Pennsylvania committed to protecting Chesapeake Bay's health, says gov

July 12, 2011
At the Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council Meeting in Richmond, Va., Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett spoke about the state's continuing efforts to improve the bay's health...

RICHMOND, VA, July 12, 2011 -- At the Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council Meeting in Richmond, Va., Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett spoke about the state's continuing efforts to improve the bay's health.

"The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure, and we are working hard with our neighboring states and federal partners to restore the bay to its previous pristine condition," Corbett said. "By encouraging innovative approaches, developing common-sense guidelines and allowing individuals to demonstrate leadership, we've been very effective in meeting our goals."

Corbett updated the council on Pennsylvania's leadership in reducing phosphate, nitrogen and sediment discharges into the Chesapeake Bay watershed and on implementing a nutrient credit trading program. Pennsylvania is the first state to develop such a program, where individuals, companies and organizations use a market-based approach to reduce pollution to the bay.

Along with other states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Pennsylvania is required to develop a program to ensure the state stays below federally allocated daily limits of nitrogen and phosphorus loads to the watershed. Such nutrients contribute to poor water quality and algal bloom in the bay, creating low-oxygen dead zones and severely impacting the estuary's health.

"We have planted thousands of miles of forest buffer zones to prevent run-off, and we are working with farmers, golf courses, wastewater treatment plants and other contributors to improve standards, practices and technology," Corbett said.

Pennsylvania has developed the nation's largest conservation resource enhancement program, using a targeted approach encouraging and enforcing best management practices along stream-edge areas. The state's agricultural sector has made great strides, achieving 80 percent of all nitrogen load reductions in the state and 55 percent of all such reductions across the watershed.

The council, which meets annually, discussed interstate and federal approaches and partnerships needed to improve the bay. Fellow members include Gov. Martin O'Malley of Maryland, Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia, Pennsylvania State Sen. Michael Brubaker, District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson.

###

Sponsored Recommendations

ArmorBlock 5000: Boost Automation Efficiency

April 25, 2024
Discover the transformative benefits of leveraging a scalable On-Machine I/O to improve flexibility, enhance reliability and streamline operations.

Rising Cyber Threats and the Impact on Risk and Resiliency Operations

April 25, 2024
The world of manufacturing is changing, and Generative AI is one of the many change agents. The 2024 State of Smart Manufacturing Report takes a deep dive into how Generative ...

State of Smart Manufacturing Report Series

April 25, 2024
The world of manufacturing is changing, and Generative AI is one of the many change agents. The 2024 State of Smart Manufacturing Report takes a deep dive into how Generative ...

SmartSights WIN-911 Alarm Notification Software Enables Faster Response

March 15, 2024
Alarm notification software enables faster response for customers, keeping production on track