1 sandra spence epa region 8 tmdl program epa region 8 tmdl program integrating watershed plans and...
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Sandra Spence Sandra Spence
EPA Region 8 TMDL ProgramEPA Region 8 TMDL Program
Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions
November 19, 2008DRAFT
EPA Contacts for Watershed EPA Contacts for Watershed Planning and TMDL QuestionsPlanning and TMDL Questions
James Ruppel, TMDL Program Coordinator & James Ruppel, TMDL Program Coordinator & Wyoming point of contact – 303-312-6846Wyoming point of contact – 303-312-6846
Peter Monahan, Watershed/Nonpoint Source Peter Monahan, Watershed/Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator & Wyoming point of Program Coordinator & Wyoming point of contact – 303-312-6948contact – 303-312-6948
Sandra Spence, TMDL Coordinator for Sandra Spence, TMDL Coordinator for Utah/Colorado – 303-312-6947Utah/Colorado – 303-312-6947
Agenda
CWA Overview
What is an impaired water – 303(d) listing
Approaches for de-listing waters
What is a TMDL
What is a Watershed Plan
Steps in the Watershed Planning Process
Relationship between Watershed Plans and TMDLs 3
Components of the Clean Water Act (CWA)
Water Quality Standards
Water Quality Monitoring
Determination of WQS attainment – impaired waters and 303(d) listing
Restoration Planning – Watershed Plans and TMDLs
Restoration - Approaches to restoration and protection under CWA
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Clean Water Act (CWA)Clean Water Act (CWA)
Federal law promulgated in 1972. Applies to surface water – lakes, rivers, streams, coastal areas
Uses regulatory and non-regulatory tools to protect and restore the nation’s waters
Goals:reduce direct pollutant discharges into waterways, finance municipal wastewater treatment facilities, and manage polluted runoff restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters so that they can support "the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water."
Monitor and Assess waters based on WQ
standards
Identify impaired/threatened
waters
(303(d) List)Develop
Watershed Plans and TMDLs
Implement water quality controls – point sources and nonpoint sources
Water Quality-Based
Approach
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Establish Water Quality Standards
What is An Impaired WaterWhat is An Impaired Water
EPA defines an impaired waterbody as one that EPA defines an impaired waterbody as one that does not meet water quality criteria that support its does not meet water quality criteria that support its designated use. The criteria might be numeric and designated use. The criteria might be numeric and specify concentration, duration, and recurrence specify concentration, duration, and recurrence intervals for various parameters, or they might be intervals for various parameters, or they might be narrative and describe required conditions such as narrative and describe required conditions such as the absence of scum, sludge, odors, or toxic the absence of scum, sludge, odors, or toxic substances. If the waterbody is impaired it is substances. If the waterbody is impaired it is placed on the section 303(d) list. For each placed on the section 303(d) list. For each pollutant listed, the state or tribe must develop a pollutant listed, the state or tribe must develop a restoration target called a Total Maximum Daily restoration target called a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).Load (TMDL).
States Provide a List of Impaired Waters to EPA Every Two Years – 303(d) list
8Excerpt from Wyoming’s Draft 2008 303(d) list of Waters Requiring TMDLs
Waterbody Name Class Uses Use Support Cause(s) List Date
Bear River 2ABAquatic Life, Cold Water Fish
Not Supporting Sediment 2002
Bridger Creek 3B Aquatic Life Threatened Habitat 1998
Belle Fourche River 2ABww Recreation Not Supporting E. coli 1996
Belle Fourche River 2ABwwAquatic Life,Warm Water Fish
Not SupportingAmmonia, Chloride
2008
Donkey Creek 3B Recreation Not Supporting E. coli 2000
Gillette Fishing Lake
2ABAquatic Life, Cold Water Fish
Not SupportingPhosphateSediment
1996
Stonepile Creek 3B Recreation Not Supporting E. coli 2002
Popo Agie River, Middle Fork
2AB Recreation Not Supporting E. coli 2002
Ocean Lake 2ABwwAquatic Life, Warm Water Fish
Not Supporting Sediment 1996
What Can Happen to a 303(d) listed What Can Happen to a 303(d) listed WaterbodyWaterbody
The waterbody has a TMDL submitted and The waterbody has a TMDL submitted and approved within 8 to 13 years and is delisted.approved within 8 to 13 years and is delisted.
