Coastal Bays Monitoring Revealed That Alewife, White Perch, Program Would Not Be Able to Accomplish So Much

Gold stars for partnerships Bishopville Dam project a success Without the assistance of our friends, students, partners, and visitors, the Maryland Coastal Bays Monitoring revealed that alewife, white perch, Program would not be able to accomplish so much. Some examples are below. and gizzard shad successfully navigated the newly Coastal Bays constructed Bishopville Stream Restoration Project. It 1 alewife TheTown of Berlin is constructing an offline consists of a series of shallow cobble ramps and pools wetland to improve water quality and help reduce that give fish access to upstream spawning areas in report card flooding along Hudson Branch. In partnership the upper St. Martin River. These are anadromous 36 gizzard shad with the community and several government fish species that live in salt water but require agencies, this unique project, located on property freshwater to reproduce. They were able to pass into 2015 donated by Worcester County, is funded through a the freshwater portion of the river for the first time combination of Maryland Department of Natural since 1959 through the innovative structure that is 39 white perch Resources and Community Development Block a first of its kind in Maryland. The passageway was Grant funds as well as in-kind services from Berlin. designed and built by Underwood and Associates. It Grant funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust replaced the aged dam at Bishopville yet maintained This figure shows numbers of

amanda poskaitis the treasured mill pond. The project, funded by anadromous fish that were observed to  through the Chesapeake Conservation Corps   (CCC) provided MCBP with Emma Rice who CCC volunteer Emma Rice led the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, US successfully navigate their way past the Bishopville Fish and Wildlife Service, and Maryland Coastal Bays Bishopville Stream Restoration site in proved to be a fantastic temporary addition to planting of native trees, removal of  + Program was largely completed in winter 2014 so .  our staff. She was a great contributor to our invasive plants, and many other spring 2015. Prior to restoration, the dam     spring 2015 was the first season that the upper river blocked these fish from their historical  C education and restoration efforts. activities.   was open to spawning fish. upstream spawning areas. This scientifically rigorous report card  Maryland farmers planted a record-setting 492,244 is to inform you of the relative health   

acres of cover crops on their fields last fall as part of the Coastal Bays. After reviewing the Ocean of the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s The Maryland Coastal Bays Program report card, see more details and register Berlin City  Cover Crop Program. Cover crops are widely online at www.ian.umces.edu/ecocheck  Part of the National Estuary Program, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program is a non-profit partnership among  recognized as one of the most economically and to receive updates and future the towns of Ocean City and Berlin, the National Park Service, Worcester County, the U.S. Environmental environmentally viable ways for farmers to meet report cards. nutrient and sediment reduction targets. Protection Agency, and the Maryland Departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture, Environment, & Planning. One of only 28 such programs nationwide, the goal of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program is to protect and Over 400 volunteers spent more than 1500    enhance the watershed, which includes Ocean City, Ocean Pines and Berlin, and Assateague Island National  hours completing work crucial to the health Seashore. The 175-square mile watershed is home to the treasured resources of St. Martin River, Newport roman jesien  and monitoring of the Coastal Bays including Bay, Assawoman Bay, Isle of Wight Bay, Sinepuxent Bay, and Chincoteague Bay.  plantings, trash cleanups, oyster gardening, Maryland farmers planted a record  terrapin and horseshoe crab surveys, and water number of cover crops, protecting the Public Acknowledgements   quality monitoring. Thank you, we couldn’t do it health of our bays. Landing

