MDE is currently reconsidering the Clean Water Act, Section 401 Water Quality Certification 17-WQC-02 issued to Constellation Energy Generation LLC (formerly Exelon) in 2018.

• ​17-WQC-02 Reconsideration Fact Sheet
  

A limited public notice related to Water Quality Certification 17-WQC-02 was issued by MDE on June 30, 2023. Public comments in response to the notice as well as supplemental briefing materials from parties to the reconsideration can be found below.

Public Comments

Please note that personally identifiable information (such as e-mail addresses and mailing addresses) has been removed from individual citizen comments.​

Public Notice Comments

 

• 07142023_T. Baummer_Comments on Conowingo Relicensing_Redacted.pdf
• 07182023_JNussdorf Comments_redacted.pdf
• 07182023_Multiple Form_In Support of a New Long-Term License_Redacted.pdf
• 07182023_Multiple Form_Protect Water Quality at Conowingo Dam_Redacted.pdf
• 07192023_PortDeposit.ConowingoDam.WQC.ltr.signed.pdf
• 07232023_A. Sager Comment Letter_Redacted.pdf
• 07252023_RMH Comments on Conowingo WQC_Redacted.pdf
• 07282023_Amir Hammad_Supporting Conowingo Dam_Redacted.pdf
• 07282023_B.Temmink_Dredge Conowingo Pond_Redacted.pdf
• 07282023_Ellyn and John Vail_Redacted.pdf
• ​07282023_NHA Comments - Conowingo Dam 401 WQC.pdf
• 07302023_S.Gold_Hold Constellation Accountable_Redacted.pdf
• 07312023_CC_Comments_MDE.pdf
• 07312023_Cheseapeake Crossroads_Conditions on re-licensing the Conowingo Dam.pdf
• 07312023_Constellation President Bill Swahl - Conowingo.pdf
• 07312023_Doug Legum_Conowingo Dam WQC.pdf
• ​07312023_MD Birds Conowingo Comments.pdf
• 07312023_SRBC Comment - Conowingo 401.PDF
• 07312023_Surfrider_ConowingoPermit_2023.pdf
• 07312023_TNC-MD MDE Comments Final.pdf
• 08012023_AFL-CIO_Conowingo Public Comment.pdf
• 08012023_CBF Comments on WQC Reconsideration.pdf
• 08012023_Conowingo Hydroelectric Project PJM Letter.pdf
• 08012023_Conowingo WQ Certification Letter.pdf
• 08012023_Del. Mike Griffith - Public Comment.pdf
• 08012023_Letter CCC to MDE re Conowingo WQC Reconsideration.pdf
• 08012023_LS Riverkeeper Petition to MDE.pdf
• 08022023_Harford County Exec..pdf
• 08042023_E. Adams Constellation Employee.pdf
• 08162023_Attach. A Response to Exelon Request to Dismiss_12-06-2018.pdf
• 08162023_Attach. B bay_letter_1209.pdf
• 08162023_Attach. C EPA-HQ-OW-2019-0405-0811_attachment_1 (1).pdf
• ​08162023_Attach. C EPA-HQ-OW-2019-0405-0811_attachment_2.pdf
• 08162023_Attach. D EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0128-0186_attachment_1 (1).pdf
• 08162023_WKC LSRK Reply to Constellation supplemental brief 08162023.pdf
• 7282023_LSHG_MDE Conowingo Dam Letter.pdf

​​
Documents From Parties to the WQC Reconsideration

August 1, 2023 Supplemental Briefing from Constellation Energy Generation LLC

 

• 2023.08.01 - Constellation Cover letter re Supplemental Submission.pdf
• 2023.08.01 - Constellation - Supplemental Conowingo Submission.pdf
• Ex. 1 - 1975 Certification.pdf
• Ex. 2 - Discharge Permit 19-DP-0491.pdf
• Ex. 3 - MEA Letter re SB0540 HB0427 (2021).pdf
• Ex. 4 - Langland 2015.pdf
• Ex. 5 - 2019 UMCES Study.pdf
• ​Ex. 6 - EPA Conowingo WIP Evaluation (2022).pdf
• Ex. 7 - 2019 Hearing Tr..pdf
• Ex. 8 - Conowingo Settlement.pdf
  
• Ex. 9 - 23EcologyLQ201.pdf
• Ex. 10 - 2021LoadsReport.pdf
• Ex. 11 - Zhang et al Mar 2016.pdf
• ​Ex. 12 - Zhang et al. Data Archive Slipsheet.pdf
• Ex. 12 - Zhang et al Data Archive.zip
• Ex. 13 - Grumbles 2019 Testimony Slipsheet.pdf
• Ex. 13 - 2019.01.24 - Grumbles Testimony Excerpt.mov
• Ex. 14 - 2023 EPA Expectations Draft.pdf
• ​Ex. 15 - CBF Statement.PDF
• Ex. 16 - Zhang et al Jan 2016.pdf
• Ex. 17 - Linker et al.pdf
• ​Ex. 18 - Currey - Conowingo Dam Infill.pdf
• Ex. 19 - Zhang et al. 2013.PDF
• Ex. 20 - Cornwell et al.pdf
• Ex. 21 - Testa et al.PDF
• Ex. 22 - Bever et al.pdf
• ​Ex. 23 - Cerco and Noel.PDF
• Ex. 24 - Langland 2009.pdf
• Ex. 25 - Joint Application.pdf
• Ex. 26 - CWIP-Update.pdf
• ​Ex. 27 - FERC Decisions Reviewed for State 401 Cites.pdf
• Ex. 28 - MDE Issued Certifications Reviewed.pdf
• Ex. 29 - Exelon Comments re dredging pilot.pdf
• Ex. 30 - Conowingo Flow and Habitat Memo 07.26.2023.pdf

