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Chesapeake Bay Program

Possibilities, Problems, and Promise. Chesapeake Bay Program. Presented by: Elizabeth Mills, Heather Plumridge, Elizabeth Repko. Introduction to the Bay. Largest and most productive estuary in the U.S. Provides ideal habitat for plant and animal species

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Chesapeake Bay Program

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  1. Possibilities, Problems, and Promise Chesapeake Bay Program Presented by: Elizabeth Mills, Heather Plumridge, Elizabeth Repko

  2. Introduction to the Bay • Largest and most productive estuary in the U.S. • Provides ideal habitat for plant and animal species • Economic, recreational, and scenic benefits

  3. Threat #1: Excess Nutrients • Main culprits: phosphorus and nitrogen • Cause algal blooms and decrease in submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV)

  4. Threat #2: Excess Sedimentation • Major cause: soil erosion due to loss of wetlands and forests • This reduces water clarity and health of bay grass beds and oyster reefs

  5. Threat #3: Toxic Chemicals • Point sources: industries and waste water treatment plants • NPS: urban run off, pesticides, and air pollution

  6. Threat #4: Habitat Loss • Decline of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAVs) • Loss of habitat, such as forest and wetlands

  7. Threat #5: Overharvesting • Decline in the blue crab population, an important commercial fishery • Decline in native oyster populations which filter water contaminants.

  8. Threat #6: Invasive Species • Major culprits: nutria, mute swans, and rapa whelks • Displace native species and degrade the ecosystem

  9. The Chesapeake Bay Program • Late 1970s: First estuary targeted by federal lawmakers for restoration and protection • Chesapeake Bay Program officially started in 1983, targets living resource protection

  10. Executive Council Structure • Voluntary program, supported by federal and state funding • Strict consensus model: 100% buy-in or no programs • Goals for Bay set in agreements: 1983, 1987, 2000

  11. Year 2000 Goals • Goal #1: Living Resource Protection and Restoration • Goal #2: Vital Habitat Protection and Restoration

  12. Year 2000 Goals • Goal #3: Sound Land Use • Goal #4: Stewardship and Community Engagement

  13. Year 2000 Goals • Goal #5: Water Quality Protection and Restoration • Achieve the 40% nutrient reduction goal agreed to in 1987 • Establish “no discharge zones” in the bay

  14. Evaluation of CBP • Integrated ecosystem approach • Main problems • Humans embedded in Chesapeake Bay

  15. Extensive Data Collection and Adaptation • Data collection by academic institutional partners • Adaptation to scientific findings (ex. University of Maryland study)

  16. Monitoring Program and Positive Indications

  17. Challenges: Ecosystem Boundaries • Political boundaries rather than ecological • Management plan and finances determined by states

  18. Challenges: Interagency Cooperation • Different organizational structures and cultures • Conflicting objectives at times • Lowest common denominator

  19. Opportunities: Human Reliance on the Bay • 15.1 million people live, work, and play in the Bay • Highly valued human resource • Widespread acceptance of the Program by public and political entities

  20. Conclusion: Future of the Bay • Rising population density poses a major future threat • CBP adapts to meet new challenges • Major challenges include: organizational constraints, funding limitations, reliance on political rather than ecological boundaries • Major opportunities include: organizational history and stakeholder commitment

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