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TMDL Implementation in the Calleguas Creek Watershed. Ashli Desai Larry Walker Associates. Presentation Outline. What is a TMDL? Calleguas TMDLs TMDL Sources Required reductions from agricultural sources TMDL Implementation and Costs. 303(d) List and TMDLs.
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TMDL Implementation in theCalleguas Creek Watershed Ashli Desai Larry Walker Associates
Presentation Outline • What is a TMDL? • Calleguas TMDLs • TMDL Sources • Required reductions from agricultural sources • TMDL Implementation and Costs
303(d) List and TMDLs Foundation for Protecting Water Quality -Water Quality Objectives Waterbodies Exceeding Water Quality Objectives (Impaired) -Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List Mechanism for Removing Impairment -Development of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Calleguas Creek Watershed 8 TMDLs for 28 constituents by 2012
What is a TMDL? • Calculation of maximum amount of pollutant discharge from each source that allows waterbody to meet water quality objective • Considers all sources to waterbody • Ag+Urban+Wastewater+Background=TMDL • Background covers groundwater, soils, atmospheric deposition, etc.
TMDLs in Calleguas • Effective • Nitrogen and Algae • Historic Pesticides (DDT, Chlordane) • Metals (Copper, Nickel, Zinc, Mercury) • Toxicity • Sediment • Trash • Awaiting EPA Approval • Salts (Chloride, TDS, Boron, Sulfate) • Bacteria to be developed in next year
TMDL Development • Calleguas Creek Watershed Management Plan developed TMDLs • Public review process for about a year each • Implementation coordinated with existing programs to extent possible Urban Stakeholders TMDLDevelopment Agricultural Stakeholders RWQCB/EPA
Agricultural Source Analysis • TMDL analysis determines amount from each source • Agricultural contribution varies depending on constituent • Can also vary between wet and dry conditions • Source analysis part of analysis of how much can be discharged
Summary • Agriculture is a source for all of the constituents in TMDLs • Magnitude of the source varies by constituent • Historic practices may need to be addressed • Some of the constituents discharged are not due to agricultural use, but could be impacted by agricultural practices
Load Allocations • Load allocations are interim and final limits to be met by agriculture • Interim limits • Go into effect when TMDL effective • Set at 95th/99th percentile of existing discharge data • Designed to ensure discharges don’t increase • Final limits • Go into effect at end of implementation period • Set based on water quality objective • Designed to achieve water quality objectives • Used to allocate costs for TMDL implementation
TMDL Implementation Implementation Actions TMDL Monitoring Special Studies Required studies to answer outstanding questions Optional studies allow for site-specific objective development Identify and install BMPs Education Receiving Water-water, sediment, fish tissue Agricultural land use sites. Coordinated with conditional waiver sites where possible
Completed Implementation Actions • TMDL Monitoring Program • Submitted plan in September 2006 • Monitoring begins August 2008 • Special Study Workplans • Sediment Transport and Habitat Impacts Study • High Concentration Areas for DDT and Metals and Flood Control Practices • Urban Source Identification for DDT and Metals • Agricultural Source Identification for DDT and Metals • Selenium in Groundwater
Completed Implementation Actions • Special Studies Completed • Algae, Greenhouses, and Groundwater Studies • Alternatives to Diazinon and Chlorpyrifos Study • Completed work so far has been funded by POTWs only • Work conducted from 2007 to date to be reimbursed
Upcoming Implementation Items-Covered by Conditional Waiver • Develop Agricultural Water Quality Management Plans • Identify and install BMPs • Implement Agricultural Educational Program on BMPs • Evaluate effectiveness of BMPs
Upcoming Implementation ItemsNot Covered by Conditional Waiver • Conduct work for submitted special study workplans • Develop workplans and conduct work for optional studies • Copper WER for Revolon • SSO for Mercury and Selenium • Implement historic pesticide collection program
Agriculture Discharge Urban Runoff Wastewater Storm Flows Approach for Cost Sharing • Based on amount each source allowed to discharge to stream • More allowable discharge, more cost • Different percentage of costs for each TMDL • Memorandum of Agreement developed for funding • Budget developed every year for approval
Summary • Agricultural costs based on amount allowed to discharge in TMDL • Costs of studies will be spread over several years • Costs shown are just first year budget • Monitoring will be ongoing every year • Amount billed is for first year, but will be ongoing costs throughout TMDL implementation • Most of costs for special studies during first five years
Regulatory Issues and Enforcement • VCAILG being used as a mechanism for implementing TMDLs as a group • RWQCB will require individuals not participating in group to conduct actions on own • Recent Writ of Mandate • Specific to urban discharges • Doesn’t protect against lawsuits from others • Calleguas group continuing TMDL implementation
Future • Calleguas is first for TMDLs, but won’t be last • Salts and Bacteria implementation will be added later • Trash will be addressed separately • Santa Clara River has effective nutrient TMDL and is listed for: • Salts • Bacteria • Toxicity (Diazinon and Chlorpyrifos) • Historic Pesticides • Ventura River has effective trash TMDL and is listed for: • Nutrients • Bacteria • Historic Pesticides