Georgia EPD - TMDL Implementation and Related Guidance Materials

This section provides access to many of EPD's guidance documents for watershed planning, TMDL planning, sampling, watershed assessments, how to submit data, and more.

• EPD - Data Submission - Downloadable information on completing Sampling Quality Assurance Plans (SQAP) and how to submit water quality data to EPD
• EPD - Watershed Assessment Guidance - EPD Guidance material on writing a Watershed Assessment, Monitoring Plan, and Protection Plan.
• EPD - TMDL Section - Provides access to EPD's TMDL reports and TMDL Implementation Plans organized by river basin and HUC10
• Georgia Non-Point Source Program - 319(h) Grants - Link to 319-Grants section within GA EPD web page

Other TMDL Background Information - External Sites

This section contains information on TMDLs, such as what they are, how they are developed, TMDL Planning, and more.

• VA Tech Center for TMDLs*- Site contains information on TMDLs and general Watershed Studies, including information for TMDL development and implementation.
• USEPA Region 4 TMDL Web Page*- Region 4 (contains Georgia) web page that has regional TMDL information.
• USEPA - TMDL Site *- Link that deals with and provides information on TMDLs

Watershed Planning

General information on watershed planning can be found in this section. This includes access to local watershed information, links to manuals, and further guidance on planning.

• Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters *- EPA manual for watershed planning and restoration
• Center for Watershed Protection *- Provides manuals and such for watershed planning
• USEPA Surf Your Watershed - Georgia *- You can locate your home watershed and information about it
• USGS Water *- Water information from the United States Geologic Survey, information may be searched for by state
• Natural Resource and Conservation Service -Georgia *- Resource of information on watershed planning for agricultural areas
• Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission *- Information about programs and contacts for water quality management, particularly in agricultural areas
• Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management Watershed Planning *- Provides guidance & checklist for planning according to USEPA's 9-Key Elements of Watershed Planning
• USEPA Non-Point Source Page *- USEPA information on NPS Pollution with manuals and documents on BMPs
• NRCS Electronic Filed Office Technical Guide (EFTOG) *- Provides county specific technical information about the conservation of soil, water, air, and related resources.

Water Quality Monitoring and Modeling

Information for conducting water quality monitoring, specifically approved methods for water quality analysis, as well as, links to several different water quality models.

• USEPA Approved Methods *- Lists of approved methods for water analysis and other information can be found on this page
• Standard Methods Online*- This website contains almost all Standard Methods for water and wastewater analysis and indicates which methods are approved by USEPA
• Georgia Adopt - A - Stream - Website maintained by the State's volunteer monitoring program. Contains information on how to get involved and other programs associated with Adopt-A-Stream.
• USEPA Water Quality Tools*- USEPA page that contains water quality models and tools for predicting and determining pollutant loading and movement
• Load Reduction Models*- This page is maintained by USEPA and Tetra Tech, and provides two downloadable models (STEPL and Region 5) to calculate load reductions based on the use of BMPs

Urban Best Management Practice (BMP) Information

Tools and information on a host of Urban BMPs.

• Georgia Stormwater Management Manual*- Link to Georgia's Stormwater Manual maintained by the Atlanta Regional Commission.
• North Georgia Metro Planning District *- Information on model ordinances and evaluations of different BMPs
• Stormwater BMP Database *- Database of Stormwater BMPs and efficiencies from the American Society of Civil Engineers
• Urban BMP Tool *- US-EPA's new web-based tool to provide easy access to approximately 220 studies which assess the performance of over 275 stormwater BMPs
• Illicit Urban Discharges *- Information from the Michigan DOT on urban illicit discharges and management practices to address the issue

Non-Urban Best Managment Practice (BMP) Information

Tools and information on a host of Non-Urban BMPs.

• GA Soil and Water Conservation Commission Ag BMP Manual *- Downloadable version of the Agricultural BMP manual
• GA Forestry BMP Manual *- Downloadable version of the BMP manual for forestry operations
• Ohio State University Fact Sheet on Ag BMPs *- Provides information on BMP efficiencies for various pollutants in a simple table format
• Fairfax County VA information on small horse lot BMPs *- Contains information on various management practices for small-scale horse operations
• Tennessee Department of Ag List of BMPs for Agriculture *- Good list of common Ag BMPs along with some basic information on best management

Low Impact Development Practices (LID)

Information and resources on low impact development.

• EPA's Low Impact Development Page *- This page contains lots of links relating to LID
• The Low Impact Development Center Web Page *- Information on various LID strategies and projects
• Low-Impact Development Design Strategies *- Low-Impact Design manual developed by Prince George's County, MD
• Georgia Green Growth Guidelines *- Information and guidelines for the use of LID and Green Infrastructure

Funding Opportunities

Links that provide information on various sources of funding for watershed projects.

• Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority *- GEFA’s program focus areas are water, wastewater, solid waste, recycling, land conservation, energy efficiency and fuel storage tanks for local governments, other state agencies and non-profit organizations.         
• US-EPA Funding Page *- This page is maintained by USEPA and provides links to resources for state and local governments, non-profits, as well as many funding opportunities.
• Southeastern Regional Water Quality Assistance Network*- Can provide funding to assist communities in water quality and related projects
• Georgia Non-Point Source Program - 319(h) Grants - Link to 319-Grants section within GA EPD webpage
• Georgia Coastal Incentives Grant *- Information on grant available for the 11 Coastal Counties to improve water quality and promote the health of coastal waters
• NRCS: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)*- Page maintained by NRCS that contains information on this program that provides monetary and technical assistance
• NRCS: Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)*- Page maintained by NRCS that contains information on this program that provided monetary and technical assistance for habitat conservation for fish and wildlife

Rules and Regulations

Information on Rules and Regulations impacting water quantity and quality. This section contains both Federal and State information.

• US-EPA Water Quality *- USEPA link that contains information on water quality standards as well as information on the legal aspects of water quality such as the Clean Water Act.
• US-EPA Laws & Regulations *- USEPA page that covers various laws and regulations dealing with water.
• Georgia EPD Rules & Laws - EPD page that contains all the rules and laws of Georgia