Chesapeake Bay News

The following message from VMRC should be of interest to anyone that is in favor of restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

We’re looking to form a flotilla one morning next month for an hour.

John M.R. Bull
Director of Public Relations
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
(757) 247-2269

Toxic Algae Bloom Identified in POTOMAC RIVER TRIBUTARY, MATTAWOMAN CREEK

Dept. of Natural Resources Asks Potomac Watershed Residents For Help to Prevent Future Harmful Algal Blooms

Routine water quality monitoring by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Morgan State University Estuarine Research Center recently identified high concentrations of toxic blue-green algae, Microcystis, in Mattawoman Creek off of the Potomac River.

“Excessive nutrient pollution in the water fuels these algal blooms, which are not uncommon in the freshwater and low salinity waters of the Potomac River.  Harmful algal blooms such as these can be prevented if more people living in the Potomac River watershed take steps to reduce run-off pollution,” said Tom Parham, DNR tidewater ecosystem assessment director. “Some easy and affordable backyard solutions include planting native trees and rain gardens, using rain barrels, and refraining from fertilizing in the spring.”

After learning of algal toxin levels higher than typical acceptable standards for human and animal contact in water samples from Mattawoman Creek, Charles County issued a health advisory for the area encouraging people to take precautions to reduce the risk of illness or discomfort related to blue-green algal blooms:

* The public should not swim in areas where a blue-green algae bloom is evident.

* Do not drink water from any area with the appearance of a blue-green algae bloom.

* If contact is made with problem water, simply wash off with fresh water.

* In some cases, skin irritations may occur after prolonged contact. If irritations persist, see a physician or local health care provider.

* Keep pets and livestock away from bloom areas.

* Blue-green algal blooms may contain toxins that could be harmful or fatal to pets and livestock.

* Do not eat internal organs of fish caught in blue-green bloom waters.

* Inhalation exposure to blue-green algal bloom waters may result in irritation of the eyes, ears, nose and throat with extended recreational activity on such waterways.

Please note that illness associated with harmful algal blooms is a reportable illness and physicians should be reporting these to local health departments.

“We will continue to monitor the algal bloom,” added Parham.

For up to date information on all of Maryland’s harmful algal blooms and water quality, please visit DNR’s Eyes on the Bay website at www.eyesonthebay.net.

At the 10th Annual Clean Marina Awards Ceremony held at Clark’s Landing Shady Oaks Marina in southern Anne Arundel County, ten marinas received Governor’s Citations praising their accomplishment of becoming a certified clean marina.  The award ceremony was timed to coordinate with National Marina Day, August 9 to recognize marinas as family friendly gateways to boating and stewards of the environment.

“The voluntary efforts of clean marina owners and managers to reduce pollution and help protect our rivers and the Chesapeake Bay are truly commendable,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “The bay-friendly operations offered by each of these local businesses exemplify the role we all play to preserving this natural treasure.  Action is needed across the State to ensure healthy water and land, and these marinas are to be commended for doing their part.”

Marinas are certified by DNR as a Maryland Clean Marina after they adopt recommendations in the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook and pass a site inspection by DNR and industry representatives.

“Our livelihood – boating – depends on a healthy Chesapeake Bay,” said Bob Brandon, Owner of Tidewater Yacht Service Center in Baltimore City. “We have to do all that we can to preserve the bay to ensure continued quality boating experiences for today and tomorrow. From the beginning construction of our facility – we strived to build an environmentally-friendly boating center.”

The newly certified clean marina Tidewater Yacht Service Center incorporates many green building features and operations including a living green roof; environmentally-friendly products for sale; and a special water drainage system in the parking lot to prevent run-off from polluting the bay.

Since its establishment in 1997, the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative has certified 130 marinas. The initiative, coordinated in partnership with the Marine Trades Association of Maryland, promotes voluntary adoption of pollution prevention measures.

The following ten newly certified Clean Marinas received Governor’s Citations today:

Anchor Yacht Basin, Edgewater (Anne Arundel County)
Atlantic Marina, Pasadena (Anne Arundel County)
Baltimore Marine Center, Baltimore City
Buzz’s Marina, Ridge (St. Mary’s County)
Cedar Hill Marina, Bivalve (Wicomico County)
Chesapeake Yacht Club, Shady Side (Anne Arundel County)
Clark’s Landing , West River (Anne Arundel County)
Riverside Marine, Baltimore (Baltimore County)
Tidewater Yacht Service Center, Baltimore City

A tour of the Clark’s Landing Shady Oaks Marina following the ceremony showcased some of the best management practices implemented to become a clean marina including: oil filter recycling; an emergency spill response kit; a sewage pump-out station; a waste management plan for chemicals; and native plantings.

