December 11, 2009 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Chesapeake College Todd Performing Arts Center.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding a series of public meetings throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed to discuss a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for each jurisdiction in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. A TMDL is a strict “diet” for levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment. See this fact sheet from the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay TMDL site for more information.
Here is the official notice:
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL–8955–4]
Clean Water Act Section 303(d):
Preliminary Notice of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Development for the Chesapeake Bay
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice and initial request for public input.
SUMMARY: This notice announces the intent of EPA to establish a Chesapeake Bay-wide Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for nutrients and sediment for all impaired segments in the tidal
portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This action is being taken pursuant to section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). To provide information to the public regarding the process, approach and implications of this action, EPA will hold a series of public meetings in late 2009 on dates and in locations to be determined. A second public comment period will be held in the summer of 2010 once a draft Chesapeake Bay TMDL is developed.
This TMDL is being developed consistent with the requirements of two Consent Decrees settling the following lawsuits: American Canoe Association, Inc. and the American Littoral Society v. EPA, Civil No. 98–979–A (E.D. Va) and Kingman Park Civic Association, et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, et al., No. 1:98CV00758 (D.D.C.). By this notice, EPA is soliciting preliminary input from the public on its plans for developing this Chesapeake Bay TMDL. EPA requests that the public provide to EPA any water quality related data and information that may be relevant to the development and calculation of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL by December 18, 2009. EPA will review all data and information submitted during the public comment period and will consider them in the development of the TMDL as appropriate.
DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before December 18, 2009. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the development of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL by e-mail or U.S. post mail. To submit your comments by e-mail, send them to sincock.jennifer@epa.gov. To submit your comments by U.S. mail, mark them to the attention of Jennifer Sincock, Environmental Scientist, Water Protection Division, (3WP30), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103–2029. Further information on the development of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL may be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, contact Jennifer Sincock at (215) 814–5766 or fax 215–814–2318 or send an e-mail to sincock.jennifer@epa.gov.