What is a TMDL? MWEA NPDES Permit Compliance Seminar. December 2, 2009

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1 What is a TMDL? Total Maximum Daily Load is an estimate of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards, and an allocation of that amount to the pollutant s sources. In our watershed area this affects Point Sources and Nonpoint Sources. 1

2 The Kalamazoo River Watershed Lake Allegan Kieser & Associates, Nov 8, 2007 KR WQ assessment Lake Allegan 2

3 Lake Allegan Background Lake Allegan is a 1,587 acre reservoir in Allegan County accepting drainage from over eight counties. In 1972 EPA classified the lake as hypereutrophic due to total phosphorus. Thelakewas listed in1996. To get off the impaired list, our unique cooperative TMDL effort kicked off in The Point Sources worked along side the MDEQ, non-governmental organization s, and citizens to develop and implement the unique cooperative agreement. PS agreement advantages include phos limits, WLA flexibility, compliance status, and simplistic nonpoint source reduction responsibilities. TMDL Goals during the growing season Water Quality Indicators Total phosphorus 1998 Conditions Goals *By ug/l 60 ug/l* Chlorophyll a 67 ug/l 30 ug/l Dissolved oxygen 3.1 mg/l 5 mg/l Water Clarity 30 inches 42 inches Carp & catfish as % of fish community 87% 30% 3

4 The group determined that 65% of the phosphorus contributions to the lake came from nonpoint sources and the remaining 35% from point sources. April - June July - September Goal 1998 Goal 1998 WasteLoad Allocation Load Allocation Margin of Safety Total pounds per month 8,700 8,700 6,700 8,700 9,800 17,218 4,088 8, ,600 25,918 10,838 16,835 Status over last nine years: ThePS havemettheirwla. PSPloadingreported liveandonline,yearround. PS have provided educational, monetary, analytical, sampling and staffing resources for both point source and nonpoint source reduction activities. PS have a technical advisor on retainer whom maintains the website, provides statistical analysis of available watershed data, advises the group on BMP reduction timeline cost projections and TMDL trends within other parts of the country. 4

5 Point Source WLA Status : April-June 8700 lbs July-Sept 6700 lbs Point Source WLA Status : April-June 8700 lbs July-Sept 6700 lbs Economy Tech/finesse 5

6 Nonpoint Source Phosphorus Distribution Kieser & Associates, Nov 8, 2007 KR WQ assessment Nonpoint Source LA : Apr-Jun 9800 lbs Jul-Sept lbs Kieser & Associates, Nov 8, 2007 KR WQ assessment

7 What have we tried? Original subcommittee structure(8-10 committees) refined to focus on ag and urban, in addition to the technical committee. Welcomed additional support from university research and sustainability efforts. Implementation Plan refined to focus on three year strategy. Kanoe the Kazoo, Super Soils, Carp Derby, built watershed communication center electronic newsletter. River bank restoration, rain gardens/roofs and no mow zones. Web presence linked to overlapping watershed efforts. TMDL lends support to regional or state efforts to reduce phosphorus(e.g., lawn ordinances, Farm Bill funding). Low impact development ordinances, LEED certification, stormwater ordinances, wellhead protection ordinances. Why are we unique?: In April of 2001, the EPA approved the State s innovative proposal of a Cooperative Agreement to meet the TMDL for phosphorus. Stakeholders signed the Cooperative Agreement during (handout; expires in potential issues) The MDEQ and Watershed Stakeholders developed a combined point source and nonpoint source Kalamazoo River/Lake Allegan Phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plan that was submitted to the EPA in August of (handout-2008 plan) 7

8 Point Source TMDL Cooperative Agreement Expectations: Commits to participate with other point sources and nonpoint contributors in the watershed to reduce point source and nonpoint source contributions of phosphorus as necessary to meet the TMDL through the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP s). Agreestodevelop and commitstoreductionssetforthina implementation plan and subsequent reduction plans to accomplish the individual or aggregate point source loading reductions. Point Source Aggregate Waste load allocation(wla) of 8700 lbs per month April through June and 6700 lbs per month July through September. Agrees to assist with nonpoint LA of 9800 lbs April through June and 4088 lbs July through September. Agrees to measure progress toward meeting the individual and aggregate loading reductions. Point Source TMDL Cooperative Agreement Expectations: Agrees to meet semi-annually in the Spring and Fall to discuss reduction efforts and review the implementation plan and recommend modifications for improving implementation. Submit an annual report by March 1 st of each year to the MDEQ Kalamazoo District Supervisor, summarizing progress made towards meeting goal; summaries of annual meetings, progress made towards each item in implementation plan; changes in implementation plans; local success in phos control; summary of each PS phos effluent data and control methods; and summary of any locally derived watershed monitoring data. Agrees to facilitate nonpoint source reductions by providing assistance, resources and coordination of local efforts. 8

9 Point Source TMDL Cooperative Agreement Expectations: Agree to discuss the continuing study of the water quality parameters and endpoints for the phosphorus reduction program. The study may include, but need not be limited to the following: Continued monitoring of phosphorus, verify established baselines and endpoints for relevant warm water fish species and other indigenous aquatic life and wildlife; study and quantify phos contributions from accumulated sediments; evaluate other causes of water quality impairment; establish relationship between phosphorus reduction and water quality improvements. Nonpoint Source Expectations: To reduce phosphorus from rural and urban land uses by 50% from such sources as stormwater runoff from parking lots, lawns, farms, industry, and commercial activities; from stream bank erosion; from livestock, pets and wildlife; failed septic systems and from illicit discharges. To meet quarterly with all stakeholders (PS, MDEQ, NGO & Citizens) to discuss progress towards meeting the TMDL goal as outlined in the implementation plan and subsequent plans. All relevant items listed in the PS expectations. 9

10 MDEQ Expectations: MDEQ agrees to continue monitoring the water quality in Lake Allegan and the Kalamazoo River, as resources allow. Monitoring will occur at the M-89, M-222, and M40/89 inlets. The minimum monitoring frequency will be monthly from April through September each year at each site in Lake Allegan and the Kalamazoo River. The MDEQ will prepare a report of the annual sampling results by March 1 of each year. The report will be distributed to all signatories of the agreement. Future Watershed Activities: The Kalamazoo River Watershed Council is in the process of writing a Watershed plan for the entire Kalamazoo River Watershed which will include TMDL phos reduction recommendations. The TMDL Implementation Group will continue it s efforts on Urban and Ag phosphorus reduction activities such as Lawn Fertilizer Ordinances, Stormwater BMP s, permanent Ag BMP s, and low impact development ordin. Approval of future TMDL cooperative agreement. 10

11 TMDL The primary purpose of the TMDL program is to protect public health and the health of impaired aquatic ecosystems by ensuring attainment of water quality standards, including beneficial uses. US EPA, 1998 Additional Information