E.P.A. Suggests Sediment Limits for Chesapeake Bay Pollution Diet

(PHILADELPHIA - August 13, 2010) E.P.A. today announced outline sediment limits as the next step in establishing the Watershed Implementation Projects (WIPs) for the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The TMDL is a rigorous pollution diet for meeting the water quality requirements in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, and restoring local rivers and streams throughout the 64,000-square-mile watershed.

The 6 watershed states and the District of Columbia are expected to use the limits, along with those previously issued for nitrogen and phosphorus, as the basis for completing WIPs detailing how they will further divide these limits among pollution sources, and what practices will be implemented to meet water quality standards.

An E.P.A. analysis indicates the likelihood that measures to control and reduce nutrient pollution as outlined in these WIPs will also significantly reduce sediment runoff, achieving the yearly sediment limits.

Too much sediment in the water is a major problem impairing the Chesapeake Bay. Excess floating clay and silt particles cause clouding of the water, and blocking sunlight from reaching underwater grasses. These underwater grasses can't grow without sunlight, and die, harming young fish, blue crabs and other aquatic life needing bay grasses for shelter to survive. Underwater grasses are also a critical food source for many of the Bay's key waterfowl species.

The 1st drafts of the WIPs are due to E.P.A. by September 1. On September 24, E.P.A. Projects to issue a outline TMDL and open a 45-day public review period, including 18 public meetings. The final WIPs are due November 29, and E.P.A. will establish the final Bay TMDL by December 31.

For more information about the Chesapeake Bay TMDL visit: http://www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl/

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