U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mid-Atlantic Region
natess ®3ter p..
Pr ogie	r°9rams...
Chesapeake Bay TMDL Update
See page 5
Volume 3, Issue 2
November 2009
IN THIS ISSUE
Upcoming Events
patera a..
Welcome to the latest edition of Water/nfo. Since June 2006, Water-
Info has promoted the progress of the water programs of the U.S. EPA
Mid-Atlantic Region. While this edition is primarily dedicated to the
Healthy Waters Transportation Sector and Green Highways, you'll find
articles on several other water topics, including partnership approaches to pro-
tecting, maintaining and restoring our wetlands, the Interagency Ocean Policy
Task Force, and the TMDL for the Chesapeake Bay. These and other articles
provide new and innovative ideas to protect and restore our water resources.
We hope you enjoy this issue!
Jon IV!. Capacasa, Director
Water Protection Division
John "Randy" Pomponio, Director
Environmental Assessment & Innovation
HEALTHY WATERS - Feature - Transportation Sector
Ue""""-"8 "">J
EPA's Mid-Atlantic Region's
Healthy Waters Transportation
Sector team,
an expansive list of public,
private, non-profit, and aca-
demic partners across trans-
portation, industry, and
environmental fields through-
out the country.
The GHP has formed a key
partnership with the Ameri-
can Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE). ASCE, with more
than 146,000 members, is the
represented by
the Green
Highways
Partnership
(GHP), continues to lead the
nation in developing leveraged
approaches to address
transportation and
environmental challenges. It has
served as an incubator of green
transportation practices and
spans political boundaries and
interests. Today, it represents
"... develops leadership, advancing technology,
advocating lifelong learning and promoting the
profession."
oldest national engineering
society in the U.S., with a mis-
sion "to provide essential value
to our members and the public
by developing leadership, ad-
vancing technology, advo-
cating lifelong learning, and
promoting the profession."
The GHP participated in an
ASCE-sponsored web
teleconference on October 21,
Green Highways and Green
Streets for 21st Century Infra-
structure: Strategies, Tech-
nologies and Funding, using
this forum for GHP to promote
green transportation technolo-
gies to a diverse audience.
Although green approaches to
transportation and infrastruc-
ture are becoming increasingly
accepted, the GHP is unique in
its approaches. The U.S.
House Subcommittee on Tech-
nology and Innovation found
the GHP to be "the primary
federal vehicle for encouraging
the use of green transportation
infrastructure", which suggests
that this effort is not only
unique to the nation, but is the
only one of its type.
See page 2 for more on
How we are doing...
For the
Transportation
Sector...
Everything you ever
wanted to know
about the
Chesapeake Bay
TMDL, but were
afraid to ask.
Check out the new
website!
http://www.epa.gov/
chesapeakebaytmd!/

Chesapeake Bay
'Pollution Diet' (TMDL)
Meetings -
EPA will hold 14 public
meetings throughout the
fall from early November
through mid-December.
The next meeting will be:
Tuesday, Dec. 8
in Baltimore, MD
http://www.epa.gov/
chesapeakebaytmd I/

