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4.5.19 White Oak River Basin 4.5.19.1 River Basin Description The White Oak River Basin lies entirely within the Coastal Plain, and is composed of four small river systems (New River, White Oak River, Newport River, and North River), which all drain south directly into the Atlantic Ocean and associated sounds. The White Oak River is approximately 40 miles long and is a blackwater river. This basin encompasses 1,382 square miles, making it the smallest basin contained entirely within the state. There are 1,571 stream miles, 3,777 acres of freshwater lakes and impoundments, and 1,641 miles of coastline in the basin (NCDWR 2015). Due to the location and size of this basin, there is a relatively small amount of freshwater habitat available, but what is available has the characteristics typical of Coastal Plain streams: meandering waters associated with swamps, hardwood bottomlands, and wetland communities (NCDWQ 2003). Land use in the basin is 25% forested, 32% wetland, 12% urban or developed, 3% grassland, and 11% agricultural (MRLC 2011). Public lands make up a large portion of this basin and include all or portions of the Croatan National Forest, Hoffman State Forest, Rocky Run, Stones Creek, Carteret County and White Oak River Game Lands, and Camp Lejeune. The estimated 2010 human population was 336,209, which represents an increase of more than 40% since 1990 and significantly exceeds predicted increases published in the 2005 WAP (USCB 2012; NCDWR 2015). The boundaries include Onslow County and the southern portions of Jones, Craven, and Carteret counties. All or parts of 16 municipalities are located in the basin, including Jacksonville, Newport, Morehead City, and Beaufort. Figure 4.5.19.1 depicts the geographic location of the basin. DRAFT, 4-143 Figure 4.5.19.1 Location of the White Oak River Basin. 4.5.19.2 Aquatic Resource Conditions There are a number of impaired streams in this drainage, totaling 169.3 miles (NCDWR 2014a). There are 68 water bodies (stream reaches, intracoastal waterways, sounds, bays) that have an Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) classification and 187 water bodies that have a HighQuality Waters (HQW) classification, because they either have excellent water quality or they are a significant resource to humans and/or wildlife (NCDWQ 2010). It is important to note that all waters in the state are rated as impaired based on a state-wide fish consumption advisory for mercury contamination. The southernmost sections of the New, White Oak, and Newport rivers, and the entirety of the North River drainage, have supplemental classifications as HQW or ORW. There are ORW Special Management Strategy Areas (SMSAs) in the basin for Western Bogue Sound and Bear Island Area (19,859 acres); Roosevelt Natural Areas (561 acres); and Stump Sound Area (4,355 acres) (NCDWR 2015c). These areas require site-specific provisions to protect resource values (no new discharges or expansion of existing discharges) (NCAC). DRAFT, 4-144 Table 4.5.19.1 provides information on water quality classifications and use support ratings in the basin. Table 4.5.19.1 Water quality classifications and use ratings in the White Oak River Basin. Percent Classifications Freshwater Miles (Basin Waters) Percent Freshwater Acres (Basin Waters) Percent Coastal Acres Percent (Basin Waters) Coastal Miles (Basin Waters) Total Basin Waters 1,571 - 3,777 - 140,104 - 1,641 - Classified Waters 2,630 100 3,807 100 156,225 100 132 8 HQW 3 <1 0 0 90,651 65 0 0 ORW 0 0 110 3 65,574 47 0 0 Percent Use Ratings Total Monitored Freshwater Miles (Monitored Waters) Percent Freshwater Acres (Monitored Waters) Percent (Monitored Coastal Acres Waters) Percent Coastal Miles (Monitored Waters) 320 - 3,865 - 140,616 - 132 - 38 12 0 0 39,734 28 132 100 Impaired 0 0 0 0 90,789 65 0 0 Not Rated 48 15 3,755 97 0 0 0 0 234 73 110 3 10,093 7 0 0 Supporting No Data 4.5.19.3 Aquatic Species There are four SGCN in the basin; all are fishes. Table 4.5.19.2 identifies the SGCN found in the White Oak River Basin. Appendix# provides a statewide list of all species identified by the Taxa Teams as priority species. DRAFT, 4-145 Table 4.5.19.2 SGCN priority species in the White Oak River Basin. Federal/State Taxa Group Scientific Name Common Name Listing Status* Acipenser oxyrinchus Atlantic Sturgeon E/E Enneacanthus chaetodon Blackbanded Sunfish -/- Enneacanthus obesus Banded Sunfish -/- Notropis chalybaeus Ironcolor Shiner -/- FISH *See Section 4.5.3. 4.5.19.4 Threats Affecting Aquatic Species Impacts affecting species and their habitats within the White Oak River Basin include nonpoint sources of pollution resulting from inadequate management practices related to agriculture, forestry, construction, and stormwater discharges. Sedimentation due to erosion is one of the most significant causes of habitat loss in this and all other North Carolina river basins. There are 46 permitted Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in the White Oak River Basin, with 63 associated waste lagoons. Most are located in the northwestern portion of the basin along the New and White Oak rivers. Waste from these sites contains high levels of nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) in addition to fecal coliform bacteria and any chemical compounds, such as antibiotics or hormone products used in commercial feeding operations (NCDWR 2015b). Animal-waste lagoons and spray fields that discharge near or into aquatic environments through runoff, percolation into groundwater, and volatilization of ammonia and the release of bacterial contamination can significantly degrade water quality and endanger human and animal health (Mallin 2003; Mallin and Cahoon 2003). Other point sources of water pollution include industrial and municipal discharges that contribute toxic compounds and elements such as ammonia, chlorine, and mercury. In the White Oak River Basin there are 50 permitted discharges, four of which are major discharges with more than 1 million gallons per day (NCDWQ 2001). According to an NCDENR dam inventory (NCDEMLR 2014), there are relatively few man-made impoundments in the basin. Those present can physically alter instream habitat, change flow regimes, and often reduce DO levels. Water withdrawals for irrigation and similar uses further change flow patterns and reduce the quality and quantity of habitat available for aquatic species (NCDWQ 2002). DRAFT, 4-146 Invasive species (e.g., Flathead Catfish and Red Swamp Crayfish) are established in the White Oak River Basin and continue to negatively impact native species populations (Fuller et al. 1999; Cooper 2005) via predation and competition. 