Cambell Creek - North Branch
Most of the Cambell Creek-North Branch Sub Watershed is classified as a High Priority Protection Area. The high and medium priority areas, if not preserved or at least managed properly, have the potential to contribute large amounts of pollution, as well as disrupt hydrologic patterns in the watershed.
From watershed management plan:
Priority areas were identified in the watershed based on lands that are contributing, or have the potential to contribute, a majority of the pollutants impacting water quality. By identifying priority areas, implementation can be targeted to the places where the most benefit can be achieved. Three different types of areas were prioritized in the PPRW – protection, agricultural management, and urban management.
Most of the Cambell Creek-North Branch Sub Watershed is classified as a High Priority Protection Area. The high and medium priority areas, if not preserved or at least managed properly, have the potential to contribute large amounts of pollution, as well as disrupt hydrologic patterns in the watershed.
Protection Areas- The prioritization of protection areas is based on the amount of natural land cover (habitat), groundwater recharge potential, intact wetland functions, the presence of high-quality water bodies and development pressure. Section 8.1 of the management plan provides more details. The following tasks should be focused in the high and medium priority protection areas.
Enact/improve water quality protection related ordinances
Protect wetlands
Enact ordinances protecting riparian buffers
Develop and enact design and maintenance standards for road stream crossings
Enact a septic system time of sale inspection ordinance
Identify and correct problem road/stream crossing sites
Protect sensitive lands
Improve soil erosion and sedimentation practices and regulations (building construction site practices and regulations)
Improve zoning maps to locate high density or intensive uses in appropriate areas
Identify and correct failing septic systems
A small portion of the northern end of Campbell Creek - North Branch Sub Watershed is a High Priority Agricultural Management Area and suspected to contain most of the agricultural related pollutant sources impairing or threatening water quality in the area.
Agricultural Management Areas - The prioritization of agricultural management areas is based on significant water body impairments, estimated pollutant loadings (SWAT model), amount of agriculture land cover and problems identified by EGLE staff, MDNR Fisheries staff, Van Buren County Drain Commissioner or through the volunteer inventory process. Section 8.2 of the management plan provides more details. The following tasks should be focused in the high and medium priority agricultural management areas.
Utilize alternative drain maintenance/ construction techniques (such as two stage ditch design, natural river restoration techniques - j-hooks, cross vanes, etc)
Restore riparian buffers and stabilize eroding streambanks
Restore wetlands
Prevent/limit livestock access (fencing, crossings structures, alternative water sources)
Install agricultural BMPs (filter strips, no-till, cover crops, grassed waterways, etc)
Protect wetlands
Expand disposal options for agricultural chemicals
Develop and implement manure management plans
Utilize soil testing to determine appropriate application rates for fertilizers and pesticides
Utilize integrated pest management
Construct secondary containment facilities for chemical/fuel handling areas
Improve and/or enforce septage waste disposal regulations