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<br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The Kansas TMDLs briefing began at 2:30. Phil Hegeman of the WQCD provided a summary of <br />the EPA approved TMDLs for Kansas as well as an assessment of current conditions in the . <br />lowermost segment of the Arkansas River in Colorado and the uppermost segment in Kansas. It <br />is worth noting that Kansas operates under the. EP A Region 7 guidelines, while Colorado <br />operates under the guidelines of the EPA Region 8. Kansas's representative Tom Stiles who <br />arrived late presented the basis and justifications for the newly established TMDLs. Below are <br />the highlights ofthose presentations: <br /> <br />A. Kansas <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The TMDLs was designed for the reach from stateline through Garden City, east <br />of Dodge City. <br />Kansas was under pressure from the EP A, which was prompted by several <br />lawsuits by environmental groups to develop TMDLs for this reach of the river. <br />hnpaired uses include domestic water supply, livestock watering, and ground <br />water recharge. <br />Kansas has adopted a sulfate standard of 250 mg/l for domestic water supply and <br />1000 mg/l for stock watering (EPA'ssecondary drinking water standards). For <br />surface water classified for ground water recharge use, the water quality must not <br />cause degradation of ground water. <br />Period of record used for generating the TMDLs is 1987-1999. <br />Average flows for USGS gages at Coolidge, Syracuse, and Garden City for the <br />period of record are 316 cfs, 321 cfs, and 163, respectively, <br />Sulfate concentrations have been elevated along the Arkansas River, averaging <br />1875 mg/l near Garden City over the period of Record. At stateline typical sulfate <br />concentration levels are around 2000 fig/I. Sulfate concentrations could reach the <br />saturation limit, which is generally in the vicinity of2500 mg/l. <br />Kansas admits that the secondary drinking water standard is not readily attainable. <br />Kansas has not yet adopted a standard for selenium. When they do in 2003, the <br />issues will be whether to accept the Ef A' s value or more lenient ambient level. <br />This is a phased TMDL with short-term and long-term goals aimed at reducing <br />sulfate. <br />There are only two point-source facilities that contribute to sulfate loading within <br />the reach in question: Garden City: wastewater treatment plant and Sunflower <br />power plant, both of which operate under NPDES permits. The remaining loading <br />is attributed to non-point sources, priJUarily irrigated agriculture. <br />hnplementation of the TMDL goals for short-term includes monitoring permitted <br />facilities for permit compliance, developing source water protection plans, and <br />reducing of return flows from irrigated lands in Kansas, The long-term goals <br />include alternative operation of water delivery from Colorado to Kansas, use of <br />occasional high flows to move sulfate accumulations through the system and <br />improved irrigation return flow ITlanagement to reduce sulfate and selenium <br />loadings. ' <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />