Stage 1 -- Project Prioritization:
- Project/plan is assigned to project manager(s) consistent with program priorities
- Initial deadlines are projected and time frames established
Stage 2 -- Research/Data Review:
- Research of impaired water listing history
- Review of listing data
- Compilation of supporting information and data necessary for plan development, including permittees in the basin and discharge monitoring reports
- Literature and document reviews pertaining to project area
- Assessment of the need for modeling contract
- Review of project-applicable watershed models and identification of data gaps
- Identification of area stakeholders
- Field reconnaissance
- Initial scoping meeting for stakeholders and citizens
- Identification of Watershed Improvement Council (WIC) and/or stakeholder support group to assist with data collection and development of implementation priorities
Stage 3 -- Sampling Plan Creation:
- Development of a sampling plan
- Site selections and sampling design
- Establishment of sampling frequency and project duration
- Compilation of chemical analysis methods and holding times
- Development of analyte suites
- Drafting of a health and safety plan
- Budget projections
- Sharing sampling plan with stakeholders
- Sampling trainings for volunteers
Stage 4 -- Project Summary/Fact Sheet: - Development of a concise summary for stakeholders and the general public with regular status update throughout project lifespan
- Project introduction
- Identification of location and impairments
- Current status of the project
Stage 5 -- Data Collection: - Sampling activities, including deployment and activation of remote samplers where necessary. Activities vary with project need and geographical extent of project area and usually consist of both baseflow and stormflow events.
- Review of data as it is reported and proper database entry
- Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) evaluation and filing of project results
- Field surveys and identification of potential implementation projects
- Review of potential load reduction benefits, public interest, estimated costs, and potential funding sources
Stage 6 -- Data Analysis:
- In-house or contracted analysis activities
- Formal project area modeling, spreadsheet modeling, or statistical characterization
- Identification of existing loads, target loads, and percent reductions necessary to achieve water quality objectives
- Isolation and identification of problematic source areas and land-use activities
- Prioritization of implementation activities to meet Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) goals
Stage 7 -- Draft Report:
- Write draft of TMDL/ Water Improvement Plan report incorporating data analysis findings and conclusions
Stage 8 -- Public Comment Period - Release of draft report to the general public
- Final public meeting presenting results
- Opening and solicitation of public comments
- Agency response to public comments
- Submission of CWP summary and ADEQ responses to comments to Arizona Administrative Review for 45 day public notice
- Submission to EPA for final approval*
*At the conclusion of the Clean Water Plan development, focus will shift to Implementation Activities and Effectiveness Monitoring. These two activities are complementary and provide an ongoing track forward towards achievement of water quality objectives.
