Maryland's 2023 Interim Update to Water Quality Standards
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Maryland's 2023 Interim Update to Water Quality Standards
In the 2019 Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards, the Department updated the freshwater aquatic life water quality criteria for ammonia. These ammonia criteria were derived from recent toxicology studies and represent the best available science. For more information on Maryland’s 2019 Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards, please
click here. After these changes to the ammonia water quality criteria were finalized, errors were noted in three tables and for one equation in the regulation (in Code of Maryland Regulations). In addition, a table footnote related to Pentachlorophenol (PCP) required revision for clarity. The purpose of the 2023 Interim Update is to correct these issues in COMAR 26.08.02.03-2.
Request for Public Comment & Public Hearing Information
MDE published a notice of proposed action in the November 17, 2023 issue of the
Maryland Register.
The public comment period for this regulation change will be open from November 17, 2023 to December 22, 2023. All comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on December 22, 2023. Comments may be sent to Melinda Cutler via email at melinda.cutler@maryland.gov, by telephone at (410)-537-3958, or via mail at the following address:
Ms Melinda Cutler
Watershed Protection, Restoration, and Planning Program
Maryland Department of the Environment
1800 Washington Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21230-1720
The Department of the Environment will hold a virtual public hearing for the proposed action on December 13, 2023 at 3 p.m. Interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing and express their views. To attend the public hearing, please register using the following online form, linked here.
Materials for Proposed Regulation Change
Please click the link below to access the proposed COMAR regulatory changes for the 2023 Interim Update.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact Melinda Cutler at melinda.cutler@maryland.gov.
This page was last updated on 11/2023.
