LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY | Secretary Aurelia S. Giacometto
A DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
SPARROW (short for SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes) — This GIS-based watershed model integrates statistical and mechanistic modeling approaches to simulate long-term mean annual stream nutrient loads as a function of a wide range of known sources and climatic (precipitation, temperature), landscape (e.g., soils, geology), and aquatic factors affecting nutrient fate and transport. SPARROW TN and TP loadings (yields) for major basins, N incremental and P incremental 2002; and Mississippi Basin Incremental and Delivered Incremental for N and P for 1992.
The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Water Information System (NWIS) is a comprehensive and distributed application that supports the acquisition, processing, and long-term storage of water data. NWISWeb serves as the publicly available portal to a geographically seamless set of much of the water data maintained within NWIS.
These EPA data identify water-quality limited segments (i.e., waters that will not meet water quality standards for a particular pollutant even after a technology-based permit is in place). Section 303(d) nutrient-related impaired waters for which geospatial data are available can be displayed through the geospatial viewer. A one-time snapshot of all section 303(d) nutrient-related impaired waters, not just those for which geospatial data are available, for each state is also provided as a data download. For purposes of identifying nutrient-related impairments, EPA used the following national impairment categories: algal growth, ammonia, noxious aquatic plants, nutrients, organic enrichment/oxygen depletion.
These EPA data include nutrient-related impaired waters for which a TMDL has been developed. Waters with TMDLs for nutrient-related impairments for which geospatial data are available can be displayed through the geospatial viewer. A one-time snapshot of all waters with TMDLs for nutrient-related impairments, not just those for which geospatial data are available, for each state is also provided as a data download. For purposes of identifying nutrient-related TMDLs, EPA used the following national impairment categories: algal growth, ammonia, noxious aquatic plants, nutrients, organic enrichment/oxygen depletion.
USEPA issued a memo March 2011, memorializing EPA’s commitment to partner with states and collaborating stake holders to accelerate the reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus loadings to our nation’s waters. EPA recognizes that the best framework approaches entail states, federal agencies, conservation districts, private landowners and other stakeholders working collaboratively to develop watershed-scale plans that target the most effective practices to the acres that need it most. We also encourage federal and state agencies to work with NGOs and private sector partners to leverage resources and target those resources where they will yield the greatest outcomes. Where states are willing to step forward, EPA is encouraging progress on nutrient frameworks through on the ground technical assistance and/or dialogue with state officials and stake holders, coupled with cooperative efforts with other agencies.
EPA has developed the Nutrient Indicators Dataset. This Dataset consists of a set of indicators and associated state-level data to serve as a regional compendium of information pertaining to potential or documented nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, impacts of that pollution, and states’ efforts to minimize loadings and adopt numeric criteria for nutrients into state water quality standards.
The goal of this site is assist to state and local agencies, watershed groups, nongovernmental organizations and others in developing effective communications materials related to nutrient pollution. Nutrient pollution can cause human health problems, fish kills, and algal blooms. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to enlist the help of local groups in sharing information with the media and the public about the growing threats to our nation’s water resources from nutrient pollution and ways that the public can help make a difference. Making this important environmental issue relevant to one’s community and explaining how it affects local water resources (like your local lake, river, reservoir, etc.) will be critical for success.
EPA webpage with compilation of links related to nutrient policies, technical documentation (including criteria document), MRGOM Task Force ("HTF"), "what EPA is doing," states' progress in adopting numeric criteria, N&P Data Access Tool, CADDIS, Watershed/Modeling Support Center, Nutrient Indicators Dataset, Assessment/TMDL ("WATERS"), Reports and Research, Map of Nutrient Reduction Efforts (link currently not working), Additional Resources including Training link, and link to EPA's Nutrient Home page
EPA protocol for developing nutrient TMDLs.
This website on Recovery Potential Screening provides a systematic approach for comparing waters or watersheds and identifying differences in how well they may respond to restoration. Originally, this approach was developed as a technical aid to states, territories and tribes (hereafter referred to as states for brevity) concerning their Clean Water Act obligation to "develop a prioritized schedule" for creating Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) to reduce pollution in impaired waters. Recovery Potential Screening can also be applied in a wide range of other watershed activities. Rather than a 'one-size-fits-all' procedure, this site offers a flexible framework of methods, tools, technical information and instructional examples that can be customized for any impaired waters restoration program in any geographic locality. When used with existing data, it provides a rapid assessment and comparison method at a general screening level. Key components for ecological indicator selection include: Candidate ecological indicators1.Watershed natural structure, 2.Corridor and shorelands stability, 3.Flow and channel dynamics, 4.Biotic community integrity, 5.Aquatic connectivity, 6.Ecological history. Key components for stressor indicator selection include: 1.Watershed-level disturbance, 2.Corridor or shorelands disturbance, 3.Hydrologic alteration, 4.Biotic or climatic risks, 5.Severity of pollutant loading 6.Legacy of past, trajectory of future land use. Key components for social context indicator selection include: 1.Leadership, organization and engagement, 2.Protective ownership or regulation, 3.Level of information, certainty and planning, 4.Restoration cost, difficulty, or complexity, 5.Socio-economic considerations, 6.Human health, beneficial uses, recognition and incentives