Chesapeake Bay Program Partners Commit to New Significant Toxic Reductions

“Toxics 2000 Strategy” calls for cleanup of Baltimore Harbor, Elizabeth and Anacostia Rivers
A new action plan that sets far-reaching goals for preventing the release of chemical contaminants into the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries was unveiled today by the Chesapeake Bay Program. The Toxics 2000 Strategy fulfills the first major commitment of Chesapeake 2000, the watershedwide restoration plan signed by Bay Program partners in June.

The strategy commits to voluntary goals that surpass current regulatory requirements and strives to achieve “zero release” of chemical contaminants into the Bay by phasing out chemical mixing zones, reducing point source loads, and adopting new measures to ensure that finfish and shellfish are safe to eat. And, for the first time, the Bay Program is setting specific numerical goals to reduce toxics from nonpoint sources such as stormwater and agricultural runoff.

By focusing on areas most impacted by chemical contaminants, including three major Regions of Concern – the Anacostia River, the Elizabeth River and Baltimore Harbor – the strategy calls for implementing plans to cleanup existing contaminated sediments and the acceleration of voluntary efforts to prevent future contamination.

“As one of the key commitments of Chesapeake 2000, the Toxics 2000 Strategy is designed to eliminate toxic impacts and public health concerns in the Anacostia,” said Chesapeake Executive Council Chairman and District of Columbia Mayor Anthony A. Williams. “This strategy is one of the first steps toward meeting the ambitious goals of that plan.”

“By agreeing to no net increase of chemical contaminants from developing lands and the phasing out of chemical mixing zones, Bay partners have committed to achieving a ‘zero release’ goal that will ultimately reduce toxic impacts on the Bay,” said Chesapeake Bay Program Director Bill Matuszeski. The Toxics 2000 Strategy is the result a lengthy open public process involving over 300 government, citizen, industry, environmental and scientific leaders from across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

“The extensive public involvement and support over the past year and a half is the key to meeting the goals set forth in this strategy,” said Chesapeake Bay Program Toxics Subcommittee Chair Bob Summers. “The result of this unique stakeholder-driven process is a clear strategy calling for more extensive Bay preservation and restoration efforts.”

For more information about the Toxics 2000 Strategy, including an executive summary, list of participating stakeholders and links to Bay Program partners, visit the Chesapeake Bay Program website at http://www.chesapeakebay.net/press.htm.

The Chesapeake Bay Program is restoring the Bay watershed through a partnership among the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency representing the federal government, the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and participating citizen advisory groups.

Posted: 12-14-2000