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National Implications of the Federal Pollution Limits for the Chesapeake Bay Clean-Up

National Implications of the Federal Pollution Limits for the Chesapeake Bay Clean-Up Mayors Water Summit December 8 – 9, 2010 Washington, D.C. Kevin C. Richardson Village President Village of Lake Barrington, Illinois.

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National Implications of the Federal Pollution Limits for the Chesapeake Bay Clean-Up

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  1. National Implications of the Federal Pollution Limits for the Chesapeake Bay Clean-Up Mayors Water Summit December 8 – 9, 2010 Washington, D.C. Kevin C. Richardson Village President Village of Lake Barrington, Illinois

  2. Comprehensive Stakeholder Involvement Is Critical;Mayors Well Positioned To Play A Key Role • Getting all the parties into the room and committed to solving the problem is an absolute must. • No sacred cows - everything has to be on the table when fashioning a solution. • Having everyone and everything involved also sets the stage for compliance, which requires the belief that policies are fair, comprehensive and reflect the input of all stakeholders. • Mayors can play a key role in engaging the diverse constituencies needed for comprehensive watershed protection. • Mayors will also have to engage a variety of stakeholders in developing local planning approaches that protect the environment, the economy and foster compliance at the local level. Source: Sources of Nitrogen Loads to the Bay, Chesapeake Bay Program http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_nitrogensources.aspx?menuitem=19797

  3. Beware The After-Taste Of Low-Hanging Fruit • It is important to avoid the risks and downsides of pursuing “low hanging fruit” at the expense of a comprehensive approach to nutrient management. • A low hanging fruit approach often runs contrary to a data-driven solution as it almost certainly leads to outcomes that are unjustified by the numbers. • Parties that are only a small part of the problem should not have to bear the burden of most of the solution. • Moreover, the low hanging fruit approach can mislead the public into thinking the problem has been solved and provide a faulty perception that progress has been made or a comprehensive solution has been implemented. • When single issue arises, policymakers should avoid knee-jerk responses pit water protection against job creation and economic growth; data/science are key. • Wastewater Treatment Plant NPDES Expansion Permit • Statewide preemption legislation (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=096-1005&GA=96) Source: Sources of Nitrogen Loads to the Bay, Chesapeake Bay Program http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_nitrogensources.aspx?menuitem=19797

  4. Proportionality And Fairness AreEssential To Forging Meaningful Policy • The USCM long ago understood the importance of proportionality. This concept has gained with key stakeholder groups and opinion leaders over the past decade and now needs to be more actively advocated. • A USCM Resolution adopted in June of 2000 in Seattle (entitled “Improving The Total Maximum Daily Load Program Under The Clean Water Act”) ended with: “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference encourages U.S. EPA and the states to continue to make every effort to include both point sources and non-point sources proportionately in the ongoing TMDL processes underway in the states.” (emphasis added) • Equally important, a proportionately balanced solution helps assure fairness in the development of a solution and greater public support for enactment of a comprehensive solution. • A proportionately balanced approach ultimately helps support subsequent public education efforts aimed at informing constituents as to the details of what it is going to take to address watershed protection.

  5. Summary • Meaningful approaches to watershed management should reflect - and respect - local circumstances and needs. • Comprehensive stakeholder involvement - in both policy development and in ongoing compliance - is critical. • Mayors are well positioned to play a key role in engaging diverse constituencies on watershed protection. • Solution proportionality is a twin to comprehensive stakeholder involvement in forging meaningful policy. • Substantive fairness is the “younger sibling” that is clearly related to proportionality and comprehensive involvement. • Beware the after-taste of low-hanging fruit – it can be the source of unintended consequences. • Data, science and attention to economic impacts are key to making water protection efforts successful.

  6. Contact Information Contact: Kevin C. Richardson Village President Village of Lake Barrington 23860 North Old Barrington Road Lake Barrington, IL 60010-1634 (847) 381-6010 T (847) 381-8557 F krichardson@lakebarrington.org E Citation for Illinois statute: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=096-1005&GA=96

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