“The Clean Marina Initiative is a great sustainable business effort that benefits the health of our environment, waterways, and local business,” said Jeff Truesdale, Managing Partner at Clark’s Landing. “We are honored that all of Clark’s Landing waterfront facilities in Maryland are certified clean marinas.  Each of our employees are specially trained to encourage our boaters to use clean boating practices.”

With more than 25 years of experience, Clark’s Landing is proving to be a sustainable leader in the marine industry by encouraging boaters and sailors to commit to clean boating habits. Clark’s Landing has locations in Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey offering new and certified pre-owned boat sales, service, storage, parts and boat brokerage.

A complete list of certified Clean Marinas and program information can be found at www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently certified three new Clean Marinas - Baltimore Marine Center and Tidewater Yacht Service at Port Covington in Baltimore County, and Buzz’s Marina in St. Mary’s County. The certification of these marinas brings the total number of clean marinas and partners in Maryland to 130. The new total represents 21 percent of the estimated 600 marine facilities in Maryland, inching closer to fulfilling the Initiative’s goal of 25 percent.

“The voluntary effort of these marinas to reduce pollution and help protect the Chesapeake Bay is truly commendable,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Every Marylander has a responsibility to help reduce their impact on our waterways, and it’s very encouraging to see these local businesses taking the initiative to do their part.”

“The three facilities certified represent the differences found from one facility to another, and demonstrate the flexibility of this program,” said DNR Clean Marina Administrator Donna Morrow. “Buzz’s Marina is a simple marina sustained by recreational fishing in the lower Bay. By contrast, Tidewater Yacht Service and Baltimore Marine Center are in the heart of the busy Baltimore harbor, serving many visiting boats, including larger yachts. We work with all types of marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs to help improve their operations in order to protect the Bay.”

“We considered pursuing the Clean Marina Award for quite a while,” said Baltimore Marine Center manager Scott Anderson. “After attending a free workshop sponsored by DNR last year, their staff visited our marina and gave us specific things to work on, and then came back out when we were ready. I liked the fact that I could go as fast or slow as my schedule permitted.”

“It was an easy process,” said Mike Henderson, co-owner of Buzz’s Marina with his wife, Christy Henderson. “Everybody was helpful and held our hand through it. We wanted to do our part to help clean the bay. Without a clean bay, there can be no marinas.”

“When our new facility was built, we went to great lengths to ensure all aspects were environmentally friendly,” said Tidewater Yacht Service at Port Covington Manager Kathy Barth. “Becoming formally certified as a clean marina is icing on the cake. And it’s nice to be in the company of other clean marinas in the Baltimore Harbor.”

Maryland’s Clean Marina Initiative, coordinated in partnership with the Marine Trades Association of Maryland, promotes voluntary adoption of pollution prevention measures and seeks to certify at least 25 percent (roughly 150 marinas) of Maryland’s marinas. Marinas are certified by DNR as Maryland Clean Marinas after they adopt a percentage of recommendations in the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook and pass a site inspection by DNR and industry representatives. This collective effort of marina and boatyard operators, and recreational boaters is working to improve the quality of Maryland’s waterways.

Marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs of any size are encouraged to learn more about the voluntary Clean Marina Initiative by visiting http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/cleanmarina/, emailing dmorrow@dnr.state.md.us or calling 410-260-8770.

Recreational boaters can also join efforts to protect Maryland’s waterways. Boaters are encouraged to visit the Clean Marina webpage to learn how they can prevent pollution and sign the Maryland Clean Boater Pledge, which can be found at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating/cleanmarina/boater.html.

Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the opening of a competitive process through which local governments, community groups, non-profit organizations, academic institutions and private enterprises may apply for local implementation grants from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund. Under Governor O’Malley’s leadership, the Fund was created during the 2007 special session of the General Assembly to help restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

“After 25 years of dedicated effort to restore the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays, it is clear that Maryland and our partners have not achieved our goal and a new approach is needed if we want to ensure healthy, productive Bays for our children and grandchildren,” said Governor O’Malley. “The people of Maryland have entrusted us to utilize these special funds for implementation of the most cost-effective restoration and pollution prevention efforts, so that we can realize meaningful, measurable results in the local streams and rivers that most impact the Bays’ health.”

