DEP To Hold Chesapeake Bay Phase 2 Implementation Plan Summit August 3

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a Summit on Chesapeake Bay Watershed Phase 2 Implementation Plan on August 3 at the Keystone Conference Center, Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The Summit will also be presented as a webinar. (formal notice)

Pennsylvania's Phase 1 Chesapeake Bay WIP outlined the State's plan to address nutrient and sediment loadings that drain to the Chesapeake Bay. The Phase 1 WIP was prepared following the United States Environmental Protection Agency's November 4, 2009, guidance that outlined their expectations for WIPs, and was revised based on public comments, workgroup input and comments received from the EPA.

Pennsylvania's Phase 1 Chesapeake Bay WIP was prepared to address the EPA's expectations for the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) that was published on December 29, 2010.

EPA is expected to announce on August 1, revised nutrient and sediment allocations for the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. The allocations are the result of the EPA's development of a revised Watershed Model.

Using the revised allocations, the EPA expects the states to develop a Phase 2 Chesapeake Bay WIP which will further subdivide the loads by local area (county). The EPA has established a December 1, 2011, deadline for submission of the Draft Phase 2 Chesapeake Bay WIP, and a March 30, 2012, deadline for the final plan.

EPA expects the Phase 2 Chesapeake Bay WIP to contain greater detail about the first stage of implementation, which will last from when the EPA established the Chesapeake Bay TMDL in December 2010 until 2017.

Webinar Instructions

For those individuals who cannot attend in person, the Penn State Cooperative Extension will host a broadcast of the Summit through an online webinar. To attend by means of webinar follow these guidelines:

-- Use a computer with high speed Internet access (not dial up). For persons who do not have access to high speed Internet at home or office, consider visiting the local library or contact the county's Conservation District Office or Extension Office.

-- Obtain a Friends of Penn State account. Interested persons can sign up for an FPS account by going to the webinar webpage. At this location, individuals will be directed to a site to register for the free FPS account. Record the user name and password as it will be required for each entry to the webinar location.

-- A few minutes prior to the start time on August 3 go to the webinar webpage and type in the user ID and password. This will lead to the meeting ''web'' location. To ensure that audio is working, go to the ''Meeting'' tab at the top left and choose ''Manage My Settings.'' Then choose ''Audio Setup Wizard'' and test the sound input by clicking on ''Test.''

-- There is no need to have a microphone for this session. Individuals who have questions can type them into the chat box and the program moderator will ensure that the speakers receive them.

This webinar will be recorded and following the Summit can be accessed by going to the Extension archive webpage.

For further information contact Karen Price, DEP Water Planning Office, P. O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063, 717-772-4785 or send email to: kprice@state.pa.us.

Visit DEP's Chesapeake Bay Program webpage for more information on Pennsylvania's initiatives.