Two announcements on TMDLs and Integrated Reporting
Draft Statewide E. coli Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is now available
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) today announced the release of the draft Statewide E. coli Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) as part of its effort to inform and engage Michigan citizens on the issue of E. coli in surface water. The MDEQ is developing a statewide approach to identify needed pollutant reductions in waters that are not safe for body contact because of bacteria. The purpose is to drive progress toward the goal of clean and safe rivers, lakes, beaches, and wetlands, and provide a consistent and more efficient framework. In addition to the draft document, the MDEQ has developed a mapping system that allows users to interact with the TMDL watersheds, monitoring data, and point and nonpoint source information on the local level.
The long-term solution to bacterial problems can only be accomplished through a collaborative approach. In addition to its work on effective National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements and corrective actions on illegal sources, the MDEQ is looking for assistance from landowners, local health departments, conservation districts, other state and local agencies, and environmental groups to focus voluntary improvements in areas where nonpoint sources are a problem.
Visit www.michigan.gov/ecolitmdl to view the document or register for webinars. The outreach period will continue through March 17, 2017. Following this discussion period and further revisions, a formal 30-day public comment period is expected to occur in the spring of 2017.
Scheduled Webinars for the Draft Statewide E. coli TMDL are below (click on each link below to register). The overview webinar (#1) will include a broader discussion on the TMDL process, contents of the TMDL, and a general mapping demonstration. The remainder of the webinars (#2-4) will briefly describe the TMDL process, followed by in-depth discussions of each topic, including a mapping demonstration tailored to each topic:
If your group is interested in a presentation by MDEQ staff, please complete the TMDL Presentation Request. For more information, please visit the Statewide E. coli TMDL Web Site. Please direct comments and questions to Molly Rippke (rippkem@michigan.gov).
2016 Integrated Report has been submitted and 303(d) list approved by USEPA
On November 10, 2016, the MDEQ submitted the final 2016 Water Quality and Pollution Control in Michigan Sections 303(d), 305(b), and 314 Integrated Report (Integrated Report) to the USEPA. On February 3, 2017 the MDEQ received the USEPA's approval of the 303(d) list. A copy of the Final 2016 Integrated Report, with Appendices, can be found on our Integrated Reporting Website. In addition, a Press Release was issued regarding this submittal.
Please contact Molly Rippke (rippkem@michigan.gov) regarding TMDLs, or Kevin Goodwin (goodwink@michigan.gov) regarding the Integrated Report. Please do not reply to this email.
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