“Thanks to Governor O’Malley, and to those who advocate for our Bay and the environment, we have new resources through the Chesapeake Bay 2110 Trust to address issues that challenge the health of the Chesapeake Bay,” said Delegate Maggie McIntosh, Chair of the House Environmental Matters Committee. “This fund has been a long time legislative priority for the Environmental Matters Committee, we are pleased to have been a partner in it’s creation.”

The request for proposals (RFP) process is designed to leverage available funding for non-point source restoration projects that will result in measurable water quality improvements within one to three years through nutrient and sediment pollution reduction. Projects expected to have the greatest nutrient reduction benefit within high priority watersheds that include local government and multiple organizations as partners will be given priority consideration for funding.

“This is a very exciting step forward for Bay improvement. We now have permanent funding for effective pollution reduction practices so that we will actually see improved water quality in the Bay and rivers.” said Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland Executive Director Kim Coble.

Competitive grants will encourage specific geographic targeting, clustering of multiple projects and strategies to maximize results, and restoration efforts that combine cost-effective best management practices throughout local watersheds.

“Targeting available resources at a scale that science tells us will have a measurable result represents a new approach to Bay restoration,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin.

“We thank Governor O’Malley for assuring funding assistance to local governments like Montgomery County who are working hard to reduce stormwater and other water quality impacts from suburban and urban areas,” said Robert Hoyt, Director of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection. “The innovative funding through the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund not only makes dollars available, but it does it in a way that will help local governments leverage other dollars, support existing and create new partnerships with key stakeholders, and implement comprehensive watershed-based solutions.”

Through Governor O’Malley’s BayStat Initiative, Maryland has identified high, medium and low priority watersheds based on current water quality conditions and modeled nitrogen loads to the Chesapeake Bay from each watershed. For fiscal years 2009 and 2010, priority consideration will be given to projects located in small (30,000 acres or less) watersheds of the lower Eastern Shore, Choptank River, upper Eastern Shore, lower western shore and Patuxent River. Identified high priority sub-watersheds include the Corsica River, Langford Creek, Little Patuxent River, lower Chester River, lower Choptank River, Magothy River, lower Patuxent River, Sassafras River, Severn River, South River, Southeast Creek, Stillpond Fairlee, and Wye River.

“It is promising to see such a strong focus on inter-jurisdictional cooperation and clear, measurable goals for these implementation grants,” said Jennifer Dindinger, Chair of the Choptank River Tributary Team. “Encouraging a watershed approach to water quality management is the key to cleaning up our streams and rivers and this program will go a long way toward achieving that goal.”

The State will accept proposals through August 29, 2008. Proposals will be reviewed by an independent scientific advisory panel comprised of scientists, educators, planners, environmental advocates and policy experts. Final grants will be announced in October 2008.

During the 2008 session of the Maryland General Assembly, Governor O’Malley secured $25 million for fiscal year 2009 implementation of the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund, all of which will be targeted to practices and areas which the best science available indicates will result in the greatest possible water quality improvements. Through Governor O’Malley’s BayStat Initiative, Trust Fund grants will be publicly reviewed, held accountable for measurable results, and adapted as need to maximize success. A similar RFP for fiscal year 2011 will be released in early 2009.

The full request for proposal and additional information including a map of identified priority watersheds is available online at http://www.baystat.maryland.gov/trustfund.

In addition to the Trust Fund and BayStat Initiatives, Governor O’Malley recently strengthened Maryland’s critical areas law to better protect from development the most environmentally sensitive and significant lands within Maryland’s Chesapeake and Coastal Bays watersheds.
June 5, 2008

NorthBay, an environmental educational center located in North East, Md., will host a demonstration of habitat mapping with a Robotics in the Bay event on June 10, 2008. Presentations are scheduled to include technical demonstrations from the Mid Atlantic Bight National Undersea Research Center, Rutgers University, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office, and NASA.

The event will include demonstrations of autonomous operated underwater vehicles (AUV) used to create a bay-floor habitat map for the NorthBay area of North East, Md. This baseline data will be used by NorthBay students to monitor temporal and spatial changes in the bay bottom.

After the AUV has been launched and is gathering data, educators will design, build and launch an operating remotely operated vehicle (ROV). This exercise is available to educators to create and integrate into their own programs. Additionally, the event will include an informal, open forum for participants to discuss and explore the types of technologies presently being used to explore the ocean, and ways to integrate these techniques into the classroom in a contagious way.

