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Edward C. Marx, AICP Telephone (607) 274-5560 Commissioner of Planning www.tompkinscountyny.gov/planning Tompkins County DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING 121 East Court Street Ithaca, New York 14850 TOMPKINS COUNTY WATER RESOURCES COUNCIL Monday, October 17, 2016 4:15 PM Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT, Inc.), 737 Willow Avenue, Ithaca AGENDA 1. Call to Order – Darby Kiley, Chair 4:15 2. Privilege of the Floor1 - Darby Kiley Chair 4:15 3. Agenda Review/Changes – Darby Kiley, Chair 4:20 4. Approval of Minutes – Darby Kiley, Chair 4:20 • September 19, 2016 5. Finger Lakes - Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance (FLLOWPA) 4:25 Funding Request – Jon Negley, Committee Chair, Grants Committee 6. Impacts of the Drought on the City of Ithaca Water System – Michael J Thorne, 4:40 Superintendent of Public Works, City of Ithaca and Roxanna Johnston, Watershed Coordinator, City of Ithaca 7. Reports 5:10 a. Hydrilla Program – James Balyszak, Hydrilla Program Manager b. Committees Executive – Darby Kiley, Chair Nominating/Executive – Elaine Quaroni, Committee Chair Watershed Assessments – John Andersson, Committee Chair Watershed Rules and Regulations – Chris Bordlemay, Committee Chair Cayuga Lake Monitoring Partnership – Roxy Johnston, Committee Chair Soil Health Education and Outreach – Lynn Leopold, Committee Chair c. Chair d. Staff 8. Announcements – Members 5:40 9. Adjournment 5:45 Upcoming Meeting Dates: November 21, December 19, January 23 1 Limit of 3 minutes per person for members of the public to address the board Inclusion through Diversity TOMPKINS COUNTY WATER RESOURCES COUNCIL 1 Monday, September 19, 2016 2 TCAT Main Office Conference Room 3 Attendance 4 Member Seat Member Seat Sharon Anderson P Cooperative Extension Jon Negley E Soil & Water Cons. District John Andersson P At-Large Frank Proto P At-Large James Balyszak P At-Large Elaine Quaroni P At-Large Fay Benson A Agriculture Marjorie Rinaldo-Lee E Environment Chris Bordlemay P Water Purveyor Michael Thorne P At-Large Cynthia Brock P Recreation Brad DeFrees P Associate Member Ed Bugliosi P USGS (non-voting) George Fowler P Associate Member Liz Cameron E Co. Environmental.Health Michelle Henry E Associate Member Sarah Dwyer E At-Large Roxy Johnston A Associate Member Bill George E Municipal Government José Lozano P Associate Member Barry Goodrich P Watershed Organization John Mawdsley P Associate Member Joan Jurkowich P Co. Planning Department Todd Miller P Associate Member Dooley Kiefer P County Government Steve Penningroth A Associate Member Darby Kiley P Municipal Government Joanne Trutko P Associate Member Lynn Leopold P Municipal Government Tom Vawter P Associate Member Jim McGarry P Environ. Mgt. Council Linda Wagenet E Associate Member A quorum was present. 5 Others: Siphasha Dlamini, Humphrey Fellow with Cornell University; Kristen Hychka, Brooktondale resident 6 7 Call to Order – Chair Kiley called the meeting to order at approximately 4:18 PM. 8 9 Agenda Review and Approval of Minutes – Motion by Frank Proto, seconded by Lynn Leopold, to accept the 10 agenda as distributed. Motion passed unanimously. 11 12 Approval of Minutes – Motion by John Andersson, seconded by Mike Thorne to approve the minutes of July 18, 13 2016 as distributed. Draft minutes corrected as shown in final minutes. Motion passed unanimously. 14 15 Presentation: 2016 Drought – Status and Responses – Chris Bordlemay reviewed the 2016 drought and responses 16 by Cornell University. His presentation included how a drought is determined, the causes of the 2016 drought 17 (below average snowfall, no snowpack, record low rainfall), and responses by Cornell (including a voluntary 18 limited water advisory on July 7 and a Level 2 water restrictions on July 28). He noted Cornell University the City 19 of Ithaca, Bolton Point, and the Department of health regularly meet to plan for and coordinate responses to 20 changing conditions. A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes. 21 22 The Council asked questions about other actions taken by Cornell to reduce water demand. 23 24 ACTION: The Executive Committee will meet to formulate a proposal to look at the relationship between water 25 supply and development in the county. 