A Pollution Budget for the Bay (TMDL)

The development and implementation of a pollution budget for the region’s waters, technically called a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan, is a key component for cleaning up our streams, rivers, and eventually the Bay. The development of this “Baywide-TMDL” and the subsequent sub-basin plans will be a technical, regulatory and political challenge. Engaging in the process at all levels is critical to ensuring that this plan is not merely a paper exercise.

The development of the pollution budget will happen in a new context. Leadership at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released letters to the Bay region’s states outlining strong clean up measures and penalties for inaction. In addition, expected infusions of federal dollars for infrastructure may be tapped by states and municipalities to fund necessary upgrades at sewage treatment plants and improve stormwater management practices.

Choose Clean Water member organizations are vigorously engaged in the development and implementation of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL and sub-basin TMDLs.

You can find out more information about how the TMDL process is being implemented in your area by checking out the resources below.  Relevant deadlines for comments will be updated as they become available.

EPA’s headquarters for the Chesapeake Bay-TMDL

Passage of the Chesapeake Clean Water Act will go a long way to helping states and local governments meet the far reaching goals and deadlines that will be set in the pollution budget.  The bill provides for over $1.5 billion to go to local governments and the District of Columbia in the six state Bay region to assist with fixing stormwater pollution problems – the fastest growing source for water pollution in the region.  This funding through the Chesapeake Clean Water Act is critical for meeting everyone’s deadline for a cleaner Bay by 2025.