HomeMy WebLinkAboutNantucket Harbor Total Maximum Daily Loads_201401240847372781
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION I
ONE CONGRESS STREET SUITE 1100
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02114-2023
May 12, 2009
Laurie Burt, Commissioner
Department of Environmental Protection
1 Winter Street
Boston, MA 02108
Re: Approval of Nantucket Harbor Embayment System Total Maximum Daily Loads For
Total Nitrogen
Dear Commissioner Burt:
Thank you for submission of the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for total nitrogen in
Nantucket Harbor and the work that went into these analyses.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reviewed the document entitled
“Nantucket Harbor Embayment System Total Maximum Daily Loads for Total Nitrogen
(Report # 97-TMDL-2 Control #249.0)” and approves these two TMDLs. EPA has determined,
as set forth in the enclosed review document, that these TMDLs meet the requirements of
Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and EPA’s implementing regulations at 40 Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 130.
My staff and I look forward to continued cooperation with the MassDEP in exercising our shared
responsibility of implementing the requirements under Section 303(d) of the CWA. If you have
questions regarding this approval, please contact Steve Silva at (617) 918-1561 or Mary Garren
at (617) 918-1322.
Sincerely,
/s/
Ken Moraff, Acting Director
Office of Ecosystem Protection
Enclosure
cc: Glenn Haas, MassDEP
Rick Dunn, MassDEP
Brian Dudley, MassDEP
Steve Silva, EPA
Mary Garren, EPA
EPA NEW ENGLAND’S TMDL REVIEW
DATE: May 12, 2009
TMDL: Nantucket Harbor Embayment System TMDL for Total Nitrogen (Report #
MA97-TMDL-2, Control #249.0)
STATUS: Final
IMPAIRMENT/POLLUTANT: 2 TMDLs for Total Nitrogen (See Attachment 1)
BACKGROUND:
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) released a draft TMDL
on September 25, 2007 for public review. Key stakeholders received copies of the document in
the mail. The draft TMDL was posted on the Department’s web site on that date as well. In
addition, a public meeting was held in the Town of Nantucket, Veteran’s Community Center on
October 9, 2007. The public comment period was extended and comments accepted until
November 2, 2007. MassDEP prepared a response to public comment which was submitted
along with the final TMDL to EPA. All comments from the public were taken into account in
the Response to Comments and the final TMDL submission. MassDEP notes that the public
meeting was for Nantucket Harbor and Polpis Harbor. As such their response to comments
document includes responses to issues and concerns raised for both embayments. The final
submission to EPA was sent on February 3, 2009. In addition to the TMDL itself, the submittal
included, either directly or by reference, the following additional documents:
• Response to Comments for Draft TMDL Report for the Nantucket Harbor System.
(Report dated September 12, 2007)
• Massachusetts Year 2008 Integrated List of Waters, Final Listing of the Condition of
Massachusetts’ Waters Pursuant to Sections 303(d) and 305(b) of the Clean Water Act
(CN 282.1), December, 2008. http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/resources/2008il1.pdf
• Howes B., S. W. Kelley, J. S. Ramsey, R. Samimy, D. Schlezinger, and E. Eichner
(2006). Linked Watershed-Embayment Model to Determine Critical Nitrogen Loading
Thresholds for Nantucket Harbor, Town of Nantucket, Nantucket Island, MA.
Massachusetts Estuaries Project, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
Boston, MA. http://www.oceanscience.net/estuaries/Nantucket.htm
• Massachusetts Estuaries Project Embayment Restoration and Guidance for
Implementation Strategies, MassDEP 2003.
http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/resources/mepmain.pdf
The following review explains how the TMDL submission meets the statutory and regulatory
requirements of TMDLs in accordance with §303(d) of the Clean Water Act and EPA’s
implementing regulations in 40 CFR Part 130.
REVIEWER: Mary Garren, telephone number 617-918-1322,
email: garren.mary@epa.gov
REVIEW ELEMENTS OF TMDLs
Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and EPA’s implementing regulations at 40 C.F.R. § 130 describe the
statutory and regulatory requirements for approvable TMDLs. The following information is generally necessary for
EPA to determine if a submitted TMDL fulfills the legal requirements for approval under Section 303(d) and EPA
regulations, and should be included in the submittal package. Use of the verb “must” below denotes information
that is required to be submitted because it relates to elements of the TMDL required by the CWA and by regulation.
