PCB TMDL for the Gunpowder-Bird Rivers watershed in Baltimore and Harford Counties, Maryland

Notice of Intent to Establish a TMDL for PCBs

Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and EPA’s implementing regulations direct each State to identify and list waters, known as water quality limited segment (WQLSs), in which current required controls of a specified substance are inadequate to achieve water quality standards (WQSs). For each WQLS, the State is to either establish a TMDL of the specified substance that the waterbody can receive without violating WQSs, or demonstrate that WQSs are being met.  Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) hereby gives notice of the public availability of draft TMDL document for PCBs in the Gunpowder River and Bird River watershed (Chesapeake Bay Segment:  MD-GUNOH).

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has identified the waters of the Gunpowder River (Integrated Report Assessment Unit ID: MD-GUNOH-02130801) on the State's 2012 Integrated Report as impaired by nutrients (1996), suspended sediment (1996) and PCBs in fish tissue (2006).   The Chesapeake Bay TMDLs, which were approved by the EPA on December 29, 2010, addressed the sediment and nutrients listings for the Gunpowder River.  The TMDL established herein by MDE will address the total PCB (tPCB) listing for the Gunpowder River Oligohaline Chesapeake Bay Segment.

The TMDL sets the maximum load limit for the impairing substance. The TMDL also reflects load allocations to point sources, nonpoint sources and a margin of safety that accounts for uncertainty in the procedures used to estimate the TMDL. Once established by the State, the TMDL will be subject to approval by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The approved TMDL will support measures needed to attain water quality standards in the Gunpowder-Bird Rivers.

OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT

A 30-day public comment period for the draft document will take place from August 20, 2015 to September 18, 2015.  Copies of the draft documents have been placed in the Baltimore County Public Library – White Marsh Branch (8133 Sandpiper Circle. Baltimore, MD 21236), the Harford County Public Library – Joppa Branch (655 Towne Center Dr., Joppa, MD 21085), and the Harford County Public Library – Aberdeen Branch (21 Franklin St, Aberdeen, MD 21001).  The draft document is also available on the Internet at:   http://www.mde.state.md.us/TMDL or by contacting Mr. Anthon Allred by mail at MDE/SSA, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 540, Baltimore MD 21230-1718, or by telephone at 410-537-3582 (outside the Baltimore area, dial 1-800-633-6101, x3582).  Anyone wishing to review the draft document and supporting information or needing technical information may contact Mr. Allred during normal business hours.  A public meeting will be held to discuss the Gunpowder River and Bird River PCB TMDL on September 3, 2015 from 9am-10:30am at MDE’s offices in Baltimore.

Written comments concerning the draft document may be submitted to the Department on or before September 18, 2015 and should be sent to Mr. Allred at the above address or emailed to:  anthon.allred@Maryland.gov.  All comments received during the comment period will be considered and the draft document may be revised accordingly prior to its submittal to EPA for approval.

Total Maximum Daily Load of PCBs in the Gunpowder-Bird Rivers, Baltimore and Harford Counties, Maryland
Portable Document Format
Main Report GunpowderBird_PCB_TMDL_PN.pdf (1,944 KB)

 

Contact Information
Please direct questions or comments concerning this project to Maryland's TMDL Program at (410) 537-3572.


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