1. Chesapeake bay program: Funding & Bay TMDL Midpoint Assessment
COG’s Regional water quality management program
Key Decision Points/Opportunities for COG Input
Focus/Priorities for COG
Tanya T. Spano
Chief, Regional Water Quality Management
Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee
May 19, 2017
Agenda Item # 3

2. Overview Chesapeake Bay Program – Midpoint Assessment (MPA)
Ongoing efforts, but very accelerated/compressed schedule
Good news – and challenges
Clear opportunities for COG input
Will need WRTC & CBPC input/guidance
Guided by approved COG/CBPC Policy Principles
CBP Funding – FY 2017 vs. FY2018
MPA Schedule - see graphic
Review of Key Decisions
Proposed Work Efforts & COG Input – Focus Areas & Timing
Lots of acronyms!
FY 2018 RWQM Annual Work Program & Budget
Wrap-up / Questions?
Agenda Item #:3
CBPC (5/19/17)

3. 2017 Midpoint Assessment - Context
Lots of work done, more to be done, & many key decisions over next 2 years
Still driven by “Bay TMDL 100% implementation by 2025’ deadline
Areas of Focus
Approximately 9 areas identified; not all equal
Some we are not likely to influence
Some we have limited resources to address – even when working with other local groups
Some are technical, while others are policy
Need to focus on most important areas (e.g )
Where COG staff can make most difference on behalf of region/members
Technical work – COG & NVRC staff working with WRTC
Policy actions – CBPC (COG Board - if warranted)
Scheduling - WRTC to CBPC, and CBPC to CBP/Bay Partners #3
Agenda Item #:3
CBPC (5/19/17)

4. CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM MIDPOINT ASSESSMENT#1 #8 #2 #3 #9 #6 #4 #7 #5
Agenda Item #:3
CBPC (5/19/17)

5. 2017 Midpoint Assessment - Context
Areas of Focus [applicable COG Policy Principles]
(#3, 5, 6, 8 & 9 – proposed priority areas)*
#1 – Watershed Model (WSM)
#2 – Water Quality Sediment Transport Model (WQSTM)
#3 – ‘Fatal Flaw’ Review [Sound Science]
#4 – Draft Phase III WIP Planning Targets [Equity/Policy]
#5 – Allocation of Conowingo Dam (& other) Loads [Policy]
#6 –Phase III WIP Planning Targets to Local Area Planning Goals
#7 – EPA Expectations Document & Final Planning Target Decisions
#8 – EPA Assessment of ‘60% by 2017’ goal [Schedule/Policy]
#9 – Issuance of Final WIPs [Spring Year process]
* WRTC agreed
Agenda Item #:3
CBPC (5/19/17)

6. Key Decisions & Proposed Work Efforts
WSM inputs & outputs (GIS maps, WWTP & land use data)
COG members review their own data; COG to ID any issues
COG staff review region-wide data & communicate issues w/in Bay forum
Additional technical work – with local partners
Fatal Flaw Review – Key Distinctions
WSM input/output accuracy and limitations
i.e., State/Basin Planning Targets vs. Local Area Planning Goals
Versus actual ‘Flaws’ in state/basin-level results
Additional Loads & Allocation Decisions
Conowingo – significant? & equity implications [Major policy issue]
Growth – embedded vs. explicit? (i.e., est. loads in 2025) [6/7/17 Forum]
Climate Change – not much impact through 2025 [July CBPC agenda]
Agenda Item #:3
CBPC (5/19/17)

7. Key Decisions & Proposed Work Effort
WIP (State/Basin) Planning Targets
Local Area Planning Goals
Versus local permit requirements
EPA Expectations Document (for Phase III WIPs)
EPA Assessment of ‘60% by 2017’ – Reassess 2025 (non-regulatory) deadline?
Agreement on state/basin-level Planning Targets
Issuance of Phase III WIPs [Draft 2018 – Final 2019]
EPA’s assessment of ‘60% by 2017’ goal achievement
‘What’s left to meet TMDL implementation goal by 2025?
Quantifying what remains to be done over next 6 years
What might this mean for various sectors?
Especially wastewater and stormwater permits
Agenda Item #:3
CBPC (5/19/17)

8. Chesapeake Bay Program Area
Proposed technical work efforts
Policy implications
Key decision points
Guidance to COG staff
Need for specific WRTC input to CBPC
CBPC formal input to CBP
Schedule & timing – 2017 & Beyond
WRTC meetings & work sessions
CBPC meetings & off-cycle input needed
Bay-Climate Focus – July 28th (4th Friday)
Bay & Water Quality Forum – Sept. 15th
Question? Suggestions?
Agenda Item #:3
CBPC (5/19/17)

9. FY 2018 RWQM Annual Work Program & Budget
Refer to FY 2018 Elements, Priorities & Levels of Effort document
Focus generally same as FY 2017 (w/ refinements)
Key Aspects
CBP continues to be a major program driver (for local, Potomac & Bay waters)
Note EPA/CBP funding assumptions
Continued focus on Outreach efforts
Continued efforts to address broad range of water resource topics in a holistic fashion
Formal Work Program to CBPC – early June
Questions?
Agenda Item #:3
CBPC (5/19/17)

10. mwcog.org Tanya T. Spano Chief, Regional Water Quality Management
(202)
mwcog.org
777 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20002