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Minimum Elements of a
TMDL Implementation Plan
The proposed regulations call for each TMDL to have an
implementation plan with -
/  List of actions needed to reduce pollutants — for
   example, NPDES permits revision schedules for point
   sources, or description of best management practices
   for nonpoint sources
/  Time line describing when these actions will occur
/  Reasonable assurance that pollutants from point and
   nonpoint sources will be reduced
/  Legal authorities to be used
/  Estimate of the time it will take to reach water quality
   standards
/  Monitoring or modeling plan to determine if on-the-
   ground actions are working and pollutants are being
   reduced
/  Milestones for measuring progress
/  Plans for revising the TMDL, if progress is not being made

New Tools for TMDL  Implementation:
Reasonable Assurance Through NPDES
How can we ensure that TMDLs, once established, will reduce
pollutants? In the proposed regulatory revisions, EPA is
asking that states include "reasonable assurances" in their
implementation plans to make sure that these "on-the-
ground" actions will occur.

There are  a variety of ways that a state can demonstrate
reasonable assurance.  States could use their nonpoint
source management programs, federal, state or local cost-
sharing programs, or local ordinances and zoning requirements
to demonstrate a commitment to reducing pollutants.

To enhance EPA and the state's ability to establish
reasonable assurance,  the proposed changes would allow
states and EPA to decide that certain currently unregulated
sources are causing significant water quality problems.  The
proposed regulations would allow states and EPA to require
these sources to have  an NPDES permit.  This authority
would be limited to: animal feeding operations, aquatic animal
production facilities, and some discharges from forestry
operations.
    Achieving Healthy Watershed
     & Water Quality Standards

  • TMDLs set the stage for on-the-
   ground actions to reduce pollutant
   loadings
  • Implementation tools are many-
      NPDES permits for point sources
      State nonpoint source management
      programs
      Other federal laws and
      requirements
      State and local laws and ordinances
      Local or regional watershed
      management programs             _
V	/
       What is an NPDES Permit?

     The Clean Water Act prohibits
     anybody from discharging
     pollutants into our waters through
     a point source unless they have a
     National Pollutant Discharge
     Elimination System (NPDES)
     permit. A permit contains limits
     on the discharge and monitoring
     to ensure that the discharge does
     not harm water quality or people's
     health. An NPDES permit
     translates general requirements
     of the Clean Water Act into
     specific provisions tailored to
     operation of each point source
     discharging pollutants.
      For More Information including state lists and maps & proposed regulations,
                 see EPA's TMDL homepage - http://www.epo.gov/owow/ttndl

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