Choose Clean WaterChoose Clean WaterChesapeake Bay Restoration ConferenceChesapeake Bay Restoration Conference

Session on Challenges and Opportunities for

AgricultureJanuary 11, 2010

.

Kelly ShenkKelly ShenkU.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program OfficeU.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office

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E.O. 202a Report on Next Generation of E.O. 202a Report on Next Generation of Tools and Actions to Restore Bay WQTools and Actions to Restore Bay WQ

What does it say about Agriculture?What does it say about Agriculture?

TMDL Rulemakings Compliance and Enforcement Strategy Healthy Waters – Thriving Agriculture

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TMDL: Taking Responsibility for Load Reductions

Identify basinwide target loads

EPA, States, DC

Identify major basin by

jurisdiction target loads

EPA, States, DC

Identify tidal segment watershed, county and source

sector target loads

States, DC, local governments & local partners

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Expected TMDL Deliverables

• Watershed Implementation Plans.• 2-Year Milestones w/ target loads.• NPDES permits that meet waste load

allocation of TMDL.• Assurances that nonpoint source load

allocations of TMDL are achieved.

TMDL – Get Involved

• Participate in State ag stakeholder meetings to:– Define ag cap load.– Set spatial scale for load targets.– Improve conservation tracking to:

• Accurately reflect what ag has done• Identify conservation opportunities• Set 2-year milestones• Report on progress.

Rulemakings, Compliance/Enforcement

• EPA will initiate rulemakings to increase coverage and raise standards for CAFOs, municipal stormwater, and new dischargers of pollution.

• EPA’s desires state-level action in lieu of federal action whenever possible and appropriate.

• Chesapeake Bay Compliance and Enforcement Strategy– Will ensure CAFOs, stormwater, and wastewater

facilities meet legal requirements.

Funding has Increased• Current EPA Funding: $9million to states for BMP implementation

activities.

• New Funding: $11.2 million to expand regulatory and enforcement capabilities to control nutrients and sediment from all sources. – WIP development– Improved or expanded regulations– Enforcement and compliance activities– Improved tracking and accountability.

• New Funding: $700k for contractor technical support in developing WIPs, including a focus on local engagement.

• Other grant programs (EPA 319 funds, State Revolving Loan Funds, NFWF Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Program, NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants)

Healthy Waters – Thriving Agriculture

• “Co-equal goals” We can have both!• EPA/USDA initiative to accelerate nutrient

and sediment reductions.– Target resources in priority watersheds– Tackle agricultural problems

Target Priority WatershedsTarget Priority Watersheds

Align resources and partners in priority ag watersheds to accelerate nutrient and sediment reductions.

Target Key Ag IssuesTarget Key Ag IssuesTackle the challenging agricultural problems we face:

Livestock in streamsSmall dairies.P saturation soils.

EPA and USDA innovation grant funding.

Questions & CommentsQuestions & Comments

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