When the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was established in 2010 (see Appendix T), it was believed that the Conowingo Dam would continue to trap a portion of the sediment and nutrient pollution flowing down the Susquehanna River, at least through 2025. This trapping capacity was factored into the projections of how much pollution reductions would be needed to restore the Bay. New research has determined that the reservoir behind Conowingo Dam has effectively filled-in and hence, larger pollution reductions are needed to meet the Bay’s water quality standards than originally calculated. To address this issue, in December 2017, the Chesapeake Bay Program Principals’ Staff Committee (PSC) agreed to work collaboratively on a separate Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP).

Upcoming Meetings

April 13, 2021
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Conowingo WIP Steering Committee Meeting, April 2021

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May 4, 2021
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Conowingo WIP Steering Committee Meeting, May 2021

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June 3, 2021
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Conowingo WIP Steering Committee Meeting, June 2021

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July 8, 2021
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Conowingo WIP Committee Meeting, July 2021

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Scope and Purpose

The PSC created a Conowingo WIP Steering Committee with the following roles and responsibilities:

  1. Consists of a representative from each Bay watershed jurisdiction and the Chesapeake Bay Commission. Members may also solicit comments on the Conowingo WIP framework from key stakeholders. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will not participate due to its oversight role as part of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load accountability framework;
  2. Develops the Conowingo WIP with EPA staff and contractor support;
  3. Guides the development of a financing strategy with contractor support; and, 
  4. Oversees implementation of the Conowingo WIP with contractor support.

Projects and Resources

Conowingo WIP Financing Plan

The Draft Conowingo WIP Public Comment Period has concluded

The draft Conowingo WIP Public Comment Period has concluded

The public comment period lasted 90 days, from October 14, 2020 to January 21, 2021. During this time, the team held 17 outreach webinars to provide key stakeholders with an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on the draft Conowingo WIP. 

 

Emphasis was placed on reaching targeted groups currently working on and/or familiar with local WIP development and implementation. This included agriculture representatives, cooperative extensions, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), conservation districts, county and municipal staff, land trusts, environmental and engineering consultants, watershed groups, state agencies, water authorities, and local community leaders.

The webinars introduced the draft Conowingo WIP and provided details on the development of the WIP. Speakers from the organizations working with EPA and the Conowingo WIP Steering Committee to develop and implement the Conowingo WIP (Center for Watershed Protection, the Chesapeake Conservancy, the University of Maryland Sea Grant Program and the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology) presented background information on the WIP development, an overview of the WIP process, and time for questions and answers. Participants could submit comments for the public comment record via the chat box during the webinar in addition to the email option (CWIP@chesapeakebay.net).

 

You can access recordings of the local stakeholder webinars by clicking on the links below:

Maryland - Cecil County, 11/18/2020

Maryland - Harford County, 11/20/2020

Maryland - Baltimore County, 12/1/2020

Maryland - Statewide 1, 12/8/2020

Maryland - Statewide 2, 1/13/2020

Pennsylvania - Ag Advisory Board & Nutrient Management Advisory Board, 11/13/2020

Pennsylvania - Statewide Ag Stakeholders, 1/6/2020

Pennsylvania - Statewide, 12/14/2020

Pennsylvania - Bedford County, 11/19/2020 (recording not available)

Pennsylvania - Centre & Cumberland Counties, 12/7/2020

Pennsylvania - Franklin & Adams Counties, 12/10/2020

Pennsylvania - Lancaster County, 1/13/2021

Pennsylvania - Lebanon County, 1/15/2021

Pennsylvania - York County (York County Coalition 4 Clean Waters), 11/20/2020 (recording not available)

New York - Key Stakeholders, 11/30/2020

New York - Statewide, 1/7/2020

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Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan - Materials for Public Review

Draft materials are now open for public review and comment. Please follow this link for a webinar recording Introduction to the Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan. Comments should be directed to CWIP@chesapeakebay.net on or before January 21, 2021. 

Scope of Work for the Conowingo WIP

Timeline for Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan Development

Framework for the Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan

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