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Page 2
•	
Water Info Newsletter
TRANSPORTATION SECTOR - Update—Continued from page 1
How are we doing?
Possible site for mitigation
(avoidance, minimization and
compensation)
See Water Resource Registry
See article on
Page 3
• Pervious Pavement
(asphalt & concrete)
• GHP Kent County/DelDOT MS4
Permit - Green Infrastructure-
driven linear storm-water permit
supporting GHP principles.
• Classroom training course —
in-depth technical design and
regulatory issues discussions.
Highlights of GHP's efforts include:
•	GHP Digest - an effective resource
guide circulating to over 1000
organizations.
•	GHP Leadership Forum &
Recognition Program -
"Trailblazers in Sustainability", an
annual event bringing together
speakers in transportation, environ-
ment, market concepts, and future
directions; awarding leaders in the
transportation and environmental
protection fields.
•	Watershed Resource Registry
(WRR) Pilot (for more information
on the WRR, see the article on
page 3) - a tool which evaluates
watershed conditions, creating a
database of sites for the protection
of high quality resources.
•	GHP Business Plan - a formal
business plan that lays out a
common vision, mission, goals,
objectives, and actions; outlines
activities that require financial and
in-kind support.
•	Research - coordination of
government and industry-
sponsored research in stormwater
management, beneficial use of
industrial byproducts, and
conservation ecosystem protection.
•	Phosphorus removal from storm-
water using steel slag
Prince George's County, MD
Low Impact Development
2009 Green Highways Partnership
Leadership Forum and
Recognition Ceremony
John Horsley, ASSHTO; Cindy Burbank
& Hal Kassof, 2009 Trailblazer Award
Winners; Gloria Shepherd, FHWA; Neil
Pedersen, MD SHA

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Water Info Newsletter
RECENT FEATURE -
EPA's Mid-Atlantic Region Green High-
ways Partnership (GHP) was recently
highlighted in a special "Green Issue" of
Highway Builder, a magazine reaching
construction contractors and highway
builders throughout Pennsylvania. The
article praised the GHP as an advocate
of practices promoting sustainable high-
ways and showcased significant accom-
plishments. The article also gave spe-
cial attention to
the second an-
nual GHP leader-
ship and recogni-
tion forum. Rep-
resentative David Wu (D-Ore.) spoke at
the forum and praised the Mid-Atlantic
Region and founder Dominique Lueck-
enhoff, EPA, for her contributions and
innovative approaches in achieving mu-
tually beneficial transportation and envi-
ronmental solutions. "The GHP is a
prominent example of organizations and
agencies working to develop and deploy
green solutions to problems...its work
Page 3
Highway Builder Magazine
Recognition by Highway Builder is a
milestone for the green highways
principles.
needs to be replicated nationwide."
Wu also commented on the need for
increased research and development
of green technologies. Wu plans to
introduce the Green Transportation
Infrastructure Research and Tech-
nology Transfer Act to address the
challenges of implementing green
transportation technologies and in-
creased efforts by Congress.
The description on the
forum recognized other
sustainable transporta-
tion programs and
practices. Rick Biery, Northern Tier
Regional Planning and Development
Commission, PA, received a Recog-
nition Award for his leadership and
innovation in the development of a
Strategic Conservation Transporta-
tion Plan; Hal Kassoff, PB Americas,
received the Leaders Award for out-
standing individual contributions sup-
porting GHP principles and for his
work in the advancement of environ-
mental stewardship and context sensitive
design. Cynthia Burbank of Parsons
Brinckerhoff, received an award for her
contributions supporting the GHP's
purpose, intent, and principles. GHP
achievements include creating a
business plan for agencies in other
regions to start their own green highways
partnership, and partnerships with other
national trade associations.
How are we doing?
Recognition by Highway Builder is a
milestone for the green highways princi-
ples. GHP is described as revolutioniz-
ing the nation's infrastructure." A future
goal of the GHP is the creation of a na-
tional Green Highways Partnership
Clearinghouse to expand green highway
initiatives nationally. Through its focus
on collaboration, recognition of effective
practices, and promotion of pilot projects,
the GHP will continue 'paving the way'
toward greening highways throughout the
country.
STATE PARTNERS - Watershed Resource Registry (WRR)
shed resources, restoration and/or en- Mid-Atlantic Region's team partnered with
hancement of impaired sites, and crea- a variety of stakeholders in the project
tion of new aquatic resources..." The development process, including the U.S.
WRR will provide regulatory streamlining Army Corps of Engineers and Maryland's
for addressing the CWA §402, the Na- Department of the Environment, State
tional Pollution Discharge permit re- Highway Administration, and Department
quirements for stormwater management of Natural Resources, among others. The
and §404 requirements under the Com-
pensatory Mitigation Rule, as well as aid
those involved in
The Green Highways Partnership
(GHP) has developed a pilot Water-
shed Resource Registry (WRR).
The WRR is a tool that evaluates
watershed conditions and creates a
database of sites in a watershed for
the protection of high quality
resources, restoration of impaired
resources, and the
establishment of
treatment systems
and Best Manage-
ment Practices
(BMPs). The WRR
will assist in the implementa-
tion of Clean Water Act (CWA) sec-
tions 319, 401, 402, and 404. This
pilot effort, focused in Southwestern
Maryland, will help create broad-
based transferable methodology
benefiting federal, state, and local
agencies in implementing their regu-
latory authorities and requirements.
The WRR can be defined as "an
interagency ...searchable database
which identifies opportunity sites for
preservation of high quality water-
The pilot WRR will implement the water-
shed approach to select and prioritize
sites in the Mattawoman watersheds in
Maryland.
watershed man-
agement deci-
sions at the local,
state, and na-
tional levels by
providing the best available information
to base decisions into one centralized
location, resulting in an overall improve-
ment in watershed health. The pilot
WRR will implement the watershed ap-
project development process is intention-
ally transparent to maintain stakeholder
involvement and collaboration. When
complete, the WRR will serve as a trans-
ferable model for implementing registries
How are we doing?
nationally.
In October, EPA hosted an inter-agency
workshop for stakeholders to focus on
registry project management, communica-
tion and outreach, and integrated plan-
proach to select and prioritize sites in the ning. The goal of the workshop was to
Mattawoman watersheds in Charles and maintain collaboration among partner
Prince Georges Counties in Maryland.
The WRR is designed to be easily
integrated into existing CWA regulatory
requirements. The registry is also
intended for use in watershed-based
agencies and to strengthen commitment
among partners to use the WRR in their
respective watershed initiatives. In addi-
tion, the workshop established clear time-
frames for continued WRR project devel-
decision-making by conservation groups, opment and identified the resources nec-

