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EPA Region 6 Dallas, Texas. DRAFT. EPA Perspectives In Watershed Planning . Mike Bira USEPA Region 6 NPS Program bira.mike@epa.gov 214-665-6668. Federal law promulgated in 1972. Applies to surface water – lakes, rivers, streams, coastal areas - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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EPARegion 6 Dallas, Texas
2
Mike Bira USEPA Region 6 NPS Programbira.mike@epa.gov214-665-6668
EPA Perspectives In Watershed Planning
DRAFT
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
4
Establish Water Quality Standards
Surface Water Quality Standards
• Criteria to protect these uses• Antidegradation policy to limit
additional water pollution
Adopted by State, Reviewed by EPA
• Beneficial Uses – fishing– swimming– public water
supplies
Water Quality CRITERIANumeric Criteria
Chloride - 250 mg/lLead - 5 ug/l
Narrative Criteria "Toxic chemicals shall not be present in toxic amounts"
"No objectionable algal densities or nuisance aquatic vegetation"
What is An Impaired WaterEPA defines an impaired waterbody as one that does not meet water quality criteria that support its designated use. The criteria might be numeric and specify concentration, duration, and recurrence intervals for various parameters, or they might be narrative and describe required conditions such as the absence of scum, sludge, odors, or toxic substances. If the waterbody is impaired it is placed on the section 303(d) list. For each pollutant listed, the state or tribe must develop a restoration target called a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).
What Can Happen to a 303(d) listed Waterbody
• The waterbody has a TMDL submitted and approved within 8 to 13 years and is delisted.
• The waterbody is restored and meets WQSs and is delisted.
• The waterbody is reassessed and is found to be meeting WQSs and is delisted.
• WQSs are changed, the waterbody is reassessed and is found to be meeting WQSs and is delisted.
Total Maximum Daily Load- TMDL -
• A tool for implementing State Water Quality Standards
• Establishes allowable pollutant loadings for a water body
• Provides basis for States to establish water quality based controls
• Addresses both Point Source and Nonpoint Source Pollution
SWLA + SLA + {MOS} = TMDLPoint source loads + nonpoint source loads + MOS = TMDL
TMDL Definition
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
What is a Watershed Plan ?
A watershed plan is a document used to resolve and prevent water quality problems that result from both point source and nonpoint source contributors. These plans are intended both to provide an analytical framework to restore water quality in impaired waters and to protect water quality in other waters adversely affected or threatened by pollutant sources.
Why Watershed Plans Fail to Achieve Desired Goals Planning activities conducted at too great of a
scale. Plan was a one-time study rather than long-term
management process. Lack of stakeholder involvement and ownership. Skirting of real land use/management issues. Plan was too long or complex. Recommendations were too general. Failure to identify and address conflicts.
Source: Center for Watershed Protection
Translate and Communicate !!
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Steps In Watershed Planning
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The Nine Elements that Must Be Included in a 319 Watershed Plan
1. ID causes & sources of pollution – TMDL feature2. Estimate load reductions expected – TMDL feature3. Describe mgmt measures & targeted critical
areas – TMDL feature4. Estimate technical and financial assistance
needed 5. Develop education component 6. Develop schedule – TMDL option7. Describe measurable milestones – TMDL option8. ID indicators to measure progress9. Develop a monitoring component – TMDL option
Comparison of Watershed Plans and TMDL Components
Watershed Plan Components
1. Build partnerships
2. Characterize the watershed• ID waterbody, impairments,
study boundaries• Gather and analyze data• ID causes and sources• Estimate loads
TMDL Components
1. Provide opportunity for public involvement
2. Identify the problem• ID waterbody, impairments,
study boundaries• Present data analysis• ID causes and sources• Estimate loads
Comparison of Watershed Plans and TMDL Components continued
Watershed Plan Components
3. Sets goals and ID solutions• Develop indicators/targets• Determine load reductions• ID critical areas• Develop management
measures to achieve goals
TMDL Components
3. Identify water quality targets and goals and allocate loads• ID applicable WQS/targets• ID critical areas and seasonality• Describe technical analysis used in
load estimation, load reduction, modeling, etc.
• Allocate acceptable loads between point and nonpoint sources (WLAs, LAs)
• Provide for a margin of safety (MOS)
Comparison of Watershed Plans and TMDL Components continued
Watershed Plan Components
4. Design an implementation program• Develop an implementation
schedule• Develop interim milestones• Develop criteria to measure
progress• Develop monitoring
component• Develop educational
component• ID technical /financial
assistance • Assign responsibility
TMDL Components
4. Provide a monitoring and restoration strategy – Optional except for phased-TMDLs• WLAs implemented through
NPDES permits• LAs implemented through
voluntary and incentive based programs
• Monitoring and restoration information encouraged but not required unless the TMDL is phased
EPA Watershed Tools www.epa.gov
www.epa.gov/healthywatersheds
www.epa.gov/owow/watershedplanning
Surf Your Watershed
Watershed Academy
Watershed Plan Builder
Newest NewsTwo EPA watershed products released
2013: A Quick Guide to Developing
Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/upload
watershed mgmt quick guide.pdf An Introduction to Watershed
Planninghttp://cfpub.epa.gov/watertrain/
moduleFrame.cfm?module
EPA Watershed Central Wiki
Wiki.epa.gov
Interactive site with Wiki format
Allows users to add new H2Oshed programs and input new info to existing sites
Never criticize someone unless you have walked a
mile in their shoes.That way, when you do
criticize them, you’re a mile away.
And you have their shoes.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
24
www.epa.gov/owow/nps/watershed_handbook/
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