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Maryland Association of Counties Conference
August 12, 2009
Bob Koroncai
USEPA Region III
The Chesapeake Bay TMDL
What you will learn…
• Overview of Bay Water Quality Problems
• Basics of the Bay TMDL
• TMDL implementation
• Critical role of the Counties
It’s about water quality!
Extensive low to no summer dissolved oxygen conditions
persist throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its Tidal
Tributaries
Source: www.chesapeakebay.net/data
What is a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)?
• Requirement of the Clean Water Act
• Identifies maximum load to the waterbody to achieve Water Quality Standards– Includes maximum point source loads– Includes maximum NPS loads
In other words... a pollution budget
Myth
• The Bay TMDL will be another paper exercise resulting in limited implementation of nutrient and sediment controls.
Fact
• The Chesapeake Bay TMDL will be unlike any other, being part of a comprehensive framework for implementation.
Chesapeake Bay TMDL: The Basics
• Will establish a ‘pollution budget’ for N, P, and S
• Will establish load caps for all six Bay states and the District of Columbia
• Planned for completion by December 2010
The Bay science allows a local look…
Phase 4 Watershed Model Phase 5 Watershed Model
Who will develop the TMDL?
• EPA Region 3 WPD establishes Bay Watershed TMDLs – Watershed states provide input and support on the
Bay TMDL
– A Stakeholder committee (WQGIT) under the CBP
provides key input
The Allocation Process
Identify Bay-wide target
load
EPA+
Identify basin-state target
loads
EPA+
Identify PS/ NPS target loads (Watershed
Implementation Plans)
States & local
Bay TMDL Schedule
Fall 2009• Basin-jurisdiction target loads
June 2010• Draft State Implementation
Plans
June 2010• Draft TMDL
December 2010• Final TMDL Approved
Fall 2009• TMDL public meetings
June – August 2010• Public Comment Period
for Final Draft TMDL (EPA)
• Potential State Meetings on Tributary Strategies
A TMDL is not enough!
BiennialMilestonesfor closing identified program gaps
Identify Gaps between needed controls and existing program
capacity
Effectiveness monitoringto assess implementation actions
Contingencies are employed if effectiveness monitoring indicates that appropriate progress is not being made
ChesapeakeBay TMDL:•Set total nutrient and sediment caps•Wasteload and load allocations•Allocate at finer scales if feasible•Reference other parts of package
DevelopImplementation plansIdentifying the nutrient and sediment controls needed to meet the Basin caps
Evaluate existing capacity (programmatic, funding, technical) to fully implement tributary strategies
So how do we get to a restored bay?
• Need to develop the NPS toolbox of the future• Smarter development• Don’t forget living resources• Meaningful accountability
County participation is critical!
• TMDL– Local input on allocation, etc, provide local
information• Implementation Planning
– Identify county level loading targets, controls, support needs from state/federal governments
• Implementation– Upgrade WWTP– Work with conservation districts– Adopt ordinances to reduce nutrients and sediment– Smart Growth– Public education
Further Information
• Chesapeake Bay TMDL websitehttp:www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl
• EPA Region 3 Contacts– Water Protection Division
• Bob Koroncai ([email protected])• Jennifer Sincock ([email protected])
– Chesapeake Bay Program Office• Rich Batiuk ([email protected])