1. Chesapeake Bay Program
A Watershed Partnership
The Chapman Perelman Foundation Water Body Remediation Invitational Summit East Hamptons, NY March 9-10, 2017
Nick DiPasquale
Director, Chesapeake Bay Program

2. The Chesapeake Bay and Watershed
Largest estuary in North America and the third largest in the world.
Home to almost 18 million people. About 150,000 new people move into the watershed each year.
Tens of thousands of streams, creeks, and rivers are resources for communities throughout the watershed.
84,000 farms - principally family owned
Supports more than 3,600 species of plants, fish and animals
Largest estuary in North America and the third largest in the world.
Land-to-water ratio is 14:1; largest of any coastal water body in the world.
Average depth of 21 feet – productivity.
Supports more than 3,600 species of plants, fish and animals
Home to 18 million people. About 150,000 new people move into the watershed each year.
Tens of thousands of streams, creeks, and rivers are resources for communities throughout the watershed.
84,000 principally family farms.
largest of any coastal water body in the world.

3. Bay Health Issues –We have a degraded ecosystem
-Decline in the population and health of fish and wildlife. Examples include decline in crab populations and poor health of fish. Examples of poor health include mycobacteriosis in striped bass and intersex conditions in fish.
-Poor water—Bay listed as an impaired water body and a TMDL is being developed. Excess nutrients, sediment, and contaminants in the watershed and delivered to the Bay. Over 90 percent of the Bay is considered impaired and unable to support key fish species
-Loss of habitat—forest and wetland loss. We are losing almost 100 acres of forests per day. These are important habitats that sequester pollutants and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.
Caused by…
-population in watershed doubled since So increasing sources of pollution
-Over harvesting of living resources
-Greatest rate of sea-level rise on the east coast contributing to loss of wetlands.

4. Bay Health Issues –We have a degraded ecosystem
-Decline in the population and health of fish and wildlife. Examples include decline in crab populations and poor health of fish. Examples of poor health include mycobacteriosis in striped bass and intersex conditions in fish.
-Poor water—Bay listed as an impaired water body and a TMDL is being developed. Excess nutrients, sediment, and contaminants in the watershed and delivered to the Bay. Over 90 percent of the Bay is considered impaired and unable to support key fish species
-Loss of habitat—forest and wetland loss. We are losing almost 100 acres of forests per day. These are important habitats that sequester pollutants and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.
Caused by…
-population in watershed doubled since So increasing sources of pollution
-Over harvesting of living resources
-Greatest rate of sea-level rise on the east coast contributing to loss of wetlands.

5. Bay Health Issues –We have a degraded ecosystem
-Decline in the population and health of fish and wildlife. Examples include decline in crab populations and poor health of fish. Examples of poor health include mycobacteriosis in striped bass and intersex conditions in fish.
-Poor water—Bay listed as an impaired water body and a TMDL is being developed. Excess nutrients, sediment, and contaminants in the watershed and delivered to the Bay. Over 90 percent of the Bay is considered impaired and unable to support key fish species
-Loss of habitat—forest and wetland loss. We are losing almost 100 acres of forests per day. These are important habitats that sequester pollutants and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.
Caused by…
-population in watershed doubled since So increasing sources of pollution
-Over harvesting of living resources
-Greatest rate of sea-level rise on the east coast contributing to loss of wetlands.

6. Issues –We have a degraded ecosystem
-Decline in the population and health of fish and wildlife. Examples include decline in crab populations and poor health of fish. Examples of poor health include mycobacteriosis in striped bass and intersex conditions in fish.
-Poor water—Bay listed as an impaired water body and a TMDL is being developed. Excess nutrients, sediment, and contaminants in the watershed and delivered to the Bay. Over 90 percent of the Bay is considered impaired and unable to support key fish species
-Loss of habitat—forest and wetland loss. We are losing almost 100 acres of forests per day. These are important habitats that sequester pollutants and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.
Caused by…
-population in watershed doubled since So increasing sources of pollution
-Over harvesting of living resources
-Greatest rate of sea-level rise on the east coast contributing to loss of wetlands.

