On Wednesday, both the Virginia and Maryland General Assemblies opened session for 2012. In Maryland, the top priorities for the Clean Water Healthy Families Coalition include funding for sewage plant upgrades and stormwater system improvements. In addition, limiting pollution from septic systems is critical. All these steps will help Maryland meet the new Chesapeake pollution limits, also known as the TMDL. To learn more, click here.
To read about key issues in Virginia, click here.
In other Bay news…
- Due to harvest restrictions put in place in 2008, female crabs outnumber male crabs 3 to 1 in the Chesapeake population. The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center will be conducting research to see what, if any, are the effects from this new gender distribution.
- The Army Corps of Engineers revealed its plan to restore the Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach, VA. The $28.5 million effort includes artificial oyster reefs, wetland construction, and underwater grass replanting.
- Even though the Chesapeake is highly studied by many scientists, there are still some mysteries that remain. With a new $500,000 grant from NOAA, researchers in Maryland will be able to pursue these questions further while maintaining their comprehensive Bay-wide monitoring to track the Bay’s health.
- An oyster aquaculture training program in Shadyside, MD is helping local watermen transition from a wild catch oyster fishery to a farming operation.
- In Pennsylvania, the Annual Farm Show is underway. David Wise from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will have a display detailing how farmers can reduce pollution into rivers and streams by planting forested buffers.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities for the Bay
January 13
- Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for a Clean Water Breakfast at Dominion Enterprises in Norfolk, VA. In addition to a light morning meal, participants will have the chance to ask questions about the new Bay clean-up plans, otherwise known as the TMDL. Free and open to the public!
January 14
- Attend the 13th Annual Future Harvest Conference in Landsdowne, VA. Join fellow farm enthusiasts for a frank discussion on making local food economies a reality.
January 15
- Join CBF and REI for a Martin Luther King Service Project on Jordan’s Run in Bryan Park in Richmond, VA. Volunteers will collect trash brought to the stream by stormwater. Trash bags and gloves will be provided, as well as lunch.
January 17
- Come learn about the Severn River Association’s new program to mitigate stormwater in the Severn’s watershed. There will be a meeting at 7 pm at Arlington Echo in Millersville, MD (975 Indian Landing Rd) to discuss this new watershed audit. Please contact Duane Wilding (president@servernriver.org) to reserve a spot.
—Adam Wickline
Photo by CBF Staff
If you have an upcoming Bay-related restoration event and you need volunteers, please let us know: awickline@cbf.org. Do you enjoy working with fellow Bay Lovers to help save the Chesapeake? Become a CBF Volunteer to receive notifications about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
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