Articles

Scientific Studies Supporting Development of a Dissolved Oxygen TMDL
William Stringfellow, Sharon Borglin, Jeremy Hanlon, Justin Graham, Remie Burks
Abstract

Developing Water Quality Criteria for Suspended and Bedded Sediments
John F. Paul, Susan M. Cormier, Walter J. Berry, Philip R. Kaufmann, Robert L. Spehar, Douglas J. Norton^, Robert E. Cantilli, Richard Stevens, William F. Swietlik, Benjamin K. Jessup
Abstract

Evaluating the Accotink Creek Stream Restoration Project for Improving Water Quality, In-Stream Habitat, and Bank Stability
Scott D. Struck, Ariamalar Selvakumar,  Thomas O’Connor
Abstract

A Decision Support Framework to Facilitate Nitrogen Load Reductions in the Long Island Sound (LIS) Watershed Sri Rangarajan, Kathleen A. Munson, Kevin J. Farley, Mark Tedesco
Abstract

A New Approach to Adaptive Implementation in the TMDL Program
Paul L. Freedman, Kenneth H. Reckhow, Leonard Shabman, Jennifer Benaman, Richard Schwer, Thomas Stiles
Abstract

Lessons Learned from TMDL Implementation Case Studies
Brian Benham, Rebecca Zeckoski, Gene Yagow
Abstract

The TMDL Program Results Analysis Project
Douglas J. Norton, Dwight Atkinson, Valentina Cabrera-Stagno,
Bruce Cleland^, Sarah Furtak, Cary McElhinney, Eric Monschein
Abstract

Recovery Potential as a Means of Prioritizing Restoration of Waters Identified as Impaired Under the Clean Water Act
James D. Wickham and Douglas J. Norton
Abstract

Factors for Success in Developing Use Attainability Analysis
Paul L. Freedman, Tom Dupuis, Hans Holmberg, Patricia McGovern, Lori Terry, Margaret Stewart
Abstract

William Stringfellow*, Sharon Borglin, Jeremy Hanlon, Justin Graham, Remie Burks

¹Environmental Engineering Research Program, University of the Pacific, School of Engineering & Computer Sciences, Sears Hall, 3601 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA, 95211.


Abstract
Scientific studies are being conducted to support the implementation of a dissolved oxygen TMDL in the San Joaquin River, CA. The Upstream Dissolved Oxygen TMDL Project combines traditional monitoring with scientific studies to address outstanding questions concerning how algae grow and accumulate in the SJR.  It can be demonstrated that phytoplankton biomass production occurs in-situ, rather than as the result of biomass inputs from sources such as farm-ponds and agricultural drains.  Although TMDL requirements are based on controlling loads, phytoplankton biokinetics are a function of nutrient concentrations, therefore evaluating water quality at the watershed level is an important step in developing a phytoplankton biomass control plan.  Nonparametric methods are being used to rank drainages throughout the study reach and to develop water quality indexes with the objective of providing stakeholders a practical, scientific tool for setting remediation priorities on a watershed scale. 

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John F. Paul^1*, Susan M. Cormier², Walter J. Berry³, Philip R. Kaufmann⁴, Robert L. Spehar⁵, Douglas J. Norton⁶, Robert E. Cantilli⁶, Richard Stevens⁶, William F. Swietlik⁶, Benjamin K. Jessup⁷

¹ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development in Research Triangle. Park, NC.
² U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development in Cincinnati, OH.
³ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development in Narragansett, RI.
⁴ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development in Corvallis, OR.
⁵ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development in Duluth, MN.
⁶U.S. EPA Office of Water, Washington, DC.
⁷Tetra Tech, Inc, Montpellier, VT.


Abstract
The U.S. EPA’s Framework for Developing Suspended and Bedded Sediments (SABS) Water Quality Criteria (SABS Framework) is a nationally-consistent process for developing ambient sediment quality criteria for surface waters. The SABS Framework accommodates natural variation among waterbody types and local and regional conditions.  An important aspect of the Framework is that it ties criteria to levels that protect Designated Uses as described in the U.S. Clean Water Act. Although nationally-consistent, this process allows flexibility in the choice of assessment endpoints, measures, protected uses, and analytical tools.   The SABS Framework describes technical methods and examples for measuring, classifying, and associating various levels of SABS with Designated Uses.  An application of the Framework using data typical of the U.S. mid-Atlantic streams is presented, and a special interest sub-population of forested basins is examined. Candidate criteria values were identified using a weight-of-evidence approach to demonstrate associations between levels of SABS and impacts on Designated Uses.

