ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF
Grant: $1,702,100 - Environmental Protection Agency - Jul. 6, 2009
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Award Description: The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) received $1,702,100 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the 205(j) Water Quality Management Planning Program, funded from the 1% reserve from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, ARRA. Approximately sixty percent of the funds or $1,018,287 will be used by MDEQ to fund existing staff members developing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). The remainder of these funds, or $683,813 will be pass through to Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permittees to assist MS4s in meeting TMDL requirements, thus reducing water quality impairments. Activities funded under this grant support the following EPA goals, objectives, and sub-objectives: Goal 2-Clean and Safe Water; Objective 2.2 Protect Water Quality; Sub-objective 2.2.1 Improve Water Quality on a Watershed Basis. This grant will support approximately 8.25 FTEs to finalize TMDLs in Fiscal Year 2009 and develop TMDLs in 2010. TMLDS are developed for water bodies not attaining designated uses. The environmental results to be attained by the TMDLs are the identification of pollutant load reductions neccessary to attain uses. The pass-through funding will be provided for planning activities for impaired waters in need of restoration. MS4 permittees with in-effect Certificates of Coverage which identify TMDLs to be implemented under the general storm water permits issued May 21, 2008 will be eligible for the grant process TMDLs are developed for water bodies that do not attain designated uses. To comply with the permit requirements, the MS4 permittees must identify and prioritize actions to reduce pollutants in storm water discharges from the MS4 to make progess in meeting water quality standards in these impaired waters. These monies will assist MS4s in meeting TMDL requirements by developing their plans (which may be considered 'green infrasture plans') for actions to restore these impaired watersheds, thus reducing water quality impairments. TMDL planning activities to be performed may include the development of a TMDL compliance plan, the development of a monitoring plan, and the monitoring for hot spots associated with storm water discharges. No TMDL implementation or general permit development will be funded.
Project Description: During the period March 22, 2009 through August 31, 2009, all Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) identified in the 205(j) Water Quality Management Planning Grant Work Plan were completed and submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for approval. Public meetings were conducted during the March 22-August 30, 2009, timeframe for the Mill and Pine Creek, Maple River (includes 15 individual listings), Tittabawassee River, and Norton and Honey Creek TMDLs for the purpose of taking public comment on the draft TMDL documents and all TMDLs were public noticed for a minimum of 30 days. Note that the Smith's Creek TMDL public meeting was held prior to the onset of the ARRA funding (public meeting held on March 12, 2009), although the public comment period extended into the funding period (public comment accepted until April 13, 2009). Following the public review and comment period, the TMDL documents were finalized, taking into consideration public comment, and submitted to USEPA for approval. The EPA approved all TMDLs by the September 30, 2009, fiscal year deadline. In addition to activities needed to complete the FY09 TMDLs, planning activities for future TMDLs were conducted, including monitoring contract oversight, data collection, and analysis of approaches for complex TMDLs. The Water Bureau also developed a Request For Proposal (RFP) to meet the criteria identified by EPA for ARRA funding. The RFP was submitted to EPA on August 24, 2009 and approved on September 3, 2009. The RFP was then posted on the state of Michigan's internet and an e-mail was sent to potential applicants on September 3, 2009 notifying them the RFP was available for review and the deadlines for submitting an application. The DEQ will continue to work with applicants to ensure we meet the deadlines identified in EPA's grant criteria.
Jobs Summary: The Water Bureau provided a total of 2.45 FTEs (2,825.7 hours recorded by staff divided by 1,152 hours available during reporting period (15 pay periods minus six furlough days) = 2.45 FTEs) of staff hours against TMDL activities as identified in the approved work plan. The FTEs consisted of Aquatic Biologists, Environmental Engineers, and an Environmental Manager. The Water Bureau is reporting -0- jobs created or maintained since these were existing positions within the Bureau and were not created or maintained specificially due to obtaining ARRA funding. Existing staff were assigned to complete the Fiscal Year 2009 activities as identified in the work plan. If staff had not worked on ARRA activities, their positions would have been maintained and funded with either other federal funds or state restricted funds. Once the ARRA requirements are fulfilled, staff's original responsibilities will be restored. (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
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