Clean water plans are a watershed-based approach to outline a strategy to improve or protect water quality in a waterbody. These plans document pollution sources, set pollutant reduction goals, and identify strategies that communities may use to improve water quality.
Information collected through DEC's monitoring programs are used to develop New York's clean water workplan that is submitted to EPA.
DEC's adaptive strategy, Vision, is documented in Watershed Management: Planning and Managing NY’s Waters. Vision is an approach and framework that describes how waterbodies are prioritized for restoration and how DEC programs support the development of other Clean Water Plans, like protection plans. The DECinfo Locator includes a layer of watersheds that have a Clean Water Plan under the Environmental Monitoring group.
Engaging the watershed community is an important part of this process. In order to develop a successful plan, DEC needs to understand how the lake is used, what the issues are, and what has been done to improve the lake so far.
Federal and state funding is available to communities or stakeholder groups that want to implement actions identified in clean water plans. For example, applications submitted to DEC's Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant program that identify actions from a clean water plan are prioritized in the scoring process. All clean water plans have similarities but have key differences. See the table below for a summary of the four major clean water plan types developed or utilized by DEC.
| Attribute | Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) | Advanced Restoration Plan (ARP) | Nine Element Plan (9E Plan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollutant Source | Considers point and nonpoint sources | Considers point and nonpoint sources | Better for nonpoint sources |
| Waterbody Impairment | Required (IR 5) | Required (IR 5r) | Not Required |
| Source Water Assessment | Watershed | Watershed | Watershed |
| Implementation Plan | Optional | Optional | Required |
| Progression and Maintenance | As suggested by implementation plan | As suggested by implementation plan | As suggested by Element F of the 9E Plan |
| Public Comment Period | Required | Required | No (public participation is conducted throughout plan development) |
| Agency Approval | EPA | EPA | DEC |
| Funding Eligibility | State and federal opportunities | State and federal opportunities | State and federal opportunities |
| Factsheet | TMDL: An Introduction (PDF) | 9E Plans: An Introduction (PDF) |
A TMDL is a type of regulatory clean water plan that calculates the maximum amount of a single pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards. Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires states to identify impaired waters, where water quality standards are not bring met and designated uses are not supported. These waterbodies are then listed on the New York State Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters Requiring a Total Maximum Daily Load (303(d) list). Clean Water Act 303(d) "impaired waters" list. The Clean Water Act requires states to develop TMDLs for impaired waterbodies on the 303(d) list to reduce the amount of pollutants entering impaired waterbodies to meet water quality standards. TMDL plans may also be developed to protect waterbodies from becoming impaired - for example, protecting public drinking water supplies to protect human health. DEC develops TMDLs and EPA approves them. The Total Maximum Daily Load: An introduction (PDF) factsheet describes why TMDLs are needed, the information needed to develop a TMDL and plan outcomes.
EPA recognizes that an advanced restoration approach, before developing a TMDL, may provide a more immediately beneficial or practicable path to restore water quality for impaired waterbodies. States may develop ARPs that include a description of actions, with a schedule and milestones, that is more immediately beneficial or practicable to achieving water quality standards. Impaired waters for which a state pursues an advanced restoration approach to achieve water quality standards remain on the 303(d) list and still require TMDLs until water quality standards are attained, but states may delay the development of a TMDL until after the advanced restoration plan is implemented and water quality is re-evaluated. DEC develops ARPs and EPA accepts them.
Similar to TMDLs, 9E Plans require pollutant sources to be identified and quantified, pollutant reductions goals established, and an implementation plan developed (e.g., how to achieve reductions, tracking progress, and monitoring water quality improvements). Unlike TMDLs or ARPs, 9E plans can be developed by watershed stakeholder groups and are approved by DEC. 9E plans can be targeted to unimpaired waterbodies that require protection. The Nine Element Plan: An introduction (PDF) factsheet describes the nine elements, when 9E plans are used, information needed to develop a 9E plan and plan outcomes. An overview of EPA's 9E Plan framework is in Nine Minimum Elements to be included in a Watershed Plan document (PDF).
For almost two decades, DEC has been assisting communities in the development of 9E plans. To assist watershed communities in evaluating existing planning documents and to better understand 9E plan report requirements, DEC has developed the following resources:
Communities are strongly encouraged to contact DEC before starting to prepare a 9E plan. DEC staff can assist communities in determining data needs, provide technical assistance and discuss other planning considerations to help communities prepare plans efficiently.
Grant funding to support the development of 9E plans is available through the NYS Department of State through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
Drinking Water Source Protection Program Plan (DWSP2)
The Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) is a joint DEC and DOH-run program created to assist municipalities with proactively protecting their drinking water sources. The goal is to help municipalities develop and implement their own unique drinking water source protection plan for the source(s) of their drinking water. These plans use a watershed-based approach and document potential pollution sources that impact drinking water. These plans do not quantify pollutant loads or estimate the pollutant reductions needed to achieve water quality goals. DWSP2 collaborates with Departments of State and Agriculture and Markets. These plans include all potential sources of contaminants and identify implementation methods to address these sources, including nutrient pollution sources.
