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EPA Letter To Congress: We Remain Committed To Restoring, Protecting Chesapeake Bay; Bay TMDL Does Not Bind The States
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On January 28, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 sent a letter to Members of Congress emphasizing the agency’s commitment to protecting the Chesapeake Bay. EPA said, the Bay is a unique and important national resource, and EPA is fully committed to the restoration of the Bay. EPA’s actions to protect and restore the Bay match the promise EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler made at his confirmation hearing where he said that, “I am very much committed to the Chesapeake Bay and to the Chesapeake Bay Program.” EPA said, the mischaracterization of the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Director’s recent remarks is unfortunate and distracts from the good work that is being done by agency employees. “Regrettably, our long-standing and continued commitment to the Bay restoration has been called into question in recent news articles and by ce,tain stakeholders. Maryland has even threatened litigation against the EPA and Pennsylvania, abandoning the long-standing consensus that partnership is the best way to resolve issues. “Diverting our collective resources to litigation will undoubtedly distract from efforts to restore the Bay and harm the existing partnership among the parties that has been the hallmark of this effort.” “The question of whether the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) itself is enforceable by a court was answered by the previous administration in court filings defending the Bay TMDL. “In 2016, the Obama Administration told the U.S. Supreme Court that a TMDL is an informational tool that “does not impose any binding implementation requirements on the States,” and that “the Bay TMDL does not directly regulate any sources or require any permits.” “The Trump Administration agrees with these statements from the prior administration. “Nothing more clearly signifies the EPA’s ongoing commitment and accountability to the restoration of the Bay than our most recent Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) evaluations,” said Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “In the evaluations, EPA identified that five of the Bay jurisdictions, including Maryland, must do more to achieve their goals. Our evaluations also identified targeted and extensive EPA support to assist the jurisdictions in their efforts to implement the WIPs.” “EPA and the Bay jurisdictions, together, have legal authority to ensure the implementation of Bay TMDLs. As has been done since the Bay TMDL was issued, EPA will continue to use our existing authorities under the Clean Water Act to ensure that all six Bay states and the District of Columbia are accountable for implementing their share of the Bay TMDLs’ nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment reductions. “EPA’s authorities come from the Clean Water Act. These authorities have not changed. Threatened litigation against EPA will undoubtedly distract from efforts to restore the Bay. The partnerships’ resources are better spent on continued enhancement and implementation of plans that will improve water quality. EPA, with the partnership, is committed to having all practices and controls in place by 2025.” Click Here for a copy of the letter. EPA’s evaluations are available on the Bay TMDL webpage. Click Here for EPA’s comments on Pennsylvania’s 2025 Clean Water Plan for the Bay. [For more information on how Pennsylvania plans to meet its Chesapeake Bay cleanup obligations, visit DEP’s PA’s Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan webpage. [Click Here for a summary of the steps the Plan recommends.] NewsClips: PA Environment & Energy NewsClips From Last 7 Days Waiting For You Related Articles This Week: PA Chesapeake Bay Phase III WIP State Team Hears Implementation Off To Fast Start PennVEST Invests $119 Million In 18 Water Infrastructure Projects In 15 Counties PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers Hosting 6 Regional Watershed Workshops Bay Journal: EPA Intends To Achieve 2025 Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Goals, But Assurances Fail To Mollify Concerns Over PA Cleanup New Director Of DEP Chesapeake Bay Office Wants To Move Quickly On Implementation Analysis: 2020 Is A Make Or Break Year For Environmental Funding -- It’s Our Turn Now! Related Articles: Bay Journal: Can EPA Enforce The Chesapeake Bay's Pollution Diet? Bay Journal: EPA Intends To Achieve 2025 Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Goals, But Assurances Fail To Mollify Concerns Over PA Cleanup Bay Journal: EPA Confirms Shortfalls In Pennsylvania, NY Bay Cleanup Plans; 2025 Bay Reductions Will Not Be Met Final PA Chesapeake Bay Implementation Plan Still Falls Short Of Required Water Pollution Reductions CBF: Pennsylvania's Plan To Reduce Pollution Going To Chesapeake Bay Sorely Deficient CBF: EPA Fails To Hold Pennsylvania Accountable For Deficient Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Plan [Posted: January 29, 2020] |
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2/3/2020 |
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