Stream Restoration Permitting Survey

Description

In 2023, the Chesapeake Bay Program's Stream Health Workgroup's Stream Restoration Permitting Committee conducted a survey to track and report progress and identify remaining and/or new issues on permitting stream restoration projects. This survey was administered from April 21-June 23, 2023, and workgroup members and interested parties were encouraged to forward the survey to those outside of the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership. The results were discussed with the Committee and the Workgroup to acknowledge progress and address identified issues. Overall, comments pointed to a greater need to understand the full breadth of ecosystem benefits and impacts from stream restoration projects. This includes more detailed monitoring of pre- and postrestoration conditions including nutrient loads, and an assessment of the trade-offs between the existing and proposed stream corridor. Respondents also noted that the efficient review of applications has been hampered by low capacity; the process would be improved by additional knowledgeable staff.