New York State's Water Quality Rapid Response Team, national experts and local stakeholders collaboratively developed Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Action Plans for twelve priority lakes that are vulnerable to HABs, are critical sources of drinking water, and are/or vital tourism drivers. These twelve lakes were chosen as part of New York State's HAB initiative because they represent a wide range of conditions and vulnerabilities, and the lessons learned will be applied to other impacted waterbodies moving forward. Each action plan identifies contributing factors fueling HABs and immediate actions that can be taken to reduce the sources of pollution that spark algal blooms.
Communities and watershed organizations are encouraged to review the plan for their lake, particularly the proposed actions, and work with state and local partners to implement those recommendations. Individuals can get involved with local groups and encourage their communities or organizations to act.
Through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, Department of State funds the development of watershed plans. These plans use a watershed-based approach and document point and nonpoint sources, similar to TMDLs, ARP, and 9E plans. Unlike TMDLs, ARP, or 9E plans, NYS Department of State funded watershed plans may or may not quantify pollutant loads or estimate the pollutant reductions needed to achieve water quality goals. These plans can serve as the basis of a full 9E plan, but often require additional work to satisfy all the required elements needed for DEC approval.
Clean water plans have been completed for many watersheds in New York State. The following list links to the clean water plan documents for specific watersheds.
*To find your specific waterbody, please open the corresponding watersheds below.
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant(s) | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Bear Lake (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC | |
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Chautauqua Lake (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC | |
| Chautauqua Lake Harmful Algal Bloom Action Plan (PDF) | Harmful Algal Bloom Action Plan | Phosphorus | DEC | |
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Findley Lake (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC |
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant(s) | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black River Nine Element Plan: Reducing Phosphorus, Nitrogen and Sediment (PDF) | Nine Element Plan | Phosphorus, Nitrogen, and Sediment | DEC |
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant(s) | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake Bay TMDL for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sediment | Interstate Restoration TMDL | Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sediment | EPA | New York Chemung and Susquehanna River Basins Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (PDF) |
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Lake Salubria (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC |
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMDL Analysis to Achieve Water Quality Standards for Phosphorus in New York City Water Supply Reservoirs - Final Phase II (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC | Nonpoint Source Implementation - Phase II NYC Watershed Phosphorus TMDL (PDF), 2002, DEC
Nonpoint Source Implementation - Phase II NYC Watershed Phosphorus TMDL (PDF), 2001, DEC and NYCDEP
Technical Background For Retrofitting Practices (PDF), 2009, DEC
|
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Silver Lake (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC | |
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Honeoye Lake (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC | |
| Honeoye Lake Harmful Algal Bloom Action Plan (PDF) | Harmful Algal Bloom Action Plan | Phosphorus | DEC | |
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Conesus Lake (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC | |
| Conesus Lake Harmful Algal Bloom Action Plan (PDF) | Harmful Algal Bloom Action Plan | Phosphorus | DEC | |
| Genesee River Nine Element Watershed Plan (PDF) | Nine Element Plan | Phosphorus and Sediment | DEC |
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMDL Analysis to Achieve Water Quality Standards for Dissolved Oxygen in Long Island Sound (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Dissolved Oxygen | DEC |
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMDL Analysis to Achieve Water Quality Standards for Phosphorus in Lake Champlain (PDF) | Interstate Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC and Vermont | Lake Champlain TMDL Watershed Implemental Plan (PDF)
|
| Lake Champlain Harmful Algal Bloom Action Plan (PDF) | Harmful Algal Bloom Action Plan | Phosphorus | DEC | |
| Lake George Harmful Algal Bloom Action Plan (PDF) | Harmful Algal Bloom Action Plan | Phosphorus | DEC |
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Buck, Long and Cranberry Ponds (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC | |
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Blind Sodus Bay (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC | |
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Little Sodus Bay (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC | TMDL for Phosphorus in Little Sodus Bay - Appendices (PDF) |
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Port Bay (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC |
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Java Lake, (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC |
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Engleville Pond (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC | |
| Phase II Phosphorus TMDL for Reservoirs in the New York City Water Supply Watershed (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC | Nonpoint Source Implementation - Phase II NYC Watershed Phosphorus TMDL (PDF), 2002, DEC
Nonpoint Source Implementation - Phase II NYC Watershed Phosphorus TMDL (PDF), 2001, DEC and NYCDEP
Technical Background For Retrofitting Practices (PDF), 2009, DEC
|
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Summit Lake (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC |
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impaired Waters Restoration Plan for Greenwood Lake: TMDL for Phosphorus (PDF), | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC | Greenwood Lake Watershed Phosphorus TMDL Implementation Plan (PDF) |
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Moon Lake (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC | TMDL for Phosphorus in Moon Lake - Appendices (PDF) |
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake Bay TMDL for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sediment | Interstate Restoration TMDL | New York Chemung and Susquehanna River Basins Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (PDF), DEC | EPA |
| Plan Title | Plan Type | Pollutant | Author | Supplemental Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMDL for Phosphorus in Cossayuna Lake (PDF) | Restoration TMDL | Phosphorus | DEC |
*Plans that cover multiple drainage basins are presented in each drainage basin to which they are relevant.
DOW, Bureau of Water Resource Management
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
