NPDES: A Framework for Integrating Water Resources Management on a Watershed Basis

Since the inception of the Clean Water Act (CWA), numerous guidance and policies have been implemented to minimize wet weather discharges through the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) NPDES program. Under the National Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, EPA has developed opportunities for local agencies to develop a holistic watershedbased approach. The flexibility of this approach has been useful for various communities throughout the United States. This paper will address the historical development of the NPDES program, including the integration approach; using case studies from Texas, Kentucky, and Oregon to summarize how integration of a watershed-based approach is useful; and factors municipalities should consider when using an integration approach. Conclusions about integration are it is useful due to reducing the impediments for regulatory agencies and municipal permittees as well as streamlines the number of permits for permittess that are in an urban setting.