7. The Bay ‘s Summertime Dead Zone is Decreasing in Size!
Source: Testa, 2017 unpublished

8. History Chesapeake Bay Program Formed (1983)
1987 Chesapeake Bay Agreement (1987)
Chesapeake 2000 Agreement (2000)
MD, VA, PA, DC, the CB Commission and the Federal Government
MOU with DE, NY, WV ( )
2009 Executive Order
2010 Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load
June 16, 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement
Issues –We have a degraded ecosystem
-Decline in the population and health of fish and wildlife. Examples include decline in crab populations and poor health of fish. Examples of poor health include mycobacteriosis in striped bass and intersex conditions in fish.
-Poor water—Bay listed as an impaired water body and a TMDL is being developed. Excess nutrients, sediment, and contaminants in the watershed and delivered to the Bay. Over 90 percent of the Bay is considered impaired and unable to support key fish species
-Loss of habitat—forest and wetland loss. We are losing almost 100 acres of forests per day. These are important habitats that sequester pollutants and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.
Caused by…
-population in watershed doubled since So increasing sources of pollution
-Over harvesting of living resources
-Greatest rate of sea-level rise on the east coast contributing to loss of wetlands.

9. Chesapeake Bay Program Management Structure
Management Board
Scientific & Technical
Advisory Committee
Local Government
Citizens’ Advisory
Committee
Action Teams
Social Sciences
Laboratory Recommendation
Action Team
Chesapeake Executive Council
Principals’ Staff Committee
Independent
Evaluator
Communications
Workgroup
Scientific,
Technical Assessment,
and Reporting
Partnering,
Leadership
& Management
Maintain
Healthy
Watersheds
Protect &
Restore Water
Quality
Sustainable
Fisheries
Protect & Restore
Vital Habitats
Foster
Chesapeake
Stewardship
Goal Implementation Teams
Implementation
Workgroups

10. Funding
Executive Order led to an annual cross-cut budget for all Federal Agencies working on the Bay
Approximately $2.2 billion over 5 years
Federal Funding ~ $500 million per year
EPA portion through Clean Water Act, Section 117
From $50M (FY10) to $73M (FY16) per year
2/3 goes to states for support of implementation
Environmental Finance Center
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
2 grant programs through funding primarily from EPA
Small Watershed Grants - $6M
Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grants - $6M
$65 million since 2010

11. Chesapeake Bay TMDL
Bay TMDL, established December 29, 2010, is a Pollution Diet or Budget
Average of 25% reduction in nutrient and sediment load from 2009 base year; total reduction of 40+% from 1985
Memorializes the Allocations on an interstate basis, per state and major river basin, and to individual sources (WLA for point sources)
Permits must align with the TMDL
Largely informed by State-defined Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) – Strategies and source accountability
Oversight provided through 2-Year Milestones and EPA annual evaluations of progress
By 2017, jurisdictions should have practices in place that would achieve 60 percent of necessary pollutant reductions compared to 2009.
When fully implemented, the WIPs will ensure all practices necessary to meet water quality standards in the Chesapeake Bay will be in place by 2025.
2025 is the finish line for implementation under this TMDL, but not for achieving Water Quality Standards. Lag times will mean a delay in achieving the needed reductions, and there will continue to be a need to offset for additional loads.

12. On June 16, 2014, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement was signed

13. Our Goals Sustainable Fisheries Goal Vital Habitat Goal
Blue Crab Abundance Outcome
Blue Crab Management Outcome
Oyster Outcome
Forage Fish Outcome
Fish Habitat Outcome
Vital Habitat Goal
Wetlands Outcome
Black Duck
Stream Health Outcome
Brook Trout
Fish Passage Outcome
SAV Outcome
Forest Buffer Outcome
Tree Canopy Outcome
Water Quality Goal
2017 WIP Outcome
2025 WIP Outcome
Water Quality Standards Attainment and Monitoring Outcome
Toxic Contaminants Goal
Toxic Contaminant Research Outcome
Toxic Contaminant Policy and
Prevention Outcome
Healthy Watersheds Goal
Healthy Watersheds Outcome
Stewardship Goal
Citizen Stewardship Outcome
Local Leadership Outcome
Diversity Outcome
Product – What does it say and how does it hold the signers accountable while setting it up for adaptive management?
Ecosystem based – not just water quality
High level, telling public what they can hold signatories accountable for

14. Our Goals Land Conservation Goal Public Access Goal
Protected Lands Outcome
Land Use Methods and Metrics Development Outcome
Land Use Options Evaluation Outcome
Public Access Goal
Public Access Site Development Outcome
Environmental Literacy
Student Outcome
Sustainable Schools Outcome
Environmental Literacy Planning Outcome
Climate Resiliency
Monitoring and Assessment Outcome
Adaptation Outcome

15. Evaluating Bay Health
Monitoring important habitats, fish and shellfish, and water quality measures in the Bay and its watershed. 
Tracking pollution, population and other measures that affect the Bay’s health.

