Sector-Specific EPA Oversight in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Overview
Under the accountability framework associated with the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, EPA committed to conduct ongoing evaluations of Bay jurisdictions' Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) and two-year milestones. In addition to these on-going evaluations, EPA conducts periodic reviews of state programs as part of its oversight responsibilities under the Clean Water Act. EPA works with the Bay jurisdictions (Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia) to make improvements to these programs.
EPA's assessments evaluated the jurisdictions' implementation of programs to achieve reductions in the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment required in the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. The assessments looked at the jurisdictions' implementation of federal and state regulatory programs, as well as voluntary incentive-based programs. EPA is using these assessments, coupled with ongoing WIP and milestone evaluations to ensure the jurisdictions have the programs, policies, and resources necessary to meet the Bay TMDL.
