Sector-Specific EPA Oversight in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Overview

Under the accountability framework associated with the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, EPA committed to conduct ongoing evaluations of Bay jurisdictions' Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) and two-year milestones. In addition to these on-going evaluations, EPA conducts periodic reviews of state programs as part of its oversight responsibilities under the Clean Water Act.  EPA works with the Bay jurisdictions (Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia) to make improvements to these programs. 

EPA's assessments evaluated the jurisdictions' implementation of programs to achieve reductions in the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment required in the Chesapeake Bay TMDL.  The assessments looked at the jurisdictions' implementation of federal and state regulatory programs, as well as voluntary incentive-based programs.  EPA is using these assessments, coupled with ongoing WIP and milestone evaluations to ensure the jurisdictions have the programs, policies, and resources necessary to meet the Bay TMDL.

Agriculture

EPA conducts periodic assessments of state programs and animal feeding operations (AFOs) as part of its oversight responsibilities under the Clean Water Act.

View EPA's assessment of animal agricultural programs in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

View EPA's assessment of subwatershed Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

View EPA's review of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permits and nutrient management plans in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Stormwater

Beginning in 2012, EPA released its assessments of the stormwater programs in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware and Maryland. EPA's assessment of West Virginia's stormwater program is forthcoming.

View EPA's assessments of stormwater programs in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Trading and Offsets

EPA conducts periodic reviews of Bay jurisdiction programs as part of its oversight responsibilities under the Clean Water Act. The Bay jurisdictions include Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. EPA completed its first review of the jurisdictions' offset and trading programs to meet target load reductions of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment.

EPA provided drafts of its reviews to the jurisdictions and interested stakeholders in December 2011 and finalized these reports in 2012. Comments were received from interested stakeholders on the draft reports.

EPA continues to work with the jurisdictions to address areas of concern identified in the final reports. EPA has asked each jurisdiction to prepare a Sector Load Growth Demonstration using the Sector Growth Technical Memorandum as a guide.

To review the final Trading and Offset Assessments, letters to the jurisdictions and comments received, as well as the Sector Load Growth Demonstrations, click the links below.

Water Quality Trading and Offset Programs in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (pdf) (555.09 KB, February 1, 2022)  (EPA 's Review and Summary of the Bay jurisdiction's Trading and Offset Programs in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed 2021)

Comments on EPA Evaluations of Trading and Offset Programs from Interested Stakeholders in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Sector Load Growth Demonstrations in the j Bay Watershed

Program Contacts

If you have additional questions regarding EPA's evaluations of the Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) and two-year milestones, please contact the appropriate EPA staff member listed on our Program Contacts page.