The Aftermath of TMDL Litigation: Consent Decrees and Settlement Agreements

Clean Water Act: Law and Regulation, ALI-ABA, 2005

16 Pages Posted: 22 Sep 2009

See all articles by James R. May

James R. May

Washburn University - Washburn University School of Law; Widener University Delaware Law School; Haub School of Law at Pace University

Date Written: October 26, 2005

Abstract

This article provides the latest developments about TMDL lawsuits nationally. It concludes that the results of TMDL settlements are mixed, least so where it matters most. The glory is that EPA has reviewed anew, or had the states review, readily existing and available water quality related data and information for 40,000 waters, finding 20,000 more ones impaired, bringing the national total to 60,000. EPA has agreed to "backstop" TMDL development for about 20,000 of these, and set or approved TMDLs for 10,000 impaired waters. EPA has for the first time reviewed and evaluated CPPs in six states. It has conducted dozens of associated ESA consultations. EPA's Office of Watersheds and Wetlands now incorporates TMDL planning into all facets of its operations. Every EPA Region, state and territory now boasts at least one FTE TMDL coordinator and program. Congress and state legislators have dedicated millions of dollars to TMDLs. The legal, policy and scientific academies know the language of TMDLs. The glum is that TMDLs have had little or no impact where they matter most: restoring over-polluted waters. The program is both administratively mature and practically irrelevant. Thirty years plus into the program and the CWA's hope of an ambient-based response to the nation's overly polluted waters is at best ossified and at worst over.

Keywords: environmental law, clean water act, tmdl, water pollution

JEL Classification: K32

Suggested Citation

May, James, The Aftermath of TMDL Litigation: Consent Decrees and Settlement Agreements (October 26, 2005). Clean Water Act: Law and Regulation, ALI-ABA, 2005, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1475422

James May (Contact Author)

Washburn University - Washburn University School of Law ( email )

1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621
United States

Widener University Delaware Law School ( email )

4601 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803-0406
United States

Haub School of Law at Pace University ( email )

78 N. Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603
United States

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