Last week, the US Environmental Protection Agency reaffirmed its committment to establishing the bay-wide Total Maximum Daily Load by December 2010.
According to an EPA press release, “EPA has adjusted the schedule based on conversations with the States and DC. EPA is also providing additional financial and technical assistance, and offering detailed guidance to help jurisdictions develop strong implementation plans and accelerate on-the-ground action.”
Current schedule:
- July 1: EPA will allocate the pollution limits for nitrogen and phosphorus among the six watershed states and the District of Columbia, allowing for potential load changes from model updates
- August 15: EPA will assign allocations for sediment
- September 1: The Bay states and DC will complete draft Phase I Watershed Implementation Plans, outlining how they will meet the pollution limits
- September 24: EPA will issue draft TMDL for a 45-day public comment period
- November 29: Final Phase 1 implementation plans due
- December 31: Chesapeake Bay TMDL established
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