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Page 4
Water Info Newsletter
OUR OCEANS- Protect, Maintain and Restore our Waters
June was recognized as National
Oceans Month with numerous activities
in Washington D.C. to support ocean
awareness. The Governors of New
York, New Jersey, Delaware,
Maryland, and Virginia
announced a historic interstate
agreement committed to
improving ocean health by
creating the Governors' Mid-
Atlantic Council on Oceans.
The priorities of the Council
include: addressing climate; increased
protection of offshore habitats; in-
creased federal support for water quality
infrastructure improvements; and reduc-
ing marine debris.
In continued support of our waters,
President Obama, established an Inter-
agency Ocean Policy Task Force (Task
Force) which will be led by the Council
on Environmental Quality (CEQ). The
Task Force will develop recommenda-
tions that include the following actions
for our oceans, coasts, and Great
Lakes:
A national policy to ensure the
protection, maintenance, and
restoration of the health of our
waters, enhance economic
sustainability, preserve
- our maritime heritage,
provide for adaptive
management to global
climate change, and
coordinate with both
national and foreign
policy
•	A framework for policy coordination
of efforts to improve stewardship of
our waters
•	An implementation strategy that
identifies and prioritizes objectives
the United States should pursue to
meet the objectives of a national
policy
•	Develop a framework for coastal
and marine spatial planning.
The Bold, one of EPA's Ocean Survey
Vessels (OSV), is a 224-foot long
state-of-the-art survey ship used to
monitor public health and
environmental threats to our oceans,
bays and coastal waterways. The
vessel is also used as a floating class-
room to conduct teach-the-teacher
programs, as well as for training and
certifying EPA scuba divers. The
instruments and resources aboard
The Bold collect data, allowing the
EPA to study dredge material place-
ment at regional dump sites, ocean
wastewater outfalls, marine debris,
vessel discharges, long-term nutrient
trends, and harmful algal blooms.
How are we doing?
The data collected enables EPA in
decision making and creating policies
based on sound scientific principles,
which supports the Governors' Mid-
Atlantic Council on Oceans.
Visit this website for more information:
http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/
beach_ocean_estuary.htm
SHARING SUCCESS with GHP PARTNERS
The Mid-Atlantic Region's Green High-
ways Partnership (GHP) has been
developed with the intention of providing
transferability to other jurisdictions.
Inquiries about the Partnership's efforts
have come from all across the country
and from a variety of public and private
organizations. The GHP has been the
subject of numerous articles and reports
on developing sustainability rating
systems and sustainable transportation
infrastructure. Specifically, GHP
principles and approaches were
referenced in the "South Access to the
Golden Gate Bridge - Doyle Drive Re-
placement Project - Summary of Sus-
tainability Program - Phase 1" -
December 2007, prepared by ARUP PB
Joint Venture, Circle Point and MPA
design. The GHP has "grown" an
extensive network to effectively transfer
information, solutions, and practices.
Major communication tools include the
GHP website www.greenhighways.org
and the highly successful "GHP Digest",
which is currently circulating to over
1000 organizations nationally and
internationally. It serves as an effective
resource guide highlighting timely and
applicable information pertaining to
GHP focus areas (legislation, policy,
planning, sustainable practices,
watershed & stormwater management,
beneficial reuse, conservation, green
infrastructure, climate change). The
unique application developed for the
Digest utilizes search spiders that
comb over 60,000 media sources and
web sites on a daily basis. A GHP
team reviews relevant stories and
supporting documents, archives
targeted selections and publishes a
coherent and compelling collection of
news and information on a weekly
basis.
GHP Fact Sheets help spread GHP's
revolutionary approach to achieving
sustainable transportation infrastruc-
ture and improved environmental
compliance, protection, and
preservation.
Future publications include:
•	GHP "Blueprint" Guide To
Creating a Green Highways
Partnership will be a step-by-
step guide to facilitate transfer of
the GHP partnering model and
related activities to other geo-
graphic regions. The principal
model for this Blueprint will be the
Mid-Atlantic Transportation and
Environment (MATE) partnering
and streamlining processes.
•	GHP Networking Directory -
One of the greatest strengths of
the GHP is its network. A GHP
"Go-To" Directory will be
developed and published in order
to promote and support
international members.
Visit this website for more
information:
www.greenhighways.org
How are we doing?

