Notice of Intent to Establish a TMDL for Heptachlor Epoxide, Organics and Metals
Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) directs States to identify and list waters, known as water quality limited segments (WQLSs), in which current required controls of a specified substance are inadequate to achieve water quality standards. For each WQLS, the State is required to establish a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of the specified substance(s) that the waterbody can receive without violating water quality standards, demonstrate that another program or action will achieve water quality standards, or demonstrate via the development of a Water Quality Analysis (WQA) that water quality standards for the specified substance(s) are currently being achieved. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) hereby gives notice of the public availability of a draft TMDL document for Organics and Metals (specifically, Heptachlor Epoxide in Maryland) in the Anacostia River Watershed (basin code MD-ANATF).
MDE identified the Anacostia River Tidal Fresh Chesapeake Bay Tidal Segment (Assessment Unit ID: MD-ANATF) on the State’s 2018 Integrated Report (IR) as impaired for heptachlor epoxide in fish tissue in 2014. MDE also identified the Northwest Branch of the Non-tidal Anacostia River Watershed (Assessment Unit ID: MD-02140205-Northwest_Branch) in the State’s IR as impaired for heptachlor epoxide in water column in 2002. This document, developed through a cooperative agreement between EPA Region III, MDE and the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment, proposes to establish TMDLs to address the heptachlor epoxide listing in Maryland along with listings in Washington, DC, for which a data solicitation was conducted, and all readily available data have been considered.
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 U.S. EPA. The approved TMDL will support measures needed to attain water quality standards in the Anacostia River for organics and metals.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT
The original 30-day public comment period for the draft document will take place from July 9 to August 7, 2021. The public comment period has been extended. The new deadline is August 13, 2021. The draft document is available on the Internet at web site http://www.mde.maryland.gov/TMDL under Drafts for Public Comment or by contacting Ms. Melissa Chatham by email at mde.tmdlcoordinator@maryland.gov, or by telephone at 443-908-0338 (outside the Baltimore area, dial 1-800-633-6101 x3937). Anyone wishing to review the draft documents and supporting information or needing technical information may contact Ms. Chatham during normal business hours.
Written comments concerning Maryland-related aspects of the draft document may be submitted to the Department
on or before August 13, 2021 and should be sent to Ms. Chatham at MDE/WSA, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 540, Baltimore, MD 21230 or emailed to
mde.tmdlcoordinator@maryland.gov. DC’s public comment period is ongoing and concurrent with Maryland's. Written comments or questions concerning DC-related issues should be sent by August 7, 2021 to George E. Onyullo at
George.onyullo@dc.gov or mailed to 1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20002. 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. A public information meeting about the Anacostia River organics/metals TMDL for all interested parties from both Maryland and DC on July 22, 2021 at 10am in Webex
https://mwcog.webex.com/mwcog/j.php?MTID=m6870425f32af7ebcb539d49a0c55466a or by phone at 1-202-860-2110 access code: 1616445144.
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.
