The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of the opportunity to comment on the draft 2010 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report required to be completed by Section 303 (d) of the federal Clean Water Act.   Comments are due on the draft by May 3. (formal notice)

The report is comprised of four parts and also includes a five-part list that collectively summarizes the designated use attainment status of Commonwealth surface waters.  The federal Clean Water Act and 40 CFR Part 130 require states to identify waters which would still be impaired, even after the appropriate technology has been applied to point sources and requires best management practices are in place for non-point sources.  Waterbodies that do not meet water quality standards after this evaluation are placed on Category 5 of the Integrated Waterbody List.

For each waterbody in Category 5, the state or the USEPA must develop Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) allocations.   A TMDL is a calculation of the assimilative capacity of a waterbody to handle point and non-point pollutant loads without violating water quality standards.  TMDLs also describe the conditions necessary to improve water quality.   TMDLs are used to set limits in NPDES water quality permits and identify where best manangment practices for non-point sources are necessary to improve and protect water quality. When a TMDL is approved for a waterbody, that waterbody listing is moved to Categroy 4a.

Waterbody assessment and compilation of the Integrated Report is an ongoing process.  The Department will continue to verify the quality of the data used in this process and as needed, will publish supplements to the Integrated Report for public review and comment.

A copy of the draft assessment is available here.

Written comments should be submitted to Angela Bransteitter, Division of Water Quality Standards, Bureau of Water Standards and Facility Regulation, P.O. Box 8467, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8467 or send by email to: abransteit@state.pa.us.

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As noted in previous posts, PADEP has organized an effort to revise its BMP Manual (released December 2006).  A Manual Revision Committee was formed and as a result of a meeting in September, 9 sub-groups were formed and assigned specific topics.

The sub-groups have been meeting during the Fall.  Some controversy has emerged regarding this revision process, leading PADEP to reduce its direct sponsorship of its process. Nevertheless, the Revision Committee and sub-groups are meeting again today (Dec. 15) at the South Central PADEP Regional Office to summarize and review sub-group findings and determine future actions.

We will report next week on the outcomes.

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The Philadelphia Water Department announces Fairmount Dam Fishway Facility to Officially Open.  This multi-agency effort between the PWD, US Army Corps of Engineers, and the PA Fish and Boat Commission will enhance aquatic life and educational programs.  Read the May 15^th press release.

Delaware River Basin Partners (Pennsylvania, New York City, and other states in the Delaware River Basin) announce Enhanced Protections for Wildlife and Water under the Flexible Flow Management Program.  Read more on the DEP Daily update.

Upcoming Events

On June 18, 2009, the American Water Resources Association Philadelphia Metro Area Section will host a talk on The Future Direction of Effective Stormwater Management, presented by Ken Murin, Division Chief, Waterways, Wetlands and Stormwater Management, PA DEP, Headquarters. Mr Murin will speak on the new direction of Integrated Water Resource Planning (IWRP) as it relates to land development and stormwater management.  Mr. Murin will discuss the legislative proposals on the horizon as they may impact existing and new water resource regulations. Get information and register here.

62nd PA Association of Conservation Districts (PACD)/State Conservation Commissions (SCC) Joint Annual Conference to be held at the Ramada Conference Center, State College, PA from July 20-22, 2009.  Click here for more information.   The PACD is also holding a Management Summit at the Ramada Inn, State College, PA from June 9-11, 2009.

The purpose of the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act (RCA) is to ensure that the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) conservation programs are responding to our nation’s conservation needs.  The RCA also requires that USDA conduct a comprehensive and continuing natural resource appraisal.  In the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, Congress reauthorized the RCA, expanded the scope of the appraisal, and established a schedule of deliverables.  Conservation Districts and the public are invited to submit RCA comments on or before August 30^th, 2009.  A public meeting is scheduled in Maryland on July 27^th at the NACD  Northeast regional meeting.  For more information, go to the National Association of Conservation Districts web site link to the Resources Conservation Act.

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Pennsylvania’s New Water Plan Outlines Statewide, Regional Priorities to Balance Competing Demands for Water. You can see the announcement here.  To view the state water plan, the Pennsylvania Water Atlas, and other related documents, visit DEP’s website, then select “State Water Plan” under the Hot Topics heading. Or, today at least, go directly there (no guarantees this link works down the road…)

Court Rejection of Army Corps Permit for Virginia’s King William Reservoir a Huge Victory for the Chesapeake Bay. CBF news release

EPA publication based on Center for Watershed Protection materials available for download: Stormwater Wet Pond and Wetland Management Guidebook

Pennsylvania Environmental Council Urges Prompt Consideration of Stormwater Legislation. Details on PEC’s dialogue with stakeholder groups and public polling results are available here. The legislation would update and expand the stormwater planning requirements for counties across the Commonwealth: Senate Bill 524.

The Lebanon County Conservation District is holding a Rain Barrel Workshop for residents on Monday, April 6th, at 7:15 pm.  Details.

The Westmoreland Conservation District is conducting a Take a Walk on the Stormwater Trail event in Greensburg, PA on Tuesday, April 7, from 9:30am to 10:30am.  Register at www.wcdpa.com or contact Christie at 724-837-5271, ext. 210.

There’s a stormwater workshop entitled “Geosynthetic BMPs for Stormwater Management” in Hawley, PA on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 from  8:30am to 4pm.  Details.

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