NorthBay was established in 2005 by The Erickson Foundation to establish educational opportunities for young people. Through its partnerships with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of Education, NorthBay hosts more than 10,000 middle school students each year. With a full-time staff of more than 100 professionals, NorthBay uses experiential education to instill confidence, knowledge, and leadership in young people and teach them that their actions have a lasting impact on the future. NorthBay is located on more than 97 acres at the confluence of the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River in Cecil County, Md.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary John A. Hughes met on the Delmarva Peninsula today to sign an agreement supporting a bi-state effort to ensure long-term stewardship of the Nanticoke River.

“Working together with the state of Delaware, we are forging an exciting new partnership to protect the unique, rare ecological resources and agricultural economy of the Nanticoke River watershed,” said Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. “I’d like to recognize Governor Minner for her terrific leadership on this effort. It is only by working together – from state to state, local elected officials to non-profit conservation organizations, federal agencies to local educators, and landowners to local businesses – that we will make progress to ensure a healthy, sustainable future for current and future generations.”

Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner joined the Secretaries at Phillips Landing to support the initiative.

“I applaud the comprehensive efforts of our two state natural resource agencies and partners to join in this historic agreement to ensure the enduring legacy of the Nanticoke River,” said Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner. “The entire Nanticoke region is rich in cultural and heritage assets and I know Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley shares our goal of stewardship and wise use of this beautiful river and surrounding lands.”

Rich not only with historical and cultural assets, the Nanticoke River flows through a region that hosts some of the most biologically diverse natural habitats including maritime forests, expansive Atlantic white cedar and bald cypress wetlands, and globally rare plant and wildlife species.

Today in Vienna, Md., local, state and regional land conservation leaders gathered to celebrate the proposed preservation of 275+ acres to implement the town’s planned greenbelt along its western and southern borders. Purchase of the farmland with $4.3 million of Program Open Space funds is pending approval from the Maryland Board of Public Works, which is scheduled to review the transaction on June 11.

“Mayor Russ Brinsfield and Vienna residents and businesses deserve great credit and recognition for their extraordinary vision to develop and implement a comprehensive plan that aims to protect the town’s unique rural and historic character by clearly defining areas where growth should occur,” added Governor O’Malley. “Vienna serves as a model for other communities - both here on the Eastern Shore and across the Bay to central, western, and southern Maryland.”

Extending approximately 63 miles from its headwaters in Sussex County, Del. to its mouth at Tangier Sound, Dorchester County, Md., the Nanticoke River is the largest Chesapeake Bay tributary on the Delmarva Peninsula. Residents and visitors revere and treasure the Nanticoke watershed for its rural, natural landscape, which remains characteristic of its appearance when Captain Smith explored the river 400 years ago in June 1608.

Joining Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Griffin and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Hughes in signing the historic agreement were Charlie Stek, president of the Friends of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and John Maounis, superintendent of the National Park Service’s Captain John Smith Trail and Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network.

“Under Governor O’Malley’s leadership, the State of Maryland has undertaken several new initiatives to improve the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and to protect our natural and cultural resources,” said Secretary Griffin. “This agreement identifies projects and initiatives upon which we will work together to achieve our shared vision for a healthy and productive Nanticoke River.”

Collaborative projects will include a Nanticoke River Water Trail map and guide; a brochure on the river’s history, heritage and culture; land and water conservation stewardship; and promotion of “citizen scientists” as water quality and wetlands stewards.

“Protecting the habitat and natural heritage of this graceful, distinctive river is a goal we heartily share with Maryland,” said Secretary Hughes. “Our agreement recognizes the exceptional and largely unspoiled nature of this ecological resource, and underscores the need to collaborate with federal and local governments and our conservation partners to maintain and enhance its diversity and recreational opportunities.”

At the request of DNREC, the National Park Service is designating the Nanticoke River as connector gateway in the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail will be most fully experienced by watercraft and at public water access sites.

“A second site in Delaware has been added to the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network – the Nanticoke River Water Trail. Delaware is a key partner in providing public use of the river, an understanding of trail history, and an appreciation of Captain John Smith Trail resources,” said John Maounis, National Park Service superintendent for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network.

Charlie Stek, president of the Friends of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake Historic Trail, commended the Maryland and Delaware Departments and the National Park Service for creating the agreement by saying, “This agreement represents a major step toward achieving the vision of the John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. It will provide opportunities for cooperative conservation, eco-tourism and recreation, and education and stewardship, which will protect the Nanticoke and help keep it the beautiful river John Smith first explored.”

Visit DNREC’s website www.dnrec.delaware.gov to view the Nanticoke Partnership Agreement.

