Requirements. for Improved Water Quality:

Transcription

1 Setting the Course for Improved Water Quality: Administrative Requirements Minnesota Pollution Control Agency A TMDL training gprogram for local government leaders and other water resource managers Session 2 Photo by Don Berger wq-iw3-52

2 The TMDL Study: An overview of administrative requirements

3 Presentation goals 1. Describe approaches to leading and managing a TMDL study 2. Explain what must be done to secure funding for a study 3. Describe the minimum i required elements of a study

4 Leading a TMDL study There are a number of ways to lead a TMDL study A local unit of government can lead the process -- we encourage this! However, MPCA is ultimately t l responsible for the outcome of each study

5 Funding sources TMDL studies now funded with state funds from Clean Water Legacy Act Implementation funded by EPA s Sec. 319 grants

6 Funding a TMDL study MPCA makes funding decisions based on: 1. The targeted start date of the project 2. Readiness of local l partners 3. Potential for success 4. Availability of MPCA staff/resources to assist local partners or conduct the study

7 Organizations eligible to receive funding to lead TMDL studies Qualified public agencies, as described by the Clean Water Legacy Act

8 The TMDL administrative process simplified Develop workplan Develop contract Complete TMDL study Public notice document in State Register 3-5 years

9 The TMDL study work plan Written work plan must be developed to get funds for TMDL studies Draft work plan reviewed by MPCA staff Work plan approved by MPCA

10 Develop a TMDL contract MPCA approves plan MPCA writes contract Work begins

11 What kinds of activities can be funded? d? Water quality Data management diagnostic studies Technical writing Pollutant source Public participation identification activities Technical Watershed/water body assistance modeling GIS analysis

12 Completing the study A TMDL study should: Follow MPCA protocols, when available Follow MPCA approved outline Be concisely written Provide a springboard for action Be revised, if necessary

13 What are the required elements of a TMDL study? 1. Public participation plan 2. Water body health assessment 3. Technical analysis of data (to determine causes and sources of pollution) Details

14 Pollution esota P Minne What are the required elements of a TMDL study? 4. Allocation of acceptable pollutant loads from point / nonpoint sources 5. Strategy for restoring water quality 6. Milestones and monitoring strategy

15 1. Public participation plan Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

16 1. Public participation plan Develop plan to include citizens and stakeholders throughout TMDL process Develop schedule for creating outreach tools and materials Include public notice of DRAFT TMDL study

17 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 2. Water body health assessment

18 2. Water body health assessment Collect MPCA s ambient water quality data to assess waterbody condition Compile ambient water quality data from external sources Identify data gaps Conduct QA/QC checks on all data

19 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 3. Technical analysis

20 3. Technical analysis Collect more data to fill gaps water quantity data weather data land use assessments aquatic life sediment chemistry toxicity tests, etc. Determine causes of impairment using multiple lines of evidence

21 3. Technical analysis Develop assessment of causes / sources of impairment When multiple pollutants cause impairment, take integrated approach when possible

22 4. Allocation of pollutant loads Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

23 What is a pollutant load? Load is the weight or mass of a material in water Derived by multiplying: py Volume x Concentration of a pollutant = Load (Example At Mankato, the Minnesota River carries a load of sediment equivalent to 256 dump trucks)

24 4. Allocation of pollutant loads Quantify existing pollutant loadings amount of pollution reduction needed from point and nonpoint sources Determine critical conditions for impairment Account for seasonal variations

25 4. Allocation of pollutant loads Must complete the equation: LA(s) + WLA(s) + MOS + Reserve Capacity = Total Maximum Daily Load Where: LA = Load allocations from nonpoint sources WLA = Waste load allocations from point sources MOS = Margin of safety Reserve Capacity= to accommodate future growth

26 4. Allocation of pollutant loads Nonpoint source #1 Nonpoint source #2 Reserve Margin of Point source Safety #1 Point source #2 Courtesy: WA Dept. of Ecology

27 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 5. Implementation plan

28 5. Implementation plan Convene stakeholders Translate loads / pollution reduction goals into restoration strategies Consider how to use new/existing authorities to meet pollution reductions

29 5. Implementation plan Select restoration options Develop schedule Provide reasonable assurances that t nonpoint reductions can be achieved (exs. zoning ordinances, taxing authorities, enforcement programs, etc.)

30 5. Implementation plan Develop cost estimates, as required by CWLA How much money needed? How will funds generally be used? Describe basic roles / responsibilities What staff / agencies involved? What will each accomplish?

31 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 6. Monitoring plan

32 6. Monitoring plan Develop water quality monitoring plan; monitor regularly, long-term, at the appropriate time during implementation Develop interim measures of success to track accomplishments, short-term term Track changes in community and individual id behaviors

33 Public review of TMDL MPCA leads the process Publish public notice in State Register & on MPCA Web site Mail notice to interested parties Allow 30-day public review/comment period Hold public meetings, if needed Respond to comments MPCA Commissioner approves TMDL study

34 Public review / comments Pollution esota P Minne Commissioner decides whether TMDL study should be presented to MPCA board EPA has final approval authority MPCA and EPA responsible for content

35 Support available when partnering with MPCA Funding to local governments from state and federal agencies MPCA technical/administrative i i t ti assistance Consultants (available through MPCA s Master Contracts)

36 Pollution esota P Minne Support available when partnering with MPCA MDH and state-certified labs GIS analysis and mapping MPCA monitoring i equipment for loan

37 Summary TMDLs can be managed in a variety of ways Limited funds available to develop TMDL Studies Must develop work plan and contract t before funds released work started

38 Summary Approvable TMDL Studies include 6 major elements MPCA makes Draft TMDL Studies available for public review and comment MPCA and EPA have final approval authority for TMDL Studies

39 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency More Information Add staff contacts

40 cy ol Agenc Contro America is a great story, and there is a river on every page of it. Charles Kuralt Explore Minnesota Tourism