Drivers of Nutrient Load Reductions and TMDL Process Needs: Surveys in Region 5
Ann Lewandowski and Faye Sleeper, Water Resources Center, University of Minnesota
Funding was passed through the Great Lakes Regional Water Program from the following sources.
Project 1: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture under award # 2008-51130-04751
Project 2: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under NIFA award # 2010-48691-21684
Completed August 2012
This effort involved two separate but related projects. The ultimate objective of both projects was to identify potential opportunities for the Great Lakes Team (EPA Region 5) to help support the TMDL process and efforts to reduce nutrient delivery to the Gulf of Mexico.
Project 1: TMDL/ Impaired Waters - Survey regarding University involvement in the TMDL Process.
Project 1 involved an online survey in September 2011 of 29 agency leaders and University faculty from across EPA Region 5 asking about the TMDL and impaired waters process in their state.
Project 2: TMDL/Watershed Planning Support - Reviewing the link between restoration activities and reduction in nutrients to the Gulf of Mexico.
Project 2 involved phone interviews of twenty local water planners from across five states in January-March 2012 to understand what drives successful nutrient reduction projects and what role Universities can play to support their work. We also summarized existing efforts and tools for estimating the link between restoration activities and nutrient reductions.
The TMDL and Impaired Waters Process: A Survey of Needs
Drivers of Nutrient Load Reductions
Poster comparing the two projects
presented at the 2012 Land Grant/Sea Grant National Water Conference
