NAHB'S TMDL PRIMER: A STAKEHOLDER GUIDE

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) provides technical support to state and local associations and keeps members and associations informed about changes in construction techniques, environmental issues, legislation, and government regulatory programs - including the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program. TMDLs sometimes have direct influences on the home building industry, and builders and developers have a well-earned seat at the TMDL table as stakeholders in the process. For this reason, NAHB has developed the TMDL Primer, which represents a detailed “howto” for representatives of the home building industry interested in taking an active role in the TMDL process. Though developed specifically to address issues related to home building and land development, the material presents applicable approaches for many interested stakeholder groups, particularly those associated with diffuse, seasonal, and non-piped discharges.The TMDL Primer is organized using a modular approach with a detailed module for each component of the TMDL process. The first module, the Primer Overview, provides a brief overview of the TMDL process as whole, including an introduction to the public participation provisions of the TMDL process and how TMDLs can affect the home building industry. This section ends with an important decision-making flow chart that is a tool to help stakeholder representatives decide when to get involved in the TMDL process. In addition, there are modules for Water Quality Standards, Impaired Waters Lists, and TMDL Development, which are intended to provide in-depth information on each of the components of the TMDL process. The goal of each module is to educate representatives of the home building industry on the “ins and outs” of each component of the TMDL process, describe issues with which representatives of the home building industry should get involved, and recommend specific strategies or avenues to ensure that the TMDL process is based on sound science, clear rationale, and an equitable approach.