Courts push states, EPA to create TMDL water programs

Article Abstract:

Court decisions in Georgia, Idaho and West Virginia are requiring states and the Environmental Protection Agency to set total maximum daily loads (TMDL) on aquatic systems. The decisions are forcing the agency and state governments to design water quality programs to reduce loadings in bodies of water. The difficulty of states in formulating TMDL standards stem from their lack of authority over nonpoint sources, such as logging, mining and agriculture. TMDLs for a water system require the identification of pollutants, the setting of standards for loadings, and the inspection of point sources for loadings.

Water Pollution Control, Laws, regulations and rules, United States. Environmental Protection Agency, Water quality management, Watershed management

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Are states sidestepping the TMDL program?

Article Abstract:

The compliance of state governments in the Clean Water Act's Total Maximum Daily Load program of controlling non-point sources of pollution is riddled with apathy and misunderstanding, forcing many environmental and outdoor groups to file lawsuits to force compliance. State legislatures were shown to formulate stringent scientific requirements for a body of water to qualify in the program, which drastically reduced the number of critically 'impaired' water bodies enrolled in the program. Such a move by state governments have been roundly criticized by environmental activists.

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The challenge of watershed cleanup: states are finding innovative ways to implement the Clean Water Act's TMDL program

Article Abstract:

State environmental agencies are forging partnerships with a number of local industry groups, members of the academia and environmental groups as an innovative means of complying with total maximum daily load regulations. State agencies are forging these partnerships to address non-point source pollution of water bodies, since the state has only a small arsenal of regulatory means with which to control non-point sources such as farms, small repair shops and neighborhoods.

Water Pollution Control-Local, Social aspects

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