26 Hydrilla Update – James Balyszak reported that Hydrilla treatment was initiated and continues. There was some 27 unhealthy looking growth found in Fall Creek near the golf course. Bill Foster of the Floating Classroom 28 discovered some suspicious growth that led to the discovery of Hydrilla in Wells College Bay in Aurora. 29 30 Committee Reports The following committees gave reports. 31 • Nominating/Membership Committee – Elaine Quaroni: Emails have been sent to members whose terms 32 are expiring in 2016. 33 • Watershed Assessments Committee – John Andersson: A written report is attached to these minutes. 34 • Watershed Rules and Regulations Committee – Chris Bordlemay: The Cornell and City of Ithaca rules 35 and regulations are being updated. 36 37 Chair’s Report – no report. 38 39 Staff Report – Joan Jurkowich: A new Administrative Assistant, Kristin McCarthy-Bevia will be starting in 40 October. 41 42 Announcements – no announcements. 43 44 Adjournment - Motion by Frank Proto, seconded by Lynn Leopold, to adjourn. Motion passed by unanimous 45 voice vote at 5:35 PM. 46 47 Prepared by Joan Jurkowich, Planning Administrator, Tompkins County Planning Department 48 Approved by Water Resources Council: DRAFT 49 2016 Drought – Status and ResponseSeptember 19th, 2016WRC How do we determine when there is a drought in NYS?--While most of us know that a drought is a prolonged period of dryness, the definition and information used to formally declare a drought is more complex. Meteorologists and hydrologists have their own precise definitions of drought. When meteorologists talk about drought they are comparing precipitation shortfalls to normal levels. Hydrologists consider stream flow and water levels in aquifers, lakes, and reservoirs along with precipitation. New York uses elements of both to determine when there is a drought.--The State Drought Index compares four parameters to historic or "normal" values to evaluate drought conditions: stream flows, precipitation, lake and reservoir storage levels, and groundwater levels. New York's Drought Management Task Force uses those factors as well as water use, duration of the dry period, and season to assess drought in different parts of the state.--New York also uses the Palmer Drought Index, a measure of soil moisture calculated by the National Weather Service. The two indices show us different things about drought. The Palmer Index, with its emphasis on soil moisture, helps us understand agricultural impacts. The State Index helps assess the impact on human welfare and the regional economy.http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5011.html Below average snowfall 15/16, and NO snowpackMonth Avg Temp Snowfall NormalDec 40.5 0.8 12.6Jan 24.2 7.6 17.6Feb 27.4 9.5 14.2Mar 38.4 0.2 11.7Apr 40.7 5.4 3.4Snowpack from Feb 21stonward = 0”(except for a few days in early April) U.S. Drought Monitor at the beginning of Summer‐period of extreme lack of rainfall beginning, following an unusually warm and snow‐free winter‐https://i.imgflip.com/17qnmf.gif Fall Creek and Sixmile Creek Watersheds•Fall Creek ~120 mi2•Cornell University source•Intake is “run of river” with no raw water storage•Well‐positioned watershed to “harvest” rain•Withdrawal demand 2‐6 cfs•Sixmile Creek ~36 mi2•City of Ithaca source•Raw water storage behind dams, ~30‐60 days depending on streamflow•Rain can more easily miss the watershed•Withdrawal demand 3‐8 cfs Limited Water Advisory issuedJuly 7thWater Use Restrictions issuedJuly 28thCornell Water Supply August brought well‐timed rains! Streams temporarily increase, but groundwater not recharging. Green drought begins. Pressure to reduce restriction level. 0.71”1.52” Cornell’s Response ‐ Restrictions•Limited Water Advisory July 7th–voluntary restrictions•Drought Emergency Planning Team (DEPT) formed•Little reduction in demand measured•Water Use Restrictions July 28th–mandatory restrictions•Essential uses only•Irrigation restricted•Research facilities limited to essential uses only•Incident Management Team (IMT) formed – reps of all Cornell departments•Aiming for 30% reduction in anticipation of student return August 19th•Achieved 20% reduction to date (BP and City report decreased usage too!) DEPT Actions•Daily, weekly meetings – evaluation of restriction level•Installed temporary tanks at strategic locations on campus •Contracted with trucking company to haul water from Cayuga Lake (LSC wetwell) to deliver to temporary tanks•Replumbed irrigation systems to pump from temp tanks•Athletics, Plantations, Grounds•Captured condensate waste stream at CEP (9000 gpd) in tanker truck for irrigation of trees on campus•Outreach to facilities to reduce water use•Shower heads, disposable dishware, ice machines, process conservation, etc.