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Water Info newsletter
Page 5
STATE PARTNERS -
The Chesapeake Bay Program is
working to control the array of sources
of nitrogen and phosphorus that have
kept the Bay and its tributaries on a
federal list of impaired waters (§ 303(d)
list. One of the most significant steps in
the restoration
process has
been the effort
to reduce nutri-
ents from
municipal and industrial wastewater
treatment facilities. In the Chesapeake
Bay, downstream water quality stan-
dards for several parameters (most no-
tably dissolved oxygen) are being vio-
lated; nutrients have been identified as
a major culprit.
In May of this year, President Obama
signed the Chesapeake Bay
Protection and Restoration Executive
Order to accelerate the government's
pace of restoration of the Bay. Among
other things, this order charged EPA to
issue a draft report by September, and
to "define the next generation of tools
Chesapeake Bay TMDL
and actions to restore water quality in
the Chesapeake Bay....".
Specifically, the Executive Order
promises " a renewed commitment to
controlling pollution from all sources, as
well as protecting and restoring habitat
and living
resources,
conserving lands,
and improving
management of
natural resources" ...."to collaborate
with state governments, to report
annually... to ensure independent
evaluation of... the restoration efforts
and investments..." and for EPA to
"make full use of ...authorities under the
Clean Water Act ...to implement a
compliance and enforcement strategy".
How are we doing?
EPA and state partners have developed
a framework for implementation of the
Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily
Load (TMDL*). The framework calls for
the states to assess, among other
things, the gaps in existing programs to
fully implement the TMDL. In addition, the
states (and EPA) are to make biennial
commitments to enhance the existing
programs to close the identified program
gaps. The gap assessment should be
completed with the planned establishment
of the TMDL in December of 2010. The
Chesapeake Bay watershed TMDL will
address all segments of the Chesapeake
Bay and its tidal tributaries that are
impaired from the discharge of nitrogen,
phosphorus, and sediments.
* the total pollutant load a water body can
sustain without degrading in water
quality."
Visit this website for more
information:
http://www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl/
hip Completes Project
Cove is regarded as one of the five
best waterfowl habitats in Maryland.
Aerial surveys over the past 10 years
revealed the importance of protecting
Hail Cove from damaging erosion due
to prevailing winds to preserve critical
submerged aquatic vegetation and
habitat for roosting and feeding
migratory waterfowl.
In May, President Obama signed the
Chesapeake Bay Protection Executive
Order (see article above), calling on the
federal government to lead the effort to
control pollution that flows into the
Chesapeake Bay and protect wildlife
habitats in the region. Hail Cove
shows how this collaboration can work
to protect and restore the Chesapeake
Bay. "The Hail Cove Living Shoreline
project is an important example of what
an effective partnership can achieve,"
said Kurt Dyroff, Manager of
Conservation Programs at Ducks
Unlimited. "Projects like this serve as
an important model for restoration in
the Bay."
MARYLAND - Corp. Wetland Restoration Partners
Local businesses, corporate and
government officials, and environ-
mental leaders gathered in September
to celebrate the completion of The
Hail Cove Living Shore-
line Project at Eastern
Neck Wildlife Refuge,
Kent County Maryland.
The effort was the result
of a collaborative public-
private partnership to
reduce shore erosion,
protect sensitive wildlife habitat and
create marsh for critical Chesapeake
Bay wildlife species including water-
fowl, crabs, fish and others. This
project was designed to protect critical
submerged aquatic vegetation habitat
in Hail Creek, reduce shoreline
erosion and provide for an oyster
demonstration project. Hail Creek
provides critical habitat and sub-
merged aquatic vegetation for roosting
and feeding migratory waterfowl. Hail
Cove partners encompass federal and
state agencies, nonprofits, corporate
partners (through the Corporate Wet-
land Restoration Partnership, or
CWRP), and a Coastal
Ecosystem Learning
Center. The September
event showcased this
vibrant collaborative
public-private partner-
ship in action, including
school children and
volunteers engaged in
wetland planting.
The Hail Cove Living Shoreline
Project demonstrates an alternative to
traditional shoreline protection revet-
ment practices that nearly eliminate
important shallow water habitat.
Eastern Neck National Wldlife Refuge
is a 2,286-acre stopover area for
migratory and wintering waterfowl at
the mouth of the Chester River on
Maryland's Eastern Shore. Wthin East-
ern Neck is Hail Cove which separates
the Chester River and Hail Creek. Hail
The Executive Order states "...a renewed
commitment to controlling pollution...[and to]
make full use of ...authorities under the CWA..".
	

