Charleston Side Channel Reservoir TMDL: Progress Report #6

              Summary of the
TMDL Development Process for the Charleston
Side Channel Reservoir
􀀹􃤠 Collect and analyze all existing data
􀀹􃤠 Identify individuals and groups that are watershed
stakeholders
􀀹􃤠 Prepare a Data Inventory and Water Quality Analysis
report
􀀹􃤠 Plan and conduct public outreach meetings
throughout the process
􀀹􃤠 Select appropriate computer models for estimating
current and maximum pollutant loadings
􀀹􃤠 Prepare Methodology for TMDL Development
report
􀀹􃤠 Conduct water quality modeling
􀀹􃤠 Prepare report containing all data, modeling outputs,
recommended TMDL and implementation plan
􀀹􃤠 Prepare final TMDL package for submission to EPA
for review and approval
(􀀹􃤽 = Task completed)
Charleston Side Channel Reservoir TMDL
Progress Report #6
September 30, 2002
What pollutants do the TMDLs for the
Charleston Side Channel Reservoir address?
As part of the Section 303(d) listing process, the
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
has identified the Charleston Side Channel
Reservoir (CSCR) as an impaired water. The
causes of impairment are phosphorus, nitrogen,
total suspended solids, and excessive algal
growth/chlorophyll a. The Clean Water Act and
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
regulations require that Total Maximum Daily
Loads (TMDLs) be developed for waters on the
Section 303(d) lists. Illinois EPA is currently
developing TMDLs for pollutants that have
numeric water quality standards. Of the
pollutants impairing the CSCS, phosphorus is the
only one with a water quality standard.
What activities has IEPA accomplished to
date?
The TMDL development process involves a
number of steps (see accompanying text box).
To date, IEPA and its consultant, Tetra Tech, Inc., have completed almost all of the steps necessary to
develop TMDLs for the Charleston Side Channel Reservoir. Provided below is a description of recent
activities:
• Submitted a revised draft TMDL report for internal IEPA review in September 2002. The
report presents the findings of the water quality and watershed modeling and includes
recommendations for how much loadings will need to be reduced. It addresses comments that
were raised on the draft report submitted in June 2002.
What are upcoming activities related to the Charleston Side Channel TMDL development
process?
• IEPA will review the draft TMDL and provide comments to Tetra Tech by mid-November
2002.
• Tetra Tech will address IEPA’s comments and submit a final TMDL report for public
comment. A public hearing will be scheduled to discuss the final TMDL report in January
2002.
How can I get involved in the Charleston Side Channel Reservoir TMDL development
process?