DNREC Replies to the Appoquinimink Team's Recommended Pollution Control Strategy

After three years of hard work, the Appoquinimink Tributary Action Team finished its recommended Pollution Control Strategy (PCS) earlier this year and sent the document to DNREC for comment.  Members received DNREC's acknowledgement for their hard work at the Team’s October 1, 2003 meeting.

Extensive outreach, education, and collaboration with agencies and stakeholders will be needed for many of the Team’s recommendations to help make the strategies a reality.  Key people and organizations in the area responsible for planning, land use, agriculture, agricultural preservation and civic involvement will have an important role to play in the work ahead.

Among DNREC’s recommendations, the Team was challenged to bring municipalities together to find ways to establish minimum standards for nutrient reduction from community development and to promote conservation design for new developments.  Pilot programs in septic tank inspection, storm water management, and open space management will demonstrate the success of new recommendations being evaluated for possible adoption.

DNREC noted that calculations show the recommended PCS as written will not achieve the reductions in harmful nutrients that are likely to be required in the near future.  However, DNREC believes that the actions outlined in the recommended PCS, combined with other actions in a final PCS, will meet future water quality standards.  Methods that may help reach these requirements may include implementing additional agricultural management practices and connecting septic systems to central sewer services.

Follow-on steps for the Team include finalizing a pollution control strategy based on DNREC’s response and determining how the anticipated promulgation of the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) will affect the final PCS.  The team will also explore the possibility of establishing a non-profit watershed organization for the Appoquinimink and generating interest in continued outreach and educational projects.