Update on Wyoming Draft 303(d) List and Changes to Watershed Planning

Update on Wyoming Draft Update on Wyoming Draft 303(d) List and Changes to 303(d) List and Changes to

Watershed PlanningWatershed Planning

Draft 2006 303 (d) ListDraft 2006 303 (d) List

• Public Comment Period ended March 15th

• WDEQ reviewing comments

• Anticipated submittal to EPA after April 1st

New ListingsNew ListingsTable A – Impaired Waters,TMDL RequiredTable A – Impaired Waters,TMDL Required

• 10 new listings to Table A– Ocean Lake– South Fork Powder River– Willow Creek (Tributary to above)– Dalton Ditch (Story area)– North Piney Creek (Story area)– Middle Prong Wild Horse Creek– Little Powder River– Stonepile Creek– Goose Creek (New pollutant)– Little Goose Creek (New pollutant)

New ListingsNew ListingsTable C – Threatened Waters, TMDL RequiredTable C – Threatened Waters, TMDL Required

• 1 New Listing– Kirby Creek

Prioritization for TMDLPrioritization for TMDLDevelopmentDevelopment

Schematic for Determining Priority for TMDL Development– a. Formal Commitment to Watershed Planning - Low Priority– a. No Formal Commitment to Watershed Planning

• b. Human Health Risk with Pollutant– c. UAA with Credible Data Submitted Low Priority– c. No UAA or UAA Lacking Credible Data

• d. Impairment Will be Addressed in WLA• e. WLA to be Approved in Biennium High Priority• e. WLA to be Approved in Second Biennium Medium Priority d.

Impairment Will Not be Addressed in WLA• f. Other Ongoing Actions Currently Addressing the Impairment on

a Watershed Scale Medium Priority• f. No Watershed-Scale Implementations or Will not Address

Impairment High Priority• b. No Human Health Risk with Pollutant

• g. UAA with Credible Data Submitted Low Priority• g. No UAA or UAA Lacking Credible Data Medium Priority

Waters Impaired or Threatened but Waters Impaired or Threatened but Not Requiring A TMDLNot Requiring A TMDL

• Category 4a – The water has an approved TMDL.

• Category 4b – Water has other required pollution control requirements that are expected to address all water pollutant combinations.

• Category 4c – Pollution, not pollutants, is the sole source of impairment.

Delisted WatersDelisted WatersTable D, No TMDL RequiredTable D, No TMDL Required

• 7 Delistings (not including discharge permits renewals)– Reardon Draw– East Fork Smiths Fork– West Fork Smiths Fork– Salt Creek (moved to 4b)– Middle Crow Creek (4b)– North Branch North Fork Crow Creek (4b)– Clarks Fork Yellowstone (4a, MT TMDL)

Changes to Watershed PlanningChanges to Watershed Planning

• Formal Watershed Planning Commitment Letter

• Additional Requirements to 319 Grant Funded Projects

Formal Watershed Planning Formal Watershed Planning Commitment LetterCommitment Letter

• Need For Commitment Letter– Everyone involved is on same page:

• Timelines understood• Deliverables

– Changes in Staff: WDEQ, CD– Changes in Watershed Planning Committee

Members

Contents of Commitment LetterContents of Commitment Letter

• Parameter(s) for Listing

• Timeline:– Year of Listing– Deadline for Approved Watershed Plan

• Draft Plan in time to allow revisions

• Who is responsible for writing Plan

2003 EPA Section 319 Guidance 2003 EPA Section 319 Guidance

Components of a Watershed-Based PlanComponents of a Watershed-Based Plan • Identification of Causes and Sources**• Estimation of Necessary Load Reductions**• Description of NPS Management Measures needed to

achieve Load Reductions• Estimate of Financial and Technical Assistance Needed• An I&E Program• Schedule for Implementation• Interim Measurable Milestones• Set of Criteria to evaluate Load Reduction

Achievement**• Monitoring Program

Additional Watershed Planning Additional Watershed Planning Information Information

• EPA New “Draft” Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters

– Chapter 8: Estimate Pollutant Loads– Chapter 9: Set Goals and Identify Load

Reductions

Obtain CopyObtain CopyPublication # EPA 841-B-05-005Publication # EPA 841-B-05-005

• Phone Order:– 1.800.490.9198

• Download pdf:– http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/pubs.html– http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/watershed_handbook/

• Email Comments to:– watershedhandbook@epa.gov

Contact InformationContact Information

Don Newton510 Meadowview Drive

Lander, WY 82520

307.335.6965

dnewto@state.wy.us