Chesapeake Bay News

NOAA’s National Ocean Service has announced a 30 day public comment period on a revision to the Chesapeake Bay Virginia National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan. Four sites along the York River comprise the Chesapeake Bay Virginia National Estuarine Research Reserve: Sweet Hall Marsh, Taskinas Creek, the Catlett Islands, and the Goodwin Islands.

The reserve has been operating in partnership with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science under a management plan approved in 1991. Proposed revisions to the plan include a boundary expansion, a revised geographic vision for the reserve, new facilities, and updated programmatic objectives.

The revised management plan describes how the strengths of the reserve will focus on four areas relevant to the Chesapeake Bay: functions and linkages of land-margin ecosystems; ecosystem vulnerability to climate and human-induced stressors; water quality and aquatic stressors; and integrated ocean observing systems. For more information, read the Federal Register notice.

source: NOAA Fish News

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), the Virginia State Waterman’s Association, the Maryland Watermen’s Association, the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association, former Maryland Governor Harry Hughes, retired Maryland Senator Bernie Fowler, former Virginia legislator and Natural Resources Secretary Tayloe Murphy, and former Washington D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams today notified the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that they intend to go to federal court to force EPA to require pollution reduction in the Chesapeake Bay. Today’s notice letter is required for any citizen lawsuit against EPA to enforce the Clean Water Act.

“Over the last 25 years Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts have been littered with promises broken and commitments unfulfilled,” said CBF President William C. Baker. “It is time that EPA either step up to the plate, or be held legally accountable for its failure to comply with the law and fulfill the commitment to reduce pollution sufficiently to have the Bay removed from the federal “dirty waters” list by 2010.”

“When I signed the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement, I believed that the goal of removing the Bay and its tidal tributaries from the Clean Water Act impaired waters list by 2010 was a binding commitment of all the signatories including the United States,” Anthony Williams said.

EPA has admitted that with current programs and policies in place, the goal will not be achieved. Officials are now discussing pushing the Bay clean-up goal back another 12 years.

“There have now been three agreements and three failures, and while government may be well intentioned, more delay is unacceptable,” Bernie Fowler said. “It hurts my heart that we may be standing by at the deathwatch of this national treasure.”

CBF and its allies are calling on the EPA Administrator to establish a deadline of 2010 to have programs and funding in place to achieve the pollution reduction goal, to achieve 80 percent of the goal by 2012, and to complete the task by 2015. In addition there must be serious consequences for missing those deadlines.

“If the signatories to the numerous Chesapeake Bay agreements, especially the 2000 agreement, are not held accountable for the commitments made in those agreements, the Bay will never be saved,” Tayloe Murphy said. “Contracts are made to be performed, not ignored.”

Bay scientists have determined that in 2008 the Bay suffered the fourth worst “dead zone” since 1985. Pollution is also a major factor in the decline of the Chesapeake Bay’s crab population, which is near historic lows. As a result, Maryland and Virginia have had to severely limit the commercial crab harvest, putting many watermen out of work.

“The continuing degradation of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries has reached the point that it is imperative that dramatic measures be taken to improve water quality,” said Virginia Watermen’s Association President Ken Smith. “Over the last 35 years, the number of working watermen in Virginia has dropped from 8,000 to less than 3,000. Pollution is robbing us of our livelihood, our way of life, and the ability of our children to carry on a proud tradition.”

It’s not just watermen who are affected. When the broader impact on restaurants, crab processors, wholesalers, grocers, and watermen is all added up, the decline of crabs in the Bay meant a cumulative loss to Maryland and Virginia of more than 4,400 jobs between 1998 and 2006 (the most recent year for which this economic data is available). That doesn’t include 2007 and 2008, both poor years for crab harvests.

“Economic health and the health of the environment go hand in hand,” said former Maryland Governor Harry Hughes. “What is needed now is a sense of urgency, not more delay.”

The legal action targets the EPA because it is the lead agency in enforcement of the Clean Water Act. It is being taken now to offer the EPA one last opportunity to take responsibility for the water quality commitments made in the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement. If EPA fails to respond, the issue will be front and center for the next administration.

