This document, upon approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), establishes a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for fecal bacteria in the Double Pipe Creek watershed (basin number 02-14-03-04). Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and the EPAs implementing regulations direct each state 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, states are required to either establish a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of the specified substance that the waterbody can receive without violating water quality standards or demonstrate that water quality standards are being met.The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has identified Double Pipe Creek and its tributaries Little Pipe Creek, Big Pipe Creek, Sams Creek, Meadow Branch, and Bear Branch in the State of Marylands 303(d) List as impaired by the following (years listed in parentheses): nutrients (1996), sediments (1996) and impacts to biological communities (2002). Double Pipe Creek was also listed for fecal bacteria in 2002 as category 3(a) (waters that have insufficient data and information to determine waterbody attainment status). In 2003 and 2004, MDE monitored Double Pipe Creek for fecal bacteria and the monitoring data analysis confirmed a fecal bacteria impairment in the watershed. Double Pipe Creek and its tributaries Big Pipe Creek, Little Pipe Creek, Meadow Branch and Sams Creek have been designated as Use IV-P waterbodies (Recreational Trout Waters and Public Water Supply). Bear Branch is designated as a Use III-P waterbody (Nontidal Cold Water and Public Water Supply). See Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.08.02.08P. This document proposes to establish a TMDL for fecal bacteria in Double Pipe Creek that will allow for attainment of the beneficial use designation of primary contact recreation. The listings for nutrients, suspended sediments, and impacts to biological communities will be addressed separately at a future date. A data solicitation for fecal bacteria was conducted by MDE in 2003, and all readily available data from the past five years were considered.