Our Bay: Attacking the bay's nitrogen problem

New goals aim to reduce pollution

By PAMELA WOOD, Staff Writer

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.

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...

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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.

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Maryellen Brady - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Neutral