Dr. Donald Boesch, president of the University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Science, argues that the new federal pollution limit, also known as the Bay TMDL, is the Chesapeake’s “moment in time” to meet restoration goals and return to a balanced, healthy, and productive ecosystem. He believes that we “know what needs to be done” and we can find “effective and more efficient ways to accomplish them.”
In other Bay news…
- Nutria, invasive rodents that can cause serious damage to wetland plants, have been found in Delaware. The US Fish and Wildlife Service plans to place traps soon and eradicate the population.
- President Obama released his budget this week which includes an increase in funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program. There is concern, however, that funding cuts in other areas such as the State Revolving Fund could hinder clean water projects such as runoff controls and sewage treatment upgrades.
- Bald eagles have made an impressive comeback in the Bay region, especially at an unlikely place: the US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County, MD.
- Maryland has been making progress in regards to the federal pollution limits, also known as the TMDL.
- Plans to use chicken litter as fuel for power generation are moving ahead in Somerset County, MD. The power plant would generate about 1 megawatt of electricity.
- Following last week’s news about the high oyster harvest in Virginia, this week the MD Department of Natural Resources reported good news from its fall oyster survey. The 92 percent survival rate they found was the best recorded since 1985.
- The restoration of the Lafayette River in Virginia Beach, VA continued this week as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation planted 60 bushels of old shell to provide habitat for young oysters, known as ‘spat,’ to plant and grow.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities for the Bay
February 16 – Charlottesville, VA and Annapolis, MD
- In Charlottesville, join CBF and the Rivanna Conservation Society for a free Clean Water Breakfast and Lunch to find out what a ‘river-friendly’ landscape could look like. Please RSVP!
- In Annapolis, join fellow Bay enthusiasts and CBF for our annual Wine and Cheese Open House. Chat with your compatriots while hearing about our priorities for this year’s legislative session in Maryland. Please RSVP.
February 18 – Hyattsville, MD
- The Anacostia Watershed Society and the City of Hyattsville will be working together to cleanup the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River at Magruder Park! Meet at the parking lot along side 38th St. in Hyattsville, MD 20781, right before the bridge. RSVP REQUIRED.
February 17 – Stanardsville, VA
- Join CBF and the Rivanna Conservation Society for a free Clean Water Breakfast to find out what a ‘river-friendly’ landscape could look like. Please RSVP!
February 21 – Norfolk, Va
- If you want to speak on behalf of the Chesapeake and spread the message of clean water in Virginia, attend our training to become a member of CBF’s Speakers Bureau. From 6 – 9 pm, you will receive the skills needed to speak confidently about the issues.
—Adam Wickline
Photo: © 2010 Octavio Aburto/iLCP
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.
I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work.
Posted by: Chronospace | 02/18/2012 at 01:53 AM