Land-grant universities: Research, education, and local leadership to improve TMDLs

The land, with their three missions: research, extension, and classroom education, are poised to be significant players in the development and implementation of TMDLs. To evaluate and amplify this thesis we conducted an informal survey in early 2003 to identify the range of TMDL-related activities in land grant universities. Survey results were analyzed and expanded by a committee with representatives from the land-grant universities and the EPA Office of Watersheds, Oceans and Wetlands. The survey turned up examples from 35 states and territories showing land grant university contributions in all phases of the TMDL process. This paper presents an overview of survey results with some thoughts on how and where land grant universities might participate more fully in the TMDL process. Information and concepts in this paper were developed by the land grant university-USDA-CSREES team(2) as part of the USDA Cooperative State Research, Extension, and Education Service Water Quality Program.