Module 3: Watershed Approach

Question 1

what are the 4 stages to water quality approach?

Answer 1

Adopt standards
Monitor and assess
List impaired waters
Implement plan

Question 2

what must be done before standards are adopted?

Answer 2

we must define our water quality goals and the designated use
Once the goals have been established, water quality standards are adopted that reflect the designated use of that water body

Question 3

what criteria is used when adopting water quality standards?

Answer 3

Criteria may have a fixed number
Criteria may be site specific and require knowledge of normal background levels

Question 4

class 1

Answer 4

potable water supplies - lake, river, or portion of a river that is used for potable water (14 in florida

Question 5

class 2

Answer 5

shellfish propagation or harvesting - coastal waters where harvesting occurs

Question 6

class 3

Answer 6

fish consumption, recreation, propagation, and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife - all surface water bodies of the state unless designated another class

Question 7

class 4

Answer 7

agricultural water supplies - areas located around lake okeechobee

Question 8

what is stage 2 in the watershed approach?

Answer 8

Monitor the water body for any or all 71 surface water quality criteria
The data is then assessed according to the water quality standards adopted in stage 1

Question 9

what is stage 3 in the water quality approach?

Answer 9

List impaired waters
The list is submitted to the EPA
Along with the 303(d) list, each state must include a schedule for the development of a TMDL or total maximum daily load

Question 10

a scientific determination of a maximum amount of a given pollutant that a surface water can absorb and still meet the water quality standards that protect human health and aquatic life

Answer 10

total maximum daily load

Question 11

a calculation of the maximum amount of pollutant allowed to enter a water body from sources within the watershed
Point sources, non-point sources, natural sources, and margin of safety

Answer 11

total maximum daily load

Question 12

stage 4 of the watershed approach

Answer 12

BMAP or basin management action plan
Stricter permits through the national pollution discharge elimination system (point sources pollution)
Incentives, training, research, and outreach for best management practices

Question 13

what does a basin management plan include?

Answer 13

Appropriate load reduction allocation among the affected parties
Description of load reduction activities
Description of data collection needed in order to achieve TMDL
Timetables for implementations
Confirmed and potential funding mechanisms
Local ordinances defining actions to be taken or prohibited
Milestones for implementation and water quality improvement
Implementation tracking, water quality monitoring, and follow-up measures

Question 14

What types of waterbodies have TMDLs in Florida?

Answer 14

rivers and streams
lakes
springs
estuaries

Question 15

How are BMAPs and TMDLs connected?

Answer 15

b. When a water body is identified as impaired and a TMDL is established, pollutant loads are distributed among the different stakeholders. Normally each stakeholder would implement a set of management practices expected to reduce its contribution to meet its designated load. These practices are commonly referred to as BMPs

Question 16

what are the major pathways for implementation of TMDLs?

Answer 16

i. Stricter permits through the national pollution discharge elimination system (point source pollution)
ii. Incentives, training, research, and outreach for best management practices

Question 17

What are the three categories of Ag BMPs (according to FDACS)?

Answer 17

a. Nutrient management to determine nutrient needs and sources and manage nutrient applications (including manure) to minimize impacts to water resources.
b. Irrigation management to address the method and scheduling of irrigation to reduce water and nutrient losses to the environment.
c. Water resource protection using buffers, setbacks and swales to reduce or prevent the transport of sediments and nutrients from production areas to waterbodies.