Also, if a state does not develop the TMDLs, the Clean Water Act states the EPA must do so. To support this goal, states must adopt water quality standards. Water quality standards are state regulations which have two components. States must assign a use, or several uses, to each of their waters. If any criteria are being exceeded, then the use is not being met, and the water is said to be violating water quality standards.
Buffalo Creek has several designated uses including cold water fishes.
Based on instream measurements, the amount of TRC in Buffalo Creek exceeded the water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life. The plan is needed to restore the water quality in Buffalo Creek. The plan includes a calculation of how much of the total pollutant can safety be put in Buffalo Creek without causing TRC levels to exceed water quality standards. The proposed TMDL plan, when implemented, is expected to achieve the TRC standards. The proposed plan provides calculations of the stream's total capacity to absorb TRC under critical low flow conditions and allocates allowable loadings to point source discharges in Buffalo Creek.