Region 1: EPA New England

Submittal Requirements

The Components of TMDL Plans

1. Descriptions of the waterbody, pollutant(s) of concern, point and nonpoint pollutant sources, and the priority ranking of the waterbody.

2. Description of the applicable water quality standards and numeric water-quality target.

3. Assessment of the waterbody’s loading capacity for the applicable pollutant(s). This includes a description of methods used to establish a relationship between the water-quality target and the pollutant sources, and commonly includes a description of critical environmental conditions.

4. Establishment of “load allocations” (LAs), which identify the portion of the loading capacity allocated to nonpoint sources, including atmospheric deposition and natural background.

5. Establishment of "wasteload allocations" (WLAs), which identify the portion of the loading capacity allocated to point sources

6. Description of a margin of safety (MOS) to account for uncertainties in the loading analysis.

7. Assessment of seasonal variation (climate and streamflow) on the ability of waterbody to meet WQSs.

8. EPA encourages states to develop monitoring plans for TMDLs to assess progress in meeting TMDL goals.

9. EPA encourages states to develop TMDL implementation plans, which include reasonable assurances that nonpoint source loading reductions will be achieved.

10. Each state must provide for public participation consistent with state requirements.

Please note that the National TMDL Page has example TMDLs and the Approved New England TMDLs Page sports regional examples.