1. Description of Waterbody, Pollutant of Concern, Pollutant Sources and Priority
Ranking
The TMDL analytical document must identify the waterbody as it appears on the State/Tribe’s 303(d) list, the
pollutant of concern and the priority ranking of the waterbody. The TMDL submittal must include a description of
the point and nonpoint sources of the pollutant of concern, including the magnitude and location of the sources.
Where it is possible to separate natural background from nonpoint sources, a description of the natural background
must be provided, including the magnitude and location of the source(s). Such information is necessary for EPA’s
review of the load and wasteload allocations which are required by regulation. The TMDL submittal should also
contain a description of any important assumptions made in developing the TMDL, such as: (1) the assumed
distribution of land use in the watershed; (2) population characteristics, wildlife resources, and other relevant
information affecting the characterization of the pollutant of concern and its allocation to sources; (3) present and
future growth trends, if taken into consideration in preparing the TMDL; and, (4) explanation and analytical basis
for expressing the TMDL through surrogate measures, if applicable. Surrogate measures are parameters such as
percent fines and turbidity for sediment impairments, or chlorophyl a and phosphorus loadings for excess algae.
The document for the Nantucket Harbor Embayment System TMDL for Total Nitrogen
adequately describes the water body segment, nature and cause or threat of the impairments.
Impairments include loss of eelgrass beds. Approximately 38% of eelgrass beds have been lost
since a survey completed in 1951. There are healthy or slightly impaired conditions relative to
dissolved oxygen, macro-algae, and benthic fauna. The TMDL identifies excess total nitrogen
originating primarily from sediments and atmospheric deposition. Septic systems, runoff, and
fertilizers are lesser causes of the impairments.
The TMDL document identifies two water body segments needing TMDLs for total nitrogen
(Nantucket Harbor and Polpis Harbor). These water bodies are listed as impaired for nutrients
on the Massachusetts’ 2008 Clean Water Act (CWA) §303(d) list. Nantucket Harbor and Polpis
Harbor are identified as waterbody segment number MA97-01_2004 and MA97-26_2004,
respectively.
The TMDL document provides a good overview of the description and priority ranking of the
water bodies, pollutants of concern and pollutant sources (pages 2-6). The companion
Massachusetts Estuaries Project final report (November 2006) presents detailed information on
the Nantucket Harbor Embayment System, Nantucket Island, and the Town of Nantucket.
MassDEP has determined that all nutrient impaired segments in the Commonwealth are a high
priority. See the Massachusetts 2008 Integrated List of Waters at:
http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/resources/2008il1.pdf
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Assessment:
EPA New England concludes that the TMDL document meets the requirements for describing
water body segment, pollutant of concern, identifying and characterizing sources of impairment,
and priority ranking.
2. Description of the Applicable Water Quality Standards and Numeric Water Quality
Target
The TMDL submittal must include a description of the applicable State/Tribe water quality standard, including the
designated use(s) of the waterbody, the applicable numeric or narrative water quality criterion, and the
antidegradation policy. Such information is necessary for EPA’s review of the load and wasteload allocations
which are required by regulation. A numeric water quality target for the TMDL (a quantitative value used to
measure whether or not the applicable water quality standard is attained) must be identified. If the TMDL is based
on a target other than a numeric water quality criterion, then a numeric expression, usually site specific, must be
developed from a narrative criterion and a description of the process used to derive the target must be included in
the submittal.
The TMDL document identifies several provisions of the Commonwealth’s water quality
standards that are relevant to the cultural eutrophication in these waters, including numeric
criteria for dissolved oxygen and narrative criteria for nutrients, and aesthetics. As stated on
page 8 of the TMDL document and in EPA guidance, individual estuarine and coastal marine
waters tend to have unique characteristics and therefore, individual water body criteria are
typically required. For example, the loading of nitrogen that a specific water body can handle
without becoming impaired varies. Factors that influence the effect of nitrogen include: flow
velocity, tidal hydraulics, dissolved oxygen, and sediment adsorption and desorption of nitrogen.