•Communications to customers, incoming students, staff, etc.•Media outreach – TV, radio, newspapers, email blasts•Confer with applicable professors on stream ecology, hydrologic predictions, forecast Irrigated with pumped lake waterIrrigated with these‐ City of Ithaca, Bolton Point, Cornell, DOH•Many meetings of the three systems and the Department of Health•Several “emergency” meetings with county emergency management, fire, police, communications, politicians and administrations•Evaluated status of systems, supplies and demands•Evaluated interconnectivity – locations, quantities, limitations•Coordinated plans to assist one another in case of severe water shortage•O’Brian and Gere contracted to evaluate options of interconnectivity and alternative supplies in advance of student population return•Mobile treatment units evaluated•Optimization of City system and new water treatment facility•Modification of Bolton Point Plant and distribution system to deliver more than 4.5 MGD•Verify interconnection capabilities of three systems Where are we now?•Remainder of September forecast is dry until 9/29. ‐Accuweather•11 days of insignificant precipitation forecasted•Cornell remains in Mandatory restriction level; monitoring streamflow, precipitation forecasts, groundwater levels; drafting details of Level 3 restrictions while many minds are thinking about drought issues•DOH monitoring City reservoir level to declare state of emergency and impose mandatory restrictions on all three systems, perhaps county•City and Bolton Point continue to request conservation from customers•Bolton Point supplying 0.4 MGD to City of Ithaca to assist with construction•City completing construction of 2ndset of membrane filtration units by end of September and may be able to ween off BP depending on streamflow at the time.•All demands stable and systems able to deliver necessary water Moving forward: Strategic Planning•Plans to confer on how to “drought‐proof” the community•Bolton Point, City of Ithaca, Cornell cooperative efforts•Joint projects?•Additional interconnectivity and redundancy?•Facility improvements/additions?•How much to invest in response to drought vs. benefit of infrastructure change? Questions or comments? Tompkins County Water Resources Council - Watershed Assessment Committee Notes on meeting of September 8, 2016 Meeting Place and Time: TC Planning, 3:30 – 4:30 pm Present: M. R-Lee, B. Goodrich, S. Penningroth, J. Andersson We continued our review of the Assessments: • Which recommendations seem to have been implemented and which haven’t. • Which, if any, recommendations no longer are valid. • Any other items of interest. Barry reviewed Sixmile and Steve, Fall Creek. It appears the that few of the recommendations have been implemented, mostly stream plantings, and those with limited success. We discussed the purposes of the Assessments (validity of past ones; any new ones) John had volunteered to prepare a list from our discussions before this meeting, but did not. Barry remarked that the original focus of the assessments was reducing the impacts of flooding. He suggested that maintaining stream bed elevations would be more relevant as that would help control the transport of nutrients and sediment and help keep streams connected to their floodplains. Steve added that there are two strategies for sediment control: grade control and sediment traps. He also remarked that turbidity monitoring is highly important on a routine basis to calculate sediment transport, and as pre- and post-construction monitoring on projects to establish effectiveness. The assignments: J. Andersson - Salmon Creek J. Jurkowich – Taughannock Creek M. R-Lee – Cayuga Inlet and Buttermilk Creek B. Goodrich – Sixmile Creek S. Penningroth - Fall Creek Future Work: Questions identified in April remaining