To:
Members, Affiliates
From:
National Office
Date:
August 7, 1998
Reference:
RA 98-17
Final Report of the TMDL Federal Advisory Committee
Attached please find the final "Report of the Federal Advisory Committee on the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program." The report culminates an 20-month effort by EPA, states, and other stakeholders to develop recommendations concerning needed changes to the agency's TMDL program implementation strategy, as well as TMDL-related policies, guidance, regulations and priorities.
At an August 5 meeting with AMSA representatives, Geoff Grubbs, Director of EPA's Assessment and Watershed Protection Division, briefed AMSA on EPA's plans to put aside all existing policy and guidance on the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program, and develop a new 90-100 page revised TMDL guidance based upon the Committee's final recommendations. Grubbs also described plans to restructure 40 CFR Part 130 into three subparts to clarify regulatory requirements for TMDL development and state implementation programs. Grubbs indicated that the planned regulatory and guidance changes would be bundled into one proposal for public notice and comment this winter, with a goal of finalizing the changes in time for the next TMDL listing cycle.
EPA is meeting regularly with constituent groups as it develops its proposal. AMSA has been requested by EPA to suggest both regulatory and guidance language that may alleviate some of AMSA concerns regarding TMDL allocation methods, minimum data requirements for listing and TMDL development, new source constraints during listing and TMDL development, and defining "reasonable assurances" to control nonpoint sources. Representatives from AMSA's Water Quality Committeee are currently developing a response to the solicitation. For more information, contact Mark Hoeke, AMSA 202/833-9106, or mhoeke@amsa-cleanwater.org
ATTACHMENT: July 1998 Report of the Federal Advisory Committee on the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program