Impaired Waters and TMDLs

Impaired Waters and TMDLs: Restoration Examples and Resources

"Every little bit helps" is perhaps the underlying principle for the estimated 3,000 – 4,000 local watershed groups across the country. Many communities are proving they can make a noticeable difference in their neighborhood waterbody.

Large projects often involve heavy equipment like dredgers or excavators, but citizens can take part in activities like planting trees and native vegetation, shoring up stream banks with rock weirs, conducting campaigns to reducing fertilizer use or simply removing the pollution source (e.g., neighborhood trash clean-ups). Successful restoration projects can not only reclaim healthy habitats for fish and aquatic wildlife, but have been known to yield increased property values in the community.

Examples of TMDL restoration activities: