To maximize water quality improvements in the James River, the department developed a holistic watershed-based permitting framework that will be used to achieve the James River Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Total Nitrogen target of 1.5 mg/L in Galena, MO. The department will hold a stakeholder meeting to discuss the framework.
The department previously developed a TMDL for the James River to address excess nutrients in three segments of the river, as identified on Missouri’s 1998 303(d) List of Impaired Waters. The TMDL is being implemented in phases. The next phase of the James River TMDL places an emphasis on reducing Total Nitrogen concentrations to the stated TMDL target of 1.5 mg/L at Galena, by incorporating TMDL wasteload allocations into Missouri State Operating Permits.
Although wasteload allocations are often applied to specific facilities, in some cases it may be appropriate for pollutant loadings to be shared or distributed between individual facilities during permitting. This type of permitting works well when the discharges are located within the same watershed, because proximity provides flexibility and opportunities for nutrient trading and other compliance strategies.
The department developed a holistic watershed-based permitting framework that will be used to achieve the Total Nitrogen target of the James River TMDL. A watershed-based permitting approach facilitates Total Nitrogen nutrient reduction from point sources while establishing the potential for nutrient trading. The goal of this permitting framework is to establish a phased approach to achieve the TMDL target by: 1) establishing applicable facilities, 2) developing Total Nitrogen limitations and monitoring requirements, 3) developing permit special conditions to include Total Nitrogen allocations and 4) provide compliance options through nutrient trading and reporting.