Chesapeake Bay TMDL
Getting it Done
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Read how the Bay Jurisdictions are Improving Local Waters & the Bay
District of Columbia | Delaware | Maryland | New York | Pennsylvania |
Virginia | West Virginia
The Northern Puffer Fish visits the Chesapeake Bay from spring through autumn. They are more common in the lower Bay, but do travel as far north as Love Point on Kent Island. Puffers are bottom-dwelling fish, common in the Bay's flats and channel margins. In the winter, northern puffers leave the Bay for deep offshore waters. With permission from the Chesapeake Bay Program.
- EPA evaluated the jurisdictions’ Draft Phase II Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) and 2012-2013 two-year milestones and provided feedback on Feb. 15, 2012. The Phase II WIPs and the two-year milestones are important elements in helping to meet the Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council’s goal of having all practices in place by 2025 to meet water quality standards in the Chesapeake Bay. EPA will continue to work closely with the jurisdictions as they prepare their final Phase II WIPs, due on March 30, 2012. View the Letters (PDF Portfolio) (7 documents, 4.6M) and Evaluations for District of Columbia (PDF) (4pg, 30K), Delaware (PDF) (4pg, 32K), Maryland (PDF) (5pg, 32K), New York (PDF)(5pg, 151K), Pennsylvania (PDF) (6pg, 171K), Virginia (PDF) (5pg, 33K), West Virginia (PDF) (5pg, 33K).
- For their Phase II WIPs, EPA asked jurisdictions to make key stakeholders – local governments, conservations districts, farmers, builders and others – aware of their roles in cleaning up the region's waterways, and to strengthen pollution-reduction strategies for any sectors subject to federal enhanced oversight or backstop actions based on the Phase I WIPs and the Bay TMDL issued in 2010.
Visit the jurisdictions' websites to learn more about their activities to finalize their Phase II WIPs.
Delaware, District of Columbia,
Maryland,
New York (PDF) (175 pg, 3.7M), Pennsylvania,
Virginia,
West Virginia
.
- Final Phase 1 Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) were submitted to EPA by the six watershed states and the District of Columbia beginning November 29, 2010. The WIPs were designed to provide a roadmap for how and when a jurisdiction intends to meet its pollutant allocations under the Bay TMDL. View the Final Phase i WIPS for Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia.
The PDF links on this page can be viewed with the Adobe PDF reader.
About PDF
About PDF
A New Era of Federal Leadership
Executive Order 13508 in 2009, ushered in a new era of federal leadership, action and accountability in protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay and its watersheds. As required, federal agencies in May 2010 completed development of a comprehensive Executive Order strategy to guide implementation actions.
Examples of Actions in the Bay restoration by Federal Agencies
- Department of Defense (DOD) completed the Navy’s first “green” roof construction project at the Legal Services Building.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) worked with states and other partners to identify prime locations for oyster restoration by mapping and characterizing the bottom habitat in some tributaries.
- Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the 2008 Farm Bill’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative, helped to provide an unprecedented $33,517,626 in 2010 to assist farmers in implementing conservation practices like cover crops, crop residue management, nutrient management, and vegetative buffers; in addition to assistance provided through other USDA programs.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Chesapeake Bay and the region’s tributaries in December 2010. It was shaped by an extensive two-year-long public and stakeholder involvement process.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), worked with federal partners to prioritize brook trout and black duck habitats for restoration; provided assistance to private landowners who want to restore habitat; identified shared priorities for land conservation, wetland and stream restoration; and encouraged habitat-based practices to help reduce nutrient and sediment runoff.
- U.S Geologic Survey (USGS) helped to improve urban-land cover data; developed new techniques to assess improvements in nutrients and sediment in the watershed; and supplied information on sediment loads. With other federal agencies, it began to develop land-conservation prioritization tools and collaborate on areas for land conservation; continued sampling fish within the Potomac River basin; and studied factors affecting Bay sea-duck populations.
- On January 6, 2012, six federal agencies on the Federal Leadership Committee for the Chesapeake Bay, including EPA, issued two-year water quality milestones to support jurisdictions in meeting their pollution reduction goals. Read the federal agencies' milestones.
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Maryland
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Some links on this page lead to non-EPA sites. District of Columbia
Making Progress
with permission GeorgeTown Patch
Blue Plains Upgrade to Cut Nitrogen Discharges -- The District broke ground in May 2011 on a project to significantly reduce the discharge of nitrogen from the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant — the largest point source of nitrogen in the Bay watershed. The plant is upgrading to "enhanced nutrient removal" — a central feature in the District's plan to meet its TMDL pollution reductions and its permit that requires a 45% cut in nitrogen. Read more...
- Visit the District's website to learn more about their Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan activities. Click to read the Final Phase II WIP.
