About the Program:
Program Committees & Work Groups - Harbor TMDL Oversight Group

Purpose

The purpose of the  Harbor  TMDL oversight group is to  provide regulatory and policy guidance for the  water quality assessment  and  subsequent management and regulatory actions for the waters of  the New York-New Jersey Harbor, including development of  Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) as necessary.

Background

Water quality assessment (pathogens, nutrients and toxics) has been underway for the Harbor for a number of years under the various work groups of the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program (HEP).  These groups have broad representation and have focused on ensuring that appropriate and adequate data collection and mathematical modeling tools were developed.  Now that these tools are ready to be used, the states and EPA have agreed to meet on a monthly basis to provide guidance to the work groups on the use of these models.

Roles of Oversight and Technical Groups

The oversight group is responsible for making decisions on such things as:  the overall approach to the assessment and any subsequent regulatory action; selecting appropriate standards and deciding where to apply them; identifying what management questions need to be answered; and providing clear written guidance to the work groups.   This guidance will be provided through the HEP Program Director to the work group chairs.  Oversight group members are responsible for ensuring that their representatives on the work groups understand the process and support the positions of the oversight group. 

The technical work groups are responsible for working with the contractor to develop work plans, identifying the resources necessary to carry out the assessments, and working with the contractor to ensure that the products meet the needs of the oversight group.  The technical work groups are also responsible for providing technical insight to the oversight group, as necessary and for briefing the HEP Management and Policy Committees on their work.

Organizations Participating in Oversight Group

To avoid duplication of effort with the technical work groups, the oversight group will be comprised of only the following entities: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Meeting Minutes

• August 3, 2009 | PDF
• June 16, 2009 | PDF
• January 21, 2009 | PDF
• August 13, 2008 | PDF
• November 20, 2007 | PDF
• September 13, 2007 | PDF
• June 20, 2007 | PDF
• February 2, 2007 | PDF
• November 29, 2006 | PDF
• October 16, 2006 | PDF
• August 3, 2006 | PDF
• December 21, 2005 | PDF
• September 13, 2005 | PDF
• June 22, 2005 | PDF
• March 31, 2005 | PDF
  
  

New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program • 290 Broadway, 24th Floor • New York, NY 10007-1866
Phone: 212-637-3816 • Fax: 212-637-3889 • E-mail: info@harborestuary.org