All the jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay region are making progress meeting pollution reduction goals, but no jurisdiction is on track to implement all the pollution reduction practices they committed to achieve by 2013.
The analysis of selected interim 2012-13 milestone goals was conducted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and Choose Clean Water Coalition (CCWC). This analysis is designed to ensure that commitments are being met, and if not, that actions will be taken to compensate for any shortfall.
“This interim analysis is important because it celebrates the areas where states are exceeding the goals, but also shines a light on areas needing improvement,” said CBF President William C. Baker. “While no state met the mark, and Pennsylvania and Delaware missed on half or more of the goals we evaluated, all jurisdictions had the opportunity to alter their plans to reach their 2013 pollution reduction goals. That information, however, is not currently available.”
Of the eight practices evaluated, Pennsylvania was on track or exceeded its goals for three practices and fell short on five. Conservation plans, barnyard runoff control, and stormwater infiltration practices all exceeded the mid-term goal.
Pennsylvania needs to accelerate issuance of permits for wastewater treatment plants. Forest buffers, conservation tillage, farm acres with nutrient management plans, and urban tree canopy goals significantly missed the mark.
“Forested buffers are one of the most cost effective ways to reduce pollution and restore the health of local rivers and streams,” said CBF Pennsylvania Executive Director Harry Campbell. “While Pennsylvania met its 2011 goal, they are not on track to meet the goal in 2013 or their 2025 goal. Tying forest buffer implementation to other conservation programs and creative incentive efforts could significantly increase participation as well as increase water quality benefits.”
"Pennsylvania is making progress in cleaning up its local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. The rebounding of trout in once-polluted streams is a tribute to collective hard work,” said Kate Gibbons with PennFuture. “But our analysis shows continuing problems in both urban and rural areas, and we face significant challenges in meeting our timeline for reducing Pennsylvania’s pollution. We need to do more, as the health of our waterways, wildlife and communities depends on clean water."
Pennsylvania has the tools to get the job done, what is needed is for government to step up to the plate, according to Campbell.
In 2009 Chesapeake Bay jurisdictions, having missed restoration goals in the past, created two-year milestones designed to be transparent and provide accountability. This report evaluates the interim progress toward achieving the 2012-13 milestone commitments.
Together with pollution limits and state specific plans, this Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint outlines the path to the restoration of local rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay.
The analysis looked at practices within three pollution source categories—agricultural runoff, urban/suburban sources, and wastewater treatment—based on their potential to provide substantial nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution reductions and offer important lessons for implementation moving forward.
“We are encouraged that states are working to reach their milestones and, in some cases, significant progress has been made,” said Hilary Harp Falk, co-chair of Choose Clean Water Coalition. “However, after reviewing the data, it is clear that we need verification protocols to help local, state, and federal programs ensure that practices are properly designed, installed, and maintained over time.”
In addition, CBF and CCWC believe that the next set of milestones, from 2014-15, should be reported at the basin or county level, as opposed to only at the state level. Local jurisdictions will play an important role in the restoration of local waterways, which is critical to long-term success.
Restoring local rivers and streams, and saving the Chesapeake Bay, will provide benefits today and for future generations. If progress is not made we will continue to have polluted water, human health hazards, and lost jobs—at a huge cost to society. Reducing pollution and restoring local water quality will create jobs and enhance local economies.
Copies of the state-specific milestone analyses can be found on CBF’s Milestones webpage.