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Scott D. Struck^1,2*, Ariamalar Selvakumar¹,  and Thomas O’Connor¹

¹United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Water Supply and Water Resource Division, Urban Watershed Management Branch, Edison, NJ.
²Current Address: Tetra Tech, Inc., Lakewood, CO.


Abstract
Increased urbanization results in a larger percentage of connected impervious areas which can contribute large quantities of stormwater runoff, debris and pollutants to receiving waters.  Increased runoff volume causing stream channel degradation affects the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the stream.  Stream bank erosion can lead to bank instability, property loss, infrastructure damage, and increased sediment loading. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and United States Geological Survey (USGS) used discrete and continuous monitoring techniques to evaluate the effectiveness of stream restoration to decrease sediment loads and improve bank stability, biological integrity, and water quality in Accotink Creek, Fairfax, Virginia.  Results of pre- and post monitoring for one year suggest a trend towards biological improvement may exist as indicated by invertebrate density. However, most data support little change with unmanaged stressors likely limiting shorter and longer term and longer term benefits.  

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Sri Rangarajan^1*, Kathleen A. Munson², Kevin J. Farley^1,2, and Mark Tedesco³

¹HydroQual, Inc.
²Manhattan College, New York.
³United States Environmental Protection Agency, Long Island Sound Office.


Abstract
A 10% target total nitrogen (TN) load reduction has been set for the urban and agricultural non-point sources as part of a larger plan whose goal is to eliminate hypoxia in the western end of LIS.  The Management Committee envisioned a simple tool that can be adopted by state/local watershed practitioners for estimating and tracking pollution loads and potential load reductions using best management practices (BMPs) implementation. A decision-support framework was developed and tested, in which the first step was to calibrate and apply an ArcView-based Generalized Watershed Loading Functions (AVGWLF) model to the in-basin drainage areas.  An interactive management tool (Poll-Track) was then developed in Microsoft Excel, with significant flexibility to modify the treatment performance and costs of BMPs and also to evaluate the BMP needs for current and future land uses. The tool can now be applied with existing BMPs and site-specific costs for screening and selection of pollution control initiatives in individual watersheds.

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Paul L. Freedman^1*, Kenneth H. Reckhow², Leonard Shabman³, Jennifer Benaman⁴, Richard Schwer⁵, Thomas Stiles⁶

¹President, LimnoTech, 501 Avis Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, 734-332-1200.
² Duke University.
³Resources for the Future.
⁴QEA.
⁵DuPont Company.
⁶Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment.


Abstract
An expert panel was convened to explore the use of adaptive implementation in the TMDL program, following a 2001 National Research Council report recommendation. This paper summarizes the panel’s report suggesting an adaptive implementation process for water quality management. In current practice, what the panel calls standard implementation, a plan for reducing pollutant loads to meet water quality standards, is established when a TMDL is completed, and that TMDL and plan are not intentionally revisited.  Adaptive implementation (AI) by contrast means that the TMDL and the implementation plan are continually updated and revised based on an intentional and well-resourced process to secure new information to reduce technical uncertainties. This paper identifies situations warranting an adaptive implementation approach, describes in concept adaptive implementation, and identifies key regulatory and technical challenges.

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Brian Benham¹, Rebecca Zeckoski², Gene Yagow³

¹Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Center for TMDL and Watershed Studies and Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech
²Research Associate, Center for TMDL and Watershed Studies and Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech
³Research Scientist, Center for TMDL and Watershed Studies and Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech


Abstract
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and TMDL implementation plans are being developed across the country using a variety of approaches with varying levels of success.  Case studies of watersheds undergoing successful implementation were developed to identify specific characteristics and approaches that facilitated implementation and water quality improvement.  Factors that positively and negatively affected implementation efforts were identified based on these case studies.  The results of the assessment showed that each watershed presented unique resources and problems, and thus no one approach will guarantee success in all watersheds.  However, there are several factors that seem to aid effective implementation; the most common of these were available funding, government agency interest and involvement; stakeholder engagement; and the presence of a TMDL where the pollutant and needed reductions were systematically assessed and quantified.  The most common factors negatively affecting implementation efforts in the assessed watersheds included lack of data and lack of funding.

