Navigating the TMDL Process: Evaluation and Improvements

This report discusses and evaluates technical tools used to develop TMDLs. Through a survey of state TMDL programs and a review of approved TMDLs, the project team addressed issues and problems with the current TMDL process. These issues include: estimating background pollutant loads, quantifying nonpoint source loads, incorporating urban wet weather sources, determining critical conditions, modeling in the TMDL process, estimating the TMDL margin of safety, approaches to allocating loads, linking best management practices to load reductions, implementing planning, tracking and adaptation, and adaptive watershed management in the TMDL process. The report suggests a range of improvements, alternative approaches, or available resources to address each issue. Published by WERF. 360 pages. Soft cover.

Originally funded as WERF project 00-WSM-1.