“We are doing this because we’re backed into a corner. We’ve all been preaching to clean the bay up, with no results,” Larry Simns said. “We’re at a crucial point here, unless we do something now we’re going to lose the Bay completely.”

source: Chesapeake Bay Foundation press release

Research indicates significant potential with native oysters for industry and environment, while not demonstrating reasonable assurance that the non-native species will be successful or that it will not harm an already compromised estuary.

The Federal government along with Maryland and Virginia have released a long-awaited Environmental Impact Statement evaluating the proposal to introduce a non-native oyster species from Asia into Chesapeake Bay. The study, which also evaluates native species alternatives, does not highlight a preference.

After following the research conducted to inform the EIS, participating in its scientific review, and reviewing the conclusions of EIS, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) believe that our native oyster holds the best promise for the citizens, for the oyster industry, and for the Bay itself.

“Given the available information, the combination of native oyster aquaculture and enhanced native restoration clearly provides the best potential for progress with the least amount of risk,” said William C. Baker, President of CBF.

“With the right investments and management decisions by the public and private sectors, including our organizations, we can have native oyster populations that provide significant ecological and economic benefits all without the risk of unintended consequences,” added Michael Lipford, Virginia State Director of TNC. Both organizations see the study as providing a clear path forward. “The scientific community is generally positive about the prospects for native oyster restoration,” said William Goldsborough, senior scientist for CBF, citing testimony from a recent congressional hearing. “Recent efforts have shown local successes, including in the Lynnhaven River where combined work has led to a tenfold increase in native oysters, and in the Rappahannock River, where scientists believe they are seeing evidence of the development of disease resistance in large oysters that for years were protected within sanctuaries.”

Equally encouraging is the potential for aquaculture of the native oyster. In both states, sterile native oysters, as well as native oysters placed up in the water column, have been found to grow fast, reaching market size well before disease has its impacts. And oyster aquaculture is on the rise in Virginia, the number of native oysters planted by growers tripled from 2005 to 2007, and the number of market oysters sold by aquaculturists grew from less than 1 million to more than 4.8 million.

“With a wild fishery decades away from large-scale recovery with any species, aquaculture of the native oyster provides a real economic opportunity for watermen who have been struggling with diminished harvests,” said Mark Luckenbach, Professor of Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

While the EIS indicates that the non-native Asian oyster species grows quickly and resists the diseases affecting our native oyster, research also highlights considerable uncertainty for its success, since the Asian oyster faces many of the same challenges that limit our native oyster and some new ones.

“Regardless of the oyster species, large investments must be made to increase hatchery capacity, restore degraded habitat, and improve water quality,” said Mark Bryer, Director of TNC’s Chesapeake Bay program. “The EIS indicates that the non-native oyster has greater sensitivity to low dissolved oxygen and greater vulnerability to predation than our native oyster. It is also susceptible to Bonamia, a disease which caused mass mortalities of the non-native oyster in experimental deployments in North Carolina.” Recent studies have found that the high salinity waters of the lower Chesapeake Bay are suitable for Bonamia, the same location where the non-native oyster has shown the greatest growth differential from our native oyster.

Studies also indicate other uncertainties with regard to the non-native oyster, including the potential for it to compete with our native oyster and cause local extinctions. Additionally, a recent study by Johns Hopkins University highlighted increased likelihood of the non-native oyster to harbor viruses that are dangerous to humans. The EIS research also concludes that the introduction of sterile non-native oysters will eventually result in reproductive non-native oysters in the Chesapeake, and that the non-native oyster will likely spread along the eastern seaboard with unknown ecological consequences.

“The burden of proof needs to be on the proponents of introduction to show that it will not result in significant problems,” added Goldsborough. “Our review of the EIS indicates that burden of proof has not been met.”

Dr. Denise Breitburg, a senior scientist at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center summed up the issue by saying, “Given the numerous problems that have been caused by invasive species worldwide, the uncertainty of consequences both within and outside the Bay, the irreversibility of the decision, and the reality that we have not exhausted possibilities for native oyster restoration, I would strongly recommend that it is not time to introduce a non-native oyster species to Chesapeake Bay.”

