Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions for Developers and Consultants

Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy Key Terms & Definitions

Algal Bloom: An excessive growth of algae in a body of water, often caused by excessive nutrient inputs, which can lead to oxygen depletion and harm aquatic life.

Best Management Practices (BMPs): Practices, procedures, and structures designed to prevent or reduce water pollution from nonpoint sources, such as agricultural runoff or urban stormwater. BMPs are referenced in Section 5.0 of the Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO): An animal feeding operation that meets certain criteria for size and concentration of animals, as defined in Section 2.0 of the Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy. CAFOs are subject to specific permitting and nutrient management requirements.

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC): The state agency responsible for administering and enforcing the Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy and other environmental regulations in Delaware.

Eutrophication: The process by which a body of water becomes enriched in dissolved nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants, which can result in oxygen depletion and harm to aquatic life.

Impervious Surface: A surface that prevents or significantly impedes the infiltration of water into the soil, such as rooftops, roads, and parking lots. Stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces can contribute to nutrient pollution in the Inland Bays.

Indian River Bay: One of the three main water bodies that make up the Delaware Inland Bays, along with Rehoboth Bay and Little Assawoman Bay. The Indian River Bay is located in southeastern Sussex County, Delaware.

Inland Bays Watershed: The land area that drains into the Delaware Inland Bays, encompassing approximately 300 square miles in southeastern Delaware. The Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy applies to all activities and entities within this watershed.

Little Assawoman Bay: One of the three main water bodies that make up the Delaware Inland Bays, along with Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay. Little Assawoman Bay is located in southeastern Sussex County, Delaware.

Nonpoint Source Pollution: Pollution that originates from diffuse sources, such as agricultural runoff, urban stormwater, and atmospheric deposition, rather than from a specific point source. Nonpoint source pollution is addressed in Section 4.0 of the Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy.

Nutrient Load: The total amount of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, entering a water body from various sources over a given period of time. The Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy sets nutrient load reduction targets to improve water quality in the bays.

Nutrient Management Plan: A site-specific plan that outlines the proper management and application of nutrients, such as fertilizers and animal wastes, to minimize nutrient runoff and protect water quality. Nutrient management plans are required for certain agricultural operations under the Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy.

Nutrient Pollution: The excessive input of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, into a water body, which can lead to eutrophication, algal blooms, and other water quality problems.

Point Source Pollution: Pollution that originates from a specific, identifiable source, such as a wastewater treatment plant or industrial facility. Point source pollution is regulated through permits issued under Section 3.0 of the Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy.

Rehoboth Bay: One of the three main water bodies that make up the Delaware Inland Bays, along with Indian River Bay and Little Assawoman Bay. Rehoboth Bay is located in southeastern Sussex County, Delaware.

Riparian Buffer: A vegetated area along the banks of a stream, river, or other water body that helps to filter pollutants, stabilize the streambank, and provide habitat for wildlife. Riparian buffers are considered a best management practice for reducing nonpoint source pollution.

Stormwater: Water that originates from precipitation events, such as rain or snowmelt, and flows over land or impervious surfaces. Stormwater can transport nutrients, sediment, and other pollutants to nearby water bodies.

Stormwater Management: The practices, techniques, and structures designed to control and treat stormwater runoff to reduce pollution and protect water quality. Stormwater management is addressed in Section 4.1 of the Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy.

Sussex County: The southernmost county in Delaware, encompassing the majority of the Delaware Inland Bays watershed. The Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy applies to all activities and entities within the portion of Sussex County that falls within the watershed.

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL): The maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards. TMDLs are established for impaired water bodies and are used to guide pollution reduction efforts, including those outlined in the Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy.

Wastewater Treatment Plant: A facility designed to treat and remove pollutants from wastewater before it is discharged into a receiving water body. Wastewater treatment plants are regulated as point sources under Section 3.0 of the Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy.

Water Pollution Control Law: The Delaware state law that provides the statutory authority for the Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy and other water quality regulations. The Water Pollution Control Law is codified in Title 7, Chapter 60 of the Delaware Code.

Water Quality Standards: The legal criteria that define the desired condition of a water body and the level of protection it requires. Water quality standards are used to guide pollution control efforts and assess the effectiveness of regulations such as the Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy.

Watershed: The land area that drains into a particular water body or system of water bodies. The Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy applies to the entire Inland Bays watershed, which encompasses approximately 300 square miles in southeastern Delaware.

Wetlands: Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support vegetation adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands play a crucial role in water quality protection and are often targeted for restoration or protection as part of pollution control strategies, including the Delaware Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy.