Chesapeake Bay Pollution Diet
The Issue · Position · Status · Talking Points· Resources
The Issue
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has outlined an aggressive approach towards placing the Chesapeake Bay on a "pollution diet" through a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) that would regulate the discharge of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment flowing into the Bay. The EPA issued its final TMDL for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries at the end of 2010 with the goal of this new federal-state partnership having all practices and requirements in place by 2025.
The TMDL for the Chesapeake Bay watershed includes new water implementation plans (WIPs) submitted by the District of Columbia and the six states within the 64,000 square mile of Chesapeake Bay watershed - Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. While EPA would like for the states to take the lead, the EPA has also built-in federal enforcement measures or "backstops" though the TMDL process to force pollutant reduction levels if the District's and states' WIPs fall short of meeting their goals.
The aggressive action taken by the EPA is rooted in President Obama signing an Executive Order declaring the Chesapeake Bay a national treasure and instructing the federal government to work together in reducing pollution discharges and restoring the Bay. The EPA has taken the lead and asserts existing authority under the Clean Water Act allows them to move forward with the "pollution diet" for the Chesapeake Bay.
The federal TMDL for the Chesapeake Bay, along with the WIP plans submitted by the states and the District of Columbia, would apply new water treatment requirements for both existing and future commercial properties and would dramatically impact local land use decisions and agricultural operations throughout the Bay's watershed.
On January 10, 2011, the American Farm Bureau (AFB) filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop EPA's approach towards cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay The AFB claims that the rule unlawfully "micromanages state actions", that the EPA relied on a flawed model incorporating inaccurate assumptions and that the EPA process did not allow for meaningful public input under the federal Administrative Procedure Act.
Position
NAIOP recognizes the importance of the nation's natural resources and ecosystems, including the Chesapeake Bay. However, as EPA and the states move forward with implementing a "pollution diet" for the Chesapeake Bay, NAIOP recognizes important issues that require further discussion:
- An economic and cost assessment of meeting discharge reductions under the TMDL and WIPs
- Additional transparency and clarity on federal model assumption and conclusions
- A technical feasibility analysis
- A water quality credit and trading program
- A fair and balanced sharing in pollution reduction requirements within the watershed.
Status
States within the Chesapeake Bay watershed are currently working through Phase II of the federally approved state WIPs. Jurisdiction must submit draft WIPs for Phase II to EPA by December 15, 2011. EPA will provide comments on the draft WIPS by February 25, 2012, followed by states submitting a final state Phase II WIP on or before March 30, 2012.
Talking Points
- EPA pollution models should be based on accurate and reliable scientific assumptions and conclusions.
- The final TMDL, along with state WIP plans, would have a detrimental impact on commercial and industrial properties, which provide the necessary infrastructure for economic growth and job creation.
Resources
Contact:
Toby Burke
Senior Director for State and Local Affairs
(703) 904-7100 ext. 116
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