National Plant Materials Center Selects Chesapeake Bay for Recognition During National Wetlands Month

(reprinted from the May 2006 Plant Solutions newsletter)

With watersheds from six states pouring into it everyday, the Chesapeake Bay is our nation’s largest estuary, and an endangered wetland.

The states that affect the health of the Bay are Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York. In each of these states the largest land use is by far agriculture. Because of this, much of the water runoff that comes from these farms could contain large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides which ultimately find their way into the Bay.

The accumulated effects of this water runoff results in high nitrogen levels which, when heated by the sun during the summer months, creates algae blooms which can be miles across and can suffocate wildlife in the waters of the Bay.
 

Canadian geese rest on Chesapeake Bay wetlands on Maryland's Eastern Shore

To ameliorate this process the NRCS works with farmers in the watershed of the Chesapeake Bay to encourage them to install conservation practices, such as riparian buffers and other cost saving conservation practices that encourage infiltration of much of the water runoff.

Although much hard work still needs to be done to clean the Bay, over the years agriculture has been doing its part to lessen pollution. And, since May is National Wetlands Month, the staff at the National Plant Materials Center would like to acknowledge the hard work of those in the agricultural community who are voluntarily making a positive impact on keeping the Bay clean and healthy for all to enjoy.

Through the NRCS' many voluntary Farm Bill programs the farmers of the Chesapeake Bay have demonstrated a stewardship that has allowed the NRCS to continue Helping People Help the Land.


Form more information on Farm Bill programs go to: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/index.html
Contact: Robert Westover, Public Affairs Specialist, NRCS Plant Materials Program, Robert.Westover@md.usda.gov
 

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