State Implementation of the Clean Water Act's Total Maximum Daily Loads Program

ARCHIVE -- This page no longer being updated. (1/1/04)

WGA/WSWC Symposium on Arid Areas 

On December 11, 2002, the Western Governors' Association and Western States Water Council co-sponsored a symposium in Tempe, Arizona to discuss 'Arid Areas Issues' as they pertain to the Clean Water Act. Arid areas issues include ephemeral and intermittent streams, effluent-dependent streams, and constructed water conveyances. The symposium was structured to include broad stakeholder involvement in order to discuss and contemplate current regulation over arid areas issues. The ultimate objective for the symposium was to understand the various perspectives on these issues, to consider the efficacy of the current state regulatory programs, and to contemplate recommendations for improving those programs.

See: Agenda and Presentations -- Meeting Summary -- List of Attendees

Interstate Coordination of TMDLs 

The coordination and development of interstate/international/tribal TMDLs is at a stage where few practical models exist upon which EPA, states, tribes, and stakeholders can draw. Western governors, as outlined in their 1999 resolution, Interstate Coordination of State Watershed Plans to Implement the Total Maximum Daily Loads Programs under the Clean Water Act (99-002), believe that sharing lessons learned and developing new models, including the possible development of guiding principles, will substantially benefit all of the entities in multi-jurisdictional watersheds. To that end, WGA proposed identifying and assisting key interstate/international/tribal TMDL planning efforts in the West.

In the Spring 2001, WGA selected the Columbia/Snake River TMDL for interstate coordination under the grant. The role of WGA, guided by the Enlibra Principles and the Park City Principles, was to act as a facilitator in bringing the various parties together in an effort to coordinate the development and implementation of an interstate TMDL. The final product that was developed as a result of WGAs participation in this TMDL is a report entitled “Lessons Learned: Interstate Coordination of Columbia/Snake Mainstem TMDLs.”

Implementation of State Total Maximum Daily Loads programs

WGA received a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to assist western states with the implementation of their state Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) programs. Under the grant, WGA conducts forums for western states to assist them in developing the tools needed to successfully implement TMDL program requirements. A variety of western water interests participate in the TMDL forums. The forums are designed around priority issues associated with TMDL implementation. A steering committee of interested parties advises WGA on the shape and content of the forums.

WGA TMDL Forums to date:

"Environmental Credit Trading as Tool for Meeting TMDLs" – Scottsdale, Arizona on March 14, 2001. This workshop, which is co-sponsored by the Western States Water Council, provided a forum to discuss the keys to developing and implementing water pollution trading programs as a tool for meeting TMDL requirements. The workshop also looked at the success of pollution trading in other media, and concluded with a discussion on how a multi-credit trading system, including water pollution trading, may improve the overall viability of pollution trading programs.

"Developing and Implementing TMDLs" -- Tempe, Arizona on February 3-4, 2000. WGA's fourth TMDL workshop provided a forum to discuss:

• Keys to Developing Approvable TMDLs
• Implementation Plans for Non-point Sources
• Consultation Process for Endangered Species

"Review of EPA's Proposed TMDL Rule and the Integration of Water Quantity and Quality" -- Park City, Utah on  September 22-23, 1999.  WGA’s third TMDL workshop provided a forum to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed TMDL rule.  The WGA workshop fell within the planned public comment period, and its purpose was to assist states and others in clarifying and improving their understanding of the proposed rule. On day two, the workshop examined issues associated with the integration of water quantity and quality. Participants looked at state strategies and case studies to evaluate the appropriate state, federal and other stakeholder roles in this important issue.

"TMDL Coordination Within States and River Basins" -- Portland, Oregon on May 6-7, 1999. This workshop examined issues associated with the coordination of TMDLs, both within a single state and involving multiple states and jurisdictions. The goal of the workshop was to provide information and contacts for state, tribal and federal agencies as they move forward with TMDL implementation.  As a result of this workshop, the Governors adopted Resolution 99-002.

"Improving the Interaction of Science, Measurement Techniques and TMDLs Listing Management" -- Las Vegas, Nevada on January 20-21, 1999. The conference was divided into three moderated panels:  1) Sound Science in State Watershed/TMDL Planning (Federal Perspectives); 2) Sound Science in State Watershed/TMDL Planning (State Perspectives); and 3) Managing the TMDL Listing Process. Two break out sessions tackled a series of questions and reported back to the group on their findings. Finally, the Chief of EPA's Watershed Branch gave a breakfast address previewing the new TMDL regulations that EPA plans to issue in mid-1999.

The Western Governors' vision for future environmental management -- Enlibra: A New Shared Doctrine for Environmental Management -- offers an opportunity to further refine and focus the environmental decision making processes of the future including those associated with TMDL implementation. As WGA moves forward with this program we will be utilizing the doctrine to improve and expedite environmental decision-making.