EPARegion 6 Dallas, Texas

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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

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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

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

Questions?

Comments?