The federal Clean Water Act (CWA) protects the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. It sets requirements for each state to develop programs to address:

•  Water pollution, including establishment of water quality standards.
•  Implementation of water quality monitoring programs.
• Identification and reporting of impaired waters.
•  Establishment of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), a tool that sets pollution limits to maintain applicable water quality standards.
•  Development of maximum pollutant loads (waste load allocations) that maintain water quality standards, called TMDL documents.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces these standards through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, which regulates discharges from point sources. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has delegated authority to issue NPDES discharge permits within Maryland. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is covered under a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit.

Educational Outreach

Our program shows transportation professionals how to reduce pollutants through erosion control, proper disposal of vehicle fluids, programs to stop roadside dumping and more.

MDOT SHA Bay Restoration Strategies

To reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment from reaching the Chesapeake Bay, MDOT SHA follows Best Management Practices (BMPs) for structural stormwater controls, nonstructural stormwater controls, source control and land use.

Chesapeake Bay Restoration Viewer

Use this tool to view MDOT SHA projects that have been proposed to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Here you can also access completed projects.

MS4 Permit

MDOT SHA is permitted to control storm drain system pollutants through a series of programs. Public notices are posted on the MDOT SHA TMDL Implementation Public Notice page.