The federal Clean Water Act requires the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to assess all waters of the state and create a list of impaired waters, i.e. those that fail to meet water quality standards, every two years. This list is called the Minnesota Impaired Waters List. Once a waterbody is on the impaired waters list the MPCA must develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the failed water quality standard and determine how much each potential source has to reduce its contribution in order for the waterbody to meet the standard. The TMDL process typically takes about 10 - 12 years from a waterbody being listed as impaired until a U.S. EPA approved TMDL is in place. MS4s are required to develop “TMDL Response Plans” for each TMDL upon issuance of the MS4 General Permit following U.S. EPA approval.
The University of Minnesota Duluth is included in three U.S. EPA approved TMDLs:
- Miller Creek Water Temperature TMDL (2018)
- Duluth Urban Area Streams TMDL (2020)
- Duluth Area Beaches TMDL (2022)
Miller Creek Water Temperature TMDL
The Miller Creek Water Temperature TMDL is the only U.S. EPA approved TMDL currently part of UMD’s MS4 program. The TMDL encompasses all of the Natural Resources Research Institute property. The TMDL response plan includes activities for education / public outreach, construction / post construction, and maintenance / good housekeeping.
- MPCA Miller Creek Water Temperature TMDL Report
- TMDL.30 Water Temperature BMP Summary Sheet (2022)
- Miller Creek Temperature TMDL Response Plan (2022)
- Miller Creek Temperature TMDL Response Plan Annual Summary
Duluth Urban Area Streams TMDL
While the Duluth Urban Area Streams TMDL has been approved by the U.S. EPA, it was not approved at the issuance of the current MS4 permit so therefore it is not currently part of the MS4 program. The TMDL includes multiple streams in the Duluth area for multiple pollutants.
- MPCA Duluth Urban Area Streams TMDL Report
- TMDL.31 Turbidity BMP Summary Sheet – DRAFT (2022)
- TSS TMDL Response Plan – TBD
- TSS TMDL Response Plan Annual Summary – TBD
- TMDL.32 Bacteria BMP Summary Sheet – DRAFT (2022)
- E.coli TMDL Response Plan – TBD
- E.coli TMDL Response Plan Annual Summary – TBD
UMD areas include:
- Tischer Creek – E.coli – Campus (North Side) / Glensheen (South West Quarter)
- Chester Creek – E.coli – Campus (South West Corner)
- Miller Creek – E.coli – NRRI
- Lester River – Total Suspended Solids – Limnology (East Side)
- East Branch of Amity Creek – Total Suspended Solids – Research and Field Studies Center
- The RFSC is located outside the urban area of Duluth and therefore is not specifically included in the UMD stormwater program.
Duluth Area Beaches TMDL
While the Duluth Area Beaches TMDL has been approved by the U.S. EPA, it was not approved at the issuance of the current MS4 permit so therefore it is not currently part of the MS4 program. The TMDL includes bacteria loads for multiple beaches in the Duluth area.
- MPCA Duluth Area Beaches TMDL Report
- TMDL.32 Bacteria BMP Summary Sheet – DRAFT (2022)
- E.coli TMDL Response Plan – TBD
- E.coli TMDL Response Plan Annual Summary – TBD
UMD areas include:
- Chester Creek – E.coli – Campus (South West Corner)
- Miller Creek – E.coli – NRRI