The Massachusetts Estuaries Project analytical method is the Linked Watershed-Embayment
Management Model (Linked Model) and is discussed on pages 8 - 14 of the TMDL document. It
links watershed inputs with embayment circulation and nitrogen characteristics, and:
• requires site-specific measurements within each watershed and embayment;
• uses realistic “best-estimates” of nitrogen loads from each specific type of land-use;
• spatially distributes the watershed nitrogen loading to the embayment;
• accounts for nitrogen attenuation during transport to the embayment;
• includes a 2D or 3D embayment circulation model depending on embayment structure;
• accounts for basin structure, tidal variations, and dispersion within the embayment;
• includes nitrogen regenerated within the embayment;
• is validated by both independent hydrodynamic, nitrogen concentration, and ecological
data; and
• is calibrated and validated with field data prior to generation of “what if” scenarios.
Sentinel locations were identified in the embayment system as locations at which restoration will
necessarily result in high quality habitat throughout the system and attainment of water quality
standards (page 12 and Appendix A, Figure A of the TMDL document). These sentinel locations
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are located within the lower Head of the Harbor basin and in the eastern basin of Polpis Harbor
and are based on eelgrass loss.
Attaining the modeled nitrogen target at the sentinel locations through implementation of the
TMDL will lead to restoration of eelgrass and infaunal habitats in each of the sub-embayments.
The target threshold nitrogen concentrations which have been determined to be protective for
each embayment system are 0.35 mg/L at the Head of the Harbor sentinel station and 0.36 mg/L
at the Polpis Harbor sentinel station (Table 2, page 12 of the TMDL document). These
concentrations, which represent the average water column concentrations of nitrogen, will
restore or maintain high habitat quality in these embayments.
Assessment:
The use of the Linked Model, the description of the process in the TMDL document, and the
companion Technical Report to this TMDL document adequately demonstrate the basis for
deriving the target nitrogen loads and demonstrating that the targets will achieve water quality
standards. EPA concludes that Massachusetts has properly presented its numeric water quality
standards and has made a reasonable and appropriate interpretation of its narrative water quality
criteria for the designated uses of the Nantucket Harbor embayment system.
3. Loading Capacity - Linking Water Quality and Pollutant Sources
As described in EPA guidance, a TMDL identifies the loading capacity of a waterbody for a particular pollutant.
EPA regulations define loading capacity as the greatest amount of loading that a water can receive without
violating water quality standards (40 C.F.R. § 130.2(f) ). The loadings are required to be expressed as either mass-
per-time, toxicity or other appropriate measure (40 C.F.R. § 130.2(i)). The TMDL submittal must identify the
waterbody’s loading capacity for the applicable pollutant and describe the rationale for the method used to
establish the cause-and-effect relationship between the numeric target and the identified pollutant sources. In most
instances, this method will be a water quality model. Supporting documentation for the TMDL analysis must also be
contained in the submittal, including the basis for assumptions, strengths and weaknesses in the analytical process,
results from water quality modeling, etc. Such information is necessary for EPA’s review of the load and wasteload
allocations which are required by regulation.
In many circumstances, a critical condition must be described and related to physical conditions in the waterbody
as part of the analysis of loading capacity (40 C.F.R. § 130.7(c)(1) ). The critical condition can be thought of as
the “worst case” scenario of environmental conditions in the waterbody in which the loading expressed in the
TMDL for the pollutant of concern will continue to meet water quality standards. Critical conditions are the
combination of environmental factors (e.g., flow, temperature, etc.) that results in attaining and maintaining the
water quality criterion and has an acceptably low frequency of occurrence. Critical conditions are important
because they describe the factors that combine to cause a violation of water quality standards and will help in
identifying the actions that may have to be undertaken to meet water quality standards.
The Linked Model, as stated in the TMDL document is a robust and fairly complicated model
that determines an embayment’s nitrogen sensitivity, nitrogen threshold loading levels (TMDL)
and response to changes in the loading rate. A key feature of the approach involves the selection
of sentinel sub-embayments that have the poorest water quality in the embayment system. If
these degraded areas come into compliance with the TMDL, other areas will also achieve water
quality standards for nitrogen in the system. This approach captures the critical targets needed to
address the impaired segments.
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The percent reductions of existing nitrogen loads necessary to meet the target thresholds are:
58% at Head of Harbor, 46% at Quaise Basin, 12% at Town Basin, and 38% at Polpis Harbor
(page 15 of the TMDL document). These loads represent one scenario using the Linked Model.
The TMDL loading capacity value for each sub-embayment represents the sum of the calculated
target threshold load, atmospheric deposition load, and benthic flux load from sediment sources.
