Mid-Atlantic Water Program BMP Project

The Mid-Atlantic Water Program (MAWP) housed at the University of Maryland (UMD) led a project during 2006-2008 to review and refine definition and effectiveness estimates for BMPs implemented and reported by the Chesapeake Bay watershed jurisdictions prior to 2003. The objective of this project was to develop definitions and effectiveness estimates that reflect the average operational condition representative of the entire watershed. The Chesapeake Bay Program’s Water Quality Steering Committee approved the Year One effectiveness estimates in August/September 2007 and the Year Two effectiveness estimates in January 2009.

The final BMP reports summarize the recommended definition and nutrient and sediment reduction effectiveness estimates for each practice. Attached to these definitions and effectiveness estimates is a full accounting of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s discussions on this BMP, who was involved, and how these recommendations were developed, including data, literature, data analysis results, and discussions of how various issues were addressed. All meeting minutes are included in an appendix.

Criteria – An overview of the criteria used by MAWP to develop the BMP effectiveness estimates

Executive Summary - A one sentence definition and effectiveness estimate for each BMP reviewed

Comprehensive Future Research Needs – All sectors, general not BMP specific

Full Report – A compilation of all of the BMP reports from Years One and Two of this project

Year One

• Year One Process for Developing BMP Definitions and Effectiveness Estimates
• Review of Year One Procedures by the STAC BMP Efficiencies Task Group

Final Reports

• Conservation Planning: Field and Pasture Erosion Control Practices
• Dry Detention Ponds and Hydrodynamic Structures
• Dry Extended Detention Basins
• Forest Harvesting
• Offstream Watering
• Riparian Forest and Grass Buffers
• Urban Erosion and Sediment Control
• Urban Wet Ponds and Wetlands
• Wetland Restoration and Creation
• Conservation Tillage
• Cover Crop Practices

Year Two

• Year Two Process for Developing Definitions and Effectiveness Estimates
• Review of Year Two Procedures by the STAC BMP Efficiencies Task Group

Final Reports

• Ammonia Emissions Reduction: Litter Treatment, Biofilter, and Covers
• Dairy Feed Management
• Mortality Composting
• Infiltration and Filtration Practices

BMP Forum
The BMP Forum was held on December 4, 2008 in Frederick, Maryland. Revised and newly developed BMP definitions and effectiveness estimates were presented and a consistent process for BMP development was discussed. The agenda and the presentations from this forum can be accessed below.

• Agenda
• Introduction – Kelly Shenk, EPA CBPO
• Process – Sarah Weammert, UMD/MAWP
• Dairy Feed Management – Ginny Ishler, Penn State
• Cover Crops – Dean Hively, ARS-USDA
• Pasture Systems – Les Vough, UMD
• Ammonia Emissions Reductions – Tom Simpson, Water Stewardship, Inc.
• Urban Stormwater Treatment – Andy Baldwin, UMD
• Field Management – Mark Dubin, UMD/MAWP/CBP
• Riparian Grass and Forest Buffers – Judy Okay, U.S. Forest Service
• Infiltration and Filtration Practices – Kelly Collins, Center for Watershed Protection
• Others – Sarah Weammert, UMD/MAWP
• Lessons Learned and Conclusions – Tom Simpson, Water Stewardship, Inc.
• Closing Panel – Norm Goulet, Russ Perkinson, and Ron Korczak

References
To receive a copy of one of the references used in this project, contact Sally Bradley (sbradley@chesapeakebay.net).