EPA to Hold States, Washington, D.C. Accountable for Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

(January 3, 2010) - Utilizing the authority of the Clean Water Act and an executive order by President Obama, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hopes to accelerate the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay.

The EPA recently completed an “accountability framework” that will set limits on the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment which can be introduced to the Bay and its waterways by states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

“President Obama, EPA and the states want real, measurable results to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said in a statement. “To get there EPA is strengthening support for our partners, setting clear standards for progress, and ensuring accountability if those standards aren’t met.”

Technical assistance will be provided to help the states comprising the Chesapeake Bay watershed—Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia and Washington, D.C.—to improve the performance and accountability of pollution control programs. A total of $11.2 million in grants for the 2010 fiscal year will also be provided to meet those goals.

To ensure that counties, municipalities, conservation districts and watershed organizations understand their role and play their part in meeting outlined water quality goals, the EPA expects the states and D.C. to further divide their pollution limits down to the local level by 2011. By 2017, pollution controls should be in place that are expected to reduce bay pollution by 60 percent, and the EPA said all required pollution control programs must be ready by 2025.

Each jurisdiction must meet milestones every two years. If they fail to do so, the EPA can impose consequences including: an increase in federal enforcement and compliance in the watershed; prohibiting new or expanded pollution discharges; and redirecting EPA grants.

“Pollution in the Chesapeake is a challenge that has persisted for decades,” Jackson said. “This federal-state partnership presents new opportunities for cleanup, and we’re increasing support and accountability to be sure we get the job done.”

Source:afro.com/

Ecology adopts wetland mitigation banking rule

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has adopted a new rule that establishes criteria and a certification process for wetland mitigation banks across the state.

Lauren Driscoll, who oversees Ecology’s wetland mitigation banking program, said the final rule contains provisions to ensure mitigation bank sites comply with and support local shoreline regulations as well as support local salmon recovery, surface water recovery, and watershed management plans.

“We also want to ensure that wetland banks are compatible with working farms,” Driscoll said. “The rule includes considerations for locating and designing banks so that they don’t adversely affect adjacent farmland.”

She said the new rule:

Encourages wetland mitigation bank sponsors to locate and design wetland mitigation banks to provide the greatest ecological benefits.
Establishes coordination among state, local, tribal and federal agencies involved in certifying wetland mitigation banks.
Provides timely review of wetland mitigation bank proposals.
Ensures consistency with federal wetland mitigation rules.
State and federal laws prohibit the loss of wetlands due to development. Wetland mitigation banks allow developers to provide compensation before harming a wetland at another site. Wetland mitigation banks are an important strategy for engaging the private sector and power of the marketplace to sustain Washington’s remaining wetlands.

“Wetland mitigation banking is designed to increase ecological benefits by increasing and protecting wetland functions. Mitigation banking also saves time and provides more certainty for project applicants,” said Gordon White, Ecology’s shorelands and environmental assistance program manager.

The availability of wetland credits doesn’t eliminate or change state and federal regulations requiring developers to avoid and minimize wetland damage. Wetland mitigation banks allow developers to provide compensation before harming a wetland at another site. Developers can purchase “credits” from the banks – subject to regulatory approval – to offset wetland losses that cannot be avoided.

Ecology has already certified eight wetland mitigation banks across the state – and another six are in the certification process. There also are four other non-Ecology certified wetland mitigation banks operating in Washington.