Van Hollen Statement on Decision by Bay States, Advocacy Groups to Sue EPA

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the decision by Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia as well as Chesapeake Bay advocacy groups to sue the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their lack of enforcement of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) pollution reduction targets. 

“The Chesapeake Bay is not only a national treasure but a vital economic driver in our region. To protect and restore it, the EPA should use its authority and uphold its responsibility to enforce the Total Maximum Daily Load pollution reduction standards, ensuring everyone is doing their fair share. We know that some of our regional partners are falling behind their goals, and the EPA has refused to require compliance. Given that, legal action is now absolutely necessary to protect Maryland’s interests and to hold the EPA’s feet to the fire. I will continue working to provide federal resources to clean up the Bay and to insist that the EPA and other partners meet the goals for a healthy Bay.”

Senator Van Hollen has repeatedly urged the EPA to enforce the TMDL limits, including at hearings before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in both January and March.