- View EPA's evaluation of the District's (PDF) (4pg, 30K) Draft Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan and 2012-2013 milestones. View letter to jurisdiction (PDF) (1pg, 645K)
- Read about the District's first set of two-year milestones outlining upcoming activities to reduce pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.
- The District's Phase I Watershed Implementation Plan -- learn how the District intends to meet its pollutant allocations under the Bay TMDL.
- Contact the District's Watershed Implementation Plan Coordinators (PDF) (3pg, 133K).
Some links on this page lead to non-EPA sites. Delaware
Making Progress
Nanticoke River, Seaford, Delaware
with permission, Delaware State
with permission, Delaware State
Delaware/Maryland Wastewater Treatment Plant Unveiled — A new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility straddling the border of Delaware and Maryland will provide significant clean water benefits for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The facility was unveiled at a ceremony on Dec. 20, 2011. The plant was upgraded to include the addition of biological and enhanced nutrient removal systems that effectively reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loadings entering waterways that drain into the Chesapeake Bay. Read more ...
- Visit Delaware's website to learn more about their Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan activities. Click to read the Final Phase II WIP.
- View EPA's evaluation of Delaware's (PDF) (4pg, 32K) Draft Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan and 2012-2013 milestones. View letter to jurisdiction (PDF) (2pg, 36K)
- Read about Delaware's first set of two-year milestones outlining upcoming activities to reduce pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.
- Delaware's Phase I Watershed Implementation Plan --learn how and when Delaware intends to meet its pollutant allocations under the Bay TMDL.
- Contact Delaware's Watershed Implementation Plan Coordinators (PDF) (3pg, 133K).
Some links on this page lead to non-EPA sites. Maryland
Making Progress
Bridges Havre de Grace, MD
with permission Chesapeake Bay Program
with permission Chesapeake Bay Program
Clean Water Funding Approved —A month after approving more than $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. "Project such as these are an important part of our effort to protect and restore Maryland waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay," said Governor Martin O’Malley. “These projects reduce pollution and protect public health while creating jobs for more Marylanders.” Read more ...
- Visit Maryland's website to learn more about their Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan activities. Click to read the Final Phase II WIP.
- View EPA's evaluation of Maryland's (PDF) (5pg, 32K) Draft Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan and 2012-2013 milestones. View letter to jurisdiction (PDF) (2pg, 773K)
- Read about Maryland's first set of two-year milestones outlining upcoming activities to reduce pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.
- Maryland's Phase I Watershed Implementation Plan -- learn how and when the District intends to meet its pollutant allocations under the Bay TMDL.
- Contact Maryland's Watershed Implementation Plan Coordinators (PDF) (3pg, 133K).
Some links on this page lead to non-EPA sites. New York
Making Progress
Tioga River, Steuben County, NY photo credit Upper Susquehanna Coalition
Fertilizer Provision Effective Jan. 1 — A provision in New York’s Dishwasher Detergent and Nutrient Runoff Law will largely prohibit the use of phosphorus fertilizers for lawns and non-agricultural turf. The provision, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2012, contains exceptions for new lawns or when a test shows an existing lawn has too little phosphorus. It is part of the broader July 2010 law that prohibited the sale of newly-stocked, phosphorus-containing dishwasher detergents for household use. The fertilizer provision does not affect agriculture or gardens.
Read more...
Read more...
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Visit New York's website to learn more about their Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan activities. View NY's Draft Phase II WIP (PDF) (175 pg, 3.7M)
- View EPA's evaluation of New York's Draft Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan and 2012-2013 milestones. (pending)
- New York's Phase I Watershed Implementation Plan -- learn how and when New York intends to meet its pollutant allocations under the Bay TMDL.
- Contact New York's Watershed Implementation Plan Coordinators (PDF) (3pg, 133K).
Some links on this page lead to non-EPA sites. Pennsylvania
Making Progress
Pennsylvania Waterways
Water Infrastructure Projects Announced — In July 2011, Governor Tom Corbett announced the investment of nearly $100 million in 27 non-point source, drinking water and wastewater projects. The awards, approved by PENNVEST, ranged from a $157,534 grant to construct a manure storage facility at a Lancaster County farm to reduce nutrient runoff into the Chesapeake Bay watershed; to a $20 million loan/grant combination to upgrade and expand a wastewater treatment facility in Schuylkill County, which also impacts the Bay watershed. The Governor announced a similar investment of $134 million in April 2011. Read more ...
- Visit Pennsylvania's website to learn more about their Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan activities. Click to read the Final Phase II WIP
- View EPA's evaluation of Pennsylvania's (PDF) (6pg, 171K) Draft Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan and 2012-2013 milestones. View letter to jurisdiction (PDF) (2pg, 45K)
- Read about Pennsylvania's first set of two-year milestones outlining upcoming activities to reduce pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.
