DEP Amends Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan for Chesapeake Bay

On December 31, 2021, the state Department of Environmental Protection amended its Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) to include all 34 countywide action plans and other measures and demonstrate how 100% of water quality restoration goals will be met if the plan is funded.  

Pennsylvania is mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to lower its nutrient and sediment levels by 2025. This includes reducing nitrogen by 32.5 million pounds and phosphorus by .85 million pounds. Through 2020, Pennsylvania reduced nitrogen by 6.77 million pounds and phosphorus by .3 million pounds. 

The WIP estimates that statewide, $521 million per year is needed to fund these goals and that an annual gap of $324 million exists. Watch for Governor Wolf’s Budget Address on February 1 to see if the state is funding this or if you are as another unfunded mandate. Click here for more.