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Protecting Alabama’s Water Resources “It’s A Data Driven Process”

Learn about Alabama's water protection programs and their proposed use of the National Network Data to ensure water quality. Presented by Chris Johnson, Alabama Department of Environmental Management at the 2006 National Monitoring Conference in San Jose, CA.

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Protecting Alabama’s Water Resources “It’s A Data Driven Process”

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  1. Protecting Alabama’s Water Resources“It’s A Data Driven Process” Presented by: Chris Johnson Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) 2006 National Monitoring Conference San Jose, CA

  2. Agenda for Today • Overview of Alabama’sWater Protection Programs • Alabama’s Proposed Use of the National Network Data • Closing Thoughts

  3. OUR MISSION!!! • Restore & Maintain Chemical, Physical, and Biological Integrity of Alabama’s Water Resources • Protect Human Health and the Environment

  4. Water Quality Standards Program Assessment, Listing & Reporting TMDL Program Permitting & Compliance (NPDES) Education & Outreach Alabama’s Primary Surface Water Protection Programs

  5. Water Quality Standards Program Assessment, Listing & Reporting TMDL Program Permitting & Compliance (NPDES) Education & Outreach Alabama’s Primary Surface Water Protection Programs Water Quality Monitoring

  6. Water Quality Standards Program Purpose of Water Quality Standards: • Yardstick to Measure a Water’s Condition!! • Establishes the Designates Uses • Establishes the Criteria to Protect Designated Uses • Intended to Protect, Restore & Maintain the Chemical, Physical, & Biological Integrity of Alabama’s Waters

  7. Alabama’s Assessment, Listing & Reporting Program • Most Important Piece of the Equation! • Lays out the game plan for how we do business. • Provides Use Support Status of Alabama’s Water Resources via the Integrated Report • 305(b), 303(d), 314 • Outlines Alabama’s Assessment & Listing Methodology • Goal is to Place All State Waters in 1 of 5 Categories • EPA Approves Only the Impaired Waters Portion (i.e. Category 5)

  8. What are the Goals of the National Monitoring Network? • Assess the Health of Nation’s Waters • Determine Condition of Nation’s Waters • Are we meeting water quality standards? • What are the water quality problems? • Where are the water quality problems? • What is causing the problem?

  9. How do you determine a water’s condition? Hey dude, is this water awe-rite?

  10. Alabama’s New Assessment & Listing Methodology “The Next Generation”

  11. Categorization of Alabama’s Waters • Category 1: Waters attaining all applicable water quality standards. • Category 2: Waters are attaining some water quality standards and there is limited data to determine if all water quality standards are being met. • Category 2A: Minimum data requirements not met, high priority for follow up monitoring. • Category 2B: Minimum data requirements not met, low priority for following up monitoring. • Category 3: Waters with no data or information to determine if uses are supported • Category 4: Waters in which one or more water quality standards are not met but TMDL is not required • Category 4A: All TMDLs completed and awaiting implementation • Category 4B: Waters in which “other pollution controls” will address impairments in a reasonable time period • Category 4C: Impairment not caused by “pollutant” • Category 5: Impaired waters list – 303(d) list

  12. Alabama’s New Water Quality Assessment & Listing Methodology So Why The Change? • Provides more scientifically-based and consistent 303(d) listing decisions. • Provides a more rigorous process for making use support decisions. • Allows States more flexibility in determining a waterbody’s use support status. • Meets EPA/States goal of an information-based strategy to environmental protection. • Improves our ability to inventory and track the condition of all waters of the State. • More transparent process. • Less room for “professional judgment”.

  13. How will Alabama Use the Network Monitoring Data? Data will fill in the gaps! • Make Use Support Decisions. • Is Water in Category 1 or 5? • Build database for future WQ Standards revisions and/or development • Nutrient criteria • Support TMDL Development • Support Development of Needed Biological Indices for Large Rivers

  14. Closing Thoughts • Network monitoring data must support State’s water protection program and goals! • Data must meet State’s QA/QC Requirements. • Network monitoring efforts should enhance State’s monitoring programs not burden them. • Objectives of the monitoring network need to be clear and concise. • Remember – WQ Standards and Use Support Methodologies vary from State to State • Network data should “feed” State Programs

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