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Page 6
Water Info Newsletter
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
STATE PARTNERS -
In February, President Obama
signed the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
The objective of ARRA 2009 is to
preserve and create jobs and
promote economic recovery. The
State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF)
programs, implemented by the Office
of Infrastructure and Assistance in
EPA's Mid-Atlantic Region, received
the highest amount of the stimulus
funding for EPA-administered
programs. Agency-wide, ARRA
includes $4B for the Clean Water
State Revolving Loan Fund
(CWSRF) and $2B for the Drinking
Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF). The CWSRF provides low
interest loans for the construction of
wastewater treatment facilities, non-
point source (NPS) and estuary
projects, and other water quality
management activities. These
projects are vital to protect and
Improve water quality in rivers, lakes,
and streams drinking water, water for
recreation, and natural habitat.
DWSRF programs provide low interest
loans for construction and upgrade of
drinking water treatment facilities,
protecting public health by reducing
exposure to contaminants. Priority is
ARRA Act of 2009
$434M in CW ARRA
172M in DWARRA
for projects that are "shovel ready",
since within one year of enactment all
funds must be committed to projects
under construction or having awarded
contracts for construction.
The Recovery Act provides that each
state shall use not less than 50% of the
ARRA funding "to provide additional
subsidization to eligible recipients in
the form of forgiveness of principal,
negative interest loans, or grants." In
addition, 20% of funds are directed for
"green" projects (green infrastructure,
water and energy efficiency, and
environmentally innovative projects)
provided there are sufficient eligible
projects. ARRA includes other new
requirements and conditions such as
the Buy American and Davis Bacon
Acts (prevailing wage determinations
issued by the U.S. Department of
Labor to be paid on federally funded
or assisted construction projects).
ARRA appropriations are in addition
to base SRF program appropriations
and represent a significant increase
from the typical annual appropriation
(in some cases, up to 6 times the
base program funding). One percent
of the Clean Water allotment is used
to fund water quality management
planning projects under the 604(b)
program.
Visit this website for more
information:
http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/
home.aspx
How are we doing?
M
id-Atlantic Region ARRA FUNDING (via SRF Program, except DC)

