US EPA News and Recent Stories about the Chesapeake Bay TMDL

January 31 - Bay Barometer: Bay Impaired, but Signs of Resilience Abound

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 08:33:00 EST

While the Chesapeake Bay Program's latest look at watershed health reflects the reality of an impaired Bay, signs of the ecosystem's resilience abound in the science-based snapshot the Program released today.

Dec. 18 - Feds Outline 2013 Action Plan

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:33:00 EST

The Federal Leadership Committee for the Chesapeake Bay, comprised of the senior officials of the federal agencies responsible for Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts, issued their Fiscal Year 2013 Action Plan, outlining efforts projected for 2013 to continue progress toward protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay.

September 10 - Park Service Funds Watershed Projects

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 08:33:00 EST

The National Park Service has given a financial boost to two dozen projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, putting $1.3 million toward education, employment and environmental access.

August 28 - Funds Awarded to Restore Habitats, Reduce Runoff

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 05:33:00 EST

From the restoration of streamside forests to the planting of a green roof on an historic District of Columbia house, 41 environmental projects from across the Chesapeake Bay watershed have received $9.22 million in grant funding.

June 13 - Managing Stormwater Runoff and Wastewater

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:00:00 EST

EPA has issued a new framework to help local governments meet their Clean Water Act obligations.

May 31 - Action Plans Reviewed as Progress Builds

Thu, 31 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

EPA has evaluated final Phase II Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) from Pensylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Mar 30 - Federal Partners Highlight Progress

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST

The Federal Leadership Committee for the Chesapeake Bay has issued two reports outlining progress made during 2011 and actions planned for 2012 in ongoing efforts to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay.

Mar 06 - Federal Agencies Release Progress Report, Action Plan

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST

Seven federal agencies have released a progress report and action plan that detail achievement toward Bay restoration.

Feb 17 - Clean Water Funding Approved

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

A month after approving more that $19 million in grants to reduce pollution and improve water quality by boosting technology at wastewater treatment plants, the Maryland Board of Public Works on Feb. 8 approved more than $1.6 million in grants to upgrade septic systems and restore a stream.

Feb 10 - Bay G3 Webcast Set for Wednesday, February 15

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

A webcast to help local governments and others create "green infrastructure" to control stormwater pollution, create jobs and improve their communities will be held on Wednesday, February 15, at 1 p.m. The webcast will provide an introduction to the Chesapeake Bay Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) initiative.

Dec 15 - Underwater Grasses Survive Fall Deluge

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST

Science team finds that valuable Bay habitats survived this fall's deluge of runoff and sediment better than expected. Chespeake Bay Program Associate Director for Science, Rich Batiuk commented, "Their survival is a good example of how large, dense beds can survive extreme conditions and another indicator of the Bay’s resilience."

Sep 27 - New Tool to Aid Bay Restoration

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST

The Chesapeake Bay Program has developed the web-based Chesapeake Assessment and Scenario Tool (CAST) to help states, municipalities, federal agencies and others quickly and easily assess the most effective ways to reduce pollution in the Bay Watershed.

Sep 23 - Webinar Scheduled September 27, 2011 to Feature new Bay Cleanup Tool

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST

On Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m., the Chesapeake Bay Program will host a live, two-hour public webinar to demonstrate the new web-based Chesapeake Assessment and Scenario Tool (CAST) designed to help states, municipalities, federal agencies and others quickly and easily assess various strategies for reducing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. CAST will be available on this website in the next few days.

Aug 5 Phase II Materials Available

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 02:00:00 EST

A "Whos Who" list for Phase II of the Watershed Implementation Plans(WIPs) and a publication outlining the role of local governments in WIP development are now available. The Whos Who list includes jurisdiction and EPA contacts for information on the next phase of the WIPs. Meanwhile, the Local Government Advisory Committee to the Chesapeake Executive Council has produced "Our Waters, Our Towns," a report with background on the Bay TMDL and the Phase II WIP process, as well as resources for more information.

