The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation have agreed on tougher regulation in an effort to speed up cleanup of the Bay.

the agreement sets deadlines and requirements for state and federal officials to cap the amount of pollution entering the Bay from farms, building sites, and city storm systems. Pollution must then be reduced and kept at safe levels - even with ongoing community growth and development.

Under the settlement, failure to meet specific targets or timelines could result in the loss of federal grants, or the EPA stepping in and rejecting permits for new development projects.

Home values can be negatively affected by restricted development -- higher property values generally follow growth. Homes near the Bay may see a bump in value as the Bay's health improves, possibly making the area more attractive to buyers.

Read more in The Virginian-Pilot....