July 2000 Progress Report on Question AQUA-4

AQUA-4: July 2000 Progress Report

"What are the implementation rates and effectiveness of BMP's in the South?"

July 18-19, 2000, Nashville TN

Accomplishments to date

We have finalized the work plan and it is on the website with six specific points to be addressed:

evaluate factors influencing sediment production and effective measures for reducing sediments,
define the full range of benefits deriving from BMPs,
document the effectiveness of BMPs in protecting water quality,
document the implementation rates by state,
document implementation rates for BMPs by ownership class and physiographic region, and
address the effectiveness of regulatory and non-regulatory state programs for protecting water quality.

A letter requesting BMP implementation and effectiveness monitoring information has been sent to each state. We have received monitoring reports back from 10 states. One state is still analyzing their latest monitoring data and expects a report out this fall, one hasn’t completed a monitoring effort yet, and one has not responded yet.

I’m in process of gathering references. I have considerable references from Coweeta and other USFS Research Stations, published journal articles, NCASI, Environmental Defense, and one research effort from LSU, Baton Rouge. A BMP effectiveness study is beginning at Mississippi State, University of Mississippi, and University of Georgia, but their results will not be completed in time for this study.

I have a good beginning on a draft of points one and two, and will begin note taking for the other four points next.