Announcement of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study to restore water quality in the tidal Potomac River, including selected tributaries to the tidal Potomac River in Maryland,Washington, D.C. and Virginia, that are impaired by the pollutant Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB).

PUBLIC MEETINGS: (Washington D.C. Meeting) Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4239 on June 12, 2006 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

PURPOSE OF NOTICE: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Washington D.C., Department of Health, Maryland Department of the Environment, and Interstate Commission for the Potomac River Basin are announcing public meetings to introduce the TMDL study and provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the study to restore water quality in the tidal Potomac River and its tributaries.

MEETING DESCRIPTION: This series of public meetings are the first round of meetings to introduce this project to the public. The TMDL study addresses elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Potomac River estuary.

DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. agencies are working to understand the nature of the PCB contamination in the tidal waters of the Potomac River. This study aims to identify the sources of PCBs into the estuary, understand the fate and transport of the pollutants and determine the reductions in PCB loadings needed to achieve compliance with water quality standards. These load reductions are known as total maximum daily loads, or TMDLs. A TMDL is the total amount of a pollutant a water body can contain and still meet water quality standards. To restore water quality, PCB levels have to be reduced to the TMDL amount.

HOW A DECISION IS MADE: The development of a TMDL includes a public comment period, including public meetings. After public comments have been considered and addressed, the TMDL report will be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for review and approval.

HOW TO COMMENT: Comments can be made by e-mail, fax or postal mail. Written comments should include the name, address and telephone number of the person commenting and be sent to the appropriate contacts below during the comment period, June 12, 2006 to July 29, 2006. Written and oral comments will also be accepted at the public meetings announced in this notice.

CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Name: Mark Richards
Address: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, 629 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23240
Telephone: (804) 698-4392 E-mail: marichards@deq.virginia.gov
Fax (804) 698-4116