The South Carolina Stormwater Ponds Research and Management Collaborative Melody Hunt, Ph.D. and M. Richard DeVoe S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Charleston, SC
Why? Stormwater ponds are by far the most common best management practice (BMP) implemented for controlling runoff from developed landscapes in coastal South Carolina Designed primarily for water quantity control to minimize localized flooding Increasingly expected to serve as a means of controlling water quality impacts to adjacent receiving waters Removal and/or retention of pollutants (nutrients, chemicals, organic matter, sediments, bacterial pathogens, etc.)
Why now? More than 14,000 ponds associated with commercial, residential, and golf course developments exist in coastal counties alone Little information exists regarding their effectiveness, long-term functionality, maintenance requirements, and potential impacts on the adjacent coastal landscape Most stormwater ponds are hydrologically connected to the surrounding aquatic environment
Human-Land/Coastal Aquatic System from CIDEEP; DeVoe, Sanger, et al, 2009
The Collaborative Concept Sea Grant investment in individual research and outreach efforts Six of eight Consortium member institutions doing work in the area Saw value in leveraging ongoing efforts and resources Desire to design an integrated and holistic approach to stormwater pond research, outreach, and management
The Collaborative Purpose Develop new innovative science-based engineering, construction, management, and maintenance practices Ensure that current and future stormwater ponds function without concerns about possible ecological or human health impacts or additional economic costs.
The Collaborative First Steps Identify ongoing research, management, and outreach efforts on coastal stormwater ponds Initial focus on coastal region as pilot Acquire resources to initiate preliminary efforts Funds acquired through state appropriations and federal Sea Grant development funds Establish Stormwater Pond Advisory Council Initial members identified and engaged Prepare and release Request for Mini-Proposals In 2015 Initiate Projects
What is the Goal? Investigate and address information needs which can be used to improve overall knowledge and management of stormwater ponds by engaging technical advisors and scientists from Consortium universities and research institutions
Stormwater Ponds Working Group Timothy Callahan, Environmental Studies Program, College of Charleston Dianne Greenfield, Belle W. Baruch Institute, University of South Carolina and Marine Resources Research Institute, S.C. Department of Natural Resources Daniel Hitchcock, Belle W. Baruch Institute, Clemson University Richard Peterson, Center for Marine and Wetland Studies, Coastal Carolina University Denise Sanger, Marine Resources Research Institute, S.C. Department of Natural Resources Erik Smith, Belle W. Baruch Institute, University of South Carolina April Turner, S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program John Weinstein, Department of Biology, The Citadel
Stormwater Pond Advisory Council (SPAC) Name Affiliation Subject Area Jeff Adkins NOAA NOS OCM Resource Economics Heather Foley Urban Land Institute - SC Landscape Architecture David Fuss Horry County Local Government-Stormwater Mgmt Shannon Hicks S.C. DHEC State Government-Resource Mgmt Eric Larson Beaufort County Local Government Engineering Chris Marsh The LowCountry Institute Environmental Science & Education Ed Oswald Trident Assoc. of Realtors Real Estate Calvin Sawyer Clemson Extension Water Quality Norm Shea Private/S.C. DNR Pond Management Allen Smith S.C. Aquatic Plant Mgmt Society Pond Management April Turner SC Sea Grant Consortium Coastal Communities Extension David Whitaker SC DNR - MRD State Government Resource Mgmt
Scope
Stormwater Ponds Not a natural feature of the SC coastal landscape More than 21,000 identified in the coastal region; 9,200 classified as stormwater ponds (associated with development related land use; 2013 imagery) 52% located within SCDHEC CZM Critical Area As development increases, numbers continue to rise Most common BMP employed in developments
Stormwater Ponds - Information Needs Pond Effectiveness & Efficiency Flood protection Water quality Design Criteria Maintenance Management, Cost & Regulation Ecology & Materials Cycling Sediment Accumulation & Content Slope Stabilization
Stormwater Ponds - Information Needs Characterization of Landscape & Biogeography Long-term Functionality Hydrologic Connections Tidal Areas Influenced Groundwater Interactions ID Use and Management by Public Pets Wildlife Etc.
