Maryland Association of Counties Conference

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The Chesapeake Bay TMDL

• Maryland Association of Counties Conference
• August 12, 2009
• Bob Koroncai
• USEPA Region III

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What you will learn

• Overview of Bay Water Quality Problems
• Basics of the Bay TMDL
• TMDL implementation
• Critical role of the Counties

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Its 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
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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

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Myth

• The Bay TMDL will be another paper exercise
  resulting in limited implementation of nutrient
  and sediment controls.

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Fact

• The Chesapeake Bay TMDL will be unlike any other,
  being part of a comprehensive framework for
  implementation.

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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

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The Bay science allows a local look

• Phase 4 Watershed Model

Phase 5 Watershed Model
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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

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The Allocation Process
Identify PS/ NPS target loads (Watershed
Implementation Plans) States local
Identify basin-state target loads EPA
Identify Bay-wide target load EPA
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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

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The Bay TMDL Implementation Framework
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So how do we get to a restored bay?

• Need to develop the NPS toolbox of the future
• Smarter development
• Dont forget living resources
• Meaningful accountability

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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

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Further Information

• Chesapeake Bay TMDL website
• http//www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl
• EPA Region 3 Contacts
• Water Protection Division
• Bob Koroncai (koroncai.robert_at_epa.gov)
• Jennifer Sincock (sincock.jennifer_at_epa.gov)
• Chesapeake Bay Program Office
• Rich Batiuk (batiuk.richard_at_epa.gov)
• Government Relations
• -Linda Miller 215-814-2068

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