Friday, February 10, 2012
Local
Comment
Get Email Alerts!

Our Bay: Attacking the bay's nitrogen problem

Capital Gazette Communications
Published 05/23/09

The restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, in many ways, all comes down to a single number: 175 million.

Photo courtesy of Bob Gilbert Gov. Martin O’Malley joins other government leaders at Mount Vernon earlier this month in announcing efforts to cut more nitrogen and phosphorus pollution that reaches the Chesapeake Bay by 2011. Even if those goals are met, however, there is still a long way to go to get nitrogen down to the ultimate goal of 175 million pounds per year. Currently, nitrogen pollution is nearly 260 million pounds per year.
Find Us On Facebook

That's how many pounds of nitrogen pollution can flow into the Chesapeake Bay and not screw up the ecosystem too badly.

The bay cleanup effort has scores of goals for cutting phosphorus and sediment pollution and restoring grasses, fish and oysters. But nitrogen is front and center.

If nitrogen pollution is slashed, experts said, the bay has a shot of returning to a healthy, productive estuary.

"Nitrogen and phosphorus are the main pollutants that are affecting the health of the Chesapeake Bay and our local...

This story has expired!
You can purchase the full text in our news archives.

Copyright © Capital Gazette Communications LLC, 2012.
See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
YOUR COMMENTS

If you encounter other problems, please email nlundskow@capitalgazette.com and include your name, username, and any errors or messages that are displayed. The more information you can provide, the better able we will be to assist you.

In order to post or vote on a comment, you must be signed in with a hometownannapolis account.

Take a look at a summary of Commenting Guidelines.


Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 0

Our Bay - 2009-05-23 15:25:18

The good news is that we have a governor who recognizes the importance of the health of the environment to the well being of citizens. O'Malley's EPA, unlike the previous Ehrlich administration does pay attention and respond to the need for environmental oversight and protections. The bad news is that the local government has not caught on, that local zoning decisions are very influential in the Bay's health and yet continues to ignore the need to really control growth in the watersheds. Ed Reilley (R-7th) has no appreciation for the need for "smart" growth. During his tenure he has maximized commercial zoning on ill suited properties; altered the definition of water front property in AA County. And of course the most recent failure to pass legislation to help people upgrade private septic systems. The present General Development plan, designed with business in mind, leaves little doubt, when the economy recovers, builder/developers will have little interference from government to maximize their profits at the expense of the Bay.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Maryellen Brady - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Neutral

LOGIN TO POST A COMMENT

If you encounter other problems, please email nlundskow@capitalgazette.com and include your name, username, and any errors or messages that are displayed. The more information you can provide, the better able we will be to assist you.

Username: Password:
Forgot your username? Forgot your password? Create an account
LOGIN
Facebook click
Twitter click
MDGazette click
HometownBowie click
video
video
Walker Babington, the Burning Man
video
video
Navy Sports Chat - football wrap up
video
video
Navy blimp lands at Lee Airport
video
video
Navy Sports Chat - Army Navy football preview
video
video
Singer Suzy Estrada
video
video
Fatal Kent Island fire

• BUY PHOTOS & VIDEO>>


slideshow
slideshow
Holy Cross defeats Navy men
slideshow
slideshow
Meade at Annapolis Basketball
slideshow
slideshow
The Gallery - Feb. 2012
slideshow
slideshow
Home of the Week: Jennifer Squillario and Ian Taylor
slideshow
slideshow
Wednesday to Wednesday, Jan. 20- Feb 1, 2012
slideshow
slideshow
St. Mary's vs. Severn wrestling
#1 - Drinking & Driving
#2 - Callahan remembered as outspoken, competitive
#3 - Property Sold
#4 - Man convicted of bizarre sex scheme back in court
#5 - Inmate found guilty of murdering correctional officer
#6 - Police Beat: Pedestrian hit by car in Eastport
#7 - Man not guilty of lying about fatal accident
#8 - Manager runs down shoplifting suspect
#9 - Title company owner gets 1 year for mortgage fraud
#10 - Animal Control: Injured pit bull used as 'bait dog'
#1 - English county's official language? (27 comments)
#2 - Right Stuff: Judge O'Malley's decision (18 comments)
#3 - Anne Arundel cracks down on land use offenses (13 comments)
#4 - Woman gets life in prison for killing dentist (12 comments)
#5 - Animal Control: Injured pit bull used as 'bait dog' (11 comments)
Advertisement
Advertise
Archive
Blogs
Calendar
Comments
Contact us
Cookbook
Slideshows
Video
AP Video
SUBMIT INFO:
Anniversary
Band info
Birth
Calendar event
Engagement
Letter
Obituary
Wedding
Share Ideas