Abstract |
Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 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, the State is 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. South River (basin number 02-13-10-03) was first identified on the 1996 303(d) List submitted to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) as impaired by nutrients, sediments, and fecal coliform, with listings of biological impacts in specified non-tidal portions added in 2002 and 2004, and a listing of PCB impairment in fish tissue added in 2002 for the tidal portion. On the 2004 303(d) List, the fecal coliform impairment was clarified with the identification of four specific restricted shellfish harvesting areas within the basin. This document addresses the fecal coliform impairment listings of the areas identified: South River; Duvall Creek; Selby Bay; and Ramsey Lake. The nutrient, sediment, biological, and toxic impairments within the South River basin will be addressed at a future date. |