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P 2200.8 G882s 1988 c.3 <J<LAlD"f,\ ffiOlNJNATER SlRATEGY PREPARED F(R 1HE <J<LAlD"f,\ POLLlITIGl aNIROL a:xJIDINATI~ BOARD BY 1HE <J<LAlD"f,\ DEPARTh£NT OF POLLlITIGl CONTROL At.XJUST, 1988 1 OKLAI-IM<\ 's ffiOlNJNATER RESOLRCES Background Groundwater is a valuable resource to the State of Oklahoma. According to records maintained by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, groundwater wel Is and springs supplied approximately 48% of the total water used in the state during 1987. In addition, groundwater supplied more than 85% of the state's irrigation water and provided municipal drinking water supplies to more than 600 cities, towns and rural water districts. Because of its semi-arid climate, Oklahoma has historically relied upon groundwater for drinking, as well as agricultural and commercial purposes. During the early history of our state, groundwater supplies were relatively abundant and easy to reach. Because of these factors, groundwater was often taken for granted. Later, this attitude was complicated by the construction of large man-made reservoirs in the 1940's and 1950's. These lakes provided an abundant supply of water to many areas of the state and temporari ly reduced groundwater demand. However, as popula-tion and economic growth pressures increased the demand for water, more wells were drilled, tapping deeper aquifers and placing additional strains on shallow, vulnerable sources of sup ply. Eve n wit h the s e i n c rea sin g dema n d son the g r 0 u n dwa t e r res 0 u r c e , r e p 0 r t e din c ide n t s 0 f pol I uti 0 n h a v e r ema i n e d i sol ate d and infrequent. This absence of widespread problems, compounded by the c omp I ex n at u reo f g r 0 u n dwa t e r be h a v i 0 r, has c rea t e d an" 0 u t 0 f s i g h t - 0 u t 0 f mi n d " a t tit u deb y the g e n era I pub I i c • Co n s e - quently, while conducting active surface water quality protection activities, state and federal environmental programs have devoted less effort and only minimal resources to groundwater. In recent years, however, recognition of the important role groundwater must play in Oklahoma's future has led to a greater awareness of the state's need to manage groundwater resources. This strategy document is an effort to assess the status of groundwater manage-ment programs in Oklahoma, to identify areas of need and to describe the steps being taken to fulfill those needs. 2 Inventory of Groundwater Resources The majority of the state's groundwater reserves are found in 11 bedrock aquifers and 10 alluvial or terrace deposits. However, many small, shallow aquifers and minor water producing areas also provide groundwater reserves of local significance. Attachment 1 provides detailed maps of primary Oklahoma's groundwater resour-ce s • Ma pIa de pic ts the p r inc Ipa I bed roc k aqui fer san d rech a rge z0ne s, wh ileMa p 1b de pic tsun con sol idate d a IIuv iurn and terr ace deposits that serve as major water sources. These maps were prepared in 1983 by the Oklahoma Geological Survey, using compila-t ions of many earl ier groundwater reports and studies. In comb ina tion, the serna p s pro v ide an accur ate inven tor y 0 f g r0und - water basins that have an average yield of 50 gpm or more. Maps and descriptive information for the state's minor water producing areas are not yet available. Attachment 2 provides a description of the major bedrock aquifers identified in Map la. Derived from the explanatory notes included with the map, this attachment provides the general characteristics of each major aquifer, including thickness, ty pic a I y ie Ids, recha rgear easan d ge0 log ica I in forma t ion. Th e first twelve aquifers on this listing constitute the state's principal groundwater reservoirs and contain an estimated 320 mil Iion ac re -fee t 0 f fres h wa te r • 0f that amo unt, appro x ima tel y 50% is recoverable for beneficial uses. Beneficial Use Classification The current Oklahoma Water Quality Standards recognize seven beneficial uses for groundwater protection purposes. These are: Irrigation Municipal and Domestic Industrial Recreation Corrmercial fish and Wildlife Agriculture (non-irrigated) Existing beneficial uses have been identified for the 21 major groundwater basins and were utilized as the basis for each basin's water qual ity standards. (Table 1 provides these uses as listed in the 1985 Oklahoma Water Quality Standards.) Identification of the uses in the state's remaining aquifers and water producing areas is being accomplished as a part of the ongoing groundwater quality standards development process. 