Key Considerations Address Changing Landscape Increasing Urbanization Changes in Climate and Weather Sea Level Rise Connectivity of ponds with The landscape Other ponds & receiving waters Individual site BMPs becoming part of stormwater system
Water Budget Image c/o Rick Peterson
Ongoing Activities Series of Consortium-supported Efforts Science Coastal Serving Science South Serving Carolina s South Carolina Coast 1. Stormwater Pond Inventory and Classification 2. Communication Strategy 3. State of-knowledge Report
Stormwater Pond Inventory Coastal S.C. A Stormwater Pond Inventory for the Eight Coastal Counties of South Carolina Project Team: Erik Smith, Ph.D. USC and Denise Sanger, Ph.D. SCDNR Objectives: Create geospatial inventory (2013 imagery) Develop pond classification Conduct change analyses (1994 to 2013)
2013 Pond Inventory Total # 21,594 ponds Cumulative area 29,395 acres Developed ponds 9,269 ponds (43 %) 11,916 acres (41%) Rural ponds 12,325 ponds (57%) 17,479 acres (59%)
State of Knowledge Report - Components Hydrology and Pond Design Non-Point Source Contaminants Ecology and Function Policy, Regulation, and Management Management Approaches and Cost
Hydrology & Pond Design Sources, Fate and Transport of Contaminants in Engineered Stormwater Structures Project Team: Vijay Vulava, Ph.D., Barbara Beckingham, Ph.D. and Timothy Callahan, Ph.D., College of Charleston Objectives: Describe role of hydrology & pond design Identify geochemical processes & role of sediment
Ecosystem Function Ecological Function within the Coastal Landscape Project Team: Dianne Greenfield, Ph.D. and Erik Smith, Ph.D., USC, and Andrew Tweel, Ph.D. Denise Sanger, Ph.D., SCDNR Objectives: Describe Physical & biogeochemical processes Modulating environmental factors: incl. temperature, salinity Flora and Fauna
Non-Point Contaminants Non-Point Source Contamination in Stormwater Systems in South Carolina Project Team: Mohammed Baalousha, Ph.D., Geoffery Scott, Ph.D., Samantha McNeal University South Carolina Objectives: Identify Contaminants and Sources: Nutrients, metals, organics, bacteria (coliform), emerging contaminats Contaminant Risk Assessments: Sediment and Water
Policy and Regulation An Assessment of Stormwater Policy, Regulation, and Management for the Coastal Counties of South Carolina Project Team: Jeff Allen, Ph.D. Lori Dickes, Ph.D., Donna London, Ph.D., and Katie Buckley, M.S. Clemson Objectives: Review of Existing Laws and Programs Federal State County Municipal Focus Groups
Pond Management and Costs Pond Management Approaches and Costs: An Economic State-of-the-Knowledge Review and Synthesis Project Team: Chris Mothorpe, Ph.D. and Wesley Burnett, Ph.D., College of Charleston Objectives: Surveys & reviews Cost-benefit analyses Theoretical considerations relating economic frameworks & public goods Model to optimize pond management
Communication Strategies Development of a Strategic Outreach Plan to Improve Long Term Stormwater Pond Awareness and Maintenance Project Team: Katie Buckley, M.S., Amy Scaroni, Ph.D., Melinda Weathers, Ph.D., and Guinn Garrett Wallover, M.S., Clemson Objectives: Develop Outreach Products & Strategic Plan Recognize multiple audiences & focus on specific/sustainable actions, common message Base efforts on diverse inputs - surveys, research, interviews, and focus groups
What s Next? Review Components & Finalize Reports Solicit Feedback Communicate Results Prioritize and Address Information Needs Design Large-scale Stormwater Ponds Prospectus Establish Additional Funding Extend Scope and Partners State-wide Regionally in SE
Position Announcement Coastal Environmental Quality Program Specialist Coordinate and manage Stormwater Pond Collaborative Design and conduct applied research and extension CEQ projects Team building and grant writing Communication and outreach activities Qualifications Graduate degree Ph.D. or P.E. preferred in hard sciences Minimum five years experience Program and project management abilities Team-building and grant-writing success
Questions? Rick DeVoe SC Sea Grant Consortium rick.devoe@scsseagrant.org 843-953-2078 www.scseagrant.org