Records 1-20 of 346
Estimates of County-Level Nitrogen and Phosphorus Date for Use in Modeling Pollutant Reduction
(1.86 MB)
Publication date: 6/1/2009 | Type of document: Report
This report documents the calculations and procedures for the preparation of the input data to the Watershed Model - HSPF Phase 5. These calculations are used for creating the calibration data as well as scenario data. They form the basis of the Nutrient and Sediment Scenario Builder tool. The data created in this tool include: manure and chemical fertilizer applications by each nutrient type, land use in acres, plant uptake (the monthly amount of total nitrogen and total phosphorus taken into the entire plant -- roots, and all above-ground parts), nitrogen fixation (the amount of N fixed by leguminous plants each month), area of soil that is not covered by residue ...
Tidal Sediment Yield Estimate Methodology in Virginia for the Chesapeake Bay Program Water Quality Model
(1.07 MB)
Publication date: 6/1/2009 | Type of document: Report
Water quality in Chesapeake Bay has degraded over the past 50 years with respect to oxygen depletion and reduced light attenuation. While the causes are numerous, sediment resuspension from wave and tidal action cloud the water column and reduce light attenuation thereby negatively affecting submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds. Sediments on the Bay bottom come from upland runoff and shoreline erosion, each of which has significant contributions to the loading of sediments into estuary. The purpose of this report is to assess the present methods used to calculate sediment loading from tidal shoreline erosion that is input to the Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Model (WQM).
Socioeconomic Atlas for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
(39.83 MB)
Publication date: 4/1/2009 | Type of document: Report
A Socioeconomic Atlas for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed presents information about population, economy and commerce, social and cultural characteristics, recreation and tourism, administration and government, and land use for counties within the Bay watershed. Over 30 color maps are included, along with data tables, descriptive information, and a list of data sources.
Turning Chesapeake Bay Watershed Poultry Manure and Litter into Energy
(1.12 MB)
Publication date: 1/24/2008 | Type of document: Report
The purpose of this report is to analyze the feasibility of using poultry litter for energy in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Using excess manure to feed energy generation systems in this region could potentially result in a reduced nutrient load to the Bay, thus improving water quality. In order to better assess the feasibility of this option, this report explores technologies that could potentially be used to convert poultry litter into energy and identifies impediments and incentives that a litter-to-energy project may encounter.
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Assistance Network Access to Federal Funds
(1.94 MB)
Publication date: 9/19/2007 | Type of document: Report
The Federal Agencies Committee (FAC) and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Assistance Network led the effort in developing this document. It was developed for stakeholders involved in the implementation of the State Tributary Strategies. It addresses the commitment in the Resolution to Enhance Federal Cooperative Conservation in the Chesapeake Bay Program, "to provide restoration managers, local governments, watershed associations and landowners with more effective access to appropriate programs of Federal and state agencies, in order to accelerate restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. Through input from FAC members, and EPA staff, this document was expanded to include ...
Geospatial Data Quality Assurance Project Plan
(282 KB)
Publication date: 7/31/2007 | Type of document: Report
GIS activities undertaken at the Chesapeake Bay Program Office follow the directives outlined in the National Geospatial Data Policy (NGDP). The NGDP establishes principles, responsibilities, and requirements for collecting and managing geospatial data used by Federal environmental programs and projects within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This Policy also establishes the requirement of collecting and managing geospatial metadata describing the Agency’s geospatial assets to underscore EPA’s commitment to data sharing, promoting secondary data use, and supporting the National Spatial Data Infrastructure ...
An Introduction to Sedimentsheds: Sediment and Its Relationship to Chesapeake Bay Water Clarity
(768 KB) (Order hard-copy)
Publication date: 5/1/2007 | Type of document: Report
This report sets the foundation for developing sedimentsheds to help determine the source of sediment that is contributing to water clarity violations in a SAV grow zone to assist with the 2010 sediment reallocation process. The report details the history of the 2003 Sediment Cap Load Allocations, describes sediment sources and sinks, and presents an exploratory analysis of Chesapeake Bay wide water quality monitoring data with the purpose of prioritizing areas with poor water clarity and high inorganic solids (sediment) in the water column.
