TMDL Policy and Guidance

Assessment

• DRAFT Category 4b Demonstrations: Answers to FAQs (wq-iw1-36) – send comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• DRAFT MPCA Guidance for Category 4b Requests Developed by Third Parties (wq-iw1-37) – send comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Webcast of briefing with EPA on Category 4b demonstrations, March 10, 2011
• 2007 Guidance Manual for Assessing the Quality of Minnesota Surface Waters for the Determination of Impairment
• Volunteer Surface Water Monitoring Guide

TMDL development

• TMDL Work Plan Guidance
  • TMDL Project Budget Template (to save a copy of the Excel spreadsheet file, either open the link and select "File" > "Save As" or place your cursor on the link, click the right button on your mouse and select, "save target as" from the popup menu.)
•  Daily Means Daily - Guidance for TMDLs and Wastewater Sources (wq-iw1-32)
• Stormwater requirements related to TMDL development
• Protocols for TMDL Development: Guidance for developing five types of TMDLs.
  • Introduction to Protocols (wq-iw1-41)
  • Biota (posted in October 2008)
    This draft protocol document provides guidance for completing TMDLs for fish and aquatic macroinvertebrate biological impairments. It includes a discussion of the key data and analysis techniques required to complete the EPA's Stressor Identification process, and lists the submittal requirements for TMDLs. Comments are encouraged and appreciated.
  • Turbidity
  • Bacteria (posted in April 2009)
  • This revised protocols document is currently in draft form. Comments may be submitted to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Kelli may also be contacted at 507-476-4251.
  • • Lake Nutrients (file size = 1.5 MB)
      • Lake Nutrients Appendix D: Benchmarking Report: Site-Specific Approaches for Lake Nutrient TMDLs
    • Low Dissolved Oxygen (file size = 1 MB)
• TMDL Summary Table - To be completed and inserted in all draft TMDLs.

Implementation

• Stormwater requirements related to TMDL implementation
• Pre-TMDL Phosphorus Permitting: A draft guidance for issuing water quality permits for discharge to impaired waters.