to be discussed: • How and what information should we be disseminating? • Should the areas of watersheds that extend outside Tompkins County be studied? • Should we recommend new watersheds be studied or recommend older studies be updated? Our mission, as found in the Water Resource Strategy: “Encourage completion of watershed assessments in remaining watersheds and disseminate resulting information.” NEXT MEETING OCTOBER 13, SAME TIME AND PLACE End Tompkins County FLLOWPA Annual Work Plan FY 2016-2017 1 Contact Name: Jon Negley 1 Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District 2 607-257-2340 3 jonnegley@tcswcd.org 4 SCHEDULE A – PROGRAM NARRATIVE 5 Tompkins County is comprised of two Finger Lakes watersheds (Cayuga and Owasco). Various tributaries 6 drain into these lakes that serve several functions within the County, including fish habitat, City of Ithaca and 7 Cornell water supply, tourism, supporting agriculture and other recreational/educational opportunities. 8 Protecting and enhancing the water quality within the County is of the utmost importance to Tompkins County 9 residents. 10 11 A. Definition of Water Quality Problem(s) 12 The southern portion of Cayuga Lake, and the Owasco Inlet are listed on the NYSDEC 303 (d) list of 13 impaired waterbodies. The southern portion of Cayuga Lake is listed for phosphorus, silt/sediment. The 14 Owasco Inlet (Upper and Tribs) is listed for nutrients. These waterbodies are also listed on the NYSDEC 15 Priority Waterbodies List for these pollutants. The Tompkins County Water Quality Strategy, Cayuga Lake 16 Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan and the Owasco Lake Watershed Protection Plan also list nutrients 17 and sediment as pollutants of concern for these watersheds. A draft TMDL will be issued for the Southern 18 End of Cayuga Lake in early 2017 by the NYSDEC. This TMDL will target phosphorus loadings coming 19 from the watersheds into not only the south end, but the entire lake watershed. 20 21 B. Program Approach 22 The Tompkins County 2016-2017 funding will be used to support: 23 24 - Non-Ag Water Quality Improvement Program within FLLOWPA portions of Tompkins County to address 25 the phosphorus and sediment loading listed above. $15,000 will be awarded to a project that is addressing 26 streambank erosion within the Cayuga or Owasco Lake watersheds. This will likely have to be matched 27 with other monies to complete a full project, but will be used for filling in the gaps of technical assistance, 28 bioengineering materials, or engineering designs. The Tompkins County planning department is 29 encouraging buffer initiatives and riparian corridors, so this project would most likely complement this 30 initiative. 31 32 - Continued Operation and Maintenance of a USGS Gauging Station within the Sixmile Creek Watershed in 33 Caroline, NY. Sixmile Creek is a drinking water source for the city of Ithaca which makes this project a 34 priority to analyze the sediment contribution of Sixmile Creek to the wate r filtration process. $5,600 of 35 FLLOWPA funds dedicated to this project leverage additional funding the United States Geological 36 Survey, Town of Caroline, Town of Dryden and the City of Ithaca. The City of Ithaca Water Plant lab 37 Personnel complete sediment analysis on samples collected at the gauging station for monitoring purposes 38 and the USGS maintains the gauge site. This Gauging Station is a critical component of the model that has 39 been used to develop the TMDL for Cayuga Lake. 40 41 - Baseline water quality monitoring within the Cayuga Lake Watershed. The Community Science Institute (a 42 NYS certified lab) will conduct analysis of water samples, following the accepted QA/QC for volunteer 43 monitoring groups set up around Tompkins County in various watersheds. The parameters being tested are 44 temperature, pH, conductivity, alkalinity, total hardness, sulfate, chloride, turbidity, total suspended solids, 45 Tompkins County FLLOWPA Annual Work Plan FY 2016-2017 2 total dissolved solids, soluble reactive and total phosphorus, nitrates, Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammonia and 46 organic nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, total coliform, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, and 47 macroinvertebrate studies. $7,000 will be used to aid Community Science Institute in analyzing the water 48 samples. This dataset will be used to target high pollutant loading areas within watersheds for remediation. 