Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) has introduced a measure (as part of the Continuing Appropriations Act-H.R. 1) to change the funding the  EPA is using for federal enforcement of their  regulations to reduce the  Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) in the Chesapeake Bay.  The resolution, which would only block funding for EPA’s oversight and implementation strategies through Sept. 30, was expected to be voted on late Wednesday or today. The text of Representative Goodlatte’s amendment states:

None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to develop, promulgate, evaluate, implement, provide oversight to, or backstop total maximum daily loads or watershed implementation plans for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Representative Goodlatte has been a critic of the EPA regulations and wants to protect the autonomy of farmers and local governments.  As stated in the Roanoke Times “the six states within the Chesapeake’s vast watershed have “made steady progress” to reduce farm, urban and suburban runoff into the bay and that the EPA’s stepped-up approach will burden states and localities with huge costs.”