One of the greatest challenges to restoration is continued population growth and development, which destroys forests, wetlands and other natural areas. The impact of human activity is overwhelming nature and offsetting cleanup efforts.
The indicators are not related to goals at this time.
The Bay watershed spreads over 64,000 square miles, creating some of the most special land and water areas in our country. The Chesapeake's future depends on the choices made every day by the millions of people who live within the Bay watershed.
What each of us does on the land — including the use of vehicles, fertilizers, pesticides, electricity and water — affects our streams, rivers and ultimately the Bay.
- Population growth and agricultural lands have contributed to an overabundance of nutrients, sediment and contaminants entering the Bay, and loss of habitats that can retain these pollutants.
- Impervious surfaces increased 41 percent during the 1990s compared to an 8-percent increase in population. The rate of increase of impervious surface implies there will be more rapid delivery of nutrients to streams and an increase in sediment erosion.
- One hundred acres of forest are lost each day in the watershed. As forests and wetlands are destroyed to make room for roads and buildings, their ability to hold back pollutants and the important habitat they offer are lost as well.
- Experts predict that the population will increase to about 20 million by 2030.
Nita Sylvester at 800-968-7229 ext. 711