Best Management Practices for Sediment Control and Water Clarity Enhancement
(789 KB) (Order hard-copy)
Publication date: 10/1/2006 | Type of document: Report
The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) hosted a workshop in Annapolis, Maryland on February 24-25, 2003, at which sediment experts shared information related to sediment best management practices (BMPs). The information presented on selected BMPs has been summarized in this document, and is intended to assist the CBPs Sediment Workgroup (SedWG) and others as they move to the next generation of sediment controls and other practices to improve water clarity in riverine, tidal and near shore areas. In order to provide a thorough summary of each BMP to the workgroup, experts from within the CBP community have contributed to the presenters information. Each final BMP summary has received the approval ...
The State of Chesapeake Forests
(37.26 MB)
Publication date: 9/1/2006 | Type of document: Report
This first-of-its-kind report synthesizes more than a decade's worth of data from public and private sources, highlights current forest conditions, forecasts future trends, and outlines key goals and strategies necessary to conserve and restore the forests of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The report calls for a strategic, long-term approach that identifies and focuses on forests with the highest environmental, economic, and social values. Together, public and private partners can help preserve the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its residents through a concerted effort to protect its forests.
Ecosystem Effects of Oyster Restoration in Virginia Habitat and Lease Areas
(1.23 MB)
Publication date: 6/1/2006 | Type of document: Report
This report is the third in a series in which the Chesapeake Bay Environment Model Package was used to assess the environmental benefits of oyster restoration in the Chesapeake Bay. Here, the effects of oyster restoration to all potential Virginia oyster habitat were investigated.
2004 Chesapeake Bay Oyster Management Plan
(354 KB) (Order hard-copy)
Publication date: 12/5/2005 | Type of document: Report
The Oyster Management Plan includes both a general framework and specific guidance for managing and rebuilding the native oyster stock in Chesapeake Bay. The development of the plan was a multi-partner endeavor by representatives from state and federal agencies, academia, environmental organizations, and the oyster industry. The strategies include evaluating the use of sanctuaries and harvest reserves to obtain optimum ecological and economic benefits; rebounding habitat; increasing hatchery production; breeding disease-resistant oysters; evaluating impediments to aquaculture; managing harvest; improving coordination among the oyster partners; and developing a database to track oyster ...
Chesapeake Bay Program Analytical Segmentation Scheme - Revisions, Decisions and Rationales 1983-2003, 2005 Addendum
(225 KB)
Publication date: 12/1/2005 | Type of document: Report
In October 2004, the Chesapeake Bay Program released Chesapeake Bay Program Analytical Segmentation Scheme: Revisions, Decisions, and Rationales 1983-2003 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2004). The Segmentation Scheme Report provided documentation on the development of the spatial segmentation scheme of the Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries over the period from 1983 to 2003. The 2003 revisions to the Chesapeake Bay Program segmentation scheme included multiple segments and split segments that crossed jurisdictional boundaries. This has led to some confusion as to the area within segments that are under the jurisdiction of the individual states and the District of Columbia. In an ...
Evaluating Ecosystem Effects of Oyster Restoration in Chesapeake Bay-A report to the MD DNR
(841 KB)
Publication date: 9/1/2005 | Type of document: Report
The Chesapeake Bay Environmental Model Package (CBEMP) was used to assess the environmental benefits of oyster restoration in Chesapeake Bay. The CBEMP consists of a coupled system of models including a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model, a three-dimensional eutrophication model and a sediment diagenesis model
Riparian Forest Buffer Design and Maintenance
Publication date: 6/1/2005 | Type of document: Report
Riparian forest buffers (RFBs) are essential components of maintaining long-term stream and watershed health and resilience in the Chesapeake Bay region. RFBs also provide valuable ecological functions for wildlife habitat and biodiversity. This guide has been prepared as a resource to the many who wish to establish a forest buffer efficiently, effectively, and with a minimum of maintenance.