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TMDL Science Needs and the Role of Research

TMDL Science Needs and the Role of Research. Douglas J. Norton USEPA Office of Water October 2005. The Twenty Needs Report. http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/20needsreport 8-02.pdf. Purpose : summarize/consolidate diverse TMDL needs statements, provide to researchers and research planners

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TMDL Science Needs and the Role of Research

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  1. TMDL Science Needs and the Role of Research Douglas J. Norton USEPA Office of Water October 2005

  2. The Twenty Needs Report http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/20needsreport 8-02.pdf • Purpose: summarize/consolidate diverse TMDL needs statements, provide to researchers and research planners • Content: 20 primary science needs and how these can be met • - ORD/OW/Region interaction needs • - TMDL-specific needs • - broader CWA needs

  3. The report’s bottom lines The TMDL Program needs low- to mid-complexity modeling, monitoring and statistics tech support ORD must continue to address all stressors, no matter whether EPA can regulate them Synthesis products are crucial and should be a primary responsibility of government research Better Water Quality Standards will enable a better TMDL program Research in recovery processes must accompany research on restoration/BMP effectiveness

  4. The Twenty Needs Report I.Needs re. ORD/OW/Regional interactions - Develop ‘state of the science’ syntheses in several high priority subject areas, to aid busy TMDL developers - Mutually improve networking and access to expertise in ORD, OW and EPA Regions - Revitalize ORD technical support and technical information transfer

  5. The Twenty Needs Report II.Science needs re. immediate TMDL process - Increase quantity and quality of completed TMDLs - Improve watershed and water quality modeling - Improve uncertainty analysis and statistical techniques - Improve the science base concerning all stressors (pollutants and pollution) - Improve information on BMP effectiveness

  6. The Twenty Needs Report II.Needs re. immediate TMDL process(cont’d) - Develop adaptive implementation approaches for TMDLs - Address numerous stressor-specific scientific issues - Improve consideration of atmospheric deposition - Improve guidance for allocation development and methods to translate allocations into control actions

  7. The Twenty Needs Report III.Science needs re. impaired waters program improvements - Assist states in translating narrative standards into numeric criteria - Revisit the scientific basis for use designations - Develop and improve biocriteria and other criteria gaps - Clarify and quantify selected parameters used in criteria definitions

  8. The Twenty Needs Report III.Needs re. impaired waters program improvements(cont’d) -Make monitoring more program-relevant and results-relevant - Assist states in monitoring design development - Evaluate defensible scientific standards for listing - Improve support for protecting unimpaired waters against degradation

  9. How can research help the TMDL program? Research & developm’t: address science gaps (operationalized research to tech transfer) (feed ideas to research) EPA-OW/Regns: tech transfer, tech support. > > Technical Difficulty, Uncertainty > > > (feed in ideas for tech support) States/Regions: operational TMDL development more TMDLs, fewer tech obstacles > > > > next 15 years > > > >

  10. Emerging Directions in the TMDL Program:Four Watershed Branch Goals • Provide National Leadership for TMDL & Listing Programs • Provide key TMDL technical and policy guidance to States/Regions • 2. Promote Integrated Water Quality Assessments • More consistent, statistically valid, and cost effective water quality assessment strategies • 3. Support Partners with Science & Technical Tools • Ensure that listing decisions and TMDLs are grounded in solid science • 4. Measure Environmental Progress • Develop next generation of TMDL environmental success measures

  11. Hot Topics in the TMDL Program • - Pace of TMDL development • Implementation of TMDLs • Integrated Reporting • Category 4B Alternatives • Results analysis • Assessment tools (e.g., WARSSS) • Technical support in modeling (Athens center) • Continuing advancements in modeling approaches

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