Restoring the Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest and most productive estuary in the nation. The watershed is home to thousands of living species and is a recreational and commercial resource for over 16 million people every year. However, the health of the Bay is being threatened every day due to actions in the air, water, and on land.
The biggest problem is nutrient pollution, which is an excess amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water. These nutrients are essential to the growth of the Chesapeake Bay’s ecosystem, but when they exceed their normal limits, the Bay’s keystone species can become stressed and die.
Gov. Martin O’Malley has implemented a plan to restore the Chesapeake Bay by 2020. The main goal of the restoration plan is to reduce the amount of nitrogen pollution in Maryland by 32 percent and reduce the amount of phosphorus by about 21 percent.
These three stories take a deeper look at the problem of nutrient pollution, explore solutions to help improve the health of the Bay, and introduce a variety of experts and residents who are involved in the restoration process.
Gov. O’Malley Plans to Restore the Chesapeake Bay
By: Kara Duffy
Excess amounts of nitrogren and phosphorous are the main cause of the Bay's poor health. In 2010, the Bay scored a C- on its annual health report card. Photo by: Kara Duffy
The O’Malley-Brown Administration and Marylanders explore the Bay’s problem of nutrient overload. Officials from Chesapeake Bay organizations and experts on the topic explain the Bay’s current health conditions and discuss possible solutions to the problem.
Marylanders React to Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts
By: Kara Duffy
Joey Guido spends the afternoon fishing and taking in the beauty of the Bay. Gudio grew up on the watershed and spent many days out on the water. Photo by: Kara Duffy
Residents and Chesapeake Bay experts evaluate the progress of the watershed’s health. The Chief Scientist from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation explains the problem from a legislative perspective and local watermen share their knowledge and observations about the Bay’s current conditions.
Students Help Chesapeake Bay, One Tree at a Time
By: Kara Duffy
Third graders at Tench Tilghman Elementary School plant trees on their playground. The event was held April 29th, 2011, which was National Arbor Day. Photo by: Kara Duffy