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is a 501(c)(3) organization to restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers. Since our founding 40 years ago, our goal has been to improve water quality by reducing pollution. Our motto, Save the Bay, has been the battle cry for that goal. Visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation on the Web at http://www.cbf.org/.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 18 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 117 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at http://www.nature.org/.

source: Chesapeake Bay Foundation press release

On October 4th, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine formally announced the appointment of life-long angler William E. “Bill” Laine Jr. of Smithfield to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, as well as the reappointment of Kyle Schick.  Mr. Laine served as Circuit Court Clerk in Isle of Wight County for 34 years, from 1973 to 2007, and has sat on VMRC’s Finfish Management Advisory Board for the past five years.  “I’m very happy to welcome Bill Laine to this important position. He will make a terrific addition to the team as we move ahead with the challenges that face our marine resources in the future,” said VMRC Commissioner Steven G. Bowman.

Mr. Laine holds the official recreational fishing representative seat as designated by the Code of Virginia. Mr. Laine has fished regularly for more than 50 years, both in fresh and saltwater, mostly in the lower end of the Chesapeake Bay for the past two decades. Mr. Laine replaces Wayne McLeskey of Virginia Beach, who served eight years on the VMRC board.

Gov. Kaine also announced the reappointment of Kyle Schick of Colonial Beach, who is president of the Colonial Beach Yacht Center, to another four-year term on the VMRC board. “Kyle is a tremendous asset to the board and his reappointment is most welcome,’’ said Bowman. “I wish to thank Mr. McLeskey for his many years of dedicated service. We wish him the best. He will be missed.”

The first portion of Maryland’s Atlantic Population (AP) Canada goose hunting season opens Saturday, November 15. The AP Canada goose season is split into two parts, running from November 15 to November 28 and then from December 18 to January 24. The daily bag limit is two Canada geese.

The AP Canada goose population comprises the northernmost nesting population of Canada geese. These birds nest north of the 48° latitude in northern Québec along Ungava Bay, the northeastern shore of Hudson Bay and in the interior of the Ungava Peninsula. Densities of breeding pairs are highest along the western and eastern coasts of the Ungava Peninsula. The 2008 spring breeding pair survey of AP Canada geese found 170,000 pairs, down about 15% from 195,700 pairs in 2007. However, an early spring snow melt on the Ungava Peninsula led to a strong nesting effort. Both clutch size and nest success were above average.

“Banding crews on the Ungava Peninsula encountered large numbers of goslings in banding drives, indicating that gosling production was good. The high proportion of juveniles in the fall population should make for great goose hunting, as birds should decoy well during the first couple weeks of the hunting season,” said Larry Hindman, DNR’s Waterfowl Project Leader.

The AP Canada goose hunting season is open in the following areas of the state: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; the portion of Carroll County east of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and east of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line; the portion of Prince George’s County east of Routes 3 and 301; and the portion of Charles County east of Route 301 to the Virginia line.

DNR offers a detailed map of the AP Canada Goose Hunt Zone in Maryland online at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/Goose_Hunt_Zones.html.

All migratory game bird hunters, including landowners who are license exempt, are required to obtain the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp. Hunters must possess the printed receipt showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp while hunting Canada geese and other migratory game birds.

All waterfowl hunters aged 16 years and older must also purchase the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (federal duck stamp). Hunters must sign and possess the federal duck stamp while hunting waterfowl and coots. Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, some DNR sport license agents and online at www.duckstamp.com.

Nontoxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl and coots. Hunters may not possess or use nontoxic shotshells containing shot larger than size No. T or use or possess any lead shotshells while waterfowl hunting.

Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling toll-free 1-800-327-BAND (2263). For added convenience, banded migratory birds may also be reported online at www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/call800.htm.

Complete bag limits, season dates, approved nontoxic shot information and other hunting information can be found on the DNR website at www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide. The 2008-2009 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping issued with each hunting license contains detailed information about all of Maryland’s hunting seasons. The 2008-2009 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons Guide also contains information specific to waterfowl hunting.

source: DNR press release

New Breakwaters Protect Valuable Wildlife Management Area on Eastern Shore

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently completed construction of breakwaters around Little Deal Island. The environmental restoration project protects a portion of the eroding shoreline on the 225-acre island in Somerset County and aims to reduce sedimentation of a nearby channel leading into Wenona Harbor fishing village.

“This year-long project helps to preserve a valuable Wildlife Management Area on the Eastern Shore that is popular with bird watchers, anglers, photographers, boaters, waterfowl hunters and hikers,” said Len Casanova, director of Shoreline Conservation and Management Service at DNR.

