EPA Engagement with Chesapeake Finally Starting

A short piece in the Baltimore Sun talks about states' plans to reduce nutrient and sediment emissions that are a step toward protecting the Chesapeake. Not long ago the EPA became more active in its role overseeing the interstate pollution problem that manifests most strikingly here in Maryland, and all the states in the Chesapeake watershed have been called upon to "clean up their acts," if you will. Many states responded with a collective shrug, particularly Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, New York, and West Virginia. Out of state, out of mind, apparently!

This time, the EPA appears to be prepared to back up its request with some force. Either states can set up plans to reduce emissions or they can have emissions forced upon them in the form of higher Federal standards for sewage treatment plants and/ or storm drains.

If states can afford to investigate the variety of options at their disposal, surely they will find cheaper means of coming into compliance. There's still time for states to update their plans, but it looks like many states might pass up the opportunity to save money. Higher costs for all through poor governance! Less overt than this recent event, but potentially much more costly....