3 x - Designated Beneficial Use GROUNDWATER BASINS AlIuviim and Terrace Deposi t.s of the-Salt Fork of the Arkansas River X X X X X Alluvium and Terrace Deposi.t.s of the Arkansas River X X X X X Enid Isolated Terrace Deposi.t.s X X X X Al.Iuvi.imand Terrace Deposi ta of the C.i.mmronRiver X X X X X X X Alluvil..l1land Terrace ~posits of the Beaver-t'brth canadian River X X X X 1< X ~ Alluvil..l1land Terrace ~posits of the f;; canadian River X X X X X X •.... Alluvil..l1land Terrace Deposi.t.s of the Gerty Sand X X Alluvil..l1land Terrace Deposi.t.s of the washita River X X X X X Alluvil..l1land Terrace Deposi ts of the tbrth Fbrk of the Red River X X X X X X Alluvil..l1land Terrace Deposi t.s of the led River X X X Ogallala Fbrmation X X XX X X X Antlers Sandstore X X XX X Elk City Sandstone X X X X RushSprings Sandstore X X X X X- X X Blaine Formation X X X X X Garber Sandstone and \\ellington Formation X X XX X X X (Scar Formation X X X X X varroasa Fbrmation X X X Sinpson Group X X X X Arbuckle Group X X 'X X Ibubidoux Formation X X XX X Groundwater Use Based on 1987 Water Resources Board records, the proportionate groundwater consumption by use category was as follows: Agriculture 75 % Public Water Systems 18 % Industrial 3 % Mi n ing 1 % Other 3 % The total statewide 610,238 acre-feet. individual aquifers Board. consumption of groundwater during 1987 was S p e c i f ic g r0 undwa te r usa ge in forma t ion for is available from the Oklahoma Water Resources Water Quality Standards Groundwater quality standards have been developed by the Water Resources Board and were formally adopted as a part of Oklahoma's Water Quality Standards beginning in 1982. The current groundwater standards may be found in Section 8 of the 1985 Oklahoma Water Quality Stand9rds (see Attachment 3). These standards apply to all fresh groundwater (defined as groundwater with a maximum total dissolved so lid s concentration o fIe ss th an 5, 000 ppm ) inth est ate. In genera I, the s tan da rd s require that groundwater be maintained to prevent alteration of its chemical properties by harmful substances not naturally found in g r0 undwa te r • In add ition, spec ific, nume r ic a I c r ite ria h av e been established for 36 toxic pollutants (see Table 2). Water Quality Assessment Available Water Quality Data Whi Ie several agencies have monitored groundwater and per-formed limited water quality assessments, a comprehensive, state-wide groundwater quality assessment has not yet been published. However, a substantial body of data has been compiled and is now available for use in completing such an assessment. Attachment 4 lists some of the most recent and comprehensive published mate-rials. In addition to these research oriented papers, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Water Resources Board and the Department of Health (OSDH) have extensive groundwater data fi lese In addition, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded research and development project has been established to study the Garber-Wellington aquifer in central Oklahoma. This study includes extensive data collection and assessment activities directed toward establishing an aquifer management plan. The USGS is also conducting studies of the Blaine Formation in southwestern Oklahoma and of the Central Oklahoma Aquifer. 5 TABLE 2 Numerical Criteria for Groundwater Substance Concentration ( ug II ) Acetone Benzene Bromodichloromethane Bromoform Bromomethane Carbon Disulfide Carbon tetrachloride Chlorobenzene Chloroform Chloroethane 2-Chloroethylvinyl Ether Chloromethane Dibromochloromethane 1,1-Dichloroethene 1,1-Dichloroethane Trans-1,2-Dichloroethene 1,2-Dichloroethylene 1,2-Dichloropropene Trans-1,3-Dichloropropene Cis-1,3-Dichloropropene Ethyl Benzene Methyl Isobutyl Ketone Methyl Ethyl Ketone Methyl-N-Butyl Ketone Methylene Chloride Styrene 1,1,2-Trichloroethane 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Trichloroethene Trichlorofluoromethane Tetrachloroethene 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane Toluene Meta+Para Xylene O-Xylene Vinyl Chloride 2.7 0.2 0.3 2.4 1.7 0.2 0.4 0.7 10.0 2. 1 0.9 2.7 0.4 0.6 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 2.915 0.8 4. 1 10.0 0.8 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.6 1.6 2.8 0.5 0.8 0.8 1.9 6 Known problems Tab 1e 3 con ta ins a 1is tin g 0 f doc ume n ted g r0undwa te r qua 1itY pro b 1em are as. Th e 1is te d a qui fer s h a v e bee n ide n t ifie d from agency records and previous environmental reports because of multiple incidents or long term persistance of elevated pollutant levels. Potential problems The most important groundwater quality problem facing Oklahoma is the high vulnerability of shallow groundwater producing areas. Many communities and individuals depend upon these aquifers and un derg r0u nd forma t ion s as the ir sol e d r ink ing wa te r sup ply. Ye t very little is known about the characteristics and quality of many of these groundwater sources. The shallow nature that made these water bearing formations easily accessible as water supplies also renders them vulnerable to manmade sources of contamination. Due tot he ire r itic a I val ue as d r ink ing wa te r sou rce s, un de rs tan din g and protecting shallow water producing formations must be a high priority in Oklahoma's groundwater strategy. More specifically, the areas listed below have been identified in past studies as posing potential and often localized hazards to groundwater quality. l.Contamination of shallow a-quifers by nitrate, chloride, pesticide residuals or fecal coliform bacteria. 