The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public feedback on its proposed plan to address elevated water temperatures in the Umpqua River basin. This initiative is part of an effort to replace the 2006 Umpqua Basin temperature Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), with EPA collaborating with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

Warm water temperatures in rivers and streams can negatively impact fish that inhabit, migrate, and spawn in these environments. To safeguard aquatic life, a Total Maximum Daily Load project for temperature—commonly known as a waterbody cleanup plan—is being developed for the Umpqua, South Umpqua, and North Umpqua rivers and their tributaries in Oregon.

In 2006, DEQ established temperature TMDLs for the Umpqua Basin to tackle waterbodies failing to meet stream temperature standards aimed at protecting fish and aquatic life. These TMDLs focused on heat pollution from two primary human-induced sources: nonpoint sources like streamside vegetation removal and flow modifications, and point source discharges such as industrial outfalls and wastewater treatment plants. The updated Umpqua Basin temperature TMDLs will introduce new load allocations for nonpoint sources and wasteload allocations for point sources.

Public comments on the draft plan are welcomed until November 25, 2024. More details on how to comment can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/umpqua-river-basin-temperature-tmdls

The EPA plans to release the final version of the Umpqua Basin temperature TMDL project by February 28, 2025.