Maps and Water Resources Aid to Local Planning
The 2006 General Assembly enacted major changes to Maryland’s existing comprehensive planning law that, among other things, requires increased effort on the part of local government to ensure that a “water resources element” is adopted as part of county comprehensive plans. Counties must complete this effort by or before October 1, 2009.
To assist local jurisdictions in this effort, MDE is making available an extensive amount of geographically based information related to water quality impairments, “total maximum daily loads” (TMDLs), and high quality waters (Tier II). The information is in a format that relates directly to each of the State’s 23 counties charged with the new comprehensive planning responsibilities. The same type of information is also available for the City of Baltimore. Local governments may find the information equally useful in working as partners in the implementation of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategies.
MDE’s effort follows extensive outreach that the agency has and continues to be engaged in jointly with the Departments of Planning (MDP) and Natural Resources (DNR). During the fall of 2006, MDE mailed to each county economic development director and Baltimore City, a set of hardcopy maps showing the location of known water quality impairments and associated TMDLs within each jurisdiction. The maps comprehensively address impairments regarding nutrients, sediment, toxics, metals, bacteria, pH, and biological communities. In addition, each outreach package contained related maps illustrating Chesapeake Bay nutrient and sediment impairments and TMDLs for the appropriate Bay Tributary Strategy watershed(s) in which each county is located. The maps were updated to reflect available information through July 2009. It is critical for Maryland’s jurisdictions to understand the importance of this information as they work to create local plans that appropriately address existing water quality concerns. Careful planning is needed to ensure that water quality goals for the Bay and local waters are met.
What are the implications of this information relating to TMDLs? Click here. For more information concerning TMDLs, please visit the TMDL Home page.
What are the implications of this information relating to Tier II Antidegradation? Click here.
How can I find maps pertaining to my local jurisdiction?
Below is a list of Counties (and City). Click on the name and a list of available maps and information will be presented. Click on the map title and the map will appear in .pdf format.
How does my jurisdiction’s water quality factor into Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy Implementation?
Below is a list of Tributary Strategy Basins. Click on the name and a list of available maps and information will be presented. Click on the map title and the map will appear in .pdf format.
Other Useful Resources:
House Bill 1141 (Leaving MDE website.)
Maryland's Searchable Integrated Report Database
User Guide to Watershed Planning (Leaving MDE website.)
The Chesapeake Bay TMDL, Maryland's Watershed Implementation Plan and Maryland's 2012-2013 Milestone Goals
2006 Implementation Guidance Document for Local Governments
Water Programs Home
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