Chesapeake Bay Program

Presented by: Elizabeth Mills, Heather Plumridge, Elizabeth Repko

Possibilities, Problems, and Promise

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

Threat #1: Excess Nutrients

• Main culprits: phosphorus and nitrogen

• Cause algal blooms and decrease in submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV)

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

Threat #3: Toxic Chemicals

• Point sources: industries and waste water treatment plants

• NPS: urban run off, pesticides, and air pollution

Threat #4: Habitat Loss

• Decline of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAVs)

• Loss of habitat, such as forest and wetlands

Threat #5: Overharvesting

• Decline in the blue crab population, an important commercial fishery

• Decline in native oyster populations which filter water contaminants.

Threat #6: Invasive Species

• Major culprits: nutria, mute swans, and rapa whelks

• Displace native species and degrade the ecosystem

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

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

Year 2000 Goals

• Goal #1: Living Resource Protection and Restoration

• Goal #2: Vital Habitat Protection and Restoration

Year 2000 Goals

• Goal #3: Sound Land Use

• Goal #4: Stewardship and Community Engagement

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

Evaluation of CBP

• Integrated ecosystem approach

• Main problems

• Humans embedded in Chesapeake Bay

Extensive Data Collection and Adaptation

• Data collection by academic institutional partners

• Adaptation to scientific findings (ex. University of Maryland study)

Monitoring Program and Positive Indications

Challenges: Ecosystem Boundaries

• Political boundaries rather than ecological

• Management plan and finances determined by states

Challenges: Interagency Cooperation

• Different organizational structures and cultures

• Conflicting objectives at times

• Lowest common denominator

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

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