1. Nutrient Criteria Development Its Not Rocket Science…. …Its Harder! Presented by Mark Barath Mid-Atlantic NPS/TMDL/WQM/WQS Training Workshop May 13, 2009 Where Region III States Stand

2. Region III Outlook: Actual Progress – Received and Expected Nutrient Criteria Package State Rivers and Streams Current Progress Lakes and Reservoirs Current Progress Estuaries Nutrient Criteria Development: Original Goal DE2014Research2014Research DRBC Initiative Completed Chesapeake Bay and Inland Bays in 2004 2007 DC2007 Criteria Completed 2006 2006 Completed in 2006 Criteria Completed MD2007/8 Data Analysis 2009 Chl a Criteria in 2009 TR 2007/8 Completed Chesapeake Bay in 2005 2008 PA2009Research2009ResearchN.A.N.A2009 VA2011/12Research/ Data Analysis 2007Criteria Completed2005 Completed n Chesapeake Bay in 2005 2009 WV2010 Research/ NSTEP Data Analysis 2008 Under EPA Review N.A.N.A.2009

3. Where Region III States Stand Delaware 1.Nutrient TMDLs Cover + 90% of State D.O. Target used in Model Rivers/streams not treated separately TP Screening Range: 0.1 – 0.2 mg/L TN Screening Range: 1.0 – 3.0 mg/L 2.Inland Bays Criteria Final Pollution Control Strategy in Place Point discharges to be phased out TP: 0.01 mg/L (average) TN: 0.14 mg/L (average) Water Clarity as TSS: 20 mg/L (maximum)

4. Where Region III States Stand Delaware (cont.) 3.Nutrient Criteria Plan 2007 Timeline Not Met Summer 2008 Update 2014 new completion date 2009 EPA in principle Acceptance

5. Where Region III States Stand District of Columbia 1.All criteria work completed CBPO recommendations incorporated by reference in 2006 No river/streams or lakes criteria

6. Where Region III States Stand Maryland 1.2004 NCP Timelines Not Completely Met Chesapeake Bay completed but not Coastal Bays 1.2006 TR WQS incorporated most of CBPO recommendations 2.2009 TR WQS will be equivalent to other Chesapeake Bay partner states. Proposed 2009 TR WQS includes Drinking Water Reservoir Chl a criteria 1.0.01 mg/L arithmetic mean as 30-day moving average during growing season (05/1-09/30) 2.0.03 mg/L as 90 th percentile of measurements in growing season Data analysis continues on rivers/streams criteria development 2.New NCP to be submitted in FY 2009

7. Where Region III States Stand Pennsylvania 1.2004 NCP Timelines not met Rivers/Streams research/data analysis continues Lakes research/data analysis continues 1.2009 Lake Assessment Protocol "indicators of possible impairment TP - 0.05 mg/L TN - 1.5 mg/L Translates to a TSI of 60 No compatible Chl a indicator Unclear on above indicators in criteria development 2.Updated NCP planned for FY 2010

8. Where Region III States Stand Virginia 1.Chesapeake Bay Criteria approved by EPA in 2005 and follows CBPO guidance 2.Lake Criteria approved by EPA in 2007 Cold Water i. TP – 0.02 mg/L (median) ii. Chl a – 0.025 mg/L (90 th percentile) Warm Water i. TP – 0.04 mg/l (median) ii. Chl a – 0.035 mg/L (90th percentile) 1.NCP updated Fall 2008 2011 target for wadeable streams 2012 target for nonwadeable rivers/streams

9. Where Region III States Stand West Virginia 1.2004 NCP not entirely met Lakes and Reservoirs i.Criteria Adopted by WV Legislator in 2008 ii.Cool water: TP- 30 µg/L; Chl a-15 µg/L iii.Warm water: TP-50 µg/L; Chl a-30 µg/L iv.Currently Undergoing EPA Review Rivers and Streams i.Data analysis on going ii.EPA NSTEP analysis inconclusive iii.Watershed specific problems addressed with WWTP nutrient reductions 2.Revised NCP accepted January 2009 Propose Rivers/Streams criteria to 2009 Legislator session with 2010 adoption target

10. Criteria Delaying Factors 1.Inadequate data sets 2.Funding 3.Cause/effect not clear cut 4.Science still evolving 5.Legal issues (TMDLs and lawsuits)

11. Nutrients…ughh Aquatic Life Use DO pH Habitat Food Plant/Algal Growth Microbial Growth Nutrients Light Flow Temperature Substrate Water Chemistry Herbivory Competition Food

12. Conclusions from Recent USGS/ANSP Study Kent Crawford, USGS 1.Nutrient concentration was a poor explanatory variable for: Chlorophyll a Minimum dissolved oxygen concentrations Primary productivity 2.Too many variables were unaccounted for: Antecedent conditions Micronutrients may be limiting Light Grazing Algal uptake Standing crop not best measure

13. Conclusions from Recent USGS/ANSP Study Don Charles, ANSP 1. All sets of diatom metrics were better indicators of nutrient conditions than Chl a, AFDM, primary productivity, and variations in dissolved oxygen. 2. The two sets of indicators based on USGS NAWQA data performed better than the trophic indicator categories based primarily on European data. 3. For purposes of distinguishing the few nutrient categories, the indicators based on the national datset were comparable to those based the local dataset. Differences in dataset sample size and adequate representation of the nutrient gradient are important factors. 4. Most of the NAWQA low-TP indicator taxa were rare in samples with TP > 50 µg/L

14. 400 Pound Gorillas in the Room? 1.Chesapeake Bay TMDL Tsunami 2.Gulf of Mexico Anoxia Recovery Plan 3.Florida Rule Repercussions

15. 400 Pound Gorillas in the Room? 2010 Chesapeake Bay TMDL Significant NPDES Permitees Limits State # Sig. Fac. Flow N limits P Limits Pa213 648 mgd 6 mg/l 0.8 mg/l Md.85 676 mgd 4 mg/l 0.3 mg/l Va.124 1206 mgd 3-8 mg/l.18-0.7 mg/l DC1 370 mgd 4.2 mg/l 0.18 mg/l

16. 400 Pound Gorillas in the Room? Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Recovery Plan

17. 400 Pound Gorillas in the Room? Florida Rule 1.January 2009 determination by EPA HQ 2.EPA will promulgate nutrient standards unless Florida does so first Rivers/streams and lakes within 12 months Estuary within 24 months 3.EPA and Florida working together on criteria development 4.Action was partially driven by lawsuits 5.Other lawsuits waiting in the wing around the nation

18. Clean Water Goal? Clean Water Goal

19. Questions