The waterbody is restored and meets WQSs The waterbody is restored and meets WQSs and is delisted.and is delisted.
The waterbody is reassessed and is found to The waterbody is reassessed and is found to be meeting WQSs and is delisted.be meeting WQSs and is delisted.
WQSs are changed, the waterbody is WQSs are changed, the waterbody is reassessed and is found to be meeting WQSs reassessed and is found to be meeting WQSs and is delisted.and is delisted.
What is a TMDL – What is a TMDL – Total Maximum Daily Load?Total Maximum Daily Load?
A calculation of the amount of a A calculation of the amount of a specific pollutant that a waterbody can specific pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality receive and still meet water quality standards.standards.
Basic Provisions for TMDLsBasic Provisions for TMDLs
TMDLs are designed to attain and maintain TMDLs are designed to attain and maintain applicable water quality standardsapplicable water quality standards
TMDLs apply to all sourcesTMDLs apply to all sources TMDLs apply to all pollutantsTMDLs apply to all pollutants TMDLs are pollutant and waterbody TMDLs are pollutant and waterbody
specificspecific A waterbody will often have several TMDLs A waterbody will often have several TMDLs
(one for each pollutant of concern)(one for each pollutant of concern)
WLA + LA + {MOS} = TMDLPoint source loads + nonpoint source loads + MOS = TMDL
TMDL Definition continued
WLA = wasteload allocation(point source loads)
LA = load allocation(nonpoint source and background loads)
MOS = margin of safety (explicit or implicit)
TMDL = total maximum daily load
Sum of Loads = Assimilative Capacity
Wasteload Allocation Components
diffuse runoff
nonpoint source
stormwater point source
non-stormwaterpoint sources
Load Allocation Components
atmospheric
deposition
groundwater
inflow
irrigated agreturn flow & ag stormwater
background
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I’M FULL! I can’t eat
another bite of that
pollutant!
National and Regional PerspectiveNational and Regional Perspective
ListingsListings 39,910 impaired/threatened waters nationally 39,910 impaired/threatened waters nationally
in 2006in 2006
1190 impaired/threatened waters in Region 81190 impaired/threatened waters in Region 8
~25,000 TMDLs completed nationally, ~2,000 ~25,000 TMDLs completed nationally, ~2,000 TMDLs completed in Region 8TMDLs completed in Region 8
Comparison of Region 8 States to Major Causes of Impairment Nationally
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5
10
15
20
25
30
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Pathogens Hg Metals Sed Nutrients
Impairment Cause
% o
f L
iste
d W
ate
rs
NationalRegion 8
Major Causes of Impairment in Wyoming
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5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Impairment Cause
% o
f L
iste
d W
ate
rs
Wyoming
Pollution Controls in the Clean Pollution Controls in the Clean Water ActWater Act
Technology based effluent limits – point Technology based effluent limits – point source permitsource permit
Water quality based effluent limits – point Water quality based effluent limits – point source permitsource permit
TMDL Waste Load Allocation based TMDL Waste Load Allocation based effluent limits – point source permiteffluent limits – point source permit
TMDL Load Allocations – nonpoint sources TMDL Load Allocations – nonpoint sources without permits – voluntary/incentive based without permits – voluntary/incentive based approachesapproaches
What is a Watershed PlanWhat is a Watershed Plan
A watershed plan is a document used to A watershed plan is a document used to resolve and prevent water quality problems resolve and prevent water quality problems that result from both point source and that result from both point source and nonpoint source contributors. These plans nonpoint source contributors. These plans are intended both to provide an analytical are intended both to provide an analytical framework to restore water quality in framework to restore water quality in impaired waters and to protect water impaired waters and to protect water quality in other waters adversely affected or quality in other waters adversely affected or threatened by pollutant sources.threatened by pollutant sources.
Why Watershed Plans Fail to Why Watershed Plans Fail to Achieve Desired GoalsAchieve Desired Goals Planning activities conducted at too great of a Planning activities conducted at too great of a
scale.scale. Plan was a one-time study rather than long-term Plan was a one-time study rather than long-term
management process.management process. Lack of stakeholder involvement and ownership.Lack of stakeholder involvement and ownership. Skirting of real land use/management issues.Skirting of real land use/management issues. Plan was too long or complex.Plan was too long or complex. Recommendations were too general.Recommendations were too general. Failure to identify and address conflicts.Failure to identify and address conflicts.