2. Isolated, leaking underground storage tanks. 3.Acid mine drainage problems scattered throughout the eastern 1/2 of the state. Further investigation will be needed to characterize the causes and to determine management needs in these areas. Data needs Oklahoma's principal groundwater data need is for a more comprehensive data collection effort, coordinated to known problems and to statewide goals. Due to resource limitations, current state agency sampling and data evaluation programs provide o n 1yap 0 r t ion 0 f the in forma t ion nee ded top repar e a s tat ew ide groundwater quality assessment. Subsequent sections of this s t rat e g y wi I 1· ide n t i fY nee d e d d a ta co Ilee t ion act iv itie s wh ich will serve as the foundation for a coordinated monitoring and assessment program. 7 ---_..._------ .--..- ------------------_._ ..._--_._------_ ..__.__._._-----_._------_._._--_._ ...-_._-_._- -----_._-_.- --------- ..--- ---- Arkansas River, near Ponco CI h Arkansas River, near Tulsa Arkansas lilver, several sites C i mo r r 0 n R I ~.€I r . self era I Sit 0 s Red River, severo I s I l e s S, Canadian R,. several sites Wash do RI v er . ns ur Wynnewood fABLE 3 GROUNDWATER PROBLEM AREAS Forma t I on Name ------_... -,-----_. __ ._--------- Problem Description ---------.-- - I ---.-.----- .. --..---------- .----. BEDROCK 'AQUIFERS Boone (Kookuk) Do Q Cr e e k Sh a lei Ga r b sr - We I I In q ton Oqollola Roub I do IJX Vamoosa Iron & fluor Ide B I 0 In e Gy p sum ICh lor ide Selenium. chromium, cr s e n i c & chloride Fluor Ide Ro diu m. chi 0 rid 0 i h y d r 0 q ens u I f ide Chloride ... . •. _" . .. . L. ._. . .__ . ._ _ _ fERRHCE DEPOSITS Cimarron C I ilia r I' 0 n R i v er. no a r E,i I d Ru s h Sp r i n q s . n e 0 r Cr r I I " T I II man AllUVIAL DEPOSITS Nitrate Hydrocarbon pr o duc t s Hydrocarbon or o duc l s Nitrate Hr dr o c cr bun pro duc t s Hr d roc 0 r bon p r I) d IJ C h I I' 0 n , mo n q 0" (! :~:I.! ~ (II lor Ide Chloride Chloride Iron & ncu qc ne s e Hydrocarbon produc t s Probab Ie Source PI' 0 b a L I y not IJ r 0 I Probably natural I .- --.---- Exten t OKI..AI-IMA' S ffiOUNIJNATER PROfocr I (J'Il OB J ocr I YES Frmnework Agreement In December of 1983, Oklahoma agencies with groundwater responsibilities joined in a cooperative effort to establish a program development strategy for groundwater protection. from this e ffor t , a F ramewo rk Ag reernen t wa s de vel 0ped (seeAt tachme n t 5). Under the provisions of this agreement, the Corporation Commission, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and the Water Resources Board adopted goals and principles for groundwater program development. In the agreement, the following guiding principles for ground-water protection were recognized: 1. Utilization of the existing institutional system, 2. Establishment of flexible requirements for groundwater protection in recognition of varying local conditions, 3. Maximization of the exchange of data between agencies. The participating agencies also agreed to a "three pronged" program development strategy, based on the I isted principles. fir s t, the y ag reed t0 a trackdown res po nse me ch ani sm for g r0 und - water contamination incidents. This mechanism utilizes agency en gin ee rs, hYd r0 log istsan d ge0 log is ts toe nsur e time Iy res po n se t0 Su chi n c ide n ts • S e con d , the y, ado p te dad eta i led pro b Iem anticipation approach to avert threats to the groundwater resource. In this area the agencies agreed to concentrate on the acquisition and organization of needed base data to facilitate the ide n t i f icat ion 0 f pot en t ia I pro b Iem s . fin a I IY , the age nc ie s agreed to adopt a preventative stance to protect and maintain the groundwater resource. This involves taking the necessary steps (such as adjusting regulations, promoting the use of Best Manage-ment Practices or placing greater emphasis on groundwater) to better protect and maintain the groundwater resource. In subsequent sections of this strategy, goals adopted as par t 0 f the 1983 F ramewo rk Ag reernen t wi II be pre sen te d tog e the r with other appropriate groundwater program objectives. Coordinating Committee for Groundwater Quality In August of 1988, the Pollution Control Coordinating Board (PCCB) formally acted to create a groundwater coordinating and advisory body. This Coordinating Committee on Groundwater Quality wi II meet on a continuing basis. to discuss groundwater strategy issues, to recommend necessary coordinative actions in the collection and management of groundwater data and to ensure progress in the protection of groundwater quality. 