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Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)

  • Key Developments

    See Key Developments

    EPA Issues Updated Assessment on Virginia's Animal Agriculture Programs

    EPA evaluates Two-year Milestone progress and commitments

    EPA Activities Pursuant to 2023 Settlement Agreement

  • Ensuring Results

    A number of elements are in place to ensure implementation of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL.

  • Learn about the Chesapeake

    Watch educational videosExit
    put together by our partners
    at the Chesapeake Bay Program

    • Monitoring and Modeling the Chesapeake BayExit
    • Have a Question?

      View our Frequent Questions or Contact Us.

    EPA Evaluates Two-year Milestone Progress and Commitments
    EPA released its evaluations of the 2022-2023 progress and final 2024-2025 milestone commitments.

    Read EPA’s evaluations of Two-year Milestones Progress and Commitments

    Read the Press Release 

    What is the Bay TMDL?

    What is the Bay TMDL?

    On December 29, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The TMDL is a historic and comprehensive "pollution diet" to restore clean water in the Chesapeake Bay and the region's streams, creeks, and rivers.

    • Bay TMDL Document
    • Bay TMDL Fact Sheet
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    • Frequent Questions
    Brook Trout in Pendleton County WV

    Implementing the TMDL

    A number of elements are in place to ensure that all pollution control measures needed to fully restore the Bay and its tidal rivers are in place by 2025. Practices will also be in place by 2017 to meet 60 percent of the necessary pollution reductions.

    • Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs)
    • Milestones
    • Air Pollution Reductions
    • Wastewater Pollution Reductions
    • Trading and Offsets
    • Midpoint Assessment
    Basket of Chesapeake Bay Oysters

    Progress in the Watershed

    Actions are being taken across six states and the District of Columbia to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment loads to meet the clean water goals of the Bay TMDL.Actions are being taken across six states and the District of Columbia to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment loads to meet the clean water goals of the Bay TMDL. EPA is also implementing the 2023 Settlement Agreement.

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    Watershed Map

    Map of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
    The Chesapeake Bay Watershed spans six states and the District of Columbia. 

    Connect with the Bay

    • Read the Bay Journal
    • Watch educational videos about the Bay on the Chesapeake Bay Program website
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    Additional Resources

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    • Executive Order 13508
    • Bay Watershed Agreement
    • Contact Us
    Contact Us about the Chesapeake Bay TMDL to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
    Last updated on December 12, 2024
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