Source: Center for Watershed ProtectionSource: Center for Watershed Protection
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Steps In Watershed PlanningSteps In Watershed Planning
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Watershed Watershed Planning StepsPlanning Steps
STEP 1STEP 1
BUILD PARTNERSHIPSBUILD PARTNERSHIPSID stakeholdersID stakeholdersID issues of concernID issues of concernSet preliminary goalsSet preliminary goalsDevelop indicatorsDevelop indicatorsConduct outreachConduct outreach 21
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Watershed Watershed Planning StepsPlanning Steps
STEP 1STEP 1BUILD PARTNERSHIPSBUILD PARTNERSHIPS
ID stakeholdersID stakeholdersID issues of concernID issues of concernSet preliminary goalsSet preliminary goalsDevelop indicatorsDevelop indicatorsConduct outreachConduct outreach
STEP 2STEP 2CHARACTERIZE WATERSHEDCHARACTERIZE WATERSHED
Gather existing dataGather existing dataCreate data inventoryCreate data inventoryID data gapsID data gapsCollect additional data, if neededCollect additional data, if neededAnalyze dataAnalyze dataID causes and sourcesID causes and sourcesEstimate pollutant loadsEstimate pollutant loads
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Watershed Watershed Planning StepsPlanning Steps
STEP 1STEP 1BUILD PARTNERSHIPSBUILD PARTNERSHIPS
ID stakeholdersID stakeholdersID issues of concernID issues of concernSet preliminary goalsSet preliminary goalsDevelop indicatorsDevelop indicatorsConduct outreachConduct outreach
STEP 2STEP 2CHARACTERIZE WATERSHEDCHARACTERIZE WATERSHED
Gather existing dataGather existing dataCreate data inventoryCreate data inventoryID data gapsID data gapsCollect additional data, if neededCollect additional data, if neededAnalyze dataAnalyze dataID causes and sourcesID causes and sourcesEstimate pollutant loadsEstimate pollutant loads
STEP 3STEP 3FINALIZE GOALS AND IDENTIFY SOLUTIONSFINALIZE GOALS AND IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS
Set goals and management objectivesSet goals and management objectivesDevelop indicators/targetsDevelop indicators/targetsDetermine load reductions neededDetermine load reductions neededID critical areasID critical areasID management measures neededID management measures needed
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Watershed Watershed Planning StepsPlanning Steps
STEP 1STEP 1BUILD PARTNERSHIPSBUILD PARTNERSHIPS
ID stakeholdersID stakeholdersID issues of concernID issues of concernSet preliminary goalsSet preliminary goalsDevelop indicatorsDevelop indicatorsConduct outreachConduct outreach
STEP 2STEP 2CHARACTERIZE WATERSHEDCHARACTERIZE WATERSHED
Gather existing dataGather existing dataCreate data inventoryCreate data inventoryID data gapsID data gapsCollect additional data, if neededCollect additional data, if neededAnalyze dataAnalyze dataID causes and sourcesID causes and sourcesEstimate pollutant loadsEstimate pollutant loads
STEP 3STEP 3FINALIZE GOALS AND ID SOLUTIONSFINALIZE GOALS AND ID SOLUTIONS
Set goals and management objectivesSet goals and management objectivesDevelop indicators/targetsDevelop indicators/targetsDetermine load reductions neededDetermine load reductions neededID critical areasID critical areasID management measures neededID management measures needed
STEP 4STEP 4DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMDESIGN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
Develop Implementation scheduleDevelop Implementation scheduleSet Interim milestonesSet Interim milestonesDetermine how you will measure successDetermine how you will measure successDevelop monitoring componentDevelop monitoring componentDevelop evaluation processDevelop evaluation processID technical and financial assistance neededID technical and financial assistance neededAssign responsibilityAssign responsibility
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Watershed Watershed Planning StepsPlanning Steps
STEP 1STEP 1BUILD PARTNERSHIPSBUILD PARTNERSHIPS
ID stakeholdersID stakeholdersID issues of concernID issues of concernSet preliminary goalsSet preliminary goalsDevelop indicatorsDevelop indicatorsConduct outreachConduct outreach
STEP 2STEP 2CHARACTERIZE WATERSHEDCHARACTERIZE WATERSHED
Gather existing dataGather existing dataCreate data inventoryCreate data inventoryID data gapsID data gapsCollect additional data, if neededCollect additional data, if neededAnalyze dataAnalyze dataID causes and sourcesID causes and sourcesEstimate pollutant loadsEstimate pollutant loads
