Total Maximum Daily Loads of Fecal Bacteria for the Little Youghiogheny River Basin in Garrett County, Maryland.

摘要

This document, upon approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), establishes a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for fecal bacteria in the Little Youghiogheny River watershed (MD basin number 05-02-02-02). 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 the Little Youghiogheny River and its tributaries in the State of Marylands 303(d) List as impaired by nutrients (listed in 1996), sediments (1996), fecal bacteria (2002) and impacts to biological communities (2002 and 2006). Broadford Lake, located within the Little Youghiogheny River watershed, has been identified as impaired by nutrients (1998) and methylmercury (2002). The Little Youghiogheny River has been designated as Use III-P (Nontidal Cold Water and Public Water Supply). Broad Ford Run and all its tributaries above Broadford Dam have been designated as Use I-P (Water Contact Recreation, Protection of Aquatic Life, and Public Water Supply). All other waters of the watershed are designated as Use I (Water Contact Recreation and Protection of Aquatic Life). See Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.08.02.08S. This document proposes to establish a TMDL for fecal bacteria in the Little Youghiogheny River watershed that will allow for attainment of the beneficial use designation of water contact recreation. The Little Youghiogheny River listings for nutrients and sediments have been addressed by TMDLs approved in 2001 and 2007, respectively. The Broadford Lake listings for nutrients and methylmercury have been addressed respectively by a TMDL, approved by EPA in 2000, and a Water Quality Analysis, approved in 2004. The listings for impacts to biological communities will be addressed separately at a future date. MDE monitored the Little Youghiogheny River watershed from 2003-2004 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.