For example at Head of Harbor, the TMDL is calculated by adding the target threshold load of
0.79 kg/day, the atmospheric load of 22.24 kg/day and the benthic input which is 0 kg/day. The
TMDLs for Nantucket Harbor embayment system are 23 kg/day at Head of Harbor, 64 kg/day at
Quaise Basin, 25 kg/day at Town Basin, and 31 kg/day at Polpis Harbor (page 19 and Appendix
D of the TMDL document). See also Tables 4 and 5 below taken from MassDEP’s TMDL
document.
TABLE 4: Present Watershed Nitrogen Loading Rate, Target Threshold
Nitrogen Loading Rate, and the Percent Reduction of the Existing Load
Necessary to Achieve the Target Threshold Load
(taken from page 15 of the TMDL document)
Embayments
Present Watershed
Load 1
(kg/day)
Target
Threshold
Watershed
Load2 (kg/day)
Percent Watershed Load
Reductions Needed to
Achieve Threshold Loads
Head of Harbor 1.86 0.79 58 %
Quaise Basin 2.12 1.14 46 %
Town Basin 12.22 10.71 12 %
Polpis Harbor 3.52 2.18 38 %
1 Composed of combined fertilizer, runoff, septic system loadings, and atmospheric deposition to freshwater
lakes and natural surfaces
2 Target threshold watershed load is the load from the watershed needed to meet the target threshold N
concentrations identified in Table 2 above
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TABLE 5: The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Nantucket Harbor Embayment
System, Represented as the Sum of the Calculated Target Threshold Load (from
Watershed Sources), Atmospheric Deposition, and Benthic Input
(taken from page 19 of the TMDL document)
Sub-embayment
Target Threshold
Watershed Load 1
(kg/day)
Atmospheric
Deposition
(kg/day)
Benthic Input
(kg/day)
TMDL 2
(kg/day)
Head of Harbor 0.79 22.24 0 23
Quaise Basin 1.14 20.13 43.01 64
Town Basin 10.71 13.89 0 25
Polpis Harbor 2.18 2.19 26.45 31
1 Target threshold watershed load is the load from the watershed needed to meet the embayment threshold
concentrations identified in Table 2
2 Sum of target threshold watershed load, atmospheric deposition load, and the benthic input load
Assessment:
The TMDL document explains and EPA concurs with the approach for applying the Linked
Model to specific embayments for the purpose of developing target nitrogen loading rates and in
identifying sources of needed nitrogen load reduction. EPA believes that this approach is
reasonable because the factors influencing and controlling nutrient impairment were well
justified.
4. Load Allocations (LAs)
EPA regulations require that a TMDL include LAs, which identify the portion of the loading capacity allocated to
existing and future nonpoint sources and to natural background (40 C.F.R. § 130.2(g) ). Load allocations may
range from reasonably accurate estimates to gross allotments (40 C.F.R. § 130.2(g) ). Where it is possible to
separate natural background from nonpoint sources, load allocations should be described separately for
background and for nonpoint sources.
If the TMDL concludes that there are no nonpoint sources and/or natural background, or the TMDL recommends a
zero load allocation, the LA must be expressed as zero. If the TMDL recommends a zero LA after considering all
pollutant sources, there must be a discussion of the reasoning behind this decision, since a zero LA implies an
allocation only to point sources will result in attainment of the applicable water quality standard, and all nonpoint
and background sources will be removed.
Using the Linked Model, Mass DEP has identified the portion of the loading capacity allocated
to existing and future non-point sources necessary to meet water quality standards. These non-
point sources are primarily on-site subsurface wastewater disposal systems (i.e. septic systems),
runoff (stormwater) and fertilizer. Because there are no NPDES-regulated sources and there is
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an implicit Margin of Safety (see Section 6 below), the LA in this TMDL is equal to the TMDL
loading capacity in Section 3 above [TMDL (loading capacity) = LA + WLA + MOS; where the
WLA and MOS are respectively zero and implicit in this case].
Assessment:
EPA concludes that the TMDL document sufficiently addresses the calculation of the load
allocations.
5. Wasteload Allocations (WLAs)
EPA regulations require that a TMDL include WLAs, which identify the portion of the loading capacity allocated to
existing and future point sources (40 C.F.R. § 130.2(h)). If no point sources are present or if the TMDL
recommends a zero WLA for point sources, the WLA must be expressed as zero. If the TMDL recommends a zero
WLA after considering all pollutant sources, there must be a discussion of the reasoning behind this decision, since
a zero WLA implies an allocation only to nonpoint sources and background will result in attainment of the
applicable water quality standard, and all point sources will be removed.
