Who has the authority to review Water Quality Criteria, review TMDLs, and grant discharge permits under the NPDES program?

The authority to review Water Quality Criteria, review Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), and grant discharge permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program primarily lies with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This agency is responsible for setting national standards to protect the environment and public health, and it oversees the implementation of various environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act.

The EPA establishes water quality standards and maintains oversight of state programs to ensure they meet federal guidelines. They also play a crucial role in reviewing TMDLs, which are critical for managing water quality in impaired waters, and in issuing NPDES permits that regulate the discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States. These responsibilities ensure that water quality is maintained and improved across various jurisdictions.

While states have significant authority to implement and enforce these programs, they do so under the framework established by the EPA, which has the final say in many cases to ensure compliance with national standards.