March 14, 2001

TMDLs for Dissolved Oxygen and Fecal Coliform Proposed for South Fork Forked Deer River Watershed in southwestern TN:  Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires states to develop TMDLs for waters on their impaired waters list. TMDLs must determine the allowable pollutant load that the water can assimilate, allocate that load among the various point and nonpoint sources, include a margin of safety, and address seasonality.  The following TMDLs have been proposed for South Fork Forked Deer River Watershed:

Dissolved Oxygen-TMDL Available at www.state.tn.us/environment/wpc/SFFDDO03.pdf

Comments due by March 26, 2001  South Fork Forked Deer River from RM 22.3 to RM 35.1 and South Fork Forked Deer River from RM 35.1 to RM 56.1 are listed on Tennessee's final 1998 303(d) list as partially supporting designated use classifications due, in part, to low dissolved oxygen.

The TMDL concludes that these river sections are not presently impaired due to low dissolved oxygen levels. TMDL implementation recommendations include additional water quality monitoring, a stream survey to refine the water quality model, and additional CBOD or ammonia loading permitted only if no adverse impact to dissolved oxygen levels can be demonstrated.

Fecal Coliform-TMDL Available at http://www.state.tn.us/environment/wpc/sffdfec3b.pdf

Comments due by April 9, 2001

North Fork of the South Fork Forked Deer River, Johnson Creek, and three segments of the South Fork Forked Deer River (Sumrow Cr. to Nixon Cr., Nixon Cr. to Mud Cr., and Mud Cr. to Meridian Cr.) are listed on Tennessee's final 1998 303(d) list as not supporting designated use classifications due, in part, to pathogens associated with urban storm water runoff and agriculture.  The TMDLs require reductions in fecal coliform loading of approximately 72% to 84% in the five listed water bodies.

Persons wishing to comment on the TMDLs are invited to submit their comments

in writing to:

        Division of Water Pollution Control

        Watershed Management Section

        6th Floor, L & C Annex

        401 Church Street

        Nashville, TN 37243-1534

For more information or to get involved, contact Danielle Droitsch of TN Clean Water Network at 865-607-2138.