9 Groundwater Quality Standards State Standards As previously described, Oklahoma has formally adopted stan-dards for groundwater as a part of the state's surface Water Quality Standards. The current standards identify beneficial uses for 2 1 a qui fer san d pro v ide nume r i c a I I imita t ion s for 3 6 par a - meters. It is the state's intention, utilizing the results of ongoing data collection and evaluation efforts to expand both the number of aquifers and the parametric coverage of the groundwater portion of the Standards. Further, the addition of aquifer s p e c i f i c n ume r i c a I I imits wi I I be con sid ere d a s d a tab e come available to support such actions. Programmatic Rules and Regulations Some state programs relating to groundwater have resulted in program-related standards that are applicable to groundwater. These standards may include either engineering or numerical provisions relevant to groundwater. Table 4 lists some of the agency programs that include such standards. Regulation & Enforcement Under the Oklahoma Groundwater Law (82 O.S. 1020.1-1020.22), the Ok la h orna Water Resources Board is directed to regulate the reasonable use of groundwater. To derive specific regulations the Board conducts hydrologic surveys, which determine production restrictions, based upon the total surface area overlying a specific groundwater basin. The basis for the Groundwater Law originates in 60 O.S., 1981, SS60, which states in part that: "the owner of the land owns water standing thereon, or flowing over or under its surfaces but not forming a definite stream". The law also provides a prohibition against causing the pollution of a fresh water strata through any act which wi II permi t polluted fresh water to intrude into a fresh water basin. 10 TABLE 4 Program-related Standards Impacting Groundwater Corporation Commission Oil and Gas Regulation - Treatable water rules Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program - Leak detection and reporting rules Department of Agriculture Rules governing use and disposal of pesticides General environmental protection authorities, including rules governing chemigation Rules governing confined animal feeding operations Rules governing the handling, storage, transportation and use of commercial fertilizers. Department of Pollution Control LUST Trust Fund - Rules governing repairs, containment and damage control Department of Health Public water supply (drinking water) standards Solid and hazardous waste disposal standards Water pollution control facility permitting and design standards Milk sanitation program waste disposal standards Septic system regulations Department of Health/Corporation Commission UIC Program - Subsurface disposal rules Water Resources Board Rules governing disposal permits 1 1 Protection from pollution As in the case of surface water pollution, several Oklahoma agencies have authority to protect groundwater from pollution. The primary agencies with such authority are the Water Resources Board, the Department of Health, the Corporation Commission and the Department of Agriculture. The Pollution Control Coordinating Board also has responsibilities to act on unresolved pollution problems within the limits of its enabling legislation. As discussed previously, the 1983 framework Agreement for groundwater initiated a cooperative effort to establish a ground-water protection program. Listed below are the groundwater prot-ection goals adopted in that agreement: To ma in ta inor res tor e the qua 1ity 0 f g r0undwa tera tIe vel s consistent with intended best use and to prevent degradation consistent with public health, economic and social goals; To regulate all manageable discharges, withdrawals, injections and recharges to ensure that the above goal is realized; To moni tor groundwater to determine basel ine water qual ity, trends and conformance with groundwater standards; To ensure the availability and transfer of pertinent informa-tion, data, strategies and studies to involved institutions and the publ ic. Sin c e the s ig n in g 0 f the a g re ernent, g r0 u n dwa te r pro te c t ion activities have been directed toward these general objectives. Subsequent sections of this strategy will provide a more detailed discussion of groundwater protection goals as well as a description of present and planned groundwater program activities. 12 OI<LAI-I:M<\ I S ffiOUNIJNATER PROTECT I ~ PR.