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. The Baltimore Harbor, with its watershed located in Baltimore City and parts of Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel, and Carroll Counties was identified on the 1996 303(d) list as impaired by toxic substances, nutrients, and suspended sediments. In 1998, the impairment listings were refined to include specific impairing substances and increased spatial resolution based on an analysis of bulk sediment contaminant concentrations compared to non-regulatory screening values. As a result, the Inner Harbor/Northwest Branch (basin code 02-13-09-03) was listed for fecal coliform, chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In 2002 it was listed for biological community impacts. Bear Creek, a tributary to Baltimore Harbor (basin code 02-13-09-03) located in Baltimore County, was included in the 1996 303(d) listing for the Baltimore Harbor. However, in 1998 the increased spatial resolution led to Bear Creek being identified as impaired specifically for the substances Cr, Zn, and PCBs. This report provides analyses of the data used to determine the Inner Harbor/Northwest Branch and Bear Creek Zn impairment listings and Inner Harbor/Northwest Branch Pb impairment listing. |