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Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)

Newman Lake was included on Washington State Department of Ecology's 303(d) list as impaired due to high levels of phosphorus. The 303(d) list is from the Clean Water Act, which requires that a body of water that is impacted by water supply, fishing, swimming, and boating be listed. As a result, a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study is required. The Newman Lake Flood Control Zone District has started the process of determining how much phosphorus needs to be removed and how it is to be accomplished.

The WA State Department of Ecology recently released a final version of the Total Phosphorus TMDL Newman Lake Water Quality Improvement Report. To view or download the report in Adobe PDF format, please access either of the following links:

Final Newman Lake TMDL Water Quality Improvement Report

The WA State Department of Ecology website provides information on both historical and current water quality improvement projects (TMDLs). To access the site, please link to:

WSDOE Water Quality Improvement Projects

Water Cleanup Plans (TMDLs) by Ecology Region


Water Quality Task Force

The Newman Lake TMDL for Total Phosphorus is concerned with nutrient reductions from a variety of sources throughout the watershed, shoreline and lake. While the Flood Control Zone District is involved in-lake management activities as well as source control in the watershed, future loading reduction activities are likely to increase in scope and complexity. With that in mind, a seven member Task Force was created to assess the current organizational structure and determine how to best implement expanded nutrient reduction methods.

The seven member TMDL Task Force is composed of the following members:

  • Quincy Edmonds- Chair
  • Simone Ramel- Vice Chair
  • Andy Buddington
  • Wendy Burley
  • Mike Davis
  • Bruce Gallaher
  • Margo Wolf

For more information, please contact Simone Ramel at simone@maplesuite.com

Prior to the formation of the Task Force, meetings were held with interested parties in the Newman Lake Community. Please see the following meeting minutes for more information.


TMDL Dispute Resolution Request

The District has requested that Ecology initiate a formal dispute resolution process to resolve our serious concerns that were not addressed satisfactorily in the preparation of the Final Newman Lake TMDL Study document. [See Ecology web site link above for a copy of the final Newman Lake TMDL]. Posted below are copies of our original request for dispute resolution dated 1/23/08 and the District’s response to Ecology’s request for clarification dated 2/14/08. This most recent response to Ecology also includes a letter from Dr. Barry Moore providing additional information dated 2/12/08. For your information we have also posted a copy of Ecology’s clarification request letter of 1/29/08 and Ecology's guidance on the TMDL dispute resolution process.