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 byphenyl (PCBs).

Public MEETINgs: (Washington D.C. Meeting)  Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 on July 11, 2007 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  (Virginia Meeting)  Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, 13901 Crown Court, Woodbridge, Virginia 22193 on July 12, 2007, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  (Maryland Meeting)  Charles County Public Library, 2 Garrett Ave, La Plata, MD, 20646 on July 17, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Purpose of notice: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Washington D.C. Department of the Environment, Maryland Department of the Environment, and Interstate Commission for the Potomac River Basin announce the second series of public meetings for the Tidal Potomac PCB TDML Project.

MEETING DESCRIPTION:  This series of public meetings is the second round of meetings for the Potomac PCB TMDL project. The TMDL study addresses elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Potomac River estuary.  The purpose of these public meetings is to present the draft Potomac PCB TMDL Report and allocation scenarios to the general public, and provide a chance for public comment.

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 sources of PCBs in the estuary, understand the fate and transport of the pollutants, and determine the reductions in PCB loadings needed to achieve compliance with water quality targets.

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.   This TMDL is scheduled to be submitted to the U.S. EPA on September 1, 2007.

How to comment:  VA DEQ accepts written comments by e-mail, fax or postal mail.  Written comments should include the name, address and telephone number of the person commenting and be received by DEQ during the comment period, July 11, 2007 to August 10, 2007.  Written and oral comments will also be accepted at the public meetings announced in this notice.