August 1, 2023 Supplemental Briefing from Waterkeepers Chesapeake & Lower Susquehanna Riverkeepers

 

• 08012023_WKC _ LSRK MDE Reconsideration Brief.pdf
• 1.a MDE 2018 Integrated Report.pdf
• 1.aa Audobon Pennsylvania Mussels Program.pdf
• 1.b MD_Combined2020_2022_Final_Approved_Integrated_Report_2_25_22.pdf
• ​​1.bb dnr-mde-exelon-letter-8-3-18-1533557428.pdf
• 1.c Michael Pedone - WQC Bay Commission Presentation.pdf
• 1.d DRAFT conowingo framework.pdf
• 1.e REDLINE cwip_framework_jan_2019_rfa_edits.pdf
• 1.f FINAL cwip_framework_-_final_1_31_19_version.pdf
• 1.g Phase III WIP-Final_Maryland_8.23.2019.pdf
• ​1.h draft_conowingo_watershed_implementation_plan_10_14_20.pdf
• 1.i cwip_financing_structure_final.pdf
• 1.j CWIP_Comments-WKC_LSR_EJ.pdf
• ​​1.k final_cwip.pdf
• ​1.l cover-letter-and-epa-evaluation-of-final-cwip_v1.24.2022_0.pdf
• 1.m EPA-Expectations_CWIP-Phased-Approach_DRAFT_1.26.2023_2023-03-29-194537_oxgk.pdf
• ​1.n EPA Expectations_CWIP Phased Approach_Final_7.19.23.pdf
• 1.o 20190328-5210_Protest and Answer of MDE (1).PDF
• 1.p revised_draft_psc_letter_to_exelon_conowingo_171215_draft_2.pdf
• 1.q WKC Comments to FERC on Conowingo Settlement.PDF
• 1.q WKC Comments to FERC Exhibit A.PDF
• 1.q WCK Comments to FERC Exhibits B-M.PDF
• ​1.r Local Govts Comments to FERC on Settlement Agmt..PDF
• 1.s CBF Comments to FERC On Settlement.PDF
• 1.t MCBA Final Amicus Brief.pdf
• ​1.u Addendum to Final Opening Brief of Petitioners_06-21-2022.pdf
• 1.v UMCES Case Study 11.12.19.pdf
• ​1.w MDE Draft Mussels Study.pdf
• 1.x Spreadsheet, 7-2023.pdf
• ​1.y How Using Nature_s Tools Is Helping to Clean Up Urban Rivers - Yale E360.pdf
• 1.z Delaware_s Freshwater Mussels cleaning water one particle at a time.pdf
• ​2.a A-StorRMreport.pdf
• 2.b NCA4_Ch18_Northeast_Full.pdf
• ​2.c RAND_TLA1365-1.pdf
• 2D2016~1.PDF
• ​2.e Chesapeake Stormwater Network Final Report.pdf
• 3.a FERC Order on Rehearing.PDF
• 3.b Petition for Rehearing to FERC.PDF
• 3.c TNC Comments on Settlement Submitted to FERC.PDF
• 3.c. TNC Comments Exhibits.PDF
• 4.a Response to Exelon Emails.pdf
• 4.b SRBC Protest.PDF

August 16, 2023 Supplemental Reply from Constellation Energy Generation LLC

 

• 2023.08.16 - Constellation - Supplemental Reply Submission.pdf
• Ex. 31 - ExGen 2018 Integrated Report Comments.pdf
• Ex. 32 - Palinkas 2014.pdf
• Ex. 33 - DOI Settlement.pdf
• Ex. 34 - Upstream Eel Passage Review.pdf
  
• Ex. 35 - Stalnaker Decl (2015).pdf
• Ex. 36 - NERA Socioeconomic Study.pdf

August 16, 2023 Supplemental Reply from Waterkeepers Chesapeake & Lower Susquehanna Riverkeepers

 

• WKC LSRK Reply to Constellation supplemental brief 08162023.pdf
• Attach. A Response to Exelon Request to Dismiss_12-06-2018.pdf
• Attach. B bay_letter_1209.pdf
• Attach. C EPA-HQ-OW-2019-0405-0811_attachment_1 (1).pdf
• Attach. C EPA-HQ-OW-2019-0405-0811_attachment_2.pdf
• Attach. D EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0128-0186_attachment_1 (1).pdf

​​

More information is available on MDE's Conowingo Dam Impacts web page:

 https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/water/TMDL/TMDLImplementation/Pages/Conowingo-Dam-Impacts.aspx

For information on MDE’s freshwater mussel restoration efforts, please visit:

 https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/water/WetlandsandWaterways/Pages/freshwater-mussel-restoration.aspx

Legal Challenges

• ​​Judg​ment, No. 21-1139- DC Circuit Court (December 20, 2022)

• ​Order, No. 21-1139- DC Circuit Court (December 20, 2022)
  

• ​Opinion, No. 21-1139- DC Circuit Court (December 20, 2022)
  

• ​Administrative Appeal of Final Decision to Issue Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification for the Conowingo Hydroelectric Project (6/8/2018) - Stewards of the Lower Susquehanna, d/b/a Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, and Waterkeepers Chesapeake

• ​Protective Petition for Reconsideration and Administrative Appeal (5/25/2018) - Exelon Generation Company, LLC
  

Conowingo Hydroelectric Project Water Quality Certification Application​​​​​

​Related Docume​nts

• Conowingo Settlement Agreement (PDF)
• ​ FERC License Application Vol 1 and Vol 3​​​
• ​ FERC License Application Supporting Studies ​
  

Conowingo Pilot Dredge Project

• Additional information is available on the Conowingo Innovative and Beneficial Reuse Pilot Project web page.