EPA outlines 'monumental' plan to restore Chesapeake Bay

RICHMOND

Virginia's revised plan to clean up the Chesapeake Bay has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of a broader strategy to reduce the flow of nitrogen, phosphor us and sediment into the Bay.

The overarching plan - encompassing a watershed that covers 64,000 square miles in six states and Washington, D.C. - is an ambitious effort to restore a waterway harmed by pollutants.

Shawn M. Garvin, an EPA regional administrator, described it as, "by far, the most comprehensive and rigorous road map to restoration that we've ever had."

It includes accountability measures to keep states on task and sets a goal of having 60 percent of new practices in effect within the next six years.

Between now and 2025, the plan calls for control measures to be in place for a 25 percent reduction of nitrogen, 24 percent reduction of phosphor us and 20 percent reduction of sediment flowing to the Bay. Excess concentrations of such nutrients have harmed the Bay's ecosystem.

To limit them, the new approach focuses on wastewater-treatment plants, storm water runoff, and agriculture and other activities that produce pollutants.

Key provisions of Virginia's plan include a 2.6 million-pound reduction of nitrogen in the James River basin from wastewater-treatment plants, the adoption of water-quality plans for agricultural operations, and standards to control and limit runoff from new development.

It was updated from an earlier plan that the EPA found deficient and was criticized by environmental groups.

In a statement, Gov. Bob McDonnell called the revised version "a stringent but workable plan that demonstrates Virginia's commitment to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay while providing for continued economic growth in the Commonwealth."

Garvin said the agency will maintain "enhanced oversight" of how Virginia deals with urban stormwater pollution.

Several other states also are subject to additional EPA scrutiny - and potential consequences - over aspects of their plans. In addition to Virginia and D.C., the watershed includes portions of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

"If these states and jurisdictions don't make sufficient progress, EPA will utilize our contingencies in place to get additional controls on permanent sources of pollution," Garvin said.

McDonnell said he remains concerned about the EPA's enforcement plans as well as the cost to government and business, which he called "significant."

Garvin did not provide exact plan costs when asked, but said federal funds have been provided.

Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Doug Domenech last month told The Pilot that state costs are estimated at $8 billion through 2025.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker hailed the cleanup plan as an "historic change in how government will restore water quality in local rivers, streams" and the Bay.

But he cautioned that "the hardest work is still to come" because watershed states must implement their plans, and federal authorities must hold them accountable.

Foundation senior scientist Mike Gerel urged the governor and legislature to show that Virginia's plan is more than "words on paper" by providing sustained funds to reduce pollution.

Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com

___ Online: The EPA's "pollution diet" for the Chesapeake Bay