Pennsylvania's Draft Phase I Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan [40 Pa.B. 5387]
[Saturday, September 18, 2010]The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is establishing a Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) and sediment. The six watershed states and the District of Columbia are submitting draft Phase 1 Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) that are expected to provide a roadmap for how the states and the District, in partnership with Federal and local governments, will achieve and maintain the Chesapeake Bay TMDL nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment limits necessary to meet Chesapeake Bay water quality standards.
The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) submitted Pennsylvania's Draft Phase I Chesapeake Bay WIP (draft WIP) to the EPA on September 1, 2010. The draft WIP outlines the Commonwealth's plan to address nutrient and sediment loadings that drain to the Chesapeake Bay and was prepared following EPA's guidance that outlined their expectations for WIPs.
The draft WIP is based on a foundation that addresses three core elements: 1) milestone implementation and tracking; 2) supporting the implementation of advanced technologies and nutrient trading; and 3) enhancing common sense compliance efforts. The draft WIP was prepared through an open process that solicited significant input from a variety of constituency groups, including over 125 individuals representing a broad range of groups who volunteered to participate on workgroups that provided input throughout the development of the document.
EPA is soliciting comments on the draft TMDL. The Department is soliciting comments on the draft WIP.
EPA and the Draft TMDL
The EPA will hold a public comment period on the draft TMDL from September 24, 2010, through November 8, 2010. Interested persons may submit comments on the draft TMDL directly to the EPA. Information on how to submit comments on the draft Chesapeake Bay TMDL will be available by means of the EPA's Chespeake Bay TMDL web site: www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/tmdl/Chesapeake Bay/index.html.
In addition, the EPA is holding a series of public meetings this fall to discuss the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. The Department will be at the meetings to provide information and answer questions on the draft WIP. Details on these meetings are posted as follows and can also be accessed on the EPA's Chespeake Bay TMDL web site.
The EPA public meetings scheduled for this Commonwealth are as follows:
• October 18, 2010, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Best Western Eden Resort, 222 Eden Road, Lancaster, PA 17601.
• October 19, 2010, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 850 Stratford Drive, State College, PA 16801.
• October 20, 2010, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Lycoming College, Wendle Hall, 700 College Place, Williamsport, PA 17701. A webinar of this meeting is also scheduled.
• October 21, 2010, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Bentley's of Northern Pennsylvania, 2300 Route 309, Ashley, PA 18706.
The Department and the Draft WIP
Written Comments: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the draft WIP from September 24, 2010, through November 8, 2010. Notice of availability of the draft WIP for public comment has been posted on the Department's web site at www.depweb. state.pa.us (DEP Keywords: Chesapeake Bay). Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. Written comments should be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection, Water Planning Office, P. O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063, ep-chesapeakebay program@state.pa.us. A return name and address must be included in each e-mail transmission. Contact: Questions regarding the draft WIP should be directed to the Water Planning Office at (717) 772-4785 or at the e-mail address provided previously.
JOHN HANGER,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 10-1762. Filed for public inspection September 17, 2010, 9:00 a.m.]