STEP 3STEP 3FINALIZE GOALS AND ID SOLUTIONSFINALIZE GOALS AND ID SOLUTIONS
Set goals and management objectivesSet goals and management objectivesDevelop indicators/targetsDevelop indicators/targetsDetermine load reductions neededDetermine load reductions neededID critical areasID critical areasID management measures neededID management measures needed
STEP 4STEP 4DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMDESIGN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
Develop Implementation scheduleDevelop Implementation scheduleSet Interim milestonesSet Interim milestonesDetermine how you will measure successDetermine how you will measure successDevelop monitoring componentDevelop monitoring componentDevelop evaluation processDevelop evaluation processID technical and financial assistance neededID technical and financial assistance neededAssign responsibilityAssign responsibility
STEP 5STEP 5IMPLEMENT WATERSHED IMPLEMENT WATERSHED PLANPLAN
Implement management strategiesImplement management strategiesConduct monitoring Conduct monitoring Conduct outreach activitiesConduct outreach activities
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Watershed Watershed Planning StepsPlanning Steps
STEP 1STEP 1BUILD PARTNERSHIPSBUILD PARTNERSHIPSID stakeholdersID stakeholdersID issues of concernID issues of concernSet preliminary goalsSet preliminary goalsDevelop indicatorsDevelop indicatorsConduct outreachConduct outreach
STEP 2STEP 2CHARACTERIZE WATERSHEDCHARACTERIZE WATERSHED
Gather existing dataGather existing dataCreate data inventoryCreate data inventoryID data gapsID data gapsCollect additional data, if neededCollect additional data, if neededAnalyze dataAnalyze dataID causes and sourcesID causes and sourcesEstimate pollutant loadsEstimate pollutant loads
STEP 3STEP 3FINALIZE GOALS AND ID SOLUTIONSFINALIZE GOALS AND ID SOLUTIONS
Set goals and management objectivesSet goals and management objectivesDevelop indicators/targetsDevelop indicators/targetsDetermine load reductions neededDetermine load reductions neededID critical areasID critical areasID management measures neededID management measures needed
STEP 4STEP 4DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMDESIGN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
Develop Implementation scheduleDevelop Implementation scheduleSet Interim milestonesSet Interim milestonesDetermine how you will measure successDetermine how you will measure successDevelop monitoring componentDevelop monitoring componentDevelop evaluation processDevelop evaluation processID technical and financial assistance neededID technical and financial assistance neededAssign responsibilityAssign responsibility
STEP 5STEP 5IMPLEMENT WATERSHED PLANIMPLEMENT WATERSHED PLAN
Implement management strategiesImplement management strategiesConduct monitoring Conduct monitoring Conduct outreach activitiesConduct outreach activities
STEP 6STEP 6MEASURE PROGRESS MEASURE PROGRESS AND MAKE AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTSADJUSTMENTS
Review and evaluate Review and evaluate Share resultsShare resultsPrepare annual plansPrepare annual plansMake adjustments Make adjustments
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The Nine Elements that Must Be The Nine Elements that Must Be Included in a 319 Watershed PlanIncluded in a 319 Watershed Plan
1.1. Identify causes & sources of pollution – Identify causes & sources of pollution – TMDL featureTMDL feature
2.2. Estimate load reductions expected – Estimate load reductions expected – TMDL featureTMDL feature
3.3. Describe mgmt measures & targeted critical areas – Describe mgmt measures & targeted critical areas – TMDL featureTMDL feature
4.4. Estimate technical and financial assistance needed Estimate technical and financial assistance needed
5.5. Develop education component Develop education component
6.6. Develop schedule – Develop schedule – TMDL optionTMDL option
7.7. Describe interim, measurable milestones – Describe interim, measurable milestones – TMDL optionTMDL option
8.8. Identify indicators to measure progressIdentify indicators to measure progress
9.9. Develop a monitoring component – Develop a monitoring component – TMDL optionTMDL option
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Incorporation of the nine minimum elements
How are TMDLs and Watershed How are TMDLs and Watershed Plans Related?Plans Related?
