The state of Maryland is taking a new approach to restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which has been plagued by ecological problems despite decades of cleanup efforts. The Whole Watershed Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Sarah Elfreth, aims to accelerate the restoration of the Bay and its watersheds by concentrating funding and improvements in specific areas.
The Severn River Watershed
The Severn River watershed, which includes the state capital of Annapolis, is one of five watersheds selected for the program. The watershed has been affected by pollution from impervious surfaces, such as roads and rooftops, as well as fertilizers and pesticides from lawns and gardens.
A recent project in the Severn River watershed, which included the installation of two bio-retention cells in a parking lot, aims to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution in the stormwater runoff. The cells capture stormwater and filter it through a bed of sand, soil, and organic material, reducing pollutants and lowering the water temperature before it reaches a tributary of the Severn River.
A Coordinated Approach
The Whole Watershed Act represents a shift in approach from previous restoration efforts, which were often fragmented and focused on specific projects rather than a comprehensive strategy. The new approach aims to link solutions together and achieve a faster, more appreciable environmental response.
Each of the five selected watersheds has received $2 million to cover this year’s work, with future funding uncertain. While the goals of the Whole Watershed Act are open-ended, the law defines its purpose as accelerating the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its watersheds in a cost-effective and rapid manner.
Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.
