BINGHAMTON – U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, NY-24, will ask the federal Environmental Protection Agency at a public meeting tomorrow to amend a proposal that would limit the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment flowing from New York’s waterways into the Chesapeake Bay.

Chenango County farmers and public officials say the EPA’s draft Total Maximum Daily Load restrictions would put all but 2 percent of the county’s farmers out of businesses, and also threaten sewage treatment plant operators, construction contractors and public works departments.

“He’s going to say how costly this would be for farmers, taxpayers and others on any number of other issues,” said Mark Cornell, media spokesman for Arcuri. “With respect to waste water treatment plants, many of which are currently in need of repairs, if they have to make additional improvements, who knows what those costs are going to be? We’ve heard estimates of billions.”