Chesapeake Bay By Steven Harlow

1. Chesapeake BayBy Steven Harlow The Chesapeake Bay Problem is an issue of poor water quality through anoxia, toxic contaminant and sedimentation in the bay, and over fishing of diminished stocks. The anoxia in the bay is created from nutrient release from agriculture (livestock owners and field farmers) and sewage throughout the bay. This anoxia creates dead zones that kill much of the shellfish that are in the bay. The shellfish are an important harvested resource and are also food for larger fish which are also harvested for sport and commercial purposes. Toxic Chemicals, like atrazine (and other pesticides) and copper, are washed into the bay and can cause developmental problems (i.e. intersexual individuals) and lead to health issues in humans if toxic fish are consumed. Solutions in the bay can only come about with cooperation between farmers, fishers, environmental and developmental groups, and governmental agencies.

2. Description of the Conservation Issue The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and is currently being degraded through nutrient, chemical and sediment containments, overfishing, and development, among other issues.

3. Background and History The Bay has historically supported a big fish and shellfish industry, but has been declining. The Watershed is also home to many large cities and 16.7 million people. The Chesapeake Bay Watershed encompasses New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C, and Virginia. It’s conservation is dependent on cooperation between those states.

4. Background and History A timeline History

5. Background and History A timeline History

6. Background and History Click in Normal View for 1983 PDF A timeline History Click in Normal View for 1987 PDF Click in Normal View for 2000 PDF

7. Background and History A timeline History 2008 The Chesapeake Executive Council just meet on November 20th, 2008 and outlined a new strategy to speed up the pace of Bay restoration and become more accountable by setting two-year milestones to reduce pollution to the Bay and its rivers. Click on Picture in Slideshow View for a Video of DC Mayor’s Introduction to the meeting

8. Science and Research Nutrient pollution is the leading cause for the environmental declines in the bay, causing algal blooms which kill underwater sea grasses and cause low oxygen levels. Of nutrient pollution, agriculture is the leading cause of nutrients reaching the Bay. Toxic chemicals entering the bay and present in food can also cause health problems if ingested by humans, and cause growth defects in animals. Sewage also contributes a significant amount of nutrients to the Bay. To add to the issue, development, invasive species, and overfishing of depleted stocks also negatively affect of the Chesapeake Bay.

9. Science and Research The added nutrients to the bay cause algal blooms which deplete the dissolved oxygen levels and cause anoxic regions, or “dead zones.” These can kill shellfish and cause sea grass to die, which is habitat for fish and provide food for waterfowl and shelter for blue crabs and juvenile fish.

10. Science and Research There are many innovative ways that farmers can lessen their impact on the Bay. These are grouped under the term Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMP education to farmers is a major tool that managers and policy makers are utilizing to combat the degradation of the Bay. Click in Normal View for PDF

11. Science and Research Of the 89 Segments displayed on the following map, 67.4% contain some level of impairment due to toxics. These toxics include PCBs, Organophosphates, and metals such as mercury and copper. Click on Image in Normal View to view larger PDF

12. Conflicts and Debate Getting Farmers to practice BMPs is a challenge. This can be due to multiple reasons, but is partly because of misconceptions on their farm’s effect on the Bay. Other reasons include perceived or actual costs and knowledge or ease of use. Farmers When asked what the main cause for the pollution in the Bay these were the results. Below we once again see the actual sources of nutrients, the number one environmental issue, to the bay.

13. Developers Conflicts and Debate Utilities Fishers Each of these groups will have to sacrifice in some areas in order for the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay to become a reality.

14. Relevant Legislation In addition to the legislation already mentioned, there has been a number of meaningful measures passed, including: Closures for several fisheries such as striped bass and blue crab and including the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission closure of the entire East Coast to Atlantic sturgeon fishing for the next 40 years, the longest fishing moratorium on record. The Builders for the Bay program, encouraging Bay-friendly development practices. Successful agriculture nutrient management certification and education programs in place by several states. The Forest Conservation Initiative, committing the Bay states to permanently conserve an additional 695,000 acres of forested land throughout the watershed by 2020. The Anacostia Watershed Restoration Agreement, which includes goals to restore the waterway and 176 square miles of surrounding land. Signed by representatives of Maryland and DC. A Maryland bill that requires farmers to implement management plans to reduce both nitrogen and phosphorus. The breaching of dams along the James River and a fish ladder added to Bosher's Dam that opens the river from Richmond to Lynchburg, Virginia.

15. Legislative Effectiveness Since efforts began in 1985, much progress has been made, although they may not be reached by the target date of 2010 unless much more work is done. Progress toward the goals outlined in the Chesapeake 2000 plan as compared to 1985.

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17. Science and Research Population growth will continue to strain the Chesapeake ecosystem.

18. Science and Research Current harvests are approximately 3% of harvest highs in the 1950s.

19. Science and Research Agriculture is the leading cause of both Nitrogen and Phosphorus into the Bay.

20. Science and Research There are 304 sewage treatment plants that service 12 million people. Of those, 2/3 don’t remove nitrogen and only 10 are removing nitrogen to state-of-the-art levels These STPs release 1.5 billion gallons of wastewater each day and 52 million pounds of nitrogen pollution into the bay.