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Jan. 12, 2001 For further information, contact John Schneider, Division of Water Resources, 302-739-4590 or Melinda Carl, Information and Education, 302-739-4506 State's Nanticoke TMDLs Meet EPA Approval for Tributaries and PondsThe Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has been notified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III of its determination that no additional Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) are necessary for the tributaries and ponds of the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek beyond those established by the State in 1998. A TMDL is the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards. The TMDLs set in 1998 required significant point and nonpoint source controls. Point source controls include upgrading the largest wastewater treatment facilities in the watershed to reduce the amount of nutrients being discharged. The TMDLs also call for 30 percent nitrogen and 50 percent phosphorous reductions from nonpoint sources watershed wide. Nonpoint sources of pollution include urban and agricultural runoff and septic systems. EPA's determination was based on a report submitted to EPA Region III by DNREC's Division of Water Resources on December 8, 2000. The report, "Total Maximum Daily Load Analysis for Tributaries and Ponds of the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek Delaware," concludes that no revision is necessary to the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek mainstems' TMDLs established by DNREC on December 10, 1998, and approved by EPA December 15, 1998. "We're very pleased that EPA agrees with Delaware's approach and conclusions for meeting water quality standards in the tributaries and ponds of the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek," said Kevin C. Donnelly, DNREC's Director of Water Resources. "We now have nutrient load reduction goals for a significant portion of southwestern Sussex County. This work not only addresses water quality in Delaware's Nanticoke basin, but illustrates that Delaware is doing its part to help the Chesapeake Bay signatory states meet their commitment to improving water quality in a large portion of Delaware's 489,000 acres that drain into the Bay." In concurring with DNREC's report, EPA concluded that the report's data show that reductions required by DNREC's 1998 TMDL regulation for the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek mainstems "are adequate to attain and maintain water quality standards for the tributaries and ponds." Once nutrient load reductions are achieved, the dissolved oxygen levels will increase to the point where populations of fish and other aquatic life will reach their full potential. DNREC's 1998-99 tributary and pond monitoring data indicate that water quality standards for dissolved oxygen were being met in the tributaries and ponds. In addition, nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) were modeled and monitored using target levels set to determine downstream impacts of nutrients on the Nanticoke's mainstem segments. The results of modeling and analysis confirmed that the nutrient load reductions established by the 1998 TMDL are sufficient to meet nutrient targets in the Nanticoke's mainstem segments. In order to meet the nutrient reduction goals set by the TMDLs adopted in 1998, a Nanticoke Tributary Action Team made up of local representatives and stakeholders has been developing pollution control strategies designed to achieve those goals. The tributary team is drafting an implementation plan for the Nanticoke River basin in cooperation with DNREC and other stakeholders. Last fall, Governor Tom Carper signed a multi-state agreement committing Delaware to do its part in helping clean up the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Carper was the first Governor to sign the agreement among the participating states that include Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York as well as Washington, D.C. The Environmental Protection Agency is also a party to the agreement. -30- Document no. 40-01/01/01/14 |
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