On September 24, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the draft Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load ( TMDL), a “pollution diet” that will set binding limits on nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment throughout the 64,000-square-mile watershed to meet clean water standards for the Bay and its tidal tributaries and help restore local rivers and streams.   A 45-day public comment period has begun and EPA will be holding 18 public meetings in all six states and the District of Columbia. Complete information on the meetings, including venues, directions and webinar registration links, can be found on the Bay TMDL website at http://www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl or in previous Conduit Street posts.

As EPA officials travel around the watershed for these public meetings, they want to hold additional meetings with important stakeholders to have discussions and answer questions about the draft TMDL, including with local elected officials.  The EPA will be hosting a 90-minute meeting for local county and municipal officials at the Maryland Municipal League building in Annapolis, Maryland from 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM on October 14.  Space is limited and county attendees must RSVP to Emily Hollis at MACo.  The meeting will not constitute part of the official record.  Instructions for submitting formal written comments to EPA are included on the Bay TMDL website.