Press Releases FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: October 29, 2007 CONTACT: Philip Trowbridge, (603) 271-8872

Concord, N.H. - - Draft Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Studies for chlorides in two streams in the I-93 corridor from Massachusetts to Manchester, NH are now available for public review and comment. The reports are available from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) website at http://www.des.nh.gov/wmb/tmdl/draft_tmdl.html. One report is for the Policy Porcupine Brook in Salem and Windham, NH. The other report is for the North Tributary to Canobie Lake in Windham, NH. The primary source of chloride to these watersheds is road salt for roadway deicing.

These surface waters are currently listed as impaired by DES because of high chloride concentrations that violate state surface water quality standards. Chloride concentrations greater than state standards can be harmful to fish and other aquatic life. The purpose of a TMDL is to establish allowable pollutant loads that will result in attainment of water quality standards for chloride in these surface waters. Supporting documents for the TMDL are available from: http://www.rebuildingi93.com/content/environmental/waterquality/documents/.

TMDLs are comprehensive water quality reports that are required for certain impaired waters in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act. The purpose of the TMDL is to determine the maximum pollutant load which a surface water can handle and still meet water quality standards and, to allocate the allowable load amongst the various pollutant sources. In accordance with federal regulations [40 CFR 130.7 (c) (ii)], calculations to establish TMDLs must be made available for public review. More general information regarding TMDLs is available at http://www.des.nh.gov/wmb/tmdl/

Comments will be accepted until 4 pm on December 31, 2007. Only written comments will be accepted. All comments must include the name of the TMDL, the date and contact information (your name, address, phone, e-mail, and organization).

Written comments can be provided through an optional form on the DES website at: www.des.state.nh.us/wmb/TMDL/commentform.htm; email to: Philip.Trowbridge@des.nh.gov; or US Mail to: TMDL Program, NHDES Watershed Management Bureau, P.O. Box 95, Concord, NH 03302-0095, Attention Philip Trowbridge, P.E.

Following the public comment period and approval of the TMDL by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a final TMDL and response to comments will be made available at http://www.des.state.nh.us/wmb/tmdl/nhstatus.htm.

If you have any questions about the report, please contact Philip Trowbridge at (603) 271-8872 or Philip.Trowbridge@des.nh.gov.

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