This document, upon approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), establishes a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for fecal bacteria in the Antietam Creek watershed (MD basin number 02-14-05-02). 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 Antietam Creek and its tributaries in the State of Marylands 303(d) List as impaired by low dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and sediments (all listed in 1996), fecal bacteria (listed in 2002) and impacts to biological communities (listed in 2002). Antietam Creek and its tributaries have been designated as Use IV-P (Recreational Trout Waters and Public Water Supply). Beaver Creek, Marsh Run, Little Antietam Creek and their tributaries have been designated as Use III-P (Nontidal Cold Water and Public Water Supply). See Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.08.02.08Q. This document proposes to establish a TMDL for fecal bacteria in the Antietam Creek watershed that will allow for attainment of the beneficial use designation of primary contact recreation. A TMDL for Biochemical Oxygen Demand, addressing the low dissolved oxygen listing, was approved by EPA in 2002. The listings for nutrients, sediments and impacts to biological communities will be addressed in separate TMDL documents. MDE monitored the Antietam Creek watershed from 2002-2003 for fecal bacteria. A data solicitation for fecal bacteria was conducted by MDE in 2003, and all readily available data from the past five years were considered.