Jul 19 EPA Releases Final Guide for Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Two-year Milestones

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 02:00:00 EST

EPA has released its final Guide for Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Two-year Milestones. The Guide covers information for both Bay watershed jurisdictions and federal agencies for the development, evaluation and timing of water quality-related two-year milestones. The milestones are part of the accountability framework guiding restoration efforts in the Bay watershed.

Apr 29 EPA Releases Federal Guide to Aid Phase II WIPS

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

EPA has provided the federal agencies and the seven Bay jurisdictions with a Guide for Federal Lands' and Facilities' Role in Chesapeake Bay Jurisdictions' Phase II Watershed Implementation Plans. This Guide, developed for federal agencies with property in the watershed, outlines expectations and approaches they can use to demonstrate how they plan to reduce their loads of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment; and contribute to the jurisdictions' plans for achieving pollution reductions on a more local level. In March, EPA provided the Bay jurisdictions with a similar guide and schedule for developing their Phase II WIPs.

Mar 31 EPA Provides Bay Jurisdictions with Phase II WIP Guide

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

EPA today provided the seven Bay jurisdictions with a guide and schedule for developing the next phase of their Watershed Implementation Plans to restore clean water in the Chesapeake Bay and the region's streams, creeks and rivers. The historic Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load, or pollution diet, is driven primarily by jurisdictions' Phase I plans to put all needed pollution controls in place by 2025. In their Phase II implementation plans, the jurisdictions, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvana, Delaware, West Virginia, New York and the District of Columbia, will indicate how they will achieve the pollution reductions on a more local level.

Jan 31 EPA Launches System to Track Progress

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

EPA has launched a new feature of a website ChesapeakeStat developed by the Chesapeake Bay Program to assess Bay restoration activity. This new feature, the , Chesapeake Bay TMDL Tracking and Accounting System (BayTAS) , will track and verify progress in meeting cleanup commitments under the recently established Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load, or "pollution diet." Bay TAS contains the 2009 baseline levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution to the Bay, and the allocations of pollutant reductions called for in the final Bay TMDL. This information is displayed geographically by jurisdiction (six states and the District of Columbia), by water body segment and by source sector. Jurisdiction-specific data reflecting progress – measured against the 2009 figures – will be added to the system on an ongoing basis. The BayTAS meets a commitment of the federal strategy to implement the Chesapeake Bay Executive Order issued by President Obama and the 2010 settlement agreement between EPA and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. BayTAS will help ensure that the Chesapeake Bay partners and the public have a transparent means of tracking, accounting and verifying pollution reductions as the Bay TMDL is implemented.

Dec 29 EPA Signs Bay TMDL

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today established a landmark "pollution diet" to restore clean water in the Chesapeake Bay and the region's streams, creeks and rivers. This pollution diet is driven primarily by jurisdictions' plans to put all needed pollution controls in place by 2025 and EPA will hold jurisdictions accountable for results along the way. The pollution diet, formally known as the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), identifies the necessary reductions of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment from Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. The TMDL is shaped by an extensive public and stakeholder involvement effort during the past two years, coupled with detailed plans by jurisdictions for how they will achieve pollution reductions. To address deficiencies in draft plans submitted by jurisdictions in September, EPA worked closely with the jurisdictions during the past several months. As a result of this cooperative work and through state leadership, the final plans were significantly improved. EPA was able to reduce and remove most federal backstop measures that were in the draft TMDL, while still maintaining rigorous accountability through enhanced oversight and the availability of contingency actions.

Nov 8 Public Comment Period Closes

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

The 45-day public comment period for the draft Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load closed on Monday, Nov. 8, 2010. A team of EPA specialists is reviewing the comments and preparing responses for inclusion in an appendix to the final TMDL. The public comment period was part of an extensive outreach effort on the Bay TMDL over the past two years. During the public comment period this fall, EPA held 18 public meetings in all six watershed states and the District of Columbia. More than 2,500 people attended those meetings either in person or online via webinar. While on the road, EPA officials also held dozens of meetings with stakeholders, including local governments, agriculture groups, homebuilder and developer associations, wastewater industry representatives and environmental organizations. The public input and the final Watershed Implementation Plans to be submitted by the states and D.C. by Nov. 29 will help inform the final Bay TMDL to be established by Dec. 31, 2010. Read more...

