TMDLs are established to achieve and maintain water quality standards. A water quality standard is the combination of a designated use for a particular body of water and the water quality criteria designed to protect the given use. Designated uses include activities such as swimming, drinking water supply, and shellfish propagation and harvest. Water quality criteria consist of narrative statements and numeric values designed to protect the designated uses. Criteria may differ among waters with different designated uses. The Potomac River Lower Tidal Basin (basin number 02-14-01-01) was first identified on the 1996 303(d) list submitted to the EPA by Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) as impaired by nutrients and sediments, with toxics in the tidal portions added in 2002, and listings of fecal coliform in the tidal portion and biological impacts in non-tidal portions added in draft 2004 303(d) list. The draft 2004 303(d) List indicates currently restricted shellfish harvesting areas within an 8-digit watershed that require TMDLs. This document proposes to establish TMDLs of fecal coliform within the Potomac River Lower Tidal Basin. The nutrient, sediment, toxic, biological, and any remaining bacteria impairments within the basin will be addressed at a future date.