Introduction

The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program is required under Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d). There are still stream, lakes and coastal waters within this Region that do not meet certain water quality standards. CWA Section 303(d) addresses these waters by requiring states to identify the waters and develop total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for them. A TMDL is a quantitative assessment of water quality problems, contributing sources, and load reductions or control actions needed to restore and protect bodies of water. The TMDL approach does not replace existing water pollution control programs. It provides a framework for evaluating pollution control efforts and for coordination between federal, state and local efforts to meet water quality standards. More information is available in the TMDL Program Fact Sheet .

The Regional Board has adopted TMDLs for 7 pollutants in 4 waterbodies. All of the TMDLs have been adopted as amendments to the Basin Plan. Five other TMDL projects are in various stages of development.

• The Chollas Creek diazinon TMDL was adopted August 14, 2002
  
  
• The Rainbow Creek nitrogen and phosphorus TMDLs were adopted February 9, 2005
  
  
• The Shelter Island Yacht Basin dissolved copper TMDL was adopted February 9, 2005
  
  
• The Chollas Creek copper, lead, and zinc TMDLs were adopted June 29, 2005
  
  
• TMDL for the mouth of Chollas Creek due to benthic community degradation and sediment toxicity (in planning stage)
  
  
• TMDL for Seventh Street Channel (Paleta Creek) due to benthic community degradation and sediment toxicity (in planning stage)
  
  
• Indicator Bacteria TMDLs Project I - Beaches and Creeks
  
  
• Indicator Bacteria TMDLs Project II - San Diego Bay and Dana Point Harbor Shorelines
  
  
• San Diego Bay Marine Sediments TMDLs
  • Mouth of Chollas Creek in San Diego Bay
  • Seventh Street Channel (Paleta Creek)
  • Switzer Creek
  • B Street/Broadway Piers
  • Downtown Anchorage
  • Naval Station Submarine Base
    
    
• Tecolote Creek Indicator Bacteria TMDLs
  
  
• TMDLs for Impaired Lagoons, Adjacent Beaches, and Agua Hedionda Creek
  
  

Web Sites

The following web sites contain more information on TMDLs:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a web page on the TMDL Program under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act at http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl. Information on this page includes: status of 303(d) lists, TMDL program documents, TMDL Federal Advisory Committee, TMDL lawsuit information, and other links.

Region 9 of the EPA covers Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands subject to U.S. law, and approximately 140 Tribal Nations. EPA Region 9's web page on TMDLs can be accessed at http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/tmdl. Information on this page includes the status of California's 303(d) list and several finalized TMDLs.