Pending Organochlorine TMDL for the Newport Bay Watershed

1
Pending Organochlorine TMDLfor the Newport Bay
Watershed

• Karen Cowan June 28, 2007

2
What is a TMDL?

• Waterbody deemed impaired and placed on the Clean
  Water Act Section 303(d) list
• TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load
• Goal is to restore beneficial uses of a waterbody

3
Toxics TMDL Background

• Promulgated by US EPA in June 2002
• Regional Board adopting five separate TMDLs based
  on EPA TMDL
• OP Pesticides Selenium Metals OC Compounds
  Rhine Channel
• Key difference only states can adopt
  implementation plans for TMDLs

4
Organochlorine TMDL

• OC TMDL pending from Regional Board
• Basin Plan Amendment adoption scheduled for
  September 2007
• County, stakeholders, and Board staff discussing
  implementation plan
• Focus to determine what is causing toxicity in
  Newport Bay, not just OCs

5
Working Group Approach

• Allows for Working Group similar in concept to
  Nitrogen and Selenium Management Program
• IAP to address technical uncertainties
• Five year work plan to investigate causes of
  toxicity and to develop management practices to
  mitigate toxicity
• Would include a quick start BMP aspect

6
Benefits of a Working Group

• Could potentially address pending TMDLs (i.e.
  TMDLs for metals)
• Creates a framework for TMDLs that are scheduled
  for revision (i.e. sediment)
• Addresses emerging contaminants before TMDL is
  necessary (e.g. pyrethroid pesticides)

7
Benefits of a Working Group

• Implementation guaranteed funding provided,
  organizations identified and actively
  participating
• Creates one effective, coordinated effort
• Provides active involvement of Board staff,
  environmental community, agencies
• Supported by Regional Board, Board staff and
  environmental representative(s)

8
Potential Cost

• Likely will cost millions over the five year
  period (to be scoped)
• BUT
• Cost effective, compared to addressing each
  constituent individually
• Costs would be shared amongst all members

9
Next Steps

• Regional Board Adopt TMDL
• Stakeholders (FY 2007-08)
• Work with NWRI on creating the IAP
• Form Working Group
• Contract a consultant to develop Work Plan
• Quick Start project
• Initial Work Plan implementation

10
Questions?

• Karen Cowan, County of Orange
• [phone]
• karen.cowan_at_rdmd.ocgov.com