On July 23, 2015, the Chesapeake Executive Council met in
Washington D.C. to discuss the status of the Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts.
During the meeting, the Council announced the introduction
of 25 management strategies to improve the health of the Bay. The council also
agreed on two resolutions, one of which will increase the use of riparian forest buffers to meet cleanup and nutrient reduction goals. The resolution
seeks to introduce new strategies and work plans with the USDA via conservation
programs aimed at riparian buffers. The council also approved two joint
letters, one of which focused on programs to keep livestock out of streams.
Pennsylvania Secretary John Quigley, from the state
Department of Environmental Protection, reaffirmed Pennsylvania’s commitment to
the cleanup and restoration efforts following an EPA assessment that declared
the state to be “substantially off-track” in meeting with reduction goals.
Secretary Quigley said that the state will improve the restoration efforts by
increasing compliance enforcement, and by better accounting for the voluntary efforts
made by farmers to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff. If the state fails to
make improvements, the EPA may begin greater oversight within the area.
Written by Tyler R. Etter- Research Assistant
July 28, 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment