Posted January 16, 2014
A recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) studied the effectiveness of pollution targets, also known as total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), recommending that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Congress make improvements. The GAO report is available here.
The GAO was asked by Congress to examine the TMDL program including EPA’s and states’ responsibilities and the “the extent to which TMDLs exhibit factors that facilitate effective implementation.”
The GAO recommends that EPA issue new regulations for TMDL development to reduce nonpoint source pollution including agricultural and stormwater runoff, stating that voluntary approaches did not significantly improve water quality. The report also urges Congress to revise the Clean Water Act’s approach to nonpoint source pollution.
The EPA and states are responsible for developing and implementing TMDLs. EPA oversees states’ TMDL efforts by “establishing in regulations minimum requirements TMDLs need for approval, providing funding and furnishing technical assistance.” States develop TMDLs and generally take the lead in implementing them.
For more information on the Clean Water Act, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
Share: