In a significant step towards safeguarding the health of Chesapeake Bay, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a groundbreaking settlement that will ramp up farm inspections in Pennsylvania. The agreement, announced on July 12, comes as a response to the critical issue of Chesapeake Bay pollution caused by agricultural runoff.
Under this new pact, the EPA will conduct comprehensive evaluations of livestock farms located near streams, even if they are not currently required to have federal discharge permits. The agency's scrutiny will focus on assessing the risk of manure runoff, the adequacy of manure management and storage practices, and farms' compliance history. Farms found to be falling short of the required standards could potentially be subjected to federal permits.
The EPA's primary attention will be on seven counties—Bedford, Centre, Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York—which contribute the most agricultural runoff to the Chesapeake Bay from Pennsylvania. By targeting these high-impact areas, the EPA aims to curb pollution at its source and make significant strides toward restoring the bay's health.
This settlement builds upon the EPA's ongoing efforts to hold Pennsylvania accountable for its commitments to the bay's restoration. It strengthens the regimen of inspections initiated last year, as Pennsylvania's progress in fulfilling its obligations had been slow.
The agreement also calls for increased compliance inspections of federally permitted polluters and a bolstering of efforts to address stormwater issues. By taking a multi-faceted approach to tackle pollution from various sources, the EPA aims to create a more resilient and cleaner Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
This landmark settlement was the result of a legal battle involving the EPA and a coalition of plaintiffs, including the attorneys general of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, as well as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and other entities. They filed a lawsuit in 2020, accusing the EPA of failing to compel Pennsylvania to develop and implement an effective plan to reduce pollution in the bay.
With the dismissal of the lawsuit, the path is now clear for the EPA's innovative and rigorous measures to come into effect. The move marks a turning point in the efforts to protect the Chesapeake Bay, ensuring its ecological integrity for future generations.
Together, we can make a difference and ensure a healthier, thriving Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
Photo Credit: pexels-adam-sondel
Categories: Pennsylvania, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety, Sustainable Agriculture