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1 Sandra Spence Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November 19, 2008 DRAFT

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Page 1: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

1

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

Page 2: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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

Page 3: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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

Page 4: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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

4

Page 5: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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."

Page 6: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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

6

Establish Water Quality Standards

Page 7: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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).

Page 8: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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

Page 9: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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.

Page 10: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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.

Page 11: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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)

Page 12: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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

Page 13: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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

13

I’M FULL! I can’t eat

another bite of that

pollutant!

Page 14: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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

Page 15: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

Comparison of Region 8 States to Major Causes of Impairment Nationally

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Pathogens Hg Metals Sed Nutrients

Impairment Cause

% o

f L

iste

d W

ate

rs

NationalRegion 8

Page 16: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

Major Causes of Impairment in Wyoming

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Impairment Cause

% o

f L

iste

d W

ate

rs

Wyoming

Page 17: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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

Page 18: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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.

Page 19: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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

Page 20: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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Steps In Watershed PlanningSteps In Watershed Planning

Page 21: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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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

23

Page 24: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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k

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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Page 25: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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k

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

25

Page 26: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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k

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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Page 27: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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Page 28: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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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

Page 29: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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Incorporation of the nine minimum elements

Page 30: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

How are TMDLs and Watershed How are TMDLs and Watershed Plans Related?Plans Related?

Page 31: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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

Page 32: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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

Page 33: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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)

Page 34: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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

Page 35: 1 Sandra Spence EPA Region 8 TMDL Program EPA Region 8 TMDL Program Integrating Watershed Plans and TMDLs to Help Answer Watershed Planning Questions November

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www.epa.gov/owow/nps/watershed_handbook/

Questions?Questions?

Links to additional resourLinks to additional resourcesces