16. Use Habitats to Define Designated Uses
A. Cross Section of Chesapeake Bay or Tidal Tributary
Shallow-Water
Bay Grass Use
Open-Water
Fish and Shellfish Use
Deep-Water
Seasonal Fish and
Shellfish Use
Deep-Channel
Seasonal Refuge Use
B. Oblique View of the “Chesapeake Bay” and its Tidal Tributaries
Migratory Fish
Spawning and
Nursery Use
The Bay Program is moving toward a fish-eye view of the Chesapeake. What a fish sees, though, is a highly diverse Chesapeake Bay.
There are shallow areas that are important for spawning, and grass beds that serve as nursery areas for their young. There are also large areas of open water where they feed on algae or other fish. Deep areas, where they may rarely venture during the summer, are important refuges from winter cold.
The new criteria and designated uses seek to take that diversity into account by essentially zoning the Bay. They divide the Bay and its tidal tributaries into five “designated uses” based on the types of habitat provided for specific species.
Those uses include: shallow-water bay grass use, open-water fish and shellfish use, migratory fish spawning and nursery areas, deep-water seasonal fish and shellfish use, and deep-channel seasonal refuge use. Different criteria would be applied to each use based on the species found there: grasses in shallow water, adult fish in open water, oysters in deep water, crab food in the deep channel, and so on.
Open-Water
Habitat
Shallow-Water
Bay Grass Use
Deep-Water
Seasonal Fish and
Shellfish Use
Deep-Channel Seasonal Refuge Use
Source: U.S. EPA 2003

17. Use Aquatic Life Needs by Habitat to Derive Criteria
Minimum Amount of Oxygen (mg/L) Needed to Survive by Species
Migratory Fish Spawning & Nursery Areas 6
Striped Bass: 5-6 5
American Shad: 5
Shallow and Open Water Areas
White Perch: 5 4
Yellow Perch: 5
Hard Clams: 5
Deep Water 3
Alewife: 3.6
Migratory Spawning & Nursery Areas
6 mg/l averaged over 7 days and a 5mg/l 1-day minimum – Feb 15th – June 10th.
This is intended to protect larval and early juvenile stages of freshwater species in upper tributaries and the Upper Chesapeake Bay. The early life stages are often more sensitive to low oxygen levels than adult fish.
Shallow and Open Water Areas
5mg/l as a 30-day average, with a 7-day average of 4mg/l and a 1-day minimum of 3.5 mg/l – all year round.
This provides enough oxygen for the survival of larval and juvenile fish found in these areas. The minimum level is enough to prevent lethal effects for the Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, the latter of which is listed as an endangered species.
Deep Water Uses
3mg/l as a 30-day average, with a 1-day minimum of 1.7 mg/l. - April through Sept. During October through April, the shallow open water use criteria applies.
During the summer, these oxygen levels would protect eggs and larvae of bay anchovy, one of the most abundant fish in the Chesapeake and a critical link in the food chain.
Deep Channel Uses
1mg/l minimum from May through September. From October through April, the shallow/open water use criteria would apply.
These levels are intended to protect worms and other bottom dwellers that can tolerate low oxygen levels during the summer. In winter, these areas are important foraging areas for blue crabs and finfish that seek refuge in these deeper, warmer waters. 2
Crabs: 3
Bay Anchovy: 3
Deep Channel 1
Spot: 2
Worms: 1

18. Scientific Basis for Criteria and Uses
Water Quality Criteria
Dissolved Oxygen
Water Clarity
Chlorophyll-a
The Bay is divided into 92 river segments, each with up to 5 designated uses for a total of 291 designated uses.

