CBF Responds to EPA Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Strategy

Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) President Will Baker and Maryland Executive Director for CBF Kim Coble issued the following statements following the recent press call  by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

Will Baker said:

” Today, 30 years of failed, voluntary programs to save the Bay may be coming to an end. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  appears ready to enforce the Clean Water Act, consistent with its settlement of our law suit.

EPA’s draft  TMDL is a pollution budget. If fully implemented, it will hold the states accountable to reduce pollution to scientifically defensible levels.

Here’s how EPA proposes to go forward: The states have until the end of November to improve their detailed plans to achieve the reductions articulated in today’s TMDL budget. By the end of the year, EPA will finalize the pollution reduction levels based on science. And then, EPA will hold the states accountable and impose consquences they fail.

The Clean Water Act requires EPA to exercise its authority, especially for multi-state systems like the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Clean Water Act now under consideration will ensure that today’s action and the process it sets in motion can survive the period of time required to, finally, save the Bay. Congress must pass this critical legislation.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation applauds EPA for putting a priority on clean water.”

Kim Coble said:

“CBF applauds Maryland for developing effective new strategies for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, presented in the state’s watershed implementation plan. Maryland got it right on paper. The state’s plan shows we can meet pollution reduction goals and achieve clean water.  However, what is missing from the plan are details of exactly how the state will meet the goals.  These details are critical and will help to ensure the plan is not only words on paper but actions on the ground all working to help restore the rivers and Bay. Fortunately, Maryland has the time and talent to get this done right.”