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Toxic Contaminants Workgroup

Upcoming Meetings

July 13, 2022
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Toxic Contaminants Workgroup (TCW) Conference Call, July 2022

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August 10, 2022
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Toxic Contaminants Workgroup (TCW) Conference Call, August 2022

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September 14, 2022
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Toxic Contaminant Workgroup (TCW) Conference Call, September 2022

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View Meeting Calendar >> << View Past Meetings

Scope and Purpose

The Toxic Contaminants Workgroup (TCW) was established in 2014 after the signing of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. This workgroup exists to accomplish the toxic contaminants goals and outcomes outlined in the Agreement. For more information, visit the toxic contaminants research and toxic contaminants policy and prevention management strategy pages.

Projects and Resources

Enhanced Monitoring of Toxic Contaminants: Responding to the PSC Request

  • TCW PCB Monitoring Discussion Paper (final dec 2021) (412.06 KB)
  • TCW PCB Monitoring Paper: Executive Summary (final dec 2021) (253.67 KB)

STAC Workshop on Contaminants in Urban and Agricultural Settings

A wide range of contaminants of agricultural, human, and industrial origin have degraded water quality, and pose a threat to the health of fish and wildlife populations in the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. A STAC workshop brought together researchers and water quality managers working in urban and agricultural settings to synthesize the current knowledge on contaminants of concern, and discuss opportunities for their reduction.

  • Final STAC Report on Contaminants in Urban and Agricultural Settings (1.3 MB)
  • Final CBP Response to STAC Recommendations for STAC Workshop on Contaminants in Urban and Agricultural Settings (665.42 KB)
  • CBP Article: "A Cocktail of Contaminants in Chesapeake Waters" (1.13 MB)

Fish Consumption Advisory Project

Joint project with the Chesapeake Bay Program Diversity Workgroup to develop effective communication tools for populations at high risk for PCB exposure through fish consumption in waters impaired by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These populations include children and those who are pregnant or may become pregnant in communities with high rates of subsistence fishing, and especially linguistically isolated populations or populations who do not have regular access to the publication avenues commonly used by state governments and municipalities.

Spanish video available here.

Project Infographics

The Chesapeake Bay Program developed the Fish Consumption Advisory (FCA) infographic and an accompanying user guide (below) in order to better communicate the dangers of toxic contaminants in locally caught fish and the subsequent risks to human health. The FCA infographic is intended to raise awareness about the risks of consuming contaminated fish by highlighting safe angling and cooking practices in a simple, easy-to-understand and relevant fashion. The infographic features four panels that collectively promote the safe catching, sharing, preparing and consumption of fish.  

  • Full English Infographic (11.21 MB)
  • Infographic English Panel 1 (1.24 MB)
  • Infographic English Panel 2 (7.71 MB)
  • Infographic English Panel 3 (2 MB)
  • Infographic English Panel 4 (770.73 KB)
  • Infographic English Header (219.96 KB)
  • Infographic English Footer (462.8 KB)
  • Full Spanish Infographic (10.08 MB)
  • Infographic Spanish Panel 1 (1.25 MB)
  • Infographic Spanish Panel 2 (7.71 MB)
  • Infographic Spanish Panel 3 (2.07 MB)
  • Infographic Spanish Panel 4 (781.11 KB)
  • Infographic Spanish Header (340.13 KB)
  • Infographic Spanish Footer (525.03 KB)
  • User Guide (1.15 MB)
  • Literature Review Summary (933.52 KB)
  • Developing a Social Marketing Plan (159.59 KB)
  • Public Comments (366.83 KB)
  • Spicy Fish Recipe English (1.82 MB)
  • Spicy Fish Recipe Spanish (1.87 MB)

Toxic Contaminants Workgroup Management Strategies and Work Plans

Since the signing of the Watershed Agreement in June 2014, our Goal Implementation Teams have been crafting "management strategies" that describe the steps necessary to achieve the Agreement's Vision.

These management strategies offer insight into the Bay Program partners' proposals for reaching each outcome by 2025, as well as how we monitor, assess and report progress towards abundant life, clean waters, engaged communities, conserved lands and climate change resilience. The strategies provide broad, overarching direction and are further supported by two-year work plans summarizing the specific commitments, short-term actions and resources required for success.

The Toxic Contaminants Workgroup oversees progress towards acheiving the Toxic Contaminants Research Outcome, and the Toxic Contaminants Policy and Prevention Outcome.

