STATEWIDE TMDL
& EPA REGIONAL MAPPING
NEW ENGLAND
MA Statewide TMDL – Inland
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Section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act requires states to identify waters within their boundaries that are not meeting state water quality standards. For these impaired waterbodies, Section 303(d) further requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and states to develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the pollutant(s) violating or causing violation of water quality standards. FBE assisted the MassDEP with development of a statewide TMDL report and segment specific maps, which provided a framework to address bacterial and other pathogenic pollutants in 129 freshwater river segments (subwatersheds) within thirteen inland primary watersheds in central and western Massachusetts. As part of the TMDL calculations for each sub watershed, FBE conducted a spatial analysis to map directly connected impervious areas, or impervious area from which stormwater transports directly to a waterbody. Using a watershed framework, FBE developed an overview map for each primary watershed, and for each impaired segment, a land cover map, a natural resources map, and a pollutant sources map. In total, 400 static unform maps were created as part of the report’s appendices. An example of one appendix can be found here.
MA Statewide TMDL – Coastal
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FBE assisted the MassDEP with development of a second statewide TMDL report, which provides a framework to address bacterial and other pathogenic pollutants in 98 coastal waterbodies within fifteen watersheds in eastern Massachusetts. Each of the 98 pathogen impaired coastal waterbodies included in the report are listed on Massachusetts’ 303(d) List. Information common to all the impaired waterbodies will be contained in the main body of the report, while information specific to each impaired waterbody will be contained in the appendices. The appendices contain summaries of each impaired waterbody, GIS-based maps showing sampling locations and surrounding watershed areas, the TMDL calculations and percent reductions needed, and recommendations for management activities to achieve the necessary pollutant reduction. The report will also include recommendations for tools to help municipalities, watershed groups, and other stakeholders to implement the TMDL in a phased approach.