Choose Clean Water Coalition Statement on the Future of the Bay Cleanup Plan

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—At today's meeting of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, the Director of EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program shared that the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, the federal-state plan to clean up the Bay, is not legally enforceable. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

"The Bay community is stunned by EPA's comments. After decades of failed voluntary agreements, the Bay TMDL has finally provided accountability and we have started to see progress. Bay grasses are increasing, upstream water clarity is improving, and pollution is declining. Critical to this success is EPA's role in enforcing the cleanup plan. Which is why today's comments are so disappointing.

"By the EPA absolving itself from enforcement and holding states accountable for meeting pollution reduction goals, the TMDL is losing its teeth. We fear that rather than serving as a model for a regional cleanup plan, the TMDL will devolve into another failed voluntary agreement.

"While the TMDL is working, there is much work left, particularly in Pennsylvania which is still consistently failing to meet cleanup goals. Now more than ever, federal leadership is needed to ensure we reduce pollution in the Bay and its rivers and streams and provide clean water to future generations.

"Representing more than 240 local, state, and federal groups throughout the Bay watershed, we will continue to work with the EPA and all stakeholders to ensure the TMDL is enforced and states continue to reduce pollution and meet cleanup goals in their jurisdictions."

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org