Abstract |
Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (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. This list of impaired waters is commonly referred to as the 303(d) List. 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. Little Gunpowder Falls (basin code 02130804) was identified on the States list of WQLSs as impaired by nutrients (1996), heavy metals (1996) and impacts to biological communities (2006). The listings for metals and impacts to biological communities were addressed in 2003 and 2008 respectively. In MDEs 2008 Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality in Maryland, the waters of Little Gunpowder Falls were assessed as meeting biological standards. Upon EPA approval, this document addresses the nutrients listing in the Little Gunpowder Falls watershed. |