without you! Report card produced in August 2016 by the Integration and Application  Network at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science,   Environmental Protection Agency and Maryland Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the Maryland Coastal    Department of the Environment grant funding Bays Program.  has allowed Worcester County to begin The data and methods underpinning this report card represent the  developing a watershed plan that will reduce  collective effort of many individuals and organizations working within nutrients to sustainable levels. The Center for  Watershed Protection has been hired to identify the Coastal Bays scientific and management communizty. The following  existing Best Management Practices to meet Total organizations contributed significantly to the development of the report card: Maryland Coastal Bays Program, University of Maryland Center for  Maximum Daily Load limits and create a tracking  tool. The target completion date for the plan is Environmental Science, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,  Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, and December 2016. Virginia Institute of Marine Science.   MCBP has partnered with Worcester County This publication was developed under Cooperative Agreement CE‒9863209‒12  Parks & Recreation to plan for a future that amanda poskaitis awarded by the U.S. EPA to Maryland Coastal Bays Program. It has not been formally manages Greys Creek Nature Park and Ilia Fehrer Locals from the Greys Creek Nature Park reviewed by EPA. The views expressed in this document are solely those of the 0 5 km authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Agency. Road Nature Preserve in ways that are beneficial to both area met with MCBP and Worcester N 0 5 mi State border  Coastal Bays our bays and local residents. County to help plan for the park’s future. Cover photo by Zach Frailey/CC BY‒NC‒ND 2.0  Clam improvements offset seagrass loss + Assawoman Bay received a grade of C, which was the same C The Coastal Bays C grade it received last year. Still placing fourth, Assawoman did show These stories and data provide additional insights into the processes, conditions, report card improvement from 2014 in dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, and hard clams. threats, and resources in the Coastal Bays. However, phosphorus and chlorophyll a became more degraded. Seagrasses remain absent. Dissolved oxygen, phosphorus, and hard clams scored as Overall, the Coastal Bays received a grade of C+, moderate while nitrogen and chlorophyll were good to very good. Seagrasses suffered major declines still substantially below historic densities C a no change from 2014. Improvements in Newport + in 2015 while Isle of Wight and Sinepuxent Bays and Assawoman Bays were offset by declines in d are approaching historic benchmarks. + Seagrass acreage decreased from 2014, Chincoteague and Sinepuxent Bays, while Isle of Wight St. Martin River received a D+ grade. With the same grade as 2014, d Even St. Martin River had an increase with little to no bay grass documented Bay and St. Martin River remained stable. Dissolved oxygen this region had lower scores for nitrogen, phosphorus, and chlorophyll a than any in density near the mouth of the river. C above Ocean City Inlet. The 2015 scores ranged from poor to good, with most regions scoring other region. St. Martin River again received the lowest grade of any reporting region Despite slight increases recently, the abundance was better than 2013 (the as moderate. Scores for total nitrogen in Assawoman, in 2015. Most indicators scored poor or very poor, except chlorophyll a which was Chincoteague Bay population continued lowest seagrass acreage in two decades) Sinepuxent, and Chincoteague Bays were good to good and dissolved oxygen which was moderate. Seagrasses remain absent. to struggle (<20% of goal) due to poor but elevated nutrients, high water excellent, and were moderate to poor in Isle of recruitment. temperatures, and prolific macroalgae Wight Bay, Newport Bay, and St. Martin River. Total b C (seaweeds) limited recovery. Water Phosphorus degradation continues phosphorus was moderate in all regions except St. C– Isle of Wight Bay received a grade of C, unchanged from temperatures in some areas exceeded Martin River, which was poor. Chlorophyll a was last year. Large improvements in dissolved oxygen and phosphorus The greatest concern for the bays’ health the seagrass temperature threshold of good to excellent in all regions. were offset by declines in nitrogen and chlorophylla scores. The is eutrophication resulting from high 30°C (86°F) over 600 hours (nearly 25 small amount of remaining seagrass disappeared in 2015. Hard clams nutrient loading, especially phosphorus. Scores for hard clams were good in Sinepuxent days) during the growing season. and chlorophyll a were good to very good, while dissolved oxygen, Ninety-nine percent of sites do not meet and Isle of Wight Bays and moderate to poor in nitrogen, and phosphorus were moderate. Sinepuxent Bay seagrass acreage was the seagrass phosphorus threshold. other regions, with all scores improving or equal to 2014, however Chincoteague Stricter requirements were established in remaining steady from last year. Seagrass Bay lost 1,000 acres. Chincoteague has 2016 to address this problem, by limiting scores declined in all regions that + Sinepuxent Bay b lost nearly 9,000 acres of seagrass since the amount of phosphorus that can be still have seagrass. Sinepuxent Bay C 2001 (55% of its 2001 acreage), thus a – received a B grade and is still applied to fields. High soil phosphorus scored as moderate, with Newport Bay received a C the highest-scoring region, but decreased report card score from a B‒ to is typically found on farms that have the other regions scoring a C+. grade of C‒, the same as last year. also showed the largest decline used biosolid waste or poultry litter as poor or very poor. Phosphorus, chlorophyll a, and hard of ecosystem health of all regions. a crop nutrient over many years. This Improvements seen in hard clams This assessment is a clams all improved, while oxygen, Nitrogen and chlorophyll a were practice will be limited under the new Hard clam populations have been snapshot in time. It nitrogen, and seagrasses declined. both excellent, hard clams scored requirements, but it will take time for Chlorophyll a was very good, dissolved as good, while dissolved oxygen, generally on the rise since the 2008 reductions to be seen in bay phosphorus represents the status oxygen, phosphorus, and hard clams phosphorus, and seagrasses were mechanical harvesting ban. Assawoman, concentrations. of water quality, Newport, and Chincoteague Bays were seagrasses, and were moderate, while nitrogen and moderate. clams in 2015. seagrasses were very poor. + Indicators used in the report card Chincoteague Bay received a C+ grade, a decline from a B‒ last year. C The aim of this report card is to provide a transparent, timely, and geographically detailed What do the scores mean? It was the only region to go down a grade. Dissolved oxygen and hard clams assessment of 2015 Coastal Bays’ health. Coastal Bays health is defined as the progress of four improved while the other indicators all declined. Dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, and water quality indicators (TN, TP, chl-a, DO) and two biotic indicators (seagrass, hard clams) a b C f chlorophyll a were good to very good, phosphorus was moderate, while seagrasses toward scientifically derived ecological thresholds or goals. The six indicators are combined d and hard clams were poor to very poor. into one Coastal Bays Health Index, presented as the report card score. Detailed methods 80–100% 60–80% 40–60% 20–40% 0–20% available at http://ian.umces.edu/ecocheck/report-cards very good good moderate poor very poor

