Water quality standards for wetlands have proven a challenging topic over the years.  Under a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ASWM is undertaking a project to identify best practices that can be used in the development of water quality standards for wetlands.  To do this ASWM will take the following steps: 

1. Gather information from the states about how wetland water quality standards are currently used in 401 certification and dredge and fill permitting programs, assessment reports, restoration activities and watershed plans
2. Develop a report summarizing states’ application of wetland water quality standards
3. Develop a draft list of best practices
4. Conduct a detailed review of three states with comprehensive wetland water quality standards: WI, MN and OH
5. Work with three states (to be determined) that are actively developing wetland water quality standards and assist them in applying the best practices identified in steps 1-4  by developing a strategy for adoption of wetland water quality standards adapted to their state
6. Invite all interested states and tribes to participate in a series of conference calls that will be carried out as part of completing steps 1-5
7. Publish materials here, and on ASWM’s webpage for Water Quality Standards.  

The goal of the project is to help the states prepare and adopt water quality standards for wetlands. 

ASWM has posted 14 draft summaries of states that have water quality standards that specifically address wetlands.  These summaries will updated and revised to: 

   a)  confirm that the summaries are accurate and these states are currently applying
        these standards to wetlands
   b)  gather information on the progress of implementing the program
   c)  determine whether states are including wetlands in 305(b) reports or
        including wetlands on 303(d) lists of impaired waters
   d)  find out  whether and what wetland assessment approaches are being used to 
        implement wetland standards
   e)  identify whether total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) are applied to wetlands
   f)  ascertain if there have been any state court cases addressing wetland water 
       quality standards and in particular whether these affect Section 401 certification
       review
   g) collect information about benefits gained from adopting water quality standards
       for wetlands
   h) learn about plans to revise or otherwise change existing standards; and
   i)  identify information and technical assistance needs.