Mason is seeking public comments through September 18 on its draft Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Action Plan.
Mason is required to develop an action plan for its separate storm sewer system permit. The final plan is due to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality by October 1.
A TMDL for the Chesapeake Bay was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2010, requiring states and localities to remove specific pollutants from storm water runoff before the water enters local streams and rivers that drain into the Chesapeake Bay. The level of pollutants allowed to be discharged to the Chesapeake Bay is called a Total Maximum Daily Load.
Mason Facilities Management developed a Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan that shows how it intends to meet the first of three milestones: a 5% reduction in nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended solids by June 30, 2018. Mason will be required to offset an additional 35% reduction by June 30, 2023, and the final 60% by June 30, 2028.
The draft plan is available online at facilities.gmu.edu/ProjMgmtConst/LandDevelopment/ms4.cfm or by request to Facilities Management.
Submit written comments to Jane (Zhongyan) Xu via email at zxu8@gmu.edu or via regular mail at 4400 University Drive, MS 1E4, Fairfax, VA 22030.