Transcript Lessons from Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts Understanding the role of nutrient reduction activities in improving water quality.

Lessons from
Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts
Understanding the role of nutrient
reduction activities in improving
water quality
Who, What, Where, When, Why, How
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Who: UMCES IAN and STAR project
Who: CBP Managers are their audience
What: Literature review of 30+ case studies
Where: Chesapeake Bay and its watershed
When: Anticipated September 2013 release
Why: Synthesize state of knowledge of best management
practices effectiveness at improving water quality
• How:
– Available via IAN website (perhaps earlier than Sept)
– News/blog post at ChesapeakeBay.net (Sept)
– Local case studies highlighted in Report to Congress (Oct)
Public Interest?
• Is any of the content worthy of more public attention?
• If so, how should we communicate that content?
Lesson 1: Upgrades in both nitrogen and phosphorus
wastewater treatment result in rapid local water quality
improvements
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Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant, MD
Gunston Cove’s Noman M. Cole Jr. Pollution Control Plant, VA
Potomac River’s Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant, DC
Mattawoman Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Diversion,
MD
• Upper Patuxent River Wastewater Treatment Plants, MD
Lesson 2: Improvements in air quality have led to
reductions in atmospheric nitrogen deposition
• Nine mostly forested sub-watersheds in
– Maryland
– Pennsylvania
– Virginia
Lesson 3: Reductions of agricultural nutrient sources
result in improved stream quality
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Wye River Farms, MD
Upper Pocomoke River Farms, MD
Brush Run Creek Farms, PA
Big Spring Run Farm, PA
Mill Creek Basin Farm, PA
Spring Creek Farm, PA
Lesson 4: Many practices provide initial water quality
improvements in runoff; however, full benefits to
stream conditions can be delayed
• Little Conestoga Creek, PA
Lesson 5: Improvements in water quality can be
counteracted by other nutrient sources and changes in
land-use practices
• MD’s Eastern Shore
• Patuxent River, MD
Lesson 6: Observable water quality responses are more
likely to occur if A) location specific sources of pollution
are identified and B) targeted practices are
implemented.
• Corsica River, MD
• Anne Arundel County, MD
Lesson 7: An array of practices to promote stormwater
infiltration and retention are needed in urban and
suburban areas
• Case Studies:
– Montgomery County, MD
– Fairfax County, VA
Options for Communication to Interested Public
• Planned Already:
– News/blog post at ChesapeakeBay.net (Sept)
– Local case studies highlighted in Report to Congress (Oct)
• Other Options:
– Individual states highlight case studies of particular local
interest
• Should CBP do something collaboratively that is more than
the above mentioned News/blog post at ChesapeakeBay.net ?