This notice announces EPA's establishment of the Chesapeake
Bay (Bay) TMDL on December 29, 2010 for nitrogen, phosphorus and
sediment for the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. EPA provided
a 45-day public review of the Draft Bay TMDL which was held from
September 24 through November 8 of 2010. Based on comments and
information EPA received from the public and affected jurisdictions
during the public review period, EPA has revised the draft TMDL as
appropriate and established the Bay TMDL for nitrogen, phosphorus and
sediment for each of the 92 segments in the tidal portion of the
Chesapeake Bay watershed pursuant to Sections 117(g) and 303(d) of the
Clean Water Act (CWA). The TMDL provides pollutant loads for nitrogen,
phosphorus and sediment which can enter a waterbody without causing a
violation in the water quality standards. The TMDL allocates that
pollutant load between point and nonpoint sources. The Bay TMDL
contains segment specific point (wasteload) and non-point (load)
allocations for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that when met will
assure the attainment and maintenance of all applicable water quality
standards for each of the 92 segments. The Bay TMDL is a key part of
the clean water commitment in the Federal Strategy developed as part of
Executive Order 13508 on Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration. EPA
has worked closely with its federal partners, the six watershed states,
the District of Columbia, local governments and other parties to put in
place a comprehensive, transparent and accountable set of commitments
and actions that together ensure that pollution controls needed to
restore Bay water quality are implemented by no later than 2025
(Executive Order, 13508).