()(R4M ASSES&\t£NT Statutory Responsibilities General Lis te d below are some 0 f the pro grams per ta in ing tog r0 Und - water that are administered by PCCB member agencies: Water Resources Board Water Quality Standards Groundwater usage approval Industrial wastewater discharge & waste disposal permits Well construction standards Water resource planning and management Groundwater assessment (statewide monitoring program) Emergency spill response Licensing of water and monitoring wel I drillers Department of Health Drinking water standards Regulation of public water supplies & approval of sources Municipal wastewater discharge permits Design standards for water pollution control facilities Well construction standards for public and private water supply systems Regulation of solid and hazardous waste facilities Approval of septic tank systems Emergency spill response Underground injection control (Class I,III,IV & V wells) Corporation Commission Oil and gas well regulation Oil and gas saltwater injection well regulation Plugging seismic holes Underground injection control (Class II wel Is) Underground storage tank regulation State Department of Agriculture Pesticide regulation Regulation of confined animal feeding operations Commercial fertilizer regulation Conservation Commission Development of Best Management Practices (BVP's) Develqpment of conservation plans Promotion of BMP implementation 13 Monitoring Groundwater monitoring is being conducted within the frame-work of several state agency programs. Major state and federal monitoring activities are summarized below. The Department of Health analyzes samples from several hundred public water supplies based on a sampling program designed to evaluate every system during each three year time frame. for the numerous communities that utilize groundwater with little or no treatment, these data provide a measure of groundwater quality. However, these are tap water samples and may not always reflect the original nature of the individual wells which supply raw groundwater for a community. The Health Department also maintains an historical record of analyses from private water wel Is. In May of 1983, the Water Resources Board initiated an annual g r0 undwa te r samp 1in g pro gram to de fin e the chern ic a 1 c h a ract e r - istics of 21 major aquifers. These samples are taken from wells which meet specified construction standards, have a driller's well log on file with the Water Resources Board and are believed to reflect the true nature of the aquifer under study. The U.S. Geological Survey has conducted some groundwater· monitoring for many years. At present, U.S.G.S. monitors only aquifers which are associated with specific projects. Data are av ail ab 1e for tho sea rea s 0 r aqui fer s wh ere pas t mo nit 0 r in g activities or investigations have been conducted. Assessment of Existing Progrmns Monitoring Wh i 1e wid e s pre a d m 0 nit 0 r in g is be in g a c c om p 1ish ed, the sampling activities of various agencies are not always coordinated to produce an effective, statewide effort. The limited resources available for such monitoring could be maximized by improved communication among agencies and increased coordination of effort. The State's monitoring effectiveness should be enhanced by inter-agency steps to prioritize needs and concentrate on critical problems using the Groundwater Coordinating Committee. Data storage and retrieval While each agency that collects groundwater data has a data s tor age and re trl eval sy stem, the uti 1iza t ion 0 f av ail ab 1e d a ta does not always achieve desired levels. This appears to be primarily a coordinative problem, resulting from separate agency objectives. The development of the Coordinating Committee is also intended to improve the interagency exchange of information and should aid in identifying statewide data needs. 14 Data analysis Ea c hag en c y t hat co I I e c t s d a t a has de vel 0 p e d me tho d s for the statistical evaluation of that data. Coordination between agencies has resulted in the selection of fairly uniform data handling procedures. However, a centralized assessment process would be beneficial in assuring that agency efforts are concen-t rat e din tho sea rea s wit h the g rea t est nee d • Th i s wi I I a 1sob e a topic of discussion by the Coordinating Committee. Regulation and enforcement The existing statutory mechanisms have been largely successful in providing necessary groundwater regulation. The greatest remaining difficulties arise in areas of overlapping of statutory responsibilities or where primary jurisdiction is unclear. However, since the agencies with primary authority signed the F r amewo r k Ag r e erne n t de fin i n g res po n sib i 1 i tie sin 1 983, few conflicts have occurred. Utilizing the Coordinating Committee to enhance the development of a comprehensive, statewide groundwater quality management strategy should further improve the state's regulatory capabi lities. Best Management Practices (BMP's) for Nonpoint Sources Existing BMP's for groundwater protection were derived primarily from previous surface water initiatives. The emphasis during the development of those