Sep 24 Draft Bay TMDL Released

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

EPA has released for public comment its draft Bay TMDL that will compel sweeping actions to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its vast network of local rivers, streams and creeks. The draft TMDL reflects a blend of actions proposed by the states and the District of Columbia in their draft Watershed Implementation Plans, and strong federal 'backstop' measures inserted by EPA where the plans fell short of the agency's detailed expectations for assuring pollution limits would be met. The release of the draft TMDL begins a 45-day public comment period that will include 18 public meetings in all six watershed states and the District.Read more...

Sep 08 Bay TMDL Public Meeting Schedule Announced

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

EPA has announced a schedule of 18 public meetings throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed this fall to discuss the draft Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The meetings will be held from late September to early November. One meeting in each state will be accessible online via webinar. Complete information on the meetings, including dates, times, venues, directions and webinar registration links can be found on the Bay TMDL web site: http://www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl. The Bay TMDL will set binding limits on nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution to meet clean water standards for the Bay and its tidal tributaries and help restore local rivers and streams. Read more...

Aug 13 EPA Proposes Sediment Limits for Chesapeake Bay Pollution Diet

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

EPA today announced draft sediment limits as the next step in establishing the Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) for the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The TMDL is a rigorous pollution diet for meeting the water quality standards in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, and restoring local rivers and streams throughout the 64,000-square-mile watershed. View the Sediment Letter/Tables, Bar Chart. Click here to read the press release.

Aug 4 Bay to Benefit from EPA Stormwater Management Guide

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

EPA has issued a new guide for improving the effectiveness of urban stormwater permits in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the mid-Atlantic Region. The permits are issued by the states and EPA to municipalities and other permit holders to control water pollution from runoff. Click here to read the press release and the new guide .

Jul 1 Next Step in Pollution Diet Announced

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

EPA has announced draft allocations for nitrogen and phosphorus as part of a rigorous pollution diet for meeting water quality standards in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. The draft allocations were determined using the best peer-reviewed science and through extensive collaboration with the six watershed states and the District of Columbia. The jurisdictions are expected to incorporate the draft allocations in their Watershed Implementation Plans. For more, access EPA's press release,accompanying tables, maps by state, by basin , charts ,and a fact sheet.

Jun 23 EPA Reaffirms Bay TMDL Deadline

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

As part of the process for restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the U.S. EPA has reaffirmed the federal-state commitment to establish the Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) - or pollution diet - by the end of this year. EPA will issue a draft TMDL for a 45-day public comment period on September 24, and will establish a final Bay TMDL by December 31. The Bay TMDL will set limits on nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment through the 64,000-square-mile watershed. A copy of EPA's press release can be found here.

Jun 4 Executive Council Discusses Bay TMDL Progress

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

At its annual meeting on June 3, the Chesapeake Executive Council discussed progress on the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. The high-level Executive Council also launched ChesapeakeStat, an online tool to increase accountability and improve coordination of Bay Program restoration activities. Read the press release..

Jun 1 Breakthrough Regional Blog Features Bay Entry

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

The Water Protection Division's new Healthy Waters blog - the first external blog offered by an EPA regional office - features an entry on the Chesapeake Bay TMDL and the steps people can take to help reduce water pollution. The blog was launched last week and has been receiving a steady stream of visitors. The newest post about the Bay can be accessed at Sticking to a Pollution Diet.

