Reauthorization of the Chesapeake Bay Program

 Chesapeake Bay Program Official Site 

Chesapeake Bay Program - Background on Reauthorization (White Paper)

Presidential Executive Order

Presidential Executive Order (White Paper)

Information on Executive Order

TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads)
As court-ordered, the EPA is drafting 92 separate Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the entire Chesapeake Bay Watershed to improve water quality.  Virginia expect 35 TMDLs for Virginia's waterways.  TMDLs are being drafted for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment reductions.  For example, According to EPA, their computer models estimate that the Chesapeake Bay can absorb 200 million pounds per year of nitrogen and 15 million pounds per year of phosphorus.  In 2008, EPA estimated that 284 million pounds of nitrogen were deposited into the Bay. EPA assumes that regulatory action under the Clean Air Act will lead to a reduction of 7 million pounds of nitrogen, setting an annual TMDL nitrogen reduction target of 77 million pounds.  Different source sectors (including production agriculture) will be assigned particular reduction assignments.  Production agriculture is considered a major source sector.  For more information on the Bay TMDL you can go to EPA's Chesapeake Bay TMDL website at HERE or visit DCR's Bay TMDL page HERE .