EPA903-F-03-OOI CBP/TRS 266/03 March 2003 THE CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM Leading the Restoration of the Bay and its Rivers Chesapeake Bay Program A Watershed Partnership www.chesapeakebay.net 800-YOUR-BAY ------- The Chesapeake Bay Ihe Chesapeake Bay is the largest cstuarv in North America. More j than 100,000 creeks, streams and rivers in parts of Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, \\''est Virginia, New York, Delaware and the District ot Columbia eventually drain into the Bay. The Chesapeake and its rivers have been an important part in the regions culture, economy and history. And today, the Bay remains an important recreation.il and economic resource lor the region. The Chesapeake Bay Program has become a model for other estuarine restoration programs The Chesapeake Bay watershed covers 64,000 square miles in parts of six states and the District of Columbia. Chesapeake Bay Chesapeake Bay Watershed ------- What is the Chesapeake Bay Program? The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique, regional partnership leading and directing the protection and restoration of the Bay. Formed in 1^83, ihe Bay Program coordinates efforts among the states of Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania; the District of Columbia; the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a iri-state legislative body; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which represents the federal government. I he partnership welcomed Delaware, New York and West Virginia as "headwaters partners" in 2002 to better coordinate efforts in all parts of the watershed. The Bay Program works on a watershedwide level with researchers, policymakers and resource managers from universities, conservation organizations, business and industry, and local, state and federal governments to implement programs to insure the future health and sustainability of the Bay. As a result, the Chesapeake Bay Program has become a model for other estuarine restora- tion programs across the nation and throughout ihe world. A great deal of the Programs success is due to its emphasis on reaching across state boundaries to coopera- tively develop restoration programs aimed at improving the entire Bay watershed. What's the Bay Program's plan for bringing back the Bay? In the most recent Bay protection and restoration agree- ment, Chesapeake2000, Bay Program partners outlined some 100 commitments that will guide Bay restoration well into the 21st century. Chesapeake2000 aims to protect and restore the Bay and its rivers by addressing five key areas: protecting living resources " restoring vital habitat " improving water quality encouraging sound land use expanding community stewardship. ------- BOOKMARK THE BAY! Are you fishing for Chesapeake Bay information on the internet? Bookmark the Chesapeake Bay Program website at www.chesapeakebay.net for the latest news and information on the Bay and its restoration. www.chesapeakebay.net is the most thorough and informative website about ( 'hesapeake Bay. You can learn about: * Bay Facts and History Chesapeake Bay Plants and Animals Chesapeake Bay Habit.us Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Chesapeake Land and People Bay Restoration Bay Pollutants Local Watershed Issues * How to Get Involved in Improving Local Water Quality www.chesapeakebay.net makes learning about the Bay fun and easy by allowing visitors to browse the site according to their interests. ------- 0 The site is specifically tailored to: Citizens Teachers Students Watershed Organizations Businesses * . Xocat Governments Scientists ------- Are you fishing for Chesapeake Bay information on the internet? Be sure to visit the Chesapeake Bay Program website, your up-to-date source of news and information about the Bay and its restoration. www.chesapeakebay.net ------- BAY FACTS More than 3,600 species of plants and animals call the Chesapeake Bay watershed home. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in North America and one of the most productive in the world. The Bay's drainage basin covers 64,000 square miles, including parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New York, West Virginia and Delaware plus all of the District of Columbia. * Everyone in the watershed lives just a few minutes from one of the 100,000 streams and rivers that feed into the Bay. * The biggest problem facing the Bay is nutrient pollution. When too much nitrogen and phosphorus flow into the Bay, the entire ecosystem can be thrown out of balance. Nutrients enter the Bay in many ways, including runoff from farm fields, suburban lawns and storm drains, and the discharge from wastewater treatment facilities. Excess nutrients cause algal blooms which block sunlight needed by Bay grasses to grow. And, as algae die and decompose, they deplete oxygen needed by the fish, crabs and oysters that live in the Bay. ------- What can I do to help the Chesapeake Bay? Minimize your impacts on the land and waterways around you. With nearly 16 million people living on the land that drains into the Bay, each person's individual actions have an impact on the quality of their local waters and the Bay. By simply changing a few activities we do everyday, each one of us can help keep our local waters clean. As a start, drive fewer miles, recycle, or use less water. Join your local community watershed organization. Throughout the watershed, hundreds of local groups are doing their part to improve local waters . . . give them a hand! Visit the Bay Program website for a listing of organizations in your part of the watershed. Learn more about Bay issues. Call the Bay Program at 800-YOUR-BAY or e-mail us at bayinfo@chesapeakebay.net for more infor- mation about the Bay and its restoration. Chesapeake Bay Program A Watershrd Partnership Chesapeake Bay Program 410 Severn Avenue Suite 109 Annapolis, MD 21403 www.chesapeakebay.net 800-YOUR-BAY Cover photoM.E. Warren ------- |