practices was to ensure that sur f ace wa t e r qua 1 i t y pro t e c t i verne a sur e s did not i n c rea set he threat to groundwater resources. In the future, BMP's wi II be developed specifically for groundwater protection. The Conserva-tion Commission and Department of Agriculture, working in coopera-tion with the USDA Soil Conservation Service and local Conserva-tion Districts, will promote the implementation of BMP's as a s ens i b 1 est e pin pro t e c tin g the S tat e 's r en ewa b 1e n at u r a I resources and as an appropriate means of complying with state laws reg a r din g en vir 0 nme n t a I pol I uti 0 nor i gin at i n g fr om a g r i c u l t u r a I p r act ice s • E f for t s wi I 1 a 1sob e i n c rea sed t 0 ma x imi z e the use 0 f ex i s tin g fed era I co S t - s h are pro grams and toe x pan d the a v e n u e s for nonfederal support. Adequacy of Resources No present day program in Oklahoma can profess to possess adequate resources. Despite individual agency efforts to allocate sufficient budgetary resources, many needed groundwater programs are underfunded. Additional manpower and financial resources are needed to improve program credibility. While better coordination o f e f for t wi I 1 nod 0 u b ten h a n Cere sou r c e uti I i z a t ion, new 0 r expanded programs will require the identification of additional funding resources. 15 Ongoing Activities and Developing Progrmns Under existing statutory programs and the 1983 Framework Agreement, state agencies are currently accomplishing several groundwater planning and management tasks. These activities have been primarily funded through EPA, Section 106, State Program Grant funds specially earmarked for groundwater. The state's ongoing or recently completed work activities are listed below: Research and investigation of techniques for locating aban-doned oil and gas wel Is. Literature review and recommended regulatory changes with respect to chemigation and feedyard impacts on groundwater. Meetings of the standing groundwater standards committee to discuss needed standards modifications. Preparation of the initial statewide groundwater strategy document. Development of contaminant source ranking and criteria for control. Identification of regulatory revisions needed to implement control criteria. Identification of technical capabilities needed for ground-water protection. Complete data evaluation, tabulation and identification of potential sources of groundwater contamination. Development and application of a screening tool for use in identifying suspected pollution sites. Impact assessment of the influx of poultry facilities into Eastern Oklahoma (combined state / 106 core funding). Pesticides in groundwater study (205(j) funding) Continuing assessment of commercial fertilizer facility impact on groundwater (state funding) In addition, groundwater related activities are being under-taken in some new and developing program areas. These programs are summarized below with descriptions of the areas in which they impact groundwater. 16 Underground Storage Tanks (UST) The Corporation Commission is the responsible state agency for implementing and enforcing the UST program. In that capacity, the agency will provide regulation of two types of underground storage tanks - those containing petroleum products and those containing hazardous substan~es. Regulations will include requirements for notification, leak detection, installation, financial responsibility, closure and release reporting. The state is moving toward full assumption of the UST program. The Department of Pollution Control (DPC) administers the LUST program. ~en contamination incidents occur, DPC acts as the coordinating agency and refers the incidents to the appro-priate agency for investigation. As with the UST program, the state is currently establishing procedures and requirements for program administration. Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST) Trust Fund Nonpoint Source Management The Conservation Commission has been designated as the technical lead agency to develop an comprehensive nonpoint sou rc e pol Iuti 0 n con tr0 I pro gram un de r the requi rernen ts 0 f Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The initial 319 report is scheduled for completion in August of 1988. That report will contain an identification of documented problems in the s tat e 's g r0 u n dwa te r bas ins. Th e init ia I 3 1 9 re p 0 r t wi I I define BMP's for surface water quality concerns only. However, practices designed to protect groundwater are a future goal of the program. As such groundwater B\1P recom-me nda tion s are de vel 0ped, the y wi II be incor po rat edin tot he state's groundwater management program. Agricultural Impact Strategy The Department of Agriculture administers most of the state's ag r icui tu ra I pro grams and is cur ren t IY pre par ingas tat ew ide agricultural impacts strategy. Whe n completed, the strategy will include components which address groundwater protection from pesticides, commercial fertilizers, animal wastes and o the r sou rce s rei ate d t0 ag r icui tu ra I pro d u c t ion. Wh e n a v a i Iab Ie, a p pro p ria te sec t ion s 0 f the ag r icuI tu ra limp act s strategy will be incorporated into the statewide strategy. As Oklahoma completes ongoing tasks and undertakes new activities, appropriate components will be incorporated into the groundwater strategy document during the next scheduled update. 