LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY | Secretary Aurelia S. Giacometto
A DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
The initial concept for a joint State-EPA review of both existing and innovative approaches to nutrient management was introduced at the 2008 annual summer meeting of the ASIWPCA. Further discussions occurred in October 2008 at EPA's Water Division Directors meeting which included EPA regional and headquarters water managers as well as senior program managers representing ASIWPCA and the ASDWA. At the October meeting, State and EPA surface water and drinking water program managers agreed to form an ad hoc Nutrient Innovations Task Group to identify and frame key nutrient issues, questions, and options on how to improve and accelerate nutrient pollution prevention and reduction at the state and national level. In the report, the Task Group presents a summary of scientific evidence and analysis that characterizes the scope and major sources of nutrient impacts nationally. The report also considers the tools currently used under existing federal authority and presents options for new, innovative tools to improve control of nutrient pollution sources. Finally the Task Group presents findings and suggests next steps needed to better address nutrient pollution.
The National STORET Data Warehouse is a repository for water quality monitoring data collected by federal agencies, states and territories, tribes, volunteer monitoring organizations, and universities. It contains over 70 million records of water quality data from across jurisdictional boundaries.
Permits are required for industrial facilities, construction projects, and MS4 facilities as defined in LAC 33:IX.2511. Construction and Industrial stormwater permits require the development of a stormwater pollution prevention plan as defined by the permits (LAR100000 and LAR050000). The Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial facilities (LAR05000) assigned benchmark limitations for nutrient parameters in sector C. MS4 permits require the development of a stormwater management plan which requires the MS4 to implement controls to reduce pollutants in discharges.
A compliance program activity, managed and supervised by LDEQ's Enforcement Division. Environmental improvement programs are planned funded, executed and completed by regulated facilities. Programs include conservation and environmental enhancement projects and technical/scientific studies to restore or maintain healthy environmental conditions. Focus is on ecological improvements. List of ongoing project are identified at the website.
Established in LAC 33:IX. Subpart 1. Chapter 11. Establishes surface water quality standards which will: 1. provide for the protection and preservation of the abundant natural resources of Louisiana's many and varied aquatic ecosystems; 2. protect the public health and welfare that might otherwise be threatened by degradation of water quality; 3. protect or enhance the quality of public waters for designated uses; and 4. serve the objectives of the Louisiana Water Control Law and the Clean Water Act. In particular for nutrients, LAC 33:IX.1109 and 1119 (Antidegradation Policy/Implementation, including reference to NPS BMPs) and LAC 33:IX.1113(B)(8) (narrative nutrient criteria).
TCEQ has been developing Numerical nutrient criteria in coordination with an advisory workgroup and other public participation. EPA has mandated that states incorporate numerical nutrient criteria in their water quality standards. In June 2010, TCEQ adopted new numerical nutrient criteria for 75 reservoirs based on chlorophyll a concentrations and these new criteria were submitted to EPA for review. Also in June 2010, TCEQ completed new procedures to evaluate and control potential nutrient impacts from proposed wastewater discharge permits. TCEQ is now conducting additional studies and evaluations to develop potential numerical nutrient criteria for selected streams, rivers, and estuaries in Texas. Numerical criteria for these other types of water bodies will also be developed and considered with extensive public participation. On November 27, 2006, the TCEQ sent a revised and expanded version of the "Nutrient Criteria Development Work Plan for the State of Texas," dated November 3, 2006, to EPA. The plan is currently being updated to reflect progress towards nutrient criteria development. Information on the plan revisions and versions are available on the Nutrient Criteria Development Advisory Work Group webpage. Once completed, the plan will be submitted to the EPA by the TCEQ. The current draft of the Plan reflects comments received during the public comment period that ended June 22, 2012. On June 30, 2010, the Commission adopted numerical nutrient criteria for 75 reservoirs. The water bodies are listed in §307.10 (Appendix F) of the 2010 Standards. In addition, the Commission approved screening procedures for nutrients in the revised Procedures to Implement the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards.
Established in 1973; United States’ chief statute to conserve endangered or threatened species and their ecosystems; When a species is designated as threatened with extinction, a recovery plan is developed to protect it from further population declines; The plan could include restrictions on cropping practices, water use, and pesticide use.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publish the “Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual”. This document can be used to provides up-to-date information on onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) siting, design, installation, maintenance, and replacement. It reflects significant advances that the expert community has identified to help OWTSs become more cost-effective and environmentally protective, particularly in small suburban and rural areas. In addition to providing a wealth of technical information on a variety of traditional and new system designs, the manual promotes a performance-based approach to selecting and designing OWTSs. This approach will enable States and local communities to design onsite wastewater
CO-OPS provides the national infrastructure, science, and technical expertise to monitor, assess, and distribute tide, current, water level, and other coastal oceanographic products and services that support NOAA's mission of environmental stewardship and environmental assessment and prediction. CO-OPS provides operationally sound observations and monitoring capabilities coupled with operational Nowcast Forecast modeling.
Strategies for addressing nutrient pollution and hypoxia include tiered collaboration starting on the field with landowner through cooperation with federal agencies. Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico is a serious national water quality issue. Successful frameworks for addressing hypoxia must include tiered collaboration starting on the field with the stakeholder (landowner)and travelling all the way through to Federal cooperation. Frameworks must cross state boundaries and work toward a common goal. Strategic implementation plans for states draining into the Gulf of Mexico should be compatible, comparable, and consistent if successful nutrient reduction is to occur.