In preparing the wasteload allocations, it is not necessary that each individual point source be assigned a portion of
the allocation of pollutant loading capacity. When the source is a minor discharger of the pollutant of concern or if
the source is contained within an aggregated general permit, an aggregated WLA can be assigned to the group of
facilities. But it is necessary to allocate the loading capacity among individual point sources as necessary to meet
the water quality standard.
The TMDL submittal should also discuss whether a point source is given a less stringent wasteload allocation based
on an assumption that nonpoint source load reductions will occur. In such cases, the State/Tribe will need to
demonstrate reasonable assurance that the nonpoint source reductions will occur within a reasonable time.
As discussed in Section 4 above, there are no NPDES-regulated sources in the watershed,
therefore, the WLA which is the load from NPDES permit regulated discharges (CWA point
sources) is zero. MassDEP has provided, for informational purposes, an estimated (non-CWA)
“WLA” in Appendix C of the TMDL document based on the impervious cover in each sub-
embayment. Appendix C illustrates the relative amount of impervious cover and associated
stormwater runoff between the sub-embayments.
Assessment:
EPA concludes that the TMDL document sufficiently addresses the determination of the waste
load allocation which is zero in this TMDL because there are no NPDES regulated point sources.
6. Margin of Safety (MOS)
The statute and regulations require that a TMDL include a margin of safety to account for any lack of knowledge
concerning the relationship between load and wasteload allocations and water quality (CWA § 303(d)(1)(C), 40
C.F.R. § 130.7(c)(1) ). EPA guidance explains that the MOS may be implicit, i.e., incorporated into the TMDL
through conservative assumptions in the analysis, or explicit, i.e., expressed in the TMDL as loadings set aside for
the MOS. If the MOS is implicit, the conservative assumptions in the analysis that account for the MOS must be
described. If the MOS is explicit, the loading set aside for the MOS must be identified.
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The implicit margin of safety is set out in the TMDL document on pages 17 - 18. There are
several factors that contribute to the margin of safety inherent in the approach used to develop
this TMDL including:
1) Use of conservative data in the Linked Model as follows:
• Nitrogen concentrations in the watershed that were used in the model were higher
and more conservative than those actually measured in the streams;
• Agreement between the modeled and observed values has been approximately
95%;
• Attenuation factors used were lower and more conservative than those that were
actually measured;
• Lawn fertilization rates were based on actual survey. These rates represent a
conservative estimate of the nitrogen load;
• Loading calculations assumed that 90% of water used is converted to wastewater,
which is a conservative assumption; and
• Loading calculations for homes that do not have metered water use were made
conservatively;
2) Conservative sentinel station/target threshold nitrogen concentrations
Sites were chosen that had stable eelgrass or benthic (infaunal) communities. Selection of
sites that were starting to show impairment would have resulted in higher nitrogen
concentrations; and
3) Conservative approach
Target loads were based on averaged nitrogen concentrations on the outgoing tide. This is
the worst case scenario because this is when the nitrogen concentrations are highest.
Nitrogen concentrations will be lower on the flood tides, due to dilution from the incoming
tide.
Assessment:
EPA concludes that the implicit margin of safety for the TMDL is acceptable.
7. Seasonal Variation
The statute and regulations require that a TMDL be established with consideration of seasonal variations. The
method chosen for including seasonal variations in the TMDL must be described (CWA § 303(d)(1)(C), 40 C.F.R. §
130.7(c)(1)).
The TMDL for the water body segment identified in the document are based on achieving the
nitrogen loads during the most critical time period, i.e., the summer growing season. Since the
other seasons are less sensitive to nitrogen loading, the TMDL is protective of all seasons
throughout the year. Seasonal variation is addressed on page 19 of the TMDL document.
Assessment:
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Since the other seasons are less sensitive to nitrogen loading, EPA concludes that the TMDL is
protective of all seasons throughout the year.
8. Monitoring Plan for TMDLs Developed Under the Phased Approach
EPA’s 1991 document, Guidance for Water Quality-Based Decisions: The TMDL Process (EPA 440/4-91-001), and
EPA’s 2006 guidance, Clarification Regarding “Phased” Total Maximum Daily Loads, recommend a monitoring
plan when a TMDL is developed using the phased approach. The guidance indicates that a State may use the
phased approach for situations where TMDLs need to be developed despite significant data uncertainty and where
the State expects that the loading capacity and allocation scheme will be revised in the near future. EPA’s guidance
provides that a TMDL developed under the phased approach should include, in addition to the other TMDL
elements, a monitoring plan that describes the additional data to be collected and a scheduled timeframe for
revision of the TMDL.
