Title 7 Natural Resources and Environmental Control
7400 Watershed Assessment Section
7415 TMDLs for the Pocomoke River Watershed in Delaware
1.0 Introduction and Background
Water quality monitoring performed by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has shown that the Pocomoke River is impaired by elevated levels of the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorous, and low dissolved oxygen, and that the designated uses are not fully supported by water quality in the stream.
Section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires states to develop a list (303(d) List) of waterbodies for which existing pollution control activities are not sufficient to attain applicable water quality criteria and to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for pollutants or stressors causing the impairment. A TMDL sets a limit on the amount of a pollutant that can be discharged into a waterbody and still protect water quality. TMDLs are composed of three components, including Waste Load Allocations (WLAs) for point source discharges, Load Allocations (LAs) for nonpoint sources, and a Margin of Safety (MOS).
DNREC listed Pocomoke River on several of the State’s 303(d) Lists and proposes the following Total Maximum Daily Load regulation for nitrogen and phosphorous.
2.0 Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the Pocomoke River Watershed in Delaware
Article 1. The nonpoint source nitrogen load in the entire watershed shall be reduced by 55 percent from the 1997-2003 baseline level. This shall result in reducing the yearly-median total nitrogen load from 226 pounds per day to 102 pounds per day.
Article 2. The nonpoint source phosphorus load in the entire watershed shall be reduced by 55 percent from the 1997-2003 baseline level. This shall result in reducing the yearly-median total phosphorous load from 13.5 pounds per day to 6.1 pound per day.
Article 3. Based upon water quality model runs and assuming implementation of reductions identified by Articles 1 through 3, DNREC has determined that, with an adequate margin of safety, water quality standards will be met in Pocomoke River.
Article 4. Implementation of this TMDL Regulation shall be achieved through development and implementation of a Pollution Control Strategy. The Strategy will be developed by DNREC in concert with the Tributary Action Teams, other stakeholders, and the public.
9 DE Reg. 1102 (01/01/06)
10 DE Reg. 1041 (12/01/06)
