A satellite image taken by NASA after heavy rain shows “a big brown stain of chocolate milk spewing from the Susquehanna River, in the far north, and spreading more than 50 miles south, past Annapolis,” writes Tom Pelton in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Bay Daily blog. “Similar smudges ooze down the Potomac and James rivers. It ain’t chocolate Wonka fans…”

Read the complete post.

admin Chesapeake Bay Chesapeake Bay, erosion and sediment control, Nonpoint source pollution, stormwater runoff, Susquehanna River, water quality, wet weather

Marshallton, PA –

Studies by internationally acclaimed Stroud Water Research Center have shown that healthy forests bordering streams not only prevent numerous pollutants from reaching the water, but also multiply the stream’s natural ability to cleanse itself of pollutants that do make their way into the water. On a small farm that is typical of many in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, scientists have demonstrated that a treatment train approach that applies a series of best management practices in with a forested buffer is very effective in protecting the water quality in a small stream. They suggest the lessons learned have broad implications for the future of the Chesapeake Bay.

Bernard Sweeney, PhD, Director of the Stroud Water Research Center:

The science is now clear that widespread implementation of streamside forest buffers is one of the simplest, most cost effective approaches to eliminating many of the problems of the Chesapeake Bay…

The video is also available on the StormwaterPA YouTube Playlist and will be StormwaterPA.org with more project details soon. Check it Out and add it to your Site!

admin Chesapeake Bay, Stormwater BMPs BMPs, buffers, Chesapeake Bay, clean water, erosion and sediment control, nitrogen reduction, Nonpoint source pollution, phosphorous reduction, sediment, stormwater best management practices, stormwater runoff, water quality, watershed protection

A recent article published by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay suggests that it is possible since proposed actions are backed up by regulations, funding and consequences.

The hope stems from two new initiatives the federal government is undertaking. One is the total maximum daily load, better known as a TMDL, which is being developed by the EPA this year and will set limits for how much pollution a waterway can accept from stormwater, sewage treatment plants, agricultural runoff and other sources. The other is a multi-agency response to President Barack Obama’s executive order, which declared the Bay a “national treasure” and called for a strategy to restore and protect the Bay, its watershed and resources-all while providing more public accountability than in the past.

You can find the full article written by Karl Blankenship online at the Bay Journal.

admin Chesapeake Bay, Stormwater Regulations Chesapeake Bay, clean water, Nonpoint source pollution, stormwater legislation, TMDL, water quality, watershed protection, wet weather, wetlands