Maryland Power Plant Cooling-Water Intake Regulations and their Application in Evaluation of Adverse Environmental Impact

Maryland’s cooling-water intake and discharge regulations, the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.08.03, stem from Sections 316(a) and (b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). COMAR 26.08.03.05 and litigative and administrative rulings stipulate that the location, design, construction, and capability...

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Main Authors: Richard McLean, William A. Richkus, Stephen P. Schreiner, David Fluke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2002-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2002.175
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author Richard McLean
William A. Richkus
Stephen P. Schreiner
David Fluke
author_facet Richard McLean
William A. Richkus
Stephen P. Schreiner
David Fluke
author_sort Richard McLean
collection DOAJ
description Maryland’s cooling-water intake and discharge regulations, the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.08.03, stem from Sections 316(a) and (b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). COMAR 26.08.03.05 and litigative and administrative rulings stipulate that the location, design, construction, and capability of cooling-water intake structures must reflect the best technology available (BTA) for minimizing adverse environmental impacts (AEIs), providing that the costs of implementing the BTA are not wholly disproportionate to the expected environmental benefits. Maryland law exempts facilities that withdraw less than 10 million gallons/day (MGD) and less than 20% of stream or net flow by the intake. If not exempt, BTA must be installed if the cost of doing so is less than five times the value of fish impinged annually. Through site-specific studies and the use of a Spawning and Nursery Area of Consequence (SNAC) model applied to Representative Important Species, several power plants were evaluated to determine if they have had an adverse effect on spawning and nursery areas of consequence. Examples of application of the Maryland law to a number of power plants in the state are presented, together with the outcome of their evaluation.
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spelling doaj-art-e3c5acd63592498b96d10544a169d4832025-02-03T06:00:25ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2002-01-01211110.1100/tsw.2002.175Maryland Power Plant Cooling-Water Intake Regulations and their Application in Evaluation of Adverse Environmental ImpactRichard McLean0William A. Richkus1Stephen P. Schreiner2David Fluke3Power Plant Research Program, Mmaryland Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis, MD 21401, USAVersar, Inc., Columbia, MD 21045, USAVersar, Inc., Columbia, MD 21045, USAMaryland Department of Environment, Baltimore, MD 21224 , USAMaryland’s cooling-water intake and discharge regulations, the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.08.03, stem from Sections 316(a) and (b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). COMAR 26.08.03.05 and litigative and administrative rulings stipulate that the location, design, construction, and capability of cooling-water intake structures must reflect the best technology available (BTA) for minimizing adverse environmental impacts (AEIs), providing that the costs of implementing the BTA are not wholly disproportionate to the expected environmental benefits. Maryland law exempts facilities that withdraw less than 10 million gallons/day (MGD) and less than 20% of stream or net flow by the intake. If not exempt, BTA must be installed if the cost of doing so is less than five times the value of fish impinged annually. Through site-specific studies and the use of a Spawning and Nursery Area of Consequence (SNAC) model applied to Representative Important Species, several power plants were evaluated to determine if they have had an adverse effect on spawning and nursery areas of consequence. Examples of application of the Maryland law to a number of power plants in the state are presented, together with the outcome of their evaluation.http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2002.175
spellingShingle Richard McLean
William A. Richkus
Stephen P. Schreiner
David Fluke
Maryland Power Plant Cooling-Water Intake Regulations and their Application in Evaluation of Adverse Environmental Impact
The Scientific World Journal
title Maryland Power Plant Cooling-Water Intake Regulations and their Application in Evaluation of Adverse Environmental Impact
title_full Maryland Power Plant Cooling-Water Intake Regulations and their Application in Evaluation of Adverse Environmental Impact
title_fullStr Maryland Power Plant Cooling-Water Intake Regulations and their Application in Evaluation of Adverse Environmental Impact
title_full_unstemmed Maryland Power Plant Cooling-Water Intake Regulations and their Application in Evaluation of Adverse Environmental Impact
title_short Maryland Power Plant Cooling-Water Intake Regulations and their Application in Evaluation of Adverse Environmental Impact
title_sort maryland power plant cooling water intake regulations and their application in evaluation of adverse environmental impact
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2002.175
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