Because this TMDL is not a “phased” TMDL, a monitoring plan is not required in order to
assure that data is available for updating the TMDL in the near future. Nevertheless, in order to
assess the progress in obtaining the TMDLs’ water quality goals, MassDEP has recommended
that the Town of Nantucket track implementation progress as approved in the Town
Comprehensive Wastewater Management Planning (CWMP) and monitor ambient water quality
conditions at the sentinel stations (pages 21-22 of the TMDL document). MassDEP presents
suggested guidelines for water quality, benthic habitat and community, and eelgrass bed
monitoring.
Assessment:
EPA New England concludes that the anticipated monitoring by and in cooperation with
MassDEP is sufficient to evaluate the adequacy of the TMDL and attainment of water quality
standards, although not a required element for TMDL approval.
9. Implementation Plans
On August 8, 1997, Bob Perciasepe (EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water) issued a memorandum,
“New Policies for Establishing and Implementing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs),” that directs Regions to
work in partnership with States/Tribes to achieve nonpoint source load allocations established for 303(d)-listed
waters impaired solely or primarily by nonpoint sources. To this end, the memorandum asks that Regions assist
States/Tribes in developing implementation plans that include reasonable assurances that the nonpoint source load
allocations established in TMDLs for waters impaired solely or primarily by nonpoint sources will in fact be
achieved. The memorandum also includes a discussion of renewed focus on the public participation process and
recognition of other relevant watershed management processes used in the TMDL process. Although
implementation plans are not approved by EPA, they help establish the basis for EPA’s approval of TMDLs.
The implementation plan for the total nitrogen TMDL for the Nantucket Harbor Embayment
System is described on pages 20 and 21 of the TMDL document. EPA concludes that the
approach taken by MassDEP is reasonable because of the resources available to the towns to
address nitrogen, such as the CWMP, additional linked model runs at nominal expense,
assessment of cost-effective options for reducing loadings from individual on-site subsurface
wastewater disposal systems, land use planning and controls, water conservation, and stormwater
control and treatment. MassDEP advised the town to incorporate the nitrogen loading reduction
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strategies outlined in the Massachusetts Estuaries Implementation Guidance report
http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/resources/restore.htm into the implementation plan.
Assessment:
MassDEP has addressed the implementation plan, although it is not required. EPA is taking no
action on the implementation plan.
10. Reasonable Assurances
EPA guidance calls for reasonable assurances when TMDLs are developed for waters impaired by both point and
nonpoint sources. In a water impaired by both point and nonpoint sources, where a point source is given a less
stringent wasteload allocation based on an assumption that nonpoint source load reductions will occur, reasonable
assurance that the nonpoint source reductions will happen must be explained in order for the TMDL to be
approvable. This information is necessary for EPA to determine that the load and wasteload allocations will
achieve water quality standards.
In a water impaired solely by nonpoint sources, reasonable assurances that load reductions will be achieved are not
required in order for a TMDL to be approvable. However, for such nonpoint source-only waters, States/Tribes are
strongly encouraged to provide reasonable assurances regarding achievement of load allocations in the
implementation plans described in section 9, above. As described in the August 8, 1997 Perciasepe memorandum,
such reasonable assurances should be included in State/Tribe implementation plans and “may be non-regulatory,
regulatory, or incentive-based, consistent with applicable laws and programs.”
The Commonwealth has statutory and regulatory authority to encourage implementation of this
TMDL. Nitrogen loading reductions are currently being required through a consent decree and
the CWMP. In addition, Nantucket has demonstrated its commitment to implement this TMDL
through the comprehensive wastewater planning that they initiated well before the generation of
this TMDL. The town expects to use the information in this TMDL to generate support from
their citizens to take the necessary steps to remedy existing problems related to nitrogen loading
from septic systems, stormwater, and runoff (including fertilizers), and to prevent any future
degradation of these valuable resources. Enforcement of local, state, and federal programs for
pollution control contribute to the level of reasonable assurance. There are also financial
incentives to encourage the community to follow through with its plans and prevent further
degradation to water quality.