Apr 2 Bay TMDL Webinars Draw Large Audiences

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

Nearly 600 people accessed one or both of the two major Bay TMDL webinars held during the week of March 22. The Chesapeake Bay Program's modeling team and others held a webinar on Monday, March 22, for the agricultural community to provide a detailed look a the science behind the TMDL. An audience of more than 200 people accessed the webinar broadcast from USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. On Thursday, March 25, Bay Program Associate Director for Science Rich Batiuk, EPA Chesapeake Bay TMDL Manager Bob Koroncai and special guest Chesapeake Bay Commission Executive Director Ann Swanson, presented the latest in a monthly series of webinars on the Bay TMDL. The session, accessed online by 379 people, focused largely on the models used in the Bay TMDL process. Presentations made at both webinars can be found at Chesapeake Bay TMDL Calendar of Events.

Mar 17 Mid Atlantic Water Protection Division Appears before Joint Pennsylvania Committees on Bay TMDL

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

On Thursday, March 17, US EPA Mid Atlantic Water Protection Division Director Jon Capacasa and Chesapeake Bay TMDL Manager Robert Koroncai provided an update on the Bay TMDL to members of the Joint Pennsylvania Senate Environmental Resource and Energy and the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committees. View the written testimony. View the TMDL Calendar Read more...

Mar 12 Bay Journal Highlights TMDL Timeline

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

An article outlining the steps ahead in development of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL is featured in the March 2010 edition of the Bay Journal. Read more...

Mar 12 Bay TMDL Webinar to Focus on Agriculture

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

A special webinar focusing on the suite of Bay TMDL models and their role in helping develop agricultural components of the TMDL is scheduled for Monday, March 22 at 9 am EDT. Register here.

Jan 27 EPA to Hold Bay TMDL Webinars

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

EPA will host a series of on-line webinars this year to provide updates on the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load, or 'pollution diet.' The first one is scheduled for Thursday, February 25, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A registration link is available at the Bay TMDL web site.

Jan 11 Bay TMDL a Key Topic at Forums

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

The Chesapeake Bay TMDL was a key topic at two forums this week - the Choose Clean Water Conference in Washington, D.C. on Monday, Jan. 11, and a meeting of the Virginia Joint Commission on Administrative Rules the following day. Read more...

Jan 04 Bay Journal Features Bay TMDL

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

The January issue of the Bay Journal includes an article on the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, featuring a comprehensive set of questions and answers. Read this article and others with the latest on bay issues at www.bayjournal.com.

Dec 29 EPA Outlines Potential Consequences if Commitments to Reduce Water Pollution Fall Short

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

EPA has sent a letter to the six states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the District of Columbia outlining consequences the agency could impose if those jurisdictions fall short on commitments to reduce water pollution. EPA also announced it will provide technical assistance and grants for fiscal year 2010 to help the states and D.C. improve the performance and accountability of pollution control programs. Read more

Dec 11 Virginia Meetings to Conclude Initial Bay TMDL Sessions

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Five meetings in Virginia the week of Dec. 14 will wrap up an initial series of public sessions on the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). Information on these meetings and others in the series can be found at www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl. EPA is holding a total of 16 public meetings in this round to provide and receive information on the TMDL - a strict "pollution diet" to restore local waters and the Chesapeake Bay.

Nov 19 Bay TMDL Public Meetings: 16th Added; Delaware Venue Changed

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

EPA has added a 16th public meeting for this fall to discuss the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. It will be held on Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia. The new venue for the Delaware meeting is Laurel Senior High School, 1133 S. Central Avenue. For a full list of meetings, visit the Bay TMDL's Calendar of Events.

Nov 10 D.C. and Pennsylvania Meetings on Tap

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Public meetings are scheduled in the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania to outline the Bay TMDL "pollution diet." For details on the meetings and to register for the webinars, visit the Bay TMDL Calendar Read More...

Nov 10 Key Letters Trigger Start of TMDL Planning

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

The U.S. EPA has issued a pair of letters that will allow the six Chesapeake Bay watershed states and the District of Columbia to begin preparation of pollution reduction plans to meet clean water standards.