49 50 51 - Implementation of an Agricultural BMP Program in Tompkins County to address farm pollutant runoff 52 including pathogens, sediment, nutrients, or other pollutants. $15,000 will be committed to this project. 53 BMP’s will be implemented according to NRCS accepted standards and specifications. In the face of 54 changing climate, farms will need to deal with trends of extreme wet weather and extreme dry weather. It 55 is the vision of this program to help small and large scale farms implement water control systems that can 56 reuse grey water, eliminate runoff from impervious surfaces, keep clean water diverted around pollutant 57 sources, treat pollution sources coming off of farms, and improve soil health. Potential projects will be 58 ranked based on water quality criteria and potential for improvement of water resources. 59 60 - Compost Filter Sock Program- $10,000 will be utilized to conduct outreach/education and material 61 purchase of compost, filter socks and labor to fill socks for use on erosion control projects. A local dealer 62 of high grade compost material free of any harmful/invasive objects will supply the compost at a reduced 63 rate to the District in bulk quantities to make the socks. This program will continue and expand on the 64 original seed funding for this program through the NYSDEC’s WQIP program that purchased the bark 65 blower and funded demonstration projects throughout Tompkins County. The $10,000 that will be utilized 66 in this program will expand on this funding to allow filling of the socks at the compost vendor site, storage 67 on pallets and transport to sites of critical environmental areas by regional contractors, municipal officials 68 and other Soil and Water Districts. The vision will be to expand the use of compost socks throughout the 69 FLLOWPA watershed and NYS. 70 71 - Technical assistance for water quality management program- $35,760 will be used by the Tompkins 72 County Soil and Water Conservation District to partially fund a natural resources specialist and/or a 73 Conservation Technician to provide assistance to residents, municipal officials, and other agencies in 74 regards to water quality management. This may include watershed planning, pond site investigations, 75 wetland inventories/assistance, drainage assistance, streambank technical/permitting assistance and 76 associated equipment/mileage costs. 77 78 79 Tompkins County FLLOWPA Annual Work Plan FY 2016-2017 3 SCHEDULE B – BUDGET 80 81 Non-Ag Water Quality Improvement Program– $15,000 82 Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Program Support (Community Science Institute) – $7,000 83 USGS Gauging Station Support - $5,600 84 Ag BMP implementation Program - $15,000 85 Compost Sock Erosion Control Program - $10,000 86 Technical assistance for water quality management program (watershed planning & technical assistance) - 87 $35,760 88 89 Total: $88,360 90 91 92 93 Tompkins County FLLOWPA Annual Work Plan FY 2016-2017 4 PROGRAM SUMMARY TABLE 94 Type of Work Installation and Implementation of Best Management Practices Water Quality Monitoring Public Education and Outreach Eradication of Invasive Species GIS or Other Technical Assistance Specialized Water Quality Related Programs to Address Local Concerns Work Plan Tasks Install 1 Non-Ag water quality improvement project in the Cayuga or Owasco Watershed Install 1 Ag BMP system on a farm in the Cayuga or Owasco Lake watershed. CSI water sample analysis Streamflow measurements/sediment analysis at USGS gauge station Conduct a program using compost in filter socks as a new and innovative best management practice Water Quality Management technical assistance & planning Water Quality Problem(s) Non-AG WQIP Project - Nutrients, erosion and sedimentation Ag BMP project - Nutrients, pathogens, erosion/sedimentation Monitoring data for nutrients, erosion and sedimentation, pathogens Stormwater runoff Stormwater runoff, Algal/weed growth, pathogens, nutrients, erosion and sedimentation from streambanks Budget (Total: $88,360) $30,000 $12,600 $10,000 $35,760 95