Integrating diffuse/nonpoint pollution control and water body restoration into watershed management

The objective of water quality/watershed management is attainment of water quality goals specified by the Clean Water Act. The Total Maximal Daily Loa d (TMDL) planning process is a tool to set up watershed management. However , TMDL methodologies and concepts have several problems, including determin ation of Loading Capacity for only low flow critical periods that preclude consideration of wet weather sources in water quality management. Research is needed to develop watershed pollutant loading and receiving wat ers Loading Capacity models that will link wet and dry weather pollution lo ads to the probability of the exceedence of water quality standards. The lo ng term impact of traditional Best Management Practices as well as ponds an d wetlands, must be reassessed to consider long term accumulation of conser vative toxic compounds. Socioeconomic research should focus on providing in formation on economic and social feasibility of implementation of additiona l controls in water quality limited watersheds.