  • Toxic Contaminants Policy and Prevention Logic and Action Plan 2020 (231.78 KB)
  • Toxic Contaminant Policy and Prevention Logic Management Strategy 2020 (572.25 KB)
  • Toxic Contaminant Research Logic and Action Plan 2020 (246.15 KB)
  • Toxic Contaminants Research Management Strategy 2020 (976.83 KB)
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Publications

  • Fact Sheet: Toxic Contaminants Co-Benefits in the Phase III WIPs

    This fact sheet describes the co-benefits that are possible when nutrient and sediment best management practices are selected in a thoughtful manner with site-specific conditions in mind. This fact sheet includes contact...

  • December 01, 2018

    Toxic Contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay and its Watershed_Extent and Severity of Occurrence and Potential Biological Effects (2012)

    Exposure to toxic contaminants can result in adverse effects on biological resources within the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.  In 2010, the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBCP), a federal-jurisdictional partnership, reported...

  • March 18, 2016

    Potential Benefits of Nutrient and Sediment Practices to Reduce Toxic Contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: Urban Toxic Contaminants

View All >>
  • Watershed Agreement

    • Toxic Contaminants Goal

      • Toxic Contaminants Research
      • Toxic Contaminants Policy and Prevention
  • Members

    • Greg Allen (Chair), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency


      Enhance Partnering, Leadership and Management Goal Implementation Team Coordinator

      Address:
      1750 Forest Drive Suite 130
      Annapolis Maryland 21401

      • Email: allen.greg@epa.gov
      • Phone: (410) 267-5746
      • Download VCard
    • Emily Majcher (Vice Chair), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

      Address:
      5522 Research Park Drive
      Baltimore Maryland 21228

      • Email: emajcher@usgs.gov
      • Phone: 443-498-5520
      • Download VCard
    • Greg Allen (Coordinator), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency


      Enhance Partnering, Leadership and Management Goal Implementation Team Coordinator

      Address:
      1750 Forest Drive Suite 130
      Annapolis Maryland 21401

      • Email: allen.greg@epa.gov
      • Phone: (410) 267-5746
      • Download VCard
    • Hilary Swartwood (Staffer), Chesapeake Research Consortium


      Water Quality Goal Implementation Team Staffer

      Address:
      1750 Forest Drive Suite 130
      Annapolis Maryland 21401

      • Email: swartwood.hilary@epa.gov
      • Download VCard
    • Thomas Barron, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

      Address:
      400 Market St
      Harrisburg Pennsylvania 17101

      • Email: tbarron@pa.gov
      • Phone: (717) 787-9614
      • Download VCard
    • Joel Blanco-Gonzalez, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 3

      Address:
      1650 Arch Street
      Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19103

      • Email: Blanco-Gonzalez.Joel@epa.gov
      • Download VCard
    • John Cargill, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

      Address:
      89 Kings Highway
      Dover Delaware 19901

      • Email: john.cargill@delaware.gov
      • Phone: (302) 395-2622
      • Download VCard
    • Emily Majcher, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

      Address:
      5522 Research Park Drive
      Baltimore Maryland 21228

      • Email: emajcher@usgs.gov
      • Phone: 443-498-5520
      • Download VCard
    • John Maleri, District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE)

      Address:
      1200 First Street NE
      Washington, DC District of Columbia 20002

      • Email: john.maleri@dc.gov
      • Download VCard
    • George Onyullo, District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE)

      Address:
      1200 First St. NE
      5th Floor
      Washington District of Columbia 20002

      • Email: george.onyullo@dc.gov
      • Download VCard
    • Scott Phillips, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)


      Chesapeake Bay Coordinator

      Address:
      5522 Research Park Drive
      Baltimore Maryland 21228

      • Email: swphilli@usgs.gov
      • Phone: (443) 498-5552
      • Download VCard
    • Fred Pinkney, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

      Address:
      tba
      tba District of Columbia 21401

      • Email: fred_pinkney@fws.gov
      • Download VCard
    • Mark Richards, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

      Address:
      P.O. Box 1105
      Richmond Virginia 23218

      • Email: mark.richards@deq.virginia.gov
      • Phone: 804-698-4392
      • Download VCard
    • Leonard Schugam, Maryland Department of the Environment

      Address:
      Montgomery Business Park
      1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 540
      Baltimore Maryland 21230

      • Email: leonard.shugam@maryland.gov
      • Phone: 410-537-3935
      • Download VCard
    • Charles Walker, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

      Address:
      5522 Research Park Drive
      Baltimore Maryland 21228

      • Email: cwwalker@usgs.gov
      • Download VCard
    • Amy Williams, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

      Address:
      Rachel Carson State Office Building
      400 Market Street
      Harrisburg Pennsylvania 17101

      • Email: amywilli@state.pa.us
      • Download VCard

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The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983.

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