17 EXTENT TO WHICl-I aJRRENf EFFOOTS ~ OB) ECf IVES General Evaluation As previously discussed, Oklahoma's groundwater qual i ty management efforts are operated in the context of several separate state agency programs. Each agency within the purview of its own statutory authorities operates an effective groundwater program. Th e g rea test d iff icuI tY lie sin are a s wh ere age ncy ju r isd ic t ion s overlap or where no specific agency program exists. While the problems that result from these uncertainties are not major, they sometimes impede the operation of an effective groundwater pro gram. Th e mo s t s ign if ican t nee din this reg a rd is for spee - ific, coordinated groundwater program objectives which will address each agency's singular objectives, while keeping statewide program objectives in view. The prioritization of groundwater pro b Iems, da tan eeds, wo rk act iv itie san d res 0 u rc e a II0 cat ion s from a statewide perspective would be most useful in improving groundwater program effectiveness. The Groundwater Coordinating Committee should serve as a vehicle to resolve these issues. Coordination between progrmns Since the adoption of the 1983 Framework Agreement, inter-agency coordination has been dramatically improved. The exchange of data and program information has become a more frequent and less difficult task. Coordination of agency responses to critical incidents of groundwater contamination is a much more direct process. In spite of these areas of significant progress, other areas have moved more slowly. In particular, the organization and evaluation of the groundwater data base has not progressed to a point where the data envisioned in the agreement is avai lable. Some of the areas where additional efforts are needed are: 1. Aquifer inventory information, 2. Discharge inventory information, 3. Well logging and construction information, 4. Problem identification and prioritization, 5. Development of BMP's for agricultural practices that pose a contamination risk to groundwater, 6. Development of other appropriate preventative measures. In some ways, the more effective a categorical program becomes, the less incentive there will be for coordination. Yet coordina-tive activities will return dividends to each agency with ground-water responsibilities by reducing resource requirements and en h an c ing res po n set ime s • Us ingas tat ew ide g r0 undwa te r pro tec - t ion s trat e g y doc ume n t a sat 00 I for ide n t ifY in g nee d san d developing response mechanisms appears to be reasonable means of improving .programs effectiveness. 18 Needs assessment Legislative At present, Oklahoma's legislative provisions with respect to groundwater are adequate to enable the separate agencies to exercise their groundwater responsibilities. Program The state's primary groundwater quality protection program need is for improved coordination of activities and cooperation among agenc ies to ensure tha t neces sa ry p rogr am requ iremen ts are met, while conserving scarce agency resources. Under the current arrangement individual agencies are responsible for their own statutory programs, making the planning and execution of statewide or generalized groundwater program requirements a somewhat cumber-some process. Ins pit e 0 f the F'r amewo rk Ag reernent, coo rdin a t ion 0 f g r0und - water activities has not always achieved optimum levels. This sometimes results in an inefficient use of individual agency resources due to duplication of effort and, even more importantly, in a failure to achieve the optimum levels of groundwater quality ma nag ernen t• In add ition, nee ded g r0un dwa tera c t iv itie sma y not always be assigned a high priority due to the resource or statu-tory constraints of individual agencies. While the improvements needed to improve interagency coordina-t ion are not ne c e s s a r i IY s tat u tor y inn at u re, a mo ref 0 rma I mechanism appears to be required. The establishment of the Coordinating Committee for Groundwater Quality appears to be a logical starting point for developing this needed mechanism. Specific work activities Listed below are recommended work tasks based on the goals, objectives and needs identified elsewhere in this report. Identification and characterization of shallow aquifers and minor water producing areas which