EPA releases evaluation of Bay States’ pollution reduction efforts for Chesapeake Bay

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently evaluated the progress made by six Bay States and Washington, D.C. so far through the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (Bay TMDL) accountability framework, which targets reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution.

The EPA’s assessment evaluated the efforts of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C., as well as those of the federal agencies that are working with them. The BAY TMDL has a full implementation deadline of 2025, but requires states to have controls in place by 2017 that will allow them to achieve 60 percent of the total reductions. The EPA estimated they are on track hit that target for phosphorus and sediment pollution, but will likely not achieve the nitrogen pollution reductions.

“While we are seeing solid progress across every sector, we also recognize that not all sectors in each of the jurisdictions are where they need to be in order to meet Bay water quality goals,” EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin said. “EPA will continue working with the jurisdictions to offer assistance while also providing closer oversight where necessary to ensure the pollution reduction commitments will be met.”