The EPA will hold public hearings on its Chesapeake Bay wide clean-up plan, also known as the Bay Total Daily Maximum Load (TMDL). EPA has just issued a letter of expectation to the all the States in the watershed, who must now determine how they will reduce pollutants flowing into the Chesapeake Bay. Many of the responsibilities for reducing nitrogen and phosphorous loads may be passed on to local governments in each state. Each state will be required to prepare Watershed Implementation Plans that need to be developed in consultation with local governments. Those units of local government with responsibility for stormwater management and land use controls will be impacted by the TMDL process. All local government elected, appointed, and staff officials are strongly encouraged to attend these sessions.

The Public Meeting Schedule includes two meetings: Tuesday, December 8, Baltimore, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm at MDE; and Friday December 11, Eastern Shore, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm at Chesapeake College, Wye Mills. For more information, visit: