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LIST OF WATERBODIES IN NEED OF TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD DEVELOPMENT
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With the passage of the 1972 federal Clean Water Act (CWA) the states were to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for water quality limited waterbodies that set limits on the loading from point and nonpoint sources. The CWA §303(d) and the EPA Water Quality Planning and Management Regulations (40 CFR, Part 130) require each state to:
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Identify waterbodies that are water quality limited;
Prioritize and target those waterbodies;
Determine the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) allowable to assure unimpaired water quality and attainment of beneficial uses.
The development of TMDLs uses existing laws, rules and regulations to ensure that water quality standards are met. Voluntary cooperation by the principal sources in a watershed is the preferred method of TMDL development and implementation.
In 1991, the EPA issued its first guidance document describing the TMDL process. All states were required to make a prioritized list of waterbodies that were in need of TMDL development as required by CWA §303(d). The list was to be updated biennially. The regionalEPAhasbeendirectedtopromulgatethelistifastatefailstodoso. Montanahas met its §303(d) reporting requirements.
A TMDL may use technical tools such as simple or complex comprehensive modeling, biological and physical assessments and water quality monitoring to determine the health of a waterbody and to maintain or improve it. Development of a TMDL requires public involvement and may be the best way to manage complex water quality problems.
The TMDL process described below is an excellent way to fulfill the public policy statement in the Montana Water Quality Act (75-5-101 (2)) to "provide a comprehensive program for the prevention, abatement and control of water pollution."
MONTANA STATE LIBRAY - Organizational Body
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Social Science
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LOADING LIST...
LOADING LIST...