19. Establish Basinwide Assimilative Capacity then Assign Major River and Interstate Loading Targets

20. Drive Towards Loads = Standards Achievement

21. Relative Effect of a Pound of Pollution on Water Quality
Nutrient and sediment pollution from some land areas have a greater direct impact on the Bay than from others

22. Major Basin-State by Relative Impact on Water Quality

23. Allocating Nutrient and Sediment Pollutant Load Reduction Responsibilities by States and Sources

24. Allocate to Sources Through States’ Watershed Implementation Plans

25. Pollution Diet by River Pollution Diet by State
These maps show the breakdown by state and by major river basin.
We’ve already discussed how it’s further broken down into 92 river segments and up to 291 designated uses.

26. Multi-State Monitoring Networks

27. Sustained Monitoring Networks benefit Measuring Progress

28. Partnership Approves BMPs
Partnership has approved more than 400 Best Management Practices to date
Partnership follows an established BMP protocol for convening panels of recognized experts to develop BMP definitions and pollution reduction efficiencies
BMP protocol also spells out the entire Partnership review and approval procedures
States submit annual reports on the implemented acres, miles, numbers of Partnership approved BMPs
These reported BMPs are simulated through the suite of Partnership models and load reductions are estimated
300+ unique practice names available for reporting through NEIEN
About 50 unique BMP names available for conservation plans alone
These lump into 200+ more-inclusive BMP categories in Scenario Builder across the agricultural, urban, septic, and natural sectors
Wastewater controls across significant + non-significant facilities, municipal + industrial

29. Establish Accountability Framework then Build into Commitments to Reduce Watershed Pollutant Loads

30. Establish Accountability Framework
1. Watershed
Implementation
Plans identify
nutrient and sediment targets that meet water quality standards.
with programmatic and pollutant reduction commitments
Milestones
2. 2-Year
Assess
Progress
implementing WIPs and milestones
3.Track and
We share progress, decisions and evaluations through a number of outlets, including:
Chesapeake STAT
Progress
Data
Decisions
TMDL Website, where evaluations are published
Executive Order website to track progress by federal agencies
CAST
BayTAS (for planners with an account) -- BayTAS provides access to nutrient load, BMP, and supporting data specific to implementation of and progress toward the Chesapeake Bay TMDL
4. Federal Actions
if insufficient
Watershed Implementation Plans or 2-year milestones

31. Annually Evaluate Milestones Progress

32. Provide EPA Oversight Enhanced Oversight
These are the Oversight levels established during the 2014 Interim Evaluations.
Final evaluations for Milestones will be completed in June.

33. Trading
We feel Water Quality trading is an essential tool allowing states to offset:
new development
increases in existing loads
land use changes
in most cost effective manner
The Chesapeake Bay TMDL website has each of the jurisdictions programs and a series of TMs

34. Track, Verify and Report Best Management Practices, Treatments and Technologies Across all Source Sectors

35. Discharged Total Nitrogen Loads from 472
Significant Municipal and Industrial Wastewater Treatment Facilities vs. Municipal Flow
Wastewater sector has met 2025 Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction targets 10 years ahead of schedule.
Reductions in pollution generating public health, environmental and economic benefits.
In past 30 years, nearly 900 million pounds of nitrogen and phosphorus abated – even as population, volume increased.
Largest and most successful program in the nation to control nutrient pollution from direct sources.

36. Discharged Total Phosphorus Loads from 472 Significant Municipal and Industrial Wastewater Treatment Facilities vs. Municipal Flow
Goals reached through enforceable permits, major capital improvements, phosphorus detergent bans and manufacturing process changes.
Bay Program funded R&D for nutrient removal technology.
Many facilities removing more nitrogen from wastewater than believed possible; achieving reductions beyond what permits require.
Investments largely triggered by 2004 agreement between EPA and the Bay watershed jurisdictions; since reflected in the Bay TMDL and accompanying implementation plans.

