EPA To Hold Public Meetings On Proposed Chesapeake Bay TMDL
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a series of public meetings to discuss the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load– a strict “pollution diet” to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its network of local rivers, streams and creeks.

The Department of Agriculture encouraged agriculture producers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to attend the meetings to learn more about the federal recommendations.

"For years the department has supported producers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed in reducing nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment run-off into the bay," said Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. "We are committed to ensuring that agriculture operations can still exist and be profitable, while being good stewards of the land and protecting the Chesapeake Bay."

"It is critical that Pennsylvania producers make their voices heard about how the Commonwealth is leading the way to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed at public events like this one," Redding added.

EPA is scheduled to hold 14 public meetings throughout the watershed’s six states – Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, New York – and the District of Columbia from early November through mid-December 2009.

The meetings in Pennsylvania are scheduled for:

-- November 17 - Wilkes-Barre, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
-- November 18 - Williamsport, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
-- November 19 - State College, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
-- November 23 - Lancaster, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

The Bay TMDL will establish the pollution reductions necessary for meeting Bay clean water standards. EPA officials will outline the Bay TMDL and receive public input during the sessions. A draft TMDL will be issued in August 2010, followed by a public comment period. A final TMDL will be established by EPA in December 2010.

For the specific location of a meeting, visit the Chesapeake Bay TMDL webpage.

11/2/2009

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