RESTORING THE CHESAPEAKE WATERSHED

 Anglers Club of New York

 March 4, 2014

Ridgway M. Hall, Jr.Vice Chair

Chesapeake Legal Alliance, Inc.

• Largest estuary in the country

• 64,000-square-mile watershed

• 11,684 miles of shoreline

• 17 million people and growing

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed

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Algal Bloom4

Fish Kills5

Aquatic life in the Susquehanna River and its tributaries are showing signs of severe stress

related to poor water quality conditions.

Conestoga River – August 2010

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The Bay Before the 2011 Rainstorm Irene

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The Bay a few days after Irene, showing sediment runoff after the rainstorm

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Main Sources of Pollution to the

Bay

Stormwater

Industrial and

Municipal

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The Pollution Diet (EPA 2010) 

Baywide Caps (per year) Reduction from 2009 Nitrogen 185M lbs 25% Phosphorus 12.5M lbs 24% Sediment 5.5B lbs 20%  Achieve 60% by 2017 Achieve 100% by 2025

11Mossy Creek, VA before streambank restorationSource: Trout Unlimited

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12Mossy Creek, VA after streambank restoration

Source: Trout Unlimited12

Vulnerable Sedimentation

Pre-settlement floodplain

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PIEDMONT ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL

Smart Growth—Urban and Suburban Context

Well-designed, higher density development can be good for the environment, especially when located in areas that are already developed, are walkable, and are served by transit. Good design includes parks and low impact development for stormwater management.

Fracking and Water

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Courtesy of Earthworks

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Courtesy of Earthworks

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Courtesy of Earthworks

Courtesy of Earthworks

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Questions and Discussion