Complete Story
06/06/2024
TMDL Public Information Session and Comment Period Extension
June 13, 1 - 3 pm, hybrid
MHOA is sharing this opportunity from MassDEP that may be of interest to members. Please contact MassDEP with any questions.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), through its Watershed Planning Program, announces the opportunity to provide public comment on the Draft Massachusetts Statewide Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Pathogen-Impaired Waterbodies (“Draft Statewide Pathogen TMDL Report”), including 28 watershed-specific Appendices.
Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires states to (1) identify waterbodies that are not expected to meet surface water quality standards after the implementation of technology-based controls and (2) prioritize and schedule TMDL development. TMDLs are water quality-based controls to reduce pollutant loads from both point and nonpoint sources, and MassDEP uses available data and models to develop TMDLs that restore impaired waters or maintain high quality waters. MassDEP develops TMDLs to establish the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody may receive without violating applicable Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards (314 CMR 4.00).
MassDEP will conduct one additional hybrid public information session. Attendees can join in person or remotely via Zoom. The session will include a presentation explaining the Draft Statewide Pathogen TMDL Report. After the presentation, MassDEP will open the floor for stakeholder input.
Hybrid Public Information Session:
Date: June 13, 2024
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Location: MassDEP Southeast Regional Office (20 Riverside Drive, Lakeville, MA 02347)
To participate via Zoom you must register in advance of the meeting.
Click here to register or copy and paste the following address into your browser: https://us06web.zoom.us/
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to join the meeting.
The Draft Statewide Pathogen TMDL Report (
MassDEP will review all submitted comments on the Draft TMDL Report, revise the document as appropriate, and submit the final version to EPA Region 1 for approval. Written comments on the Draft Statewide Pathogen TMDL Report should be submitted no later than 5:00 PM on June 21, 2024, via email (preferred) to Timothy Fox at Timothy.M.Fox@mass.gov. The subject line of the email should be as follows: Statewide Pathogen TMDL (CN 515.0) Comments.
Written comments can also be mailed to the following address:
MassDEP
Watershed Planning Program
Attn: Timothy Fox
8 New Bond Street
Worcester, MA 01606
