Managing Healthy Watersheds

In an effort to eliminate unsafe levels of pollutants in our nation’s water supply, regional development organizations are working with state water authorities to develop implementation plans for total maximum daily loads (TMDLs).

What is a TMDL?
TMDL is the maximum amount of polluted discharge and runoff that a waterbody (lake, river, stream) can receive and still be considered safe and healthy. The polluted runoff or nonpoint source pollution typically comes from agriculture, logging, lawns, roads, parking lots and construction sites containing a combination of fertilizers, oil, pesticides and animal waste.

In 1996, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began state TMDL implementation plan requirements as a Healthy Watershed Strategy component. State implementation plan requirements were instituted to ensure that waterbodies meet the water quality standards outlined in the Federal Clean Water Act of 1972. Many states have turned to regional development organizations to administer these TMDL implementation plans.

TMDL Management Tips Review current list of impaired waters in your community Join a local watershed committee Attend TMDL meetings Get informed Service your car to prevent oil and antifreeze leaks Use fewer gardening and lawncare products Clean up after your pets Don't litter Don't dump oil or antifreeze Leave native vegetation alongside streams Maintain septic tanks Report sewer leaks and storm drain problems Provided by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division

TMDL and Regional Organizations
By 1998 state authorities had identified and listed more than 20,000 miles of rivers and streams and 300,000 acres of lakes to be in excess of TMDL limits. Quality assessments of the sediments, nutrients, oxygen-demanding substances, toxic substances and pathogens determined which waterbodies would be listed as TMDL-impaired.

Lanier Boatwright, Executive Director of McIntosh Trail Regional Development Center (RDC), an Economic Development Administration (EDA) funded district in Georgia, explains his organization’s role in TMDL implementation planning, “We did the assessments and schedules, but most of all we focus on educating our communities about the connection between water quality and land management/use. Farming in rural areas is our greatest concern. Unless our communities learn to control the content of runoff, then the problem will remain infinite.”

It makes sense for regional development organizations to present best practices in land use management to local leaders. Bill Jarocki, Director of the Environmental Finance Center at Boise State University notes the impact of regional organizations in TMDL outreach, “Good education begins with having the right group of people at that table. In this case those people are local leaders, who are often the organizations’ board members.”

TMDL Funding Sources EPA section 319 - Nonpoint source funding (through state agency) NOAA/coastal zone management section 6217 - Coastal nonpoint source funds (through state agency) USDA Water Quality Initiative (through Cooperative Extension) NOAA/National Sea Grant College Program (through state Sea Grant programs) Great Lakes Protection fund List provided by the Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials Project, University of Connecticut, (860) 345-4511.

Once communities understand TMDL, implementation costs and monitoring responsibilities becomes an issue. Ida-Ore Planning and Development Association (PDA), an EDA funded district in Idaho, is working to manage expected TMDL costs. Ida-Ore PDA Executive Director Phil Choate says, “TMDL issues have just shown up on our radar screen. We foresee that splitting load reduction responsibilities among community stakeholders will offset costs.” TMDL assessment costs can average half a million dollars for a 22-mile stream.

Regional development organizations have found that including stakeholders in planning is cost effective. McIntosh Trail has found the Two Rivers Resource Conservation and Development Council invaluable. Boatwright contends, “Although natural events like floods or storms can create uncontrollable water quality impairments, working together on TMDL planning is the greatest positive for achieving optimum water quality.”

By Kelly Novak, NADO Research Foundation Research Manager
Contact Lanier Boatwright of McIntosh Trail RDC at (770) 227-6300 or mtrdc@mindspring.com; Phil Choate of Ida-Ore PDA at (208) 322-7033; Bill Jarocki of Environmental Finance Center at Boise State University at (208) 426-4293; Carmen Westerfield of Two Rivers RC & D at (770) 358-0787.

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