- Pennsylvania's Phase I Watershed Implementation Plan -- learn how and when Pennsylvania intends to meet its pollutant allocations under the Bay TMDL.
- Contact Pennsylvania's Watershed Implementation Plan Coordinators (PDF) (3pg, 133K).
Some links on this page lead to non-EPA sites. Virginia
Making Progress
Agricultural Lands in Virginia
Governor Signs Environmental Stewardship Legislation -- Governor Bob McDonnell in August 2011 signed eight pieces of environmental stewardship legislation that will help Virginia’s agriculture industry grow and thrive while also enhancing water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and other Virginia watersheds. Read more ...
- Visit Virginia's website to learn more about their Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan activities. Click to read the Final Phase II WIP.
- View EPA's evaluation of Virginia's (PDF) (5pg, 33K) Draft Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan and 2012-2013 milestones. View letter to jurisdiction (PDF) (2pg, 1M)
- Read about Virginia's first set of two-year milestones outlining upcoming activities to reduce pollution to the Chesapeake Bay. (partial submission)
- Virginia's Phase I Watershed Implementation Plan -- learn how and when Virginia intends to meet its pollutant allocations under the Bay TMDL.
- Contact Virginia's Watershed Implementation Plan Coordinators (PDF) (3pg, 133K).
Some links on this page lead to non-EPA sites. West Virginia
Making Progress
Stormwater overflows in West Virginia
West Virginia Issues Model Stormwater Ordinance — West Virginia's Stormwater Strategy for the Potomac Basin outlined short-term objectives to build capacity for better stormwater management. Several of these were achieved in the spring of 2011 when a Model Stormwater Ordinance was released for consideration by local governments within West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle (Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties). Read more...
- Visit West Virginia's website to learn more about their Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan activities. Click to read the Final Phase II WIP.
- View EPA's evaluation of West Virginia's (PDF) (5pg, 33K) Draft Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan and 2012-2013 milestones. View letter to jurisdiction (PDF) (2pg, 1M)
- Read about West Virginia's first set of two-year milestones outlining upcoming activities to reduce pollution to the Chesapeake Bay including Wastewater (PDF) (3pg, 72K) and Agriculture (PDF) (3pg, 99K).
- West Virginia's Phase I Watershed Implementation Plan -- learn how and when West Virginia intends to meet its pollutant allocations under the Bay TMDL.
- Contact West Virginia's Watershed Implementation Plan Coordinators (PDF) (3pg, 133K).
Local Government Advisory Committee, LGAC
- Our Waters, Our Towns, Local Governments' Role in the WIPs
- Case Studies: Our Waters, Our Towns, final report (12pg , 3.9M)
Green Infrastructure in the Bay Watershed
- G3 Academy Webcasts -The G3 Academy Initiative is designed to bring a town’s Green Vision together with the tools to accelerate local greening efforts with positive results in watershed protection, community livability, and economic vitality. Join upcoming webcasts...
- Mar 20 - Low Impact Development/Green Infrastructure Design Competitions (PDF) (1pg, 486K)
Download the certificate of attendance (PDF) (1pg, 139K) - Feb 15 - Chesapeake Bay Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Academy (PDF) (1pg, 218K)
Click to download the MP4 version (MP4 file, 39M) and Transcript (PDF) (14pg, 132K)
NOTE: The MP4 file consists of both audio and video and can be viewed on portable MP3 and iPod devices. If your device is not video compatible this file can still be downloaded for just the audio.
Guidance & Resources
Visit Chesapeake Bay.net
Watershed Implementation Plan Support Documents
- Phase II WIP Guide for Jurisdictions (PDF) (6 pg 50K)
- Phase II WIP Guide for Federal Agencies (PDF) (7pg, 250K)
- WIP Evaluation Guide (PDF) (6 pg 50K)
- State contractor support instructions (PDF) (2 pg 25K)
- Nomination instructions for local WIP pilot projects (PDF) (2 pg 22K)
- Local Projects...Summary of Local WIP Pilot Projects (PDF) (6 pg, 59K)
- Who's Who?
More Links
- EPA Review of Draft Watershed Implementation Plans (PDF) (7pg ,554K)
- Expectations...Letter to Chesapeake Bay Program Principals Staff Committee Outlining EPA's Expectations for Watershed Implementation Plans (PDF) (37pg, 5.1M)
- Target Loads...Letter to Chesapeake Bay Program Principals Staff Committee with preliminary target loads (PDF) (5pg, 989K)
- Federal Actions...December 29, 2009 letter to the states in the watershed and District of Columbia (PDF). (12pg, 5.1M)
