News & Notes April 2005

Top 6 BMPs for the Chesapeake Bay Identified

The Chesapeake Bay Commission studied best management practices (BMPs) to determine which are the most cost-effective for nutrient and sediment reduction. The Commission released their results in a December 2004 report (Cost-Effective Strategies For the Bay: 6 Smart Investments for Nutrient and Sediment Reduction) which identifies the top six BMPs as:

1. Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
2. Diet and Feed Adjustments
3. Traditional Nutrient Management
4. Enhanced Nutrient Management
5. Conservation Tillage
6. Cover Crops

During the Commission's analysis, a variety of pollution control measures were scrutinized not only for their ability to reduce nutrients but also what the environmental benefits would be if adopted across the watershed. The six most cost-effective practices identified in the study were determined to offer "the biggest bang for the buck." As a result, the Commission recommends that ". . . the states begin targeting their limited resources toward those practices that hold the most promise for achieving the allocated reductions." According to this report, these 6 BMPs can control the most pollution for the lowest cost.

A copy of the report will be sent to each district. To obtain additional copies contact: Chesapeake Bay Commission, c/o Senate of Pennsylvania, Rm. G-05 North Office Bldg., Harrisburg, PA 17120; Phone: 717-772-3651 or click on http://www.chesbay.state.va.us to access the publication online.

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