OCR error (C:\Conversion\JobRoot\00000A0V\tiff\2000U202.tif): Unspecified error ------- 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 ------- |