4.5.19.5 Recommendations Priority areas for conservation and restoration measures in the White Oak River Basin are represented by 12-digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) watershed boundaries and are highlighted in Figure 4.5.19.2. A statewide list of all 12-digit HUC priorities is available in Appendix#. Figure 4.5.19.2 Location of priority watersheds in the White Oak River Basin (NCWRC 2015). DRAFT, 4-147 Basin Specific Recommendations Surveys. Priorities for distribution and status surveys should focus on aquatic snails, crayfish, mussels, and fish believed to be declining or dependent on at-risk or sensitive communities (see Table 4.5.19.2). Basin-specific priorities include the Ironcolor Shiner and the Banded Sunfish. Monitoring. Long-term monitoring is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health over time and gauging the resilience of organisms to continued impacts to state waters. Studies include identification of population trends, as well as assessment of conservation or development activities. These efforts will inform species and habitat management decisions. Monitor the presence and distribution of exotic species in the basin. Research. Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding, competition, and food web dynamics. Increased understanding of life histories and status helps determine the vulnerability of priority species to further imperilment, in addition to identifying possibilities for improved management and conservation. All studies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration. Formal descriptions for known or putative undescribed species and investigations aimed at resolving taxonomic status are needed. Determine vulnerability of species across all taxa groups to emerging threats such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and other compounds that are present, as well as the prevalence of these compounds in this unique watershed, in the waterways of the White Oak River Basin. Support research on the effects of climate change, particularly changes in temperature regimes, sea level rise, and extreme weather patterns, on aquatic communities in the basin. Support research investigating drivers behind the apparent decline in the Ironcolor Shiner. In addition to the SGCN found in the basin (see Table 4.5.19.2), a list of knowledge-gap priority species is provided in Table 4.5.19.3. DRAFT, 4-148 Table 4.5.19.3 Knowledge-gap priority species in the White Oak River Basin (NCWRC). Federal/State Taxa Group Scientific Name Common Name Listing Status* CRAYFISH Procambarus plumimanus Croatan Crayfish -/- Fundulus diaphanus Banded Killifish -/- Lepisosteus osseus Longnose Gar -/- Corbicula fluminea Asian Clam -/- FISH MUSSEL *See Table 4.5.19.2 Management Practices. Management practices that reduce impacts and work synergistically with other conservation actions are needed to enhance the resilience of natural resources. Particular needs include preserving biodiversity, protecting native populations and their habitats, and improving degraded habitats. In addition, education about, and regulation and prevention of the introduction and spread of exotic or invasive species are vital. Promote programs to upgrade/increase compliance at wastewater treatment facilities and animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Provide support for land protection, particularly in riparian areas (acquisition, easements). Continue to identify areas critical to aquatic ecosystem health for conservation or restoration. Coordinate and provide management guidance on managed properties, such as military bases and national forests, to maximize effective conservation and restoration activities on these public lands. Conservation Programs and Partnerships. Conservation programs, incentives, and partnerships should be utilized to the fullest extent in order to preserve high-quality resources and protect important natural communities. Protective measures that utilize existing regulatory frameworks to protect habitats and species should be incorporated where applicable. Land conservation or preservation can serve numerous purposes in the face of anticipated climate change, but above all, it promotes ecosystem resilience. Guide academic research projects to help achieve specific conservation goals and objectives. Support the development and application of an aquatic nuisance species management plan with other agencies and groups. Address secondary and cumulative impacts upon water quality (buffer ordinances, water supply watershed protection, headwaters protection) (NCDWQ 2000a; NCWRC 2002). DRAFT, 4-149 Work with and promote existing programs that help farmers reduce sedimentation/erosion (e.g., install fences to keep livestock out of streams) as well as reduce pesticide and herbicide use. Support programs providing education and guidance about protecting aquatic habitats and water quality to landowners, developers, and municipal planners. DRAFT, 4-150