Tag: TMDL

EPA, the States, and TMDL Obligations

Section 1313 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) directs that states must develop total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for water bodies that are impaired by pollutants or conditions (e.g., temperature or turbidity). The state submits these TMDLs to the EPA for approval. If the Agency approves the state’s submission, the TMDL takes effect. If the […]

EPA Updates Water Quality Trading Policy

In February 2019, the EPA’s assistant administrator for water issued a memo updating the Agency’s water quality trading policy “to promote market-based mechanisms.” The memo includes six principles intended to clarify aspects of the federal water quality trading program, provide tools and incentives to states and local governments to implement trading programs, and promote increased […]

Supreme Court Declines to Hear Case Challenging TMDL Program

In a blow to the agricultural and land development sectors, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case challenging EPA’s 2010 total maximum daily load (TMDL) program for the Chesapeake Bay. The case was launched in 2011 when the American Farm Bureau, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the National Association of Home Builders, and others […]

Tribes to Establish TMDLs

Federally recognized Indian tribes with reservations may soon be able to apply to the EPA to run Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d), the total maximum daily load (TMDL) program for U.S. waters located on those reservations.

Water regulation: what to expect in 2013

Nancy Stoner, Acting Assistant Administrator of the Office of Water, kicked off the presentation with a discussion of the environmental challenges ahead: population growth, development, climate change, and degradation of existing infrastructure. She emphasized that the greatest tool to overcome our obstacles is partnership, which was a recurring theme in many of this year’s presentations. […]

EPA’s Strategy for Improving CWA

These new threats are so widespread that EPA has released a strategy to place more emphasis on protecting healthy waters. And, existing resources may have to be spread even thinner to meet standards. According to EPA, sources of stress vary regionally, but mainly comprise agriculture; stormwater runoff; habitat, hydrology and landscape modification; invasive species; the […]