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Douglas J. Norton^1*, Dwight Atkinson¹, Valentina Cabrera-Stagno¹, Bruce Cleland², Sarah Furtak¹, Cary McElhinney³ and Eric Monschein¹

¹US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.
²USEPA Region 10, Seattle WA.
³USEPA Region 5, Chicago, IL.


Abstract
USEPA is self-evaluating its Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program, which plays a prominent role in the Clean Water Act’s identification, restoration, and recovery tracking of impaired waters. First, we clarified TMDL program expectations and identified measurable results concepts that relate to program goals. We reviewed recent analyses of the TMDL program to identify possible results patterns and developed evaluation metrics of three types.  Response measures relate to partial or full recovery outcomes in impaired waters.  Programmatic measures track key milestones or outputs in the TMDL program process.  Explanatory measures assess linkages between environmental results and potential causes; these measures may reveal why certain results are occurring and focus attention on specific causes that should be addressed.  This five-year project’s accumulated insights will help improve the TMDL program. This paper provided the unifying context for a special session on TMDL results analysis at the Water Environment Federation’s TMDL 2007 conference.

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James D. Wickham^1* and Douglas J. Norton²

¹ Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
² Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.


Abstract
The sheer number of waterbodies identified as impaired under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act presents states with challenging decisions on which sites to address, in what order, and with what fraction of limited restoration resources.  Our goal was to demonstrate a systematic, statewide assessment of recovery potential.  Recovery potential, while difficult to define precisely, embodies the concept that site characteristics, disturbance history, and socio-economic context provide useful information on the likelihood of restoration success.  We compiled several measurements related to ecological condition (site characteristics), disturbance, and socio-economic context for the state of Illinois 2002 303(d) list of impaired waters.  Cluster analysis was used to organize the sites according to recovery potential.  We compare the cluster results to Illinois’ nominal prioritization of 303(d) sites as low, medium, and high, and discuss how the geographic pattern in the cluster groups could be exploited as a prioritization tool.
 
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Paul L. Freedman^1*, Tom Dupuis², Hans Holmberg¹, Patricia McGovern³, Lori Terry⁴, Margaret Stewart⁵

¹LimnoTech.
²CH2M Hill.
³Patricia McGovern Engineers.
⁴Foster Pepper, PLLC.
⁵WERF.


Abstract
A Use Attainability Analysis (UAA) is a process to review and potentially modify a waterbody’s designated uses, when the uses are not existing or attainable. This research identifies factors for success by analyzing key challenges faced in the UAA process and reporting on the common lessons learned.  UAA case studies were analyzed to develop 29 findings. The findings, or factors for success, focused on five broad categories of criteria: scientific and technical understanding; legal and regulatory requirements; financial needs and impacts; public awareness and involvement; and regulatory agency preparedness. These findings were transformed into recommendations for activities or approaches that would be supportive of UAA efforts. The research included special focus on the following nationwide, emerging areas of importance for the UAAs: wet weather impacts, urban settings, and effluent-dependent or dominated streams.

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Thomas C. Stiles^1* and Michael B. Tate^1
 
1Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Bureau of Water.


Abstract
Kansas faces numerous issues surrounding the attainment of bacteria criteria and recreation use support in Kansas streams.  Kansas has employed various approaches, such as load duration curves, use refinement and mandatory wastewater disinfection to appropriately assess and protect recreation.  An emerging concept uses the flow components of depth and velocity to create profiles of likely primary recreation (swimming, kayaking) on various sized streams. This technique is applied to a rural creek and a major river to provide a contrast in the likely hydraulic support for in-stream recreation.  Overlaying the likelihood of primary recreation on the load duration curve displays actual impairment.  A suite of Best Management Practices likely to reduce bacteria levels at varying flow conditions helps craft a strategy for ensuring the most likely recreation uses are protected.  At the highest flow conditions, physical limitations may offset the need to invest in bacteria reduction during unlikely recreation periods.

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