Since discovering Didymo for the first time in Maryland last month, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has set up six wader sterilization stations throughout the tailwaters of Gunpowder Falls, to prevent further spread of this and other aquatic invasives.

Didymo is an algal diatom that forms long stalks which combine to form heavy, thick mats that can smother a stream bottom. Didymo mats, also called “rock snot,” look slimy, but feel like wet cotton or wool, and can be white, yellow or brown. The stalks can persist for two or more months after the diatoms die, causing habitat damage for an extended period of time.

“Didymo and other aquatic invasive species seriously jeopardize the health of our rivers, streams and Bay,” said Don Cosden, an assistant director with the DNR Fisheries Service. “Not only do these exotic species disrupt the local ecosystem, they are capable of permanently displacing or eradicating native species, including trout and other freshwater fisheries. We need anglers and other recreational users of this area to take 60 seconds to sterilize gear, and protect the waters they enjoy.”

Although there is no human health risk associated with the species, DNR is developing an aggressive plan of attack to deal with this invader, including asking anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to use extra precautions when moving from one stream or lake to another. Movement of a single cell can contaminate a new waterway, and once Didymo is established, it can cover and suffocate a stream bottom.

“Proper angler protocol is the main line of defense in preventing the introduction and spread of aquatic invasives,” said Jonathan McKnight, chair of DNR’s Invasive Species Team. “We are strongly urging anglers to properly sterilize their waders and all gear that comes in contact with the water prior to using the gear in a new location.”

DNR strongly urges citizens to sterilize boots, paddles, boats and anything else that comes into contact with stream water; anglers may want to consider having two sets of equipment in order to move safely from one spot to another. DNR also advises against using felt bottom boots and waders – the worst culprits in the spread of aquatic invaders – replacing them with non-porous materials. If felt waders are used, they should be completely immersed in salt solution before being used in another location.

Proper sterilization procedures include:

* Before leaving a stream, scrub away all dirt and debris.
* At home or at a wader sterilization station, disinfect equipment by scrubbing or soaking in at least a 5 percent salt solution (2 cups salt/2.5 gallons water) for 60 seconds and then letting dry completely or scrub with dish detergent and rinse well.
* If disinfection is not possible, let equipment dry completely for at least 48 hours before next use.

Currently, wader sterilization stations are set up at six popular crossings along Gunpowder Falls: Masemore Road, Bunker Hill Road, York Road, Blue Mount Road and both north and south lots at the Falls Road crossing. In the coming weeks, stations will also be set up along the Casselman, Youghiogheny and Savage Rivers.

Originally found in Scotland and extreme northern Europe and Asia, Didymo has been transported worldwide. Recently, the species has been found in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. In many cases, anglers have unknowingly transported the diatom on their fishing gear.

DNR urges anyone who observes Didymo on rivers other than the Gunpowder Falls to contact Don Cosden at 410-260-8287 as soon as possible.

For more information on Didymo and other invasive species, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/invasives/.

source: MD DNR press release

NorthBay was awarded a mini-grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust in the amount of $598 for the establishment of a native tree nursery as an addition to their growing Follow-On Program.

By creating the native tree nursery at NorthBay students will have the opportunity to engage in a meaningful learning experience about living organisms and ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay. By adding the nursery on-site, NorthBay will be able to provide trees to schools throughout the state at no cost, particularly in Baltimore City, who are taking on Schoolyard Habitat or reforestation projects in their community. The trees will be donated to schools to increase the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay as well as instill an appreciation and awareness of one of the greatest and most valuable filters for the bay.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a private, nonprofit grant-making organization created to promote public awareness and participation in the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay and its Maryland tributaries. Since its creation in 1985 the Trust has awarded more than $24 million in grants that have made a measurable impact in the Bay restoration effort. The Chesapeake Bay Trust funds projects that help protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers.

A new website shares examples of best management practices that farmers use to produce healthy crops and protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Homeowners can apply these same conservation measures to home, lawn, and garden projects.

In response the the program. Governor Martin O’Malley remarked: “Farmers like homeowners and all residents of the Chesapeake Bay watershed play an important role in protecting our soil and water resources. “It is a priority of the O’Malley-Brown Administration to protect the health of the Bay for all to enjoy and to strengthen the family farms that anchor our rural communities and economies, preserve open productive land, and provide a local source of food. Farmers are strong partners in conservation.”

The project was constructed through a Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund grant from the Rural Maryland Council.

For details see: http://www.iwantmarylandsbest.com/