The marshy uninhabited island, a short distance away from Greater Deal Island in Tangier Sound, is known for wildlife such as osprey, pelicans, snowy egrets and herons.

“I grew up in the area and for a small island, it’s really rich in wildlife and vegetation,” said Somerset County Administrator Daniel Powell.

The Board of Public Works approved $985,130 in September 2007 to construct seven offshore segmented breakwaters, areas behind the breakwaters with sand and place plants to create new marshy areas.

“We’re very pleased the state was able to step up and ensure that Wenona Harbor stays open,” Powell said. “The sediment build-up we had been seeing in the channel there was affecting watermen and recreational boaters.”

source: DNR press release

Did you know that the septic systems many of us use actually leak nitrogen that can harm the Chesapeake Bay, your stream, and our drinking water?

If you own a septic system, you can get a FREE upgrade to make sure it removes harmful pollution while at the same time protecting and extending the life of your septic system. The new equipment, the installation, and 5 years of maintenance are absolutely free — 100 percent of your costs are paid through the Bay Restoration Fund.

Sign up today for your FREE septic upgrade You’ll be doing your part to improve our environment, restore the Chesapeake Bay and to keep local streams, creeks and rivers safe and fun for current and future generations of Marylanders.

To sign up today or to get more information, call MDE at 410-537-4195.

see: http://www.mde.state.md.us/water/cbwrf/osds/

The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 08.02.05.12E, announced the closure of the 2008 recreational fishery for summer flounder in all state waters effective 12:01 am October 24, 2008.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has estimated that Maryland’s 2008 recreational quota for summer flounder has been achieved.

The 2009 Maryland recreational fishery will open January 1, 2009 under
conditions outlined in COMAR 08.02.05.12.

Blackwater River - Stream Buffer Planting
Saturday, Nov. 1         9am - 1pm
Cambridge, MD

In 2006, local citizens and CBF members came together to protect hundreds of acres from development into the “Blackwater Resort Communities.” Now it’s time to plant trees on the part of the land that was purchased with Program Open Space funding. We will be planting a larger buffer section next to the Little Blackwater River with native trees and shrubs. The location will be a new public access launch for canoes and kayaks.

This project is being done in partnership with MD DNR and the Dorchester County Soil Conservation District. To sign up, send your complete contact info to Katie Willis in our Salisbury office at hotcinfo@cbf.org <mailto:hotcinfo@cbf.org>.  Or just wear work clothes, bring a snack or lunch and come on out!  We’ll be planting along the Little Blackwater River, about 3/4 mile south of the intersection of Egypt Road & Rt. 16 West outside Cambridge.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service recently finalized the 2008 striped bass (rockfish) juvenile index, a measure of striped bass spawning success in Chesapeake Bay. The 2008 index is 3.2, below the long-term average of 11.7. During the survey DNR biologists collected 422 young-of-year (YOY) striped bass.

“Healthy striped bass populations are known for such highly variable spawning success,” said Eric Durell, DNR Fisheries Biologist. “This is just the third time in the past decade that striped bass reproduction in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay has been below average.”

Two of the most successful spawning years ever documented (2001 and 2003) also occurred during this period. Typically, several years of average reproduction are interspersed with occasional large and small year-classes.

Poor reproduction was also observed for other spring-spawning species such as white perch and American shad, leading biologists to suspect that large-scale environmental factors may be responsible. Heavy rains in early May resulted in decreased water temperatures on major striped bass spawning grounds.

“This spring water temperatures fell below levels known to be lethally cold to striped bass eggs and larvae,” explained Durell. “Survival of these sensitive life stages is a major determinant of spawning success.”

The underlying spanwing stock is still healhty and is watched closely by DNR biologists and monitored and in partnerhsip with other coastal states through the Atlantic State’s Marine Fisheries Commission.

DNR biologists have monitored the reproductive success of striped bass and other species in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay annually since 1954. Twenty-two sites were surveyed in the four major spawning systems: Choptank, Potomac, and Nanticoke Rivers, and the Upper Chesapeake Bay. Biologists visit each site monthly from July through September, collecting fish samples with two sweeps of a 100-foot beach seine. The index is calculated as the average catch of YOY fish per sample.

For more information visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/juvindex/index.html