The Environmental Protection Agency and six other federal agencies this morning released draft reports outlining a new plan of action to restore the Chesapeake Bay. Environment Maryland applauded this commitment by the Environmental Protection Agency to enhance accountability in bay restoration.
“The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure and tremendous resource for all who visit its waters and shores or depend on its fisheries for their livelihood. EPA is rightfully proposing mandatory curbs on pollution after years of failed voluntary programs,” said Tommy Landers, Policy Advocate with Environment Maryland.
For 25 years, state governments have fallen short of their clean-up goals due to an over-reliance on voluntary measures and weak standards. For decades the bay has endured pollution from sewage treatment plants, industrial sources, poorly planned development, agricultural fertilizer, and animal manure, leading to pervasive dead zones every summer in which almost nothing can survive.
“This is the year for the federal government to draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough,” said Landers. “If the EPA sticks to their guns and holds all polluters accountable, they could finally turn the tide in bay restoration. We look forward to working with the EPA to build upon this work and create a comprehensive plan that retains this centerpiece of enforcement and accountability.”
In their report, the EPA describes a new accountability program in which all polluters must be held accountable. The EPA could require enforceable limits on all sources of pollution including urban and farmland runoff, two of the biggest. If states fail to implement their plans or meet 2-year benchmarks, the EPA could impose consequences such as denying permits, withholding or redirecting federal funds, or prohibiting new or expanded pollution discharges.
The EPA is also proposing to expand its own programs to curb urban and farmland runoff. Urban and suburban stormwater is the only increasing source of pollution in the bay, while pollution from farmland runoff and agricultural fertilizers represent the biggest piece of the pie. The EPA plans on expanding permitting programs to cover more high-density livestock operations, which account for half the agricultural contribution, as well as the fastest growing, not just most dense, urban areas.
Concurrently, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) is drafting complementary legislation so that the EPA can effectively enforce pollution caps throughout the bay watershed.
“By insisting on enforceable limits from all pollution sources, Sen. Cardin’s draft bill grasps the most important principle for restoring the Chesapeake Bay. We look forward to working with the Senator and other leaders in Congress to ensure passage of strong, effective bill to retool the EPA and Chesapeake Bay Program,” said Landers.
“We’re seeing a perfect storm coming together this year for the bay,” said Landers. “If all the pieces are done right, we could set ourselves on a path to once and for all clean up our beloved bay.”
The federal agency reports are the first step in a process initiated by President Obama’s May 12th Executive Order. In November the EPA will release a draft strategy based on these reports, and the final strategy is due May 12, 2010. The EPA has set up a webpage to accept comments on their draft report [http://executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net/post/Tell-us-what-you-think.aspx], though the official public comment period will begin after the November release.
