Antietam Creek in Washington County, Maryland

Notice of Intent to Establish Nutrient (Phosphorus) Total Maximum Daily Load 

Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act requires Maryland to: (1) identify waters, known as water quality limited segments (WQLSs), where technology-based effluent limitations and other required controls cannot achieve water quality standards; (2) for each listed water, establish Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for pollutants preventing the attainment of water quality standards; and (3) offer an opportunity for public review and comment on the proposed TMDLs.

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has identified the waters of Antietam Creek on the State’s 2010 Integrated Report as impaired by nutrients (1996), impacts to biological communities (2002), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in fish tissue (2008).  Because the scientific community supports that phosphorus is generally the limiting nutrient in freshwater aquatic systems, the 1996 nutrients listing was refined in Maryland’s 2008 Integrated Report to identify phosphorus as the specific impairing nutrient substance.   A Biological Stressor Identification analysis was completed in 2012 for the listing for impacts to biological communities.  This listing will be addressed separately at a future date.

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

OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT

A 30-day public comment period for draft document will take place from July 16, 2012 to August 15, 2012.  Copies of the draft documents have been placed in the Washington County Free Library- Keedysville Branch (22 Taylor Dr., Keedysville, MD 21756) and the Washington County Free Library- Boonsboro Branch (19 N Main St., Boonsboro, MD 21713).  The draft document is also available on the Internet at: http://www.mde.state.md.us/Programs/WaterPrograms/TMDL or by contacting Mr. Tony 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.

Written comments concerning the draft document may be submitted to the Department on or before August 15, 2012 and should be sent to Mr. Allred at the above address or emailed to tallred@mde.state.md.us.  If the Department determines there is sufficient interest, a public hearing on this matter may be held.  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.

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