EPA orders stormwater cleanups in PA, trash limits in Anacostia watershed

Today, the US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3, announced requirements for improved stormwater management in 79 Pennsylvania municipalities within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.  The orders require the cited municipalities to correct problems with their respective municipal separate storm sewer system programs and come into compliance with their Clean Water Act permits.  EPA will provide compliance information to these municipalities, and will host a one-day conference on May 5 in Harrisburg, Pa., to discuss the MS4 requirements of the Clean Water Act.

Also today, in conjunction with the District of Columbia and Maryland, Region 3 announced a new, draft total maximum daily load (TMDL) for trash in the Anacostia River.  The trash TMDL is the first for a mid-Atlantic river, and only the second in the country.  A TMDL establishes the amount of a pollutant, in this case trash, that a water body can assimilate without exceeding water quality standards.  Comments are being accepted until May 18.  A public meeting will be held to provide information and answer questions on May 6, 1-3pm:  Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 300 – First Floor Training Center, Washington, DC 20001.

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