Oct 21 First Bay "Pollution Diet" Public Meetings Set for West Virginia

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

West Virginia is the site of the first in a series of public meetings to discuss the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) - a strict "pollution diet" to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its network of rivers, streams and creeks. EPA will hold 14 public meetings in this series throughout the watershed's six states and the District of Columbia from early November through mid-December 2009. Visit the Bay TMDL Calendar for a list of current public meetings.

Oct 16 High-Level Committee to Consider Key Bay TMDL Issues

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

State and federal environmental officials will meet on Friday, Oct. 23 in Washington, D.C. to consider 'working targets' for pollution cuts necessary to meet clean water standards in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. Visit the Bay TMDL Calendar

Oct 7 Chesapeake Bay Forum to Feature Bay-Wide TMDL

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

Fresh from a Virginia public meeting/webinar on the Chesapeake Bay TMDL that drew an online and in-person audience of more than 400 people on Oct. 2, EPA will highlight the TMDL during a presentation at the annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum in Shepherdstown, W.Va. on Saturday morning, Oct. 10.

Sep 17 Bay TMDL Federal Register Notice Published

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

A notice and initial request for public input on the Chesapeake Bay-wide Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) has been published in the Federal Register. The notice announces that EPA is starting the process of developing the TMDL, or "pollution diet" for nutrients and sediment in the Bay and its tributaries.

Sep 10 Executive Order Draft Reports Released

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Federal agencies have released draft reports required by the President's Executive Order on the Chesapeake Bay, which contain a range of proposed strategies for accelerating cleanup of the nation's largest estuary and its vast watershed.

Sep 4 Virginia to Host TMDL Public Meeting

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

On Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, federal and state officials will participate in a public meeting in Richmond, Va. from 1-4 p.m. to discuss an initiative that will drive actions to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and local waters. U.S. and Virginia officials will outline plans for the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and answer questions from the public. For more information, visit our Calendar of Events.

Aug 27 Virginia House Panel Hears TMDL Update

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

Chesapeake Bay Program Associate Director for Science Rich Batiuk provided the Virginia House Chesapeake Subcommittee with an update this week on the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The Aug. 27 presentation was part of a two-day retreat held by the subcommittee of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources in Gloucester, Va. For more information, visit our Calendar of Events.

Aug 19 Bay TMDL on Watershed Forum Agenda

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

What is the Chesapeake Bay TMDL? How will it impact me? Those questions and others will be addressed at a session of the 2009 Chesapeake Watershed Forum. The forum will be held from Friday, Oct. 9 to Sunday, Oct. 11 at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WVa. The TMDL discussion is scheduled for Saturday morning. For more information on the forum, visit our Calendar of Events.

Aug 10 Bay TMDL Web Site Debuts

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

EPA Region 3 has launched a web site with news and information about the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load, a major initiative to establish and oversee achievement of a pollution diet that will drive actions to clean local waters and the Chesapeake Bay. Click to visit the new site or go to http://www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl.

Aug 10 Podcast Focuses on Bay TMDL

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

A podcast outlining the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load and the challenges it will address in restoring the Bay and its network of waterways is available. The audio podcast features comments by Bob Koroncai, EPA Chesapeake Bay TMDL manager, and Rich Batiuk, associate director for science at EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office.

Aug 10 Bay TMDL on Tap at Upcoming Events

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load will be a topic of discussion at a variety of upcoming forums. Check the calendar on the Bay TMDL web site, www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl, for the latest information.

Aug 10 Maryland Association of Counties to Get Bay Restoration Update

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Maryland Association of Counties will hear the latest information on two major initiatives to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load and the Executive Order signed by President Obama. The association meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 12, in Ocean City, Md.

Aug 10 Local Government Officials Participate in Bay TMDL Webconference

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

On August 4, 2009, members of the Chesapeake Bay Program Local Government Advisory Committee participated in a webconference to learn more about the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load and the important role of local governments in the process of achieving pollution reductions.

May 12 Press release from EC meeting on May 12, 2009

Tue, 12 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Press release from EC meeting on May 12, 2009.