Watershed Services
NWCCOG has been the designated regional water quality management agency for the region since 1976. In that capacity, NWCCOG's Watershed Services Program completes and implements a water quality management plan for the NWCCOG Region, in compliance with Section 208 of the Clean Water Act. The Watershed Service program also reviews development applications and local land use regulations to determine consistency and compliance with the 208 Plan.
2009 Accomplishments:
- NWCCOG's Watershed Services reviewed and commented on the following to determine consistency with the 208 Plan:
- one development application, one wastewater treatment plant site application, and two Environmental Impact Statements for Grand County.
- three development applications and one 1041 permit application for Eagle County.
- one wastewater treatment plant site application for Pitkin County.
- one wastewater treatment plant site application for Summit County.
- NWCCOG's Watershed Services program provided a review of the proposed Windy Gap Firming Project for compliance with 208 Plan policies.
- NWCCOG's Watershed Services program provided technical assistance to several local watershed groups.
- NWCCOG's Watershed Services program worked with the Colorado Water Quality Control Division to finalize administrative guidelines for phosphorus trading in Dillon Reservoir.
- NWCCOG's Watershed Services program participated in several field studies related to evaluating impacts from abandoned mines in the Snake River watershed in Summit County. The Program submitted a grant application for mine remediation projects in the Cinnamon Gulch drainage.
NWCCOG Watershed Services Program is currently working on an Update to the 208 Plan.
Other functions of the program include:
Regional Permit Reviews:
- Discharge Permits
- Environmental Impact Statements
- Site Applications
- 401 Permits
Technical Assistance:
- Project Development
- Grant and Loan Applications related to Water Quality
- Land-Use Issues related to Water Quality Impacts
- Advocating for Local Interests on Water Quality and Environmental Regulations
NWCCOG has developed Model Water Quality Protection Standards and Definitions to these standards.
History of the Program
The Northwest Colorado Council of Governments has been the designated regional water quality management agency since 1976. In that capacity NWCCOG completes and updates a water quality management plan for Region XII in compliance with Section 208 of the Clean Water Act.
The 208 Plan assesses regional water quality, proposes stream standards, identifies water quality problem areas, and identifies wastewater treatment plan long term needs. The Plan also includes policy statements which provide a common consistent basis for decision making.
Regional Water Quality Management Plan (208 Plan)
The Regional Water Quality Management Plan is also called the 208 Plan, as Section 208 of the Federal Clean Water Act requires regional water quality planning and management strategies. Anticipated revision areas of the plan include:
- Addition of new water quality data and data analysis;
- Recommendations for water quality standards;
- A process for approving site applications and expansions of wastewater facilities;
- New population projections and wastewater treatment plant needs to meet population demands;
- Discussion regarding water quality impacts of septic systems and management/operation recommendations;
- Agreements to advance non-point source and storm water management with various entities;
- Recommendations for non-point source projects and priorities.
The last update to the plan was in 2002.
The 2002 Regional Water Quality Management Plan (208 Plan) revision is available below - Sections:
Volume 1: Policy Plan
Volume 2: Regional Program
Blue River Watershed Plan
Eagle River Watershed Plan
North Platte River Watershed Plan
Roaring Fork River Watershed Plan
Upper Colorado Rier Watershed Plan
Model Water Quality Protection Standards
Definitions
New Appendix 15
Changes to Appendix 11: Golf Course BMPs and Mountain Driveway BMPs