TN Total nitrogen TP Total phosphorus Chlorophyll a DO Dissolved oxygen Seagrasses Hard clams Clam improvements offset seagrass loss + Assawoman Bay received a grade of C, which was the same C The Coastal Bays C grade it received last year. Still placing fourth, Assawoman did show These stories and data provide additional insights into the processes, conditions, report card improvement from 2014 in dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, and hard clams. threats, and resources in the Coastal Bays. However, phosphorus and chlorophyll a became more degraded. Seagrasses remain absent. Dissolved oxygen, phosphorus, and hard clams scored as Overall, the Coastal Bays received a grade of C+, moderate while nitrogen and chlorophyll were good to very good. Seagrasses suffered major declines still substantially below historic denisities C a no change from 2014. Improvements in Newport + in 2015 while Isle of Wight and Sinepuxent Bays and Assawoman Bays were offset by declines in d are approaching historic benchmarks. + Seagrass acreage decreased from 2014, Chincoteague and Sinepuxent Bays, while Isle of Wight St. Martin River received a D+ grade. With the same grade as 2014, d Even St. Martin River had an increase with little to no bay grass documented Bay and St. Martin River remained stable. Dissolved oxygen this region had lower scores for nitrogen, phosphorus, and chlorophyll a than any in density near the mouth of the river. C above Ocean City Inlet. The 2015 scores ranged from poor to good, with most regions scoring other region. St. Martin River again received the lowest grade of any reporting region Despite slight increases recently, the abundance was better than 2013 (the as moderate. Scores for total nitrogen in Assawoman, in 2015. Most indicators scored poor or very poor, except chlorophyll a which was Chincoteague Bay population continued lowest seagrass acreage in two decades) Sinepuxent, and Chincoteague Bays were good to good and dissolved oxygen which was moderate. Seagrasses remain absent. to struggle (<20% of goal) due to poor but elevated nutrients, high water excellent, and were moderate to poor in Isle of recruitment. temperatures, and prolific macroalgae Wight Bay, Newport Bay, and St. Martin River. Total b C (seaweeds) limited recovery. Water Phosphorus degradation continues phosphorus was moderate in all regions except St. C– Isle of Wight Bay received a grade of C, unchanged from temperatures in some areas exceeded Martin River, which was poor. Chlorophyll a was last year. Large improvements in dissolved oxygen and phosphorus The greatest concern for the bays’ health the seagrass temperature threshold of good to excellent in all regions. were offset by declines in nitrogen and chlorophylla scores. The is eutrophication resulting from high 30°C (86°F) over 600 hours (nearly 25 small amount of remaining seagrass disappeared in 2015. Hard clams nutrient loading, especially phosphorus. Scores for hard clams were good in Sinepuxent days) during the growing season. and chlorophyll a were good to very good, while dissolved oxygen, Ninety-nine percent of sites do not meet and Isle of Wight Bays and moderate to poor in nitrogen, and phosphorus were moderate. Sinepuxent Bay seagrass acreage was the seagrass phosphorus threshold. other regions, with all scores improving or equal to 2014, however Chincoteague Stricter requirements were established in remaining steady from last year. Seagrass Bay lost 1,000 acres. Chincoteague has 2016 to address this problem, by limiting scores declined in all regions that + Sinepuxent Bay b lost nearly 9,000 acres of seagrass since the amount of phosphorus that can be still have seagrass. Sinepuxent Bay C 2001 (55% of its 2001 acreage), thus a – received a B grade and is still applied to fields. High soil phosphorus scored as moderate, with Newport Bay received a C the highest-scoring region, but decreased report card score from a B to is typically found on farms that have the other regions scoring a C+. grade of C‒, the same as last year. also showed the largest decline used biosolid waste or poultry litter as poor or very poor. Phosphorus, chlorophyll a, and hard of ecosystem health of all regions. a crop nutrient over many years. This Improvements seen in hard clams This assessment is a clams all improved, while oxygen, Nitrogen and chlorophyll a were practice will be limited under the new Hard clam populations have been snapshot in time. It nitrogen, and seagrasses declined. both excellent, hard clams scored requirements, but it will take time