Citing a 2014 annual report on the Chesapeake Clean Water
Blueprint, the Senators noted that overall efforts have been successful in improving
the Susquehanna and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. Nevertheless, Cardin and Casey stated that according
to the report, Pennsylvania’s farmers had not adequately reduced their levels
of nitrogen pollution. The Senators further
mentioned that because Pennsylvania had not met its nitrogen pollution goals, a
group of Maryland legislators had contacted the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), seeking enforcement against the Commonwealth.
According to Cardin and Casey, USDA has a legal obligation
(due to its membership on the Federal Leadership Committee for the Chesapeake
Bay) to provide Susquehanna River Basin farmers with the financial and
technical support necessary so that Pennsylvania can meet the pollution goals
established for the Chesapeake Bay and avoid EPA enforcement action.
Written by M. Sean High - Staff Attorney
May 22, 2015
