The Regional Stormwater Management Plan: A TMDL implementation tool

New Jersey's approach for stormwater management has been on a site specific basis. Each development is responsible for constructing stormwater facilities. These facilities have handled runoff without considering the impact to properties upstream or downstream of the development. With the adoption of the New Jersey Stormwater Management Rules in January of 2004, there is now a process for addressing stormwater on a watershed basis through the development of Regional Stormwater Management Plans (RSWMPs). These regional plans aim to minimize flooding, eliminate nonpoint source pollution, and promote groundwater recharge. These plans also provide an opportunity to address the implementation of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for impaired waterways by evaluating areas within the drainage basin that contribute stormwater runoff to those impaired streams. The RSWMP includes hydrologic modeling of stormwater runoff, hydraulic modeling of how the stream reacts to these runoff volumes, and modeling of nonpoint sources. These detailed modeling efforts allow for proper controls to be identified for specific stormwater sources. The modeling also predicts the hydrologic reaction to a variety of best management practices (BMPs) and evaluates the overall effect of these controls on the watershed. Additionally, the modeling allows for nonpoint source controls to be specified where they are needed most, thereby allowing for priorities to be set to achieve TMDL load reductions. This paper will discuss three RSWMPs that are being developed in New Jersey and their ability to address TMDL implementation.