The Ohio EPA is seeking stakeholder input to a Draft Loading Analysis Plan (LAP) for the Lower Mahoning River Watershed. A copy of the LAP can be found at the following Ohio EPA link, https://epa.ohio.gov/divisions-and-offices/surface-water/reports-data/total-maximum-daily-load-tmdl-program.
Comments will be accepted until 5:00pm on January 17th, 2023, and can be submitted by email to EPATMDL@epa.ohio.gov or mailed to:
TMDL Program
Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049
The Lower Mahoning River Watershed LAP provides strategies Ohio EPA will consider using to address water quality impairments identified in the 2018 Biological and Water Quality Study of the Lower Mahoning River Watershed, 2011 and 2013. The 2018 report identified stream sites in partial and/or non-attainment of Ohio’s water quality standards for their aquatic life use and recreational use designations. The LAP will present proposed actions to address each impairment. All proposed actions develop the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan for each specific pollutant.
The LAP is the third step in the Ohio EPA’s TMDL development process which is a plan focused on restoring polluted streams, rivers, lakes and other surface waters to their designated aquatic life use standard. The plan specifies how much of a specific pollutant (i.e. nutrients, sediment) needs to be reduced to achieve Ohio’s water quality standards. It lays out action items watershed communities need to take to reduce pollutant loads and restore impaired waters. TMDL action items may include but are not limited to follow up stream/site surveys and habitat evaluations.
Ohio EPA’s TMDL Development Process
Lower Mahoning River Watershed 2011 and 2013 sampling sites and attainment status. Map courtesy of Ohio EPA.