Public Comments Welcome on Harbor, Patapsco Watershed Assessments

Tuesday Nov 20th, 2018

Green banner with DPW logo and text "Department of Public Works Press Release"

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is accepting comments on the Baltimore Harbor Watershed Assessment and the Lower North Branch Patapsco Watershed Assessment. The purpose of the assessments is to provide the framework to identify and prioritize best management practices for watershed restoration.

The City of Baltimore’s  Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requires that the City complete watershed assessments for the entire City. The Maryland Department of the Environment has accepted previous assessments for Back River, Gwynns Falls, and Jones Falls­­ watersheds as meeting the terms of the permit. However, the City still must complete watershed assessments for the Baltimore Harbor and the Lower North Branch of the Patapsco River. The assessments include:

  • Watershed characterization, which is an inventory of current watershed physical and social conditions; 
  • Identification and ranking of water quality problems, including a description of the total maximum daily loads (TMDL) for the watershed and a prioritization of factors contributing to water quality problems;
  • Suitability analysis and identification of priority areas for improving water quality and meeting TMDL waste load allocations, and maximizing other potential benefits associated with restoration strategies;
  • Prioritization of structural and non-structural practices, with a recommendation of projects, programs, and partnerships to address the water quality issues.

Comments on the draft watershed assessments are due by December 19, 2018, at 5:00 p.m.

The draft plans, “Baltimore Harbor Watershed Assessment” and “Lower North Branch Patapsco” are available online at https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/regulatory-mandates-plans-and-reports.

To request a hard copy of the document, please contact the Watershed Planning and Partnership Section, 410-396-0732, or e-mail publicworks@baltimorecity.gov (Subject line: Watershed Assessment Request).

In addition, comments can be mailed to:

Baltimore City Department of Public Works

Office of Compliance and Laboratories

3001 Druid Park Drive

Room 238

Baltimore, MD 21215

Re: Watershed Assessment

Related Stories

DPW is Now Accepting Public Comments on the Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree Revised Emergency Response Plan 

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW)  has announced the release of its Revised Emergency Response Plan (ERP), a reference tool to be used by City personnel during a sanitary sewer overflow or reported building backup emergency. The Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree (MCD) requires DPW to submit a revised Emergency Response Plan to protect the public health and welfare in the event of an unpermitted release, spill, or discharge of pollutants from the sewer collection system or in the event of a reported building backup.

Register Now for the Mayor's Fall Cleanup, October 26

Mayor Brandon M. Scott, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW), and the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs have announced the upcoming Mayor's Annual Fall Clean-up and Day of Service. Residents, volunteer groups, and community associations are encouraged to register now to participate in the city-wide effort to beautify neighborhoods. The event will run on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Mattress and Box Spring Recycling Now Available at Quarantine Road Landfill Residential Drop-Off Center



Looking to get rid of an old mattress? Baltimore City residents can now drop off mattresses and box springs for recycling at the Baltimore City Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Quarantine Road Landfill Residential Drop-Off Center. In the coming months, DPW will expand this mattress recycling service to other Residential Drop-Off Centers across the city.

Visit the Newsroom