serve a public and private water supplies Groundwater standards update and expansion Update of groundwater inventory data and maps (including coordination of the preparation of treatable water maps) Identification of groundwater information needs (data ex-change, uniform storage and retrieval methods, data needs and periodic data assessment) 19 Statewide groundwater quality assessment Problem identification (non-attainment of beneficial uses; standards violations; trends toward violations; and the identification and characterization of prevalent pol I uti 0 n i n c ide n t s, pro b I em pol I uta n t san d / 0 r c r i tic a I pollution generating activities) Problem ranking Identification of aquifers and/or, recharge zones that may require special protection Development of BMP's for agricultural practices that impact groundwater and improvement of incentives for BMP implementa-tion Identification of regulatory or legislative needs Evaluation of groundwater related programs and activities to identify overlapping responsibilities and opportunities for improved coordination. Improved incorporation of categorical groundwater activities into the statewide groundwater quality management program. CXM>REHENS lVE GROUNIJNATER QUAL IlY MANAGEMENT PLAN Policy objectives Whi let he F r amewo r k Ag r e erne n t s e r ve d a sam i I est 0 n e i nth e development of a comprehensive and coordinated statewide ground-water qual i ty management program, the need for improved coordina-t ion 0 f e f for t r ema i n e d • Th e c omp let ion, ado p t ion and up d ate 0 f the state's initial groundwater quality management strategy wi II serve as an important step in the progression toward Oklahoma's groundwater protection objectives. The strategy document should be use d a s are fer e n c e i n de vel 0 pin g and a c c omp lis hi n g f u t u r e groundwater activities. The development and u t i I ization of the Gr o u n dw a te r Coordinating Committee should provide even further improvements to program effectiveness. In that regard, the subsequent work plan provides a detailed description of the act i v i tie s nee d e d to con d u c t a c omp r e hen s i ve g r 0 u n dwa t e r qua lit Y management program. As activities are accomplished, the strategy will assist agencies in maintaining a coordinated approach. Work plan to satisfy needs Detailed below are the ongoing and planned work activities designed to accomplish a comprehensive groundwater quality manage-ment program for Oklahoma. 20 ~PLAN Development of Base Data Inventory Compile basic drinking water well inventory information Groundwater Classification and Standards Standards development and update Continuing development of standards for groundwater Review of standards from other states Recornnend program to protect minor aquifer uses Evaluate 21 major aquifers with respect to drinking water standards & reconrnend numerical criteria for selected inorganics Progrmn Implementation Interagency Coordination Reactivate the PCCB Coordinating Committee for Ground-water Quality and conduct regular meetings Monitoring and data collection Develop a monitoring network design based on the agricul-tural impact assessment Document vulnerability of community system wellheads regions to various cultural practices Storage and retrieval of data Develop interagency groundwater database o Data Heavzaalrudatiornanking system (complete) o GroundAwnaatleyrze qudaaltiat,ytabualsasteessmengtroun&dwaptreorblemquaildietnytif&icarteipoonrt on potential sources of contamination Prepare a statewide groundwater assessment o Investigate sites identified by screening tool Agricultural impact assessment Chemigation assessment o - Ongoing task 21 WORK PLAN (Continued) oao GrounRdewvaiteewr/PIerdvoeapnplotrusioaefttyeecntOeiSeoDdnsHetdat&ruectgmheuaaslnn,aagtgeiesomrneusnltes neaenddingregurleavtiisoinosn o Identify technical capabilities needed for groundwater o Devperlootpectiaonagricultural impact strategy for groundwater oo DPerveeplaorpe 3a19conmsaonlaigdeamteendt parnonguraalm groundwater work plan o Develop state UST/LUST programs Improve interagency / inter-program coordination Program Evaluation Conduct an annual program evaluation Identify program needs Program Update Prepare an annual strategy and work plan update o - Ongoing task 22
Object Description
Description
Title | Groundwater Strategy |
OkDocs Class# | P2200.8 G882s 1988 |
Digital Format | PDF, Adobe Reader required |
ODL electronic copy | Deposited by agency in print; scanned by Oklahoma Department of Libraries 8/2011 |
Rights and Permissions | This Oklahoma state government publication is provided for educational purposes under U.S. copyright law. Other usage requires permission of copyright holders. |
Language | English |
Full text |
P 2200.8 G882s 1988 c.3
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Date created | 2011-08-22 |
Date modified | 2011-08-22 |