 2014.

<http://buildgreen.ufl.edu/Fact_sheet_Bioretention_Basins_Rain_Gardens.pdf>.

Minnesota. Department of Natural Resources. Shoreline Alterations: Natural Buffers and Lakescaping.

Department of Natural Resources, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/waters/shoreline_alterations_lakescaping.pdf

New Jersey. Environmental Protection Agency. Toms River. Education and Outreach.

Barnegat Bay Partnership, n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2014.

<http://bbp.ocean.edu/pages/145.asp>.

New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection.

Grants and Loan Program. Department of Environmental Protection, n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2014.

<http://www.nj.gov/dep/grantandloanprograms/>.

United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Nutrient Pollution. Environmental Protection Agency,

n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.

http://www.epa.gov/