Basinwide Planning Unit
Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the question or scroll down to find the anwsers.

1.  What is a basinwide water quality plan?
2.  My organization collects water quality data, how is this information useful to the State in determining water quality conditions?
3.  How do I submit data?
4.  What is a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)?
5.  How do I get a 'Sensitive waters to the protection of aquatic life' assessment of a property?
6.  Whats a 205j grant and how do I apply?
7.  Still have questions?

1.  What is a basinwide water quality plan?

Basinwide water quality management plans were developed as a way to report on activities related to water quality protection and enhancement in the State’s 17 river basins. The plans include information on water quality improvements and problems, management strategies, activities accomplished by other federal, state and local governments, research, local watershed activities and DWQ’s permitting, monitoring, nonpoint assessment, planning and other activities. Extensive use of maps and graphics allows for presentation of the information compiled in an user friendly manner. These plans are used by a wide variety of stakeholders from federal agencies for directing funding to local watershed groups for identifying sources and partners. 

2.  My organization collects water quality data, how is this information useful to the State in determining water quality conditions?

The North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ) invites all interested parties to submit water quality data and information.  Submitted information will be considered in assessing the health of the waters in the basin.  This information is relevant to the development of the Basinwide Water Quality Plans as a reporting requirement to the US EPA under section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act.  DWQ staff will evaluate submissions to determine if they are applicable and useful to the basinwide planning process or 303(d) reporting requirements.

3.  How do I submit data?

DWQ data submission criteria

4.  What is a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)?

The purpose of a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) is to document planning results for environmental data operations and to provide a project-specific blueprint for obtaining the type and quality of environmental data needed for a specific decision or use.  Stakeholders (i.e. data users, data producers, decision makers, etc.)  should be involved in the planning process to make sure as many possible needs can be addressed with the project.

DWQ reserves the right to make all final interpretations of data submitted and whether that data represents a contravention of use-support.

Guidance for developing A QAPP:
EPA general guidance
EPA volunteer monitoring guidance

5.  How do I get a 'Sensitive waters to the protection of aquatic life' assessment of a property?

Information on sensitive waters can be obtained directly contacting the Basin Planner for the river basin in which the activity is occurring or by contacting the current Basinwide Planning Unit who will refer you to the correct Basin Planner. To expedite their answering your question, be ready to provide the exact location of the activity on a topographic or other map that allows determination of potential waters impacted. This will greatly increase turnaround time.

6.  Whats a 205j grant and how do I apply?

The 205(j) Grant Program is a federally funded program administered in North Carolina by the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality.  Limited competitive funding is available to regional Councils of Government (COGs) for water qulity management planning efforts.

Funds are alloted by the state in accordance with section 205(j) of the federal Clean Water Act.  The act specifies that the grants are to be used for:

Water quality management and planning, including, but not limited to:

(A) Identifying the most cost effective and locally acceptable facility and non-point source measures to meet and maintain water quality standards;

(B) Developing an implementation plan to obtain state and local financial and regulatory committments to implement measures developed under subparagraph A;

(C) Determining the nature, extent, and cause of water quality problems in various areas of the state.

Federal and state identified priorities are given in the request for proprosals.  This is a competitive grant application process that usually occurs in or around May of each year.  No match is required but is preferred.

7. Still have questions?

If you did not find what you were looking for contact Melanie Williams (melanie.williams@ncdenr.gov) for further assistance.