The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development for the Lower Little Miami River and Todd's Fork watershed has begun. In 2007, the Ohio EPA carried out an extensive set of chemical and biological monitoring in both watersheds. In 2008, that data will be analyzed and used to create a Technical Support Document (TSD). Starting in 2009, the OEPA will use the TSD and input from public meetings to develop the TMDL. The resulting TMDL will offer the most up to date picture of the health of and threats to the watersheds, and corresponding targeted chemical reduction numbers. This could result in major changes in many different aspects of water-quality related programs, including discharger permits.

The Little Miami River Partnership and the Ohio EPA would like you to understand the process by which a TMDL is developed in an effort to maximize your understanding and ability to interact with the development of the TMDL. Therefore a series of public meetings has been developed in order to equip you with that knowledge before the formal TMDL development process is started in 2009. The Little Miami River Partnership will host and facilitate the meetings and the OEPA will provide the technical presentations and information. This is your chance to interact with and learn from the people who will be developing the TMDL.

Meeting One - Already Successfully Held!!! Over 25 industries and governments represented.
Technical Support Document (TSD): Development and Use
Date: May 15th, 2008
Location: Conference Room, Warren OSU Extension Offices (320 East Silver Street, Lebanon, Ohio 45036)
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Agenda:

Meeting Two - Already Successfully Held!!! Over 15 industries and governments represented.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL): Development and Use
Date: June 26th, 2008
Location: 1st Floor Community Room, City of Mason building (6000 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, Ohio 45040)
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Agenda:

Meeting Three
Total Maximum Daily Load Model: Use and Answering Questions
Date: Late Summer, Early Fall, 2008
Location: TBA
Time: TBA
Agenda: TBA

Meeting Four
Ohio EPA: TSD Results for the Lower Little Miami River and
Todd’s Fork Watersheds
Date: Late Fall, Early Winter, 2008
Location: TBA
Time: TBA
Agenda: TBA, but will provide a detailed presentation of the findings of the TSD.

These meetings are important and will provide you the opportunity to understand the issues of the development of a TMDL. I encourage you to attend, listen and ask questions. Please provide this information to other interested groups or entities.

Funds for this process were partially provided by an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Ohio Environmental Education Fund grant and by several permitted entities.