The legislative members of the Chesapeake Bay Commission from Pennsylvania this week released copies of their latest report identifying the most cost-effective steps to restore the Chesapeake.

"We have seen a number of recent studies putting multi-billion dollar price tags on the Chesapeake Bay restoration,” said Commission Chairman Sen. Mike Waugh (R- York). “Because Pennsylvania is an upstream partner in the clean-up, I believed it was essential to work with our colleagues in the Maryland and Virginia General Assemblies to help all of us target our limited public funds more wisely. This Report identifies the right ways for Pennsylvania to invest in our local streams and rivers, which ultimately benefit the Bay."

"Cost Effective Strategies for the Bay: Smart Investments in Nutrient Reduction," highlights six practices which can contribute significantly to on-time achievement of the Bay's nutrient and sediment reduction goals by 2010. Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and sediments coming down the rivers over-enrich and cloud the Bay's waters, interfering with the growth of underwater grasses and the health of fish and shellfish. Their reduction is the major focus of Bay restoration efforts.

The Susquehanna provides nearly half the fresh water entering the Bay.

The six highlighted practices include sewage treatment plant upgrades and five agricultural practices -- cover crops, conservation tillage, traditional nutrient management, enhanced nutrient management, and diet and feed adjustments. Together, these six practices can achieve three-quarters of the nutrient reduction goal and the entire sediment reduction goal at one-eighth of the total costs that other studies have estimated for the clean-up.

"This Report has a lot to say about effective and affordable agricultural practices,” said Waugh. “This year in the General Assembly I hope we can make some progress in supporting our farm communities with many of the measures identified in the Report. Both they and the Bay can benefit."

For more information visit the Chesapeake Bay Commission website or contact Marel Raub 717-772-3651 or send email to: marelraub@covad.net

2/4/2005