Assessment:
Reasonable assurance is not necessary for this TMDL to be approvable, since the point sources
are not given less stringent wasteload allocations based on projected nonpoint source load
reductions. MassDEP has provided reasonable assurance that water quality standards will be
met.
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11. Public Participation
EPA policy is that there must be full and meaningful public participation in the TMDL development process. Each
State/Tribe must, therefore, provide for public participation consistent with its own continuing planning process and
public participation requirements (40 C.F.R. § 130.7(c)(1)(ii) ). In guidance, EPA has explained that final TMDLs
submitted to EPA for review and approval must describe the State/Tribe’s public participation process, including a
summary of significant comments and the State/Tribe’s responses to those comments. When EPA establishes a
TMDL, EPA regulations require EPA to publish a notice seeking public comment (40 C.F.R. § 130.7(d)(2) ).
Inadequate public participation could be a basis for disapproving a TMDL; however, where EPA determines that a
State/Tribe has not provided adequate public participation, EPA may defer its approval action until adequate public
participation has been provided for, either by the State/Tribe or by EPA.
MassDEP publicly announced the draft TMDL on September 25, 2007 and copies were
distributed to all key stakeholders. The draft TMDL was also posted on the Department’s web
site for public review on that date. A public meeting was held at the Town of Nantucket,
Veteran’s Community Center on October 9, 2007 for information and solicitation of comments.
The public comment period was extended until November 2, 2007. MassDEP submitted a
response to comments to EPA along with the final submission on February 3, 2009.
Assessment:
EPA concludes that MassDEP has involved the public during the development of the TMDL, has
provided adequate opportunities for the public to comment on the TMDL, and has provided
reasonable responses to the public comments.
12. Submittal Letter
A submittal letter should be included with the TMDL analytical document, and should specify whether the TMDL is
being submitted for a technical review or is a final submittal. Each final TMDL submitted to EPA must be
accompanied by a submittal letter that explicitly states that the submittal is a final TMDL submitted under Section
303(d) of the Clean Water Act for EPA review and approval. This clearly establishes the State/Tribe’s intent to
submit, and EPA’s duty to review, the TMDL under the statute. The submittal letter, whether for technical review or
final submittal, should contain such information as the name and location of the waterbody, the pollutant(s) of
concern, and the priority ranking of the waterbody.
On February 3, 2009, MassDEP submitted a final TMDL for total nitrogen in the Nantucket
Harbor Embayment System for EPA approval. The final TMDL contained revisions based upon
public comments. The TMDL document contained all of the elements necessary to approve the
TMDL.
Assessment:
MassDEP’s letter of February 3, 2009 states that the TMDL is being formally submitted for EPA
review and approval.
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Attachment 1
2 Total Nitrogen TMDLs
Embayment Description Sub-Embayment TMDL
(kg/day)
Nantucket Harbor Determined to be impaired for Head of Harbor 23
Water Body Segment # nutrients, pathogens, and noxious Quaise Basin 64
MA97-01_2004 aquatic plants by MassDEP. Town Basin 25
Polpis Harbor
Water Body Segment #
MA97-26_2004
Determined to be impaired for
nutrients, other habitat alterations,
and pathogens by MassDEP.
31
12
Data for entry in EPA’s National TMDL Tracking System TMDL Name * Nantucket Harbor Bay System Number of TMDLs* 2 Type of TMDLs* Nutrients (Nitrogen) Number of listed causes (from 303(d) list) 2 Information/prevention TMDLs, Y/N? (#) No Lead State Massachusetts TMDL Status Final Individual TMDLs listed below TMDL sub-embayments systems and segment names TMDL Segment ID # TMDL Pollutant ID# & name TMDL Impairment Cause(s) Pollutant endpoint Unlisted? NPDES Point Source & ID# Listed for something else? Nantucket Harbor: Head of Harbor [See note below] MA97-01_2004 511 (total nitrogen) Nutrients 0.35 mg/L Total Nitrogen No Yes Pathogens, noxious aquatic plants Polpis Harbor MA97-26_2004 511 (total nitrogen) Nutrients 0.36 mg/L Total Nitrogen No Yes Pathogens, Other habitat alterations TMDL Type Nonpoint Source (Stormwater) Establishment Date (approval)* May 12, 2009 EPA Developed No Towns affected* Nantucket Note: Nantucket Harbor has 3 sentinel locations within one segment for purposes of the TMDL: Head of Harbor, Quaise Basin, and Town Basin