Location
The Plummer Creek Watershed is located in central Indiana, draining approximately 41.85 square miles in Green County. Major streams included in the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report are Plummer Creek and Black Ankle Creek.
History
A comprehensive survey of the Plummer Creek Watershed was conducted by Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) from September 12, 2001 to October 10, 2001. The primary cause of impairment is Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli). Pollution sources in the watershed include nonpoint sources from agriculture and pastures, land application of manure and urban and rural run-off, as well as point sources from straight pipe discharges, home sewage treatment system disposal and combined sewer overflow outlets.
Pollutants Addressed
TMDLs for the Plummer Creek watershed are established for E. coli and will address four impairments. Some of the recommended solutions to address the impairments include storm water controls, point source controls, manure management and habitat improvements.
Timeline
A kickoff TMDL meeting was held on November 8, 2005 at the Bloomfield-Eastern Public Library, 125 S. Franklin St., Bloomfield, Indiana starting at 2:00 p.m.
A draft TMDL meeting was held on February 15, 2006 at the Bloomfield-Eastern Public Library, 125 S. Franklin St., Bloomfield, Indiana starting at 2:00 p.m.
The 30-day public comment period for the draft Plummer Creek Watershed TMDL began on February 13, 2006 and ended on March 15, 2006.
U.S. EPA under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act approved the Plummer Creek Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report on June 8, 2006 for four impairments. TMDL reports identify and evaluate water quality problems in impaired water bodies and propose solutions to bring those waters into attainment with water quality standards.