U.S. E.P.A. to Initiate Rulemaking on Stormwater, CAFOs to Reduce Water Pollution, Backstop States in Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Washington - E.P.A. Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced today that E.P.A. is initiating new federal rulemaking on stormwater and concentrated animal feeding operations to reduce water pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Today's action complements ongoing work by E.P.A. and the states to strengthen regulatory controls on major sources of pollutants consistent with shared commitments to implement the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load, the limit on the amount of pollution that can flow into the Bay and its tidal creeks and rivers.

"We're developing the most rigorous framework to date for reducing pollution in the Bay and its watershed," said E.P.A. Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "These rules will provide critical backstop measures to ensure accountability in state efforts that are the frontline for success in this historic cleanup effort."

E.P.A. is taking this action to enhance performance requirements for controlling pollutant runoff from urban, suburban and agricultural lands. E.P.A. prefers to work closely with the 6 states in the Bay watershed and the District of Columbia to establish stronger state programs for stormwater and CAFOs to meet the pollutant reductions necessary to achieve the objectives of the "total maximum daily load" (TMDL) being developed for the Chesapeake Bay. To assist the states with permitting, enforcement and other key regulatory activities, E.P.A. will provide an additional $11.2 million for 2010, which in excess of doubles 2009 backing levels.

EPA's regulatory initiatives for the Chesapeake Bay watershed include 3 major components, each of which include mechanisms to encourage and support alternative state regulatory actions:

Stormwater: E.P.A. will initiate national rulemaking to control pollution from newly developed and redeveloped sites, while considering options for going beyond national requirements in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. E.P.A. will consider more stringent elements such as more extensively redefining municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), establishing more stringent stormwater retention requirements for newly developed and redeveloped sites, and applying these requirements to smaller sites. E.P.A. intends to propose the rule and to take final action no later than November 2012.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations: E.P.A. will propose regulations for CAFOs to more effectively address pollutant reductions necessary to achieve the objectives of the TMDL for the Chesapeake Bay. The rulemaking will consider expanding the universe of CAFOs and requiring more stringent permit requirements to control nutrients. Options for streamlining the designation process and improving off-site manure management may also be considered for the Chesapeake Bay or nationally. E.P.A. intends to propose its rule in 2012 and to take final action by late 2013.

Offsets: E.P.A. will initiate rule-making to support implementation of an offsets plan for the Bay. The plan will provide options for offsetting pollution loads from new or expanding sources under the TMDL which will be adopted by December 2010.

E.P.A. is committed to working with the states, local governments, the public and those in the regulated community when developing these new requirements and will use the time afforded by the public process to reach out and engage these and other stakeholders.

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