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Chesapeake Progress

Toxic Contaminants Policy and Prevention Outcome:Logic & Action Plan

Chesapeake Bay Program partners have committed to taking a series of specific actions to support the management approaches guiding this outcome. These actions directly address the factors that could impact our progress. More information about performance targets and participating partners can be found in the complete Logic & Action Plan.

Download Logic & Action Plan (.pdf)

Ongoing Actions

  • Supporting jurisdictional programs in monitoring PCB occurrences to evaluate the necessity for new TMDLs at the local level.
  • Encouraging the use of innovative methods to enhance the identification and characterization of PCB sources.
  • Identifying barriers and opportunities for consistency in laboratory methods concerning contaminated sites, wastewater, and both regulated and unregulated stormwater discharges.
  • Applying data compilations, monitoring results, guidance documents, and other outputs from this management strategy to implement local TMDLs.
  • Improving the ability to monitor the development and implementation progress of local TMDLs.
  • Supporting the creation of systems to compile information that determines the need for additional monitoring requirements to aid TMDL development and implementation.
  • Developing a desktop geographic information system tool to assist the EPA's Hazardous Site Cleanup Division in identifying potential on-land contamination sources in the region.
  • Working with the Hazardous Site Cleanup Division and Toxic Contaminants Workgroup to assess sites and identify industries or processes that used PCBs, enabling Superfund, Brownfields, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act programs to better allocate resources for site identification and investigation.
  • Collaborating with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits Branch to ensure permits align with local TMDLs and PCB Wasteload Allocations, making them clear and enforceable.
  • Operating through the EPA Land and Chemicals Toxics Program to ensure adherence to Toxic Substances Control Act regulations concerning PCBs.
  • Investigating the development of a voluntary program to reduce fluorescent light ballasts and other PCB-containing equipment.
  • Supporting research on cost-effective tools for tracing PCB contaminant sources and provide municipalities with a platform to share lessons learned.

Completed Actions

2024

  • Engaged in a pilot project for an Advance Restoration Plan (ARP) on Delaware’s section of the C&D canal. The pilot results will be converted into an ARP guidance/template document for other jurisdictions to use when deciding the role of ARPs in achieving water quality standards.

2023

  • Updated the PCB story map, illustrating the extent of PCB impairments, areas with existing TMDLs, those with TMDLs under development, and areas without current or planned TMDLs. This map aids the partnership in discussing and developing strategic directions.

2022

  • Shared the results of research on the state of PCBs in wastewater treatment systems, including the partitioning of PCBs to biosolids.
  • Initiated a program that brings together PCB strategy leaders from watersheds across the country to share their approaches, lessons learned and recommendations so that many watershed restoration programs that are addressing PCBs can benefit from collective learning.
  • Established a council of program leads in EPA Region 3 that have some level of statutory authority related to controlling PCBs. 

2020

  • Reported to the Management Board on the value and feasibility of forming a PCB Consortium as a forum for collaboration and sharing among stakeholders around PCB TMDLs.

2019

  • Finalized and disseminated a report on the value and feasibility of voluntary programs for the removal of PCB-containing electrical equipment and building materials.
  • Finalized and disseminated a report on current science and gaps in understanding of toxic contaminants that are related to agricultural and urban land use.
  • Evaluated the value and feasibility of forming a PCB Consortium to empower collaboration among stakeholders around PCB TMDLs.

2018

  • Received funding to work with the District Department of Energy and Environment on a method for determining the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in pavement sealant to help contractors and residents make safe and informed consumer choices.

2016

  • Completed a study through the Chesapeake Stormwater Network to determine the relative amount of toxic contaminant reduction that might occur across the range of best management practices implemented as part of the nutrient- and sediment-focused Bay TMDL. Part 1 of the study examines how practices meant to control stormwater can remove urban toxic contaminants from the environment, while Part 2 examines how the agricultural and wastewater sectors influence antibiotics, biogenic hormones and pesticides.
  • Completed a story map depicting the extent of jurisdiction-listed waters that are impacted by PCBs, as well as maps depicting the need for, development of and presence of active PCB TMDLs.
  • Collaborated with EPA enforcement personnel on four PCB inspections at facilities in the watershed.