Abstract |
Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act directs States 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 establish a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of the specified substance that the water can receive without violating water quality standards. On the basis of water quality problems associated with Urieville Lake, the Middle Chester River watershed was identified on Maryland's 1996 list of WQLSs as being impaired by nutrients and sediments. This report proposes the establishment of two TMDLs for Urieville Lake: one for excess sedimentation and one for phosphorus. Once the TMDLs are approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), they will be incorporated into the States Continuing Planning Process. In the future, the established TMDLs will support reservoir restoration and nonpoint source control measures needed to restore water quality in Urieville Lake. |