37. Air Deposition
Airshed is 570,000 square miles – 9 times larger than the watershed
1/3 of nitrogen pollution comes from air deposition
Between , loads of oxidized nitrogen from atmospheric deposition in the Chesapeake Bay watershed is projected to decrease by about 60%

38. BMP Verification Life Cycle
installed,
verified, and reported by Jurisdiction
Data quality assurance/ validation
BMP lifespan ends – re-verify
BMP verified/
upgraded with new technology
BMP no longer present/functional removed from database OR
BMP gains efficiency
BMP fully functional
BMP nears end of life span
Initial Inspection
Follow-up Checks
BMP Performance
BMP performance metrics collected

39. TMDL Midpoint Assessment
What’s Next for MPA?
Local area targets: Task Force recommendations spring 2017, partnership decisions summer 2017, factor into Phase III WIPs 2018
Phase 6 Models: independent scientific peer reviews spring/summer 2016; continue Partnership reviews 2016-early 2017; management application starting late spring 2017
Conowingo Dam: Partnership decisions on path forward fall 2016; solid understanding of level of nutrients/sediment loads to be offset spring 2017; factor into Phase III WIPs 2018
Climate Change: independent scientific peer review summer 2016, partnership decisions on how to factor into WIPs fall 2016-spring 2017, factor into Phase III WIPs 2018
2025 Projections: Partnership discussions about how to address increased load due to growth within the Phase III WIPs fall 2016-spring 2017
Phase III WIP Expectation: share draft with Partners summer 2016; actively seek feedback/input; finalize expectations by summer 2017
Implications from Monitoring Trends: initial explanations of long term monitoring trends winter 2016, factor into development of Phase III target loads in 2017 and into Phase III WIPs in 2018
Analysis of Programmatic Capacity: factor into development of Phase III target loads in 2017 and into Phase III WIPs in 2018
Phase III WIP Target Loads: approve suite of Partnership models for management application spring 2017; develop target loads spring-winter 2017; factor into Phase III WIPs 2018
Issues:
Land Use changes
Climate Change
Geographic (James River & Conowingo)
New BMPs
Phase 6 Models

40. Summary – Essential Elements
Conducting Baseline Assessment
Establishing Water Quality Criteria and Standards
Estimating Pollutant Loading by Source Sector (including air deposition)
Setting Point Source Waste Load and Non-Point Source Load Allocations
Reaching Agreement on Watershed-wide Permitting Strategies for Wastewater and Stormwater
Setting Interim Targets
Developing Linked Environmental Models to Address Management Questions

41. Summary – Essential Elements
Establishing Watershed-wide Monitoring Networks overseen by multiple partners (including non-traditional monitoring programs)
Creating BMP Approval and Verification Programs
Establishing a Management  and Accountability System
Watershed Implementation Plans
Two Year Milestones
Annual Progress Reporting
Developing Tracking and Reporting Systems
Calculating Load Reduction Estimates
Accounting for Growth

42. Summary – Essential Elements
Soliciting Federal Facility Engagement
Engaging Local Governments (they do most of the implementation)
Providing Funding/Financing/Technical Assistance
Developing Planning and Decision Support Tools
Providing Flexibility and Science-based Adaptive Management
Supporting Transparency
Promoting Public Involvement and Reporting

43. Lessons Learned Progress is not immediate Lag times P saturated soils
Contaminated groundwater
Progress is not linear
Varies with weather/precipitation
Varies with location in the watershed

44. Lessons Learned Comprehensive Approach Restoration takes time
Ongoing growth and development
Changing conditions like climate impacts
Emerging contaminants – Personal Care Products, Micro- plastics, Estrogen Disruptors
Restoration requires management of expectations
General public
Elected officials
Comprehensive Approach
Ecosystem-based approach is more effective

45. Lessons Learned
A Management & Accountability System is Essential for Progress
Allocations
Watershed Implementation Strategies
2-Year Milestones (Numeric and Programmatic)
Annual Progress Reports
Mid-Point Assessment
Co-Benefits/Avoided Costs

46. Lessons Learned Local Governments do the heavy lifting
Information & resource sharing is critical
“One size fits all” doesn’t work
Targeted actions are critical, but difficult
Maintaining a monitoring network is important
Use of an adaptive management decision-making framework is important to success
Shared leadership leads to buy-in

47. Questions? Learn more at www.chesapeakebay.net/ watershedagreement
Microplastics
Pharmaceutical biproducts
Personal hygiene
Climate change
Learn more at
watershedagreement