CW-ARRA
Funds*
604(b) Funds**
DW-ARRA Funds
Funds Awarded
Delaware
19,239,100
194,300
19,500,000
All funds have been awarded
DC
19,239,100
194,300
19,500,000
All funds have been awarded
Maryland
94,784,600
957,400
26,832,000
All funds have been awarded
Pennsylvania
155,237,800
1,567,800
65,681,000
All funds have been awarded
Virginia
80,203,300
810,100
20,761,000
All funds have been awarded
West Virginia
61,092,100
617,100
19,500,000
All funds have been awarded
TOTAL
434,137,000
4,341,000
171,774,000

* without 604(b) funds
** 604(b) = 1% of CW funds

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Water Info Newsletter
Page 7
The Mid-Atlantic Region's water programs focus on
protecting, preserving and enhancing water resources.
We are working with our partners to develop compre-
hensive environmental programs that help achieve im-
provements in water quality and public health.
Waterlnfo highlights the progress we have made in achieving the
greatest water quality benefits.
For FY'09 WPD priority areas include:
•	Healthy Waters Priority and 4 Sector Strategies
•	Meeting Core Water Program Obligations
•	Leadership in Interstate Water Protection
•	Agency Level Support ¦ Economic Recovery & Water Security
•	A Stronger EPA Workforce & Communication
For FY '09 EAID Priorities include:
•	Healthy Waters Priority and 4 Sector Strategies
•	Oysters
•	Mid-Atlantic Wetlands Work Group
•	Clean Energy
•	Pharmaceuticals
•	Chemical Weapons /Homeland Security
•	Biology (Investigating Fish in Shenandoah)
•	Ocean Survey
•	Logic Model/MIRA
•	Continued Laboratory and Full Science Support
•	Natural Infrastructure
•	Mining
•	Climate Change
Have you read this publication?
We welcome your comments and suggestions.
Please send your comments to colip.matthew@epa.gov

UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
WATER PROTECTION DIVISION
&
ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT & INNOVATION
DIVISION
The Water/nfo Team extends special
thanks to the contributors of this issue:
Matt Colip
Erica Farris
Nan Ides
Bonnie Lomax
Lori Reynolds
David Rider
Denise Rigney
U.S. EPA Mid-Atlantic Region
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215-814-5439
E-mail: colip.maithew@epa.gov
e^es Clea
0	'
'°n Division
Better Science
Assessment
Innovation
Division

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