By Harry Campbell, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Office Executive Director
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) latest assessment of how Bay states are doing when it comes to meeting pollution-reduction goals made news last week. Unfortunately, in Pennsylvania’s portion of the progress report, not much was actually new.
The Commonwealth continues to lag significantly behind in meeting its Clean Water Blueprint goals for reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution from agriculture and urban and suburban runoff.
It is close to reaching the overall mark for phosphorus reduction.
Pennsylvania isn’t the only state with work to do. Maryland and Virginia have also fallen behind in implementing practices to reduce nitrogen pollution from agriculture and urban runoff.
All three states have exceeded their goals for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution from sewage treatment plants.
In the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, Bay states committed to implementing 60 percent of the practices necessary for Bay restoration by 2017 and finishing the job by 2025.
CBF’s midpoint assessment examined whether the states achieved the 60 percent goal, and whether they have implemented the programs and policies that were committed to.
Pennsylvania plays a key a role in saving the Chesapeake Bay. It provides half of the freshwater that flows into the Bay, and roughly 19,000 miles of Commonwealth rivers and streams are impaired by polluted runoff and the legacy of coal mining.
Between the lines of the midpoint assessment and this latest segment in the Keystone State’s clean water challenge, is news that Pennsylvania has plans for making progress.
For one, long-term water quality testing is showing that pollution is being reduced.
Second, to be successful, solutions to restore and protect our own local streams will have to take root in our own backyards, on farms, parks, and other private and public properties.
Last year, the Commonwealth started a collaborative, stakeholder process to develop the third and final watershed implementation plan to meet its commitments. That plan is focusing on developing local plans with local engagement and investments for local benefits.
One of Pennsylvania’s most ambitious, collaborative, and challenging efforts to restore and protect its rivers and streams is the planting of 10 million trees by the end of 2025.
Strategically placed, trees are one of the most cost-effective tools for cleaning and protecting waterways.
They filter and absorb polluted runoff, stabilize streambanks, improve soil quality, and cleanse drinking water sources.
The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership has been big news since its launch in April. It is a collaborative effort, coordinated by CBF, of national, regional, state, and local agencies, conservation organizations, watershed groups, conservancies, outdoors enthusiasts, businesses, and individuals.
Through the end of April, more than 30 partner groups like Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards, Lebanon Valley Conservancy, Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Pequea Park and others planted more than 31,000 trees at over 50 locations throughout the Commonwealth.
Plantings in Lancaster, York, Adams, Franklin and Cumberland counties in Southcentral Pennsylvania are important because of the amount of polluted runoff generated there and the miles of local stream impairment.
Coupled with overall loss of trees along streams and streets, the region is where greatest need meets greatest opportunity.
Ten million new trees alongside streams, streets, and other priority landscapes could be the boost needed to get the Commonwealth back on track toward its clean water goals, and achieving as much as two-thirds of its 95,000-acre Blueprint goal.
Word of partnership plantings has sparked statewide interest. Partners outside of Pennsylvania’s portion of the Bay watershed will hopefully join the effort in time for the fall planting season.
To learn more, visit the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership website.
Despite the lack of progress cited in portions of the midpoint assessment, the Chesapeake Bay is getting better. The dead zone is getting smaller, there is record acreage of Bay grasses again this year, and the oyster population is improving.
But the recovery is fragile.
This is a watershed moment for the Commonwealth. We’re moving in the right direction but must accelerate clean water efforts.
Pennsylvania’s new watershed implementation plan and the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership that will plant 10 million trees can provide the boost the Commonwealth needs to get back on track.
With the new plans for progress, investments at the right levels, in the right practices, and in the right places can change history.
That will be big news.
For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA webpage. Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left column). Click Here to support their work.
For more information on Pennsylvania's efforts to cleanup rivers and streams in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, visit the Pennsylvania's Chesapeake Bay Plan webpage.
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