January 15, 2010,
Washington, DC – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P.
Jackson recently announced that the EPA is initiating new federal rulemaking on
storm water and concentrated animal feeding operations to reduce water
pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
January 15, 2010,
Washington, DC – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P.
Jackson recently announced that the EPA is initiating new federal rulemaking on
storm water and concentrated animal feeding operations to reduce water
pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The action complements
ongoing work by the EPA 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 (TMDL), the limit on the amount of
pollution that can flow into the Bay.
“We’re developing the most
rigorous framework to date for reducing pollution in the bay and its
watershed,” said 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.”
To assist the states with
permitting, enforcement and other key regulatory activities, the EPA will
provide an additional $11.2 million for 2010, which more than doubles 2009
funding levels.
The EPA’s regulatory
initiatives for the Chesapeake Bay watershed for CAFOs includes proposing
regulations 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
standards 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. The EPA intends to propose its rule in 2012 and
to take final action by late 2013.
