Stormwater management is thus a high priority for preserving the Bay. Federal and State laws have been passed to compel jurisdictions to implement measures to regulate and control stormwater discharges into the hundreds of rivers that are tributaries of the Bay. Experts have determined Total Maximum Daily Loads for pollutants and sediments (TMDLs). The TMDL is the maximum amount of a pollutant that can be permitted in order to restore health to the rivers and the Bay. Local governments are to establish Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) to outline how they will achieve their TMDLs.

This process and the plans are very controversial in many places, and different jurisdictions have had varying success in getting agreement among their citizens.

Some Responses

• Be active in your local area in supporting efforts to develop and implement good watershed plans

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