This document, upon approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), establishes a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for fecal bacteria in the Patapsco River Lower North Branch (Patapsco LNB) watershed (basin number 02-13-09-06). 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 the waters of the Maryland (MD) 8-digit Patapsco LNB watershed on the States 303(d) List (Category 5 of the Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality in Maryland (Integrated Report)) as impaired by nutrients (listed in 1996, revised in 2008 to phosphorus), sediment (1996), metals (1996), fecal bacteria (2008), impacts to biological communities (listed in 2002, 2004 and 2006), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (2008). Herbert Run, a tributary of the Patapsco River, was listed in 2006 as impaired by lead and copper. The waters of the MD 8-digit Patapsco LNB watershed have been designated as Use I (Water Contact Recreation, and Protection of Nontidal Warmwater Aquatic Life) See Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.08.02.07F(5). Brice Run, also a tributary of the Patapsco River, and its tributaries have been designated as Use III (Nontidal Cold Water). See COMAR 26.08.02.08K(3)(a). This document proposes to establish a TMDL for fecal bacteria in the Patapsco River LNB watershed that will allow for attainment of the beneficial use designation of water contact recreation. The listings for phosphorus, sediment, PCBs, and impacts to biological communities will be addressed in separate TMDL documents. The listing for metals was addressed in 2002. The Herbert Run listings for lead and copper were addressed in 2008. MDE monitored the Patapsco LNB watershed from 2002-2003 for fecal bacteria. A data solicitation for fecal bacteria was conducted by MDE in 2007, and all readily available data from the past five years were considered.