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Lessons from Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts. Understanding the role of nutrient reduction activities in improving water quality. Who, What, Where, When, Why, How. Who: UMCES IAN and STAR project Who : CBP Managers are their audience What: Literature review of 30+ case studies
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Lessons from ChesapeakeBay Restoration Efforts Understanding the role of nutrient reduction activities in improving water quality
Who, What, Where, When, Why, How • 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 • 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 • WyeRiver 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 ?