Minimum Components of TMDL Minimum Components of TMDL Submitted for EPA ApprovalSubmitted for EPA Approval
1.1. Problem Description – Problem Description – Watershed Plan FeatureWatershed Plan Feature• Submittal letterSubmittal letter• Identification of waterbody, impairments, study Identification of waterbody, impairments, study
boundariesboundaries• Identification of applicable water quality standardsIdentification of applicable water quality standards
2.2. Discussion of Water Quality Targets - Discussion of Water Quality Targets - Watershed Plan FeatureWatershed Plan Feature
3.3. Pollutant Source Analysis - Pollutant Source Analysis - Watershed Plan Watershed Plan FeatureFeature
4.4. TMDL Technical AnalysisTMDL Technical Analysis• Data set description - Data set description - Watershed Plan FeatureWatershed Plan Feature• WLAs – point sourcesWLAs – point sources• LAs – nonpoint sourcesLAs – nonpoint sources• Margin of SafetyMargin of Safety• Critical conditions and seasonality - Critical conditions and seasonality - Watershed Plan Watershed Plan
FeatureFeature• Daily load expressionDaily load expression
5.5. Public Participation - Public Participation - Watershed Plan FeatureWatershed Plan Feature6.6. Monitoring Strategy - Monitoring Strategy - Watershed Plan FeatureWatershed Plan Feature7.7. Restoration Strategy - Restoration Strategy - Watershed Plan FeatureWatershed Plan Feature
Comparison of Watershed Plans Comparison of Watershed Plans and TMDL Componentsand TMDL Components
Watershed Plan ComponentsWatershed Plan Components
1.1. Build partnershipsBuild partnerships
2.2. Characterize the watershedCharacterize the watershed• Id waterbody, impairments, Id waterbody, impairments,
study boundariesstudy boundaries• Gather and analyze dataGather and analyze data• Id causes and sourcesId causes and sources• Estimate loadsEstimate loads
TMDL ComponentsTMDL Components
1.1. Provide opportunity for Provide opportunity for public involvementpublic involvement
2.2. Identify the problemIdentify the problem• Id waterbody, impairments, Id waterbody, impairments,
study boundariesstudy boundaries• Present data analysisPresent data analysis• Id causes and sourcesId causes and sources• Estimate loads Estimate loads
Comparison of Watershed Plans Comparison of Watershed Plans and TMDL Components continuedand TMDL Components continued
Watershed Plan ComponentsWatershed Plan Components
3.3. Sets goals and Id solutionsSets goals and Id solutions• Develop indicators/targetsDevelop indicators/targets• Determine load reductionsDetermine load reductions• Id critical areasId critical areas• Develop management measures to Develop management measures to
achieve goalsachieve goals
TMDL ComponentsTMDL Components
3.3. Identify water quality targets and Identify water quality targets and goals and allocate loadsgoals and allocate loads• Id applicable WQS/targetsId applicable WQS/targets• Id critical areas and seasonalityId critical areas and seasonality• Describe technical analysis used in Describe technical analysis used in
load estimation, load reduction, load estimation, load reduction, modeling, etc.modeling, etc.
• Allocate acceptable loads between Allocate acceptable loads between point and nonpoint sources point and nonpoint sources (WLAs, LAs)(WLAs, LAs)
• Provide for a margin of safety Provide for a margin of safety (MOS)(MOS)
Comparison of Watershed Plans Comparison of Watershed Plans and TMDL Components continuedand TMDL Components continued
Watershed Plan ComponentsWatershed Plan Components
4.4. Design an implementation Design an implementation programprogram• Develop an implementation Develop an implementation
scheduleschedule• Develop interim milestonesDevelop interim milestones• Develop criteria to measure Develop criteria to measure
progressprogress• Develop monitoring Develop monitoring
componentcomponent• Develop educational Develop educational
componentcomponent• Id technical /financial Id technical /financial
assistance assistance • Assign responsibility Assign responsibility
TMDL ComponentsTMDL Components
4.4. Provide a monitoring and Provide a monitoring and restoration strategy – restoration strategy – Optional except for phased-Optional except for phased-TMDLsTMDLs• WLAs implemented through WLAs implemented through
NPDES permitsNPDES permits• LAs implemented through LAs implemented through
voluntary and incentive based voluntary and incentive based programsprograms
• Monitoring and restoration Monitoring and restoration information encouraged but information encouraged but not required unless the not required unless the TMDL is phasedTMDL is phased
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www.epa.gov/owow/nps/watershed_handbook/
Questions?Questions?
Links to additional resourLinks to additional resourcesces