This notice announces the availability and opportunity to comment on the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Draft Assessment and Listing Methodologies for Delaware’s 2026 Combined Watershed Assessment Report (305(b)) and Determination for the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Waters Needing TMDLs (the Integrated Report). EPA’s Integrated Reporting Guidance documents are available online at www.epa.gov/tmdl/identifying-and-listing-impaired-waters-under-clean-water-act.

The Department plans to have a draft Integrated Report ready for public comment by January 2026.

The Draft Assessment Methodologies document is available on the Department’s website at documents.dnrec.delaware.gov/Watershed/Assessment/2026-DRAFT-Integrated-Report-Assessment-Methodologies.pdf.

Related documents and prior Integrated Reports are available on the Department’s website at dnrec.delaware.gov/watershed-stewardship/assessment/reports/.

Additionally, the Department is soliciting additional data or information from the public that may not already be considered for the Draft Integrated Report. The Department has developed an external data policy, explaining how any data received will be used. The policy can be found on the Department’s website at documents.dnrec.delaware.gov/Watershed/Assessment/External-Data-Policy.pdf. Please contact the Department not later than September 8, 2025, to submit pertinent data and information.

All comments on the Assessment Methodologies document and any additional data received on or prior September 8, 2025, will be considered in developing the Integrated Report. Comments and data may be sent to Dr. Bhanu Paudel by mail at DNREC/Division of Watershed Stewardship, Watershed Assessment and Management Section, 285 Beiser Blvd., Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904 or email at SurfaceWQS@delaware.gov. Electronic submissions are preferred.

Please call Dr. Paudel at (302) 739-9939 with questions or requests for additional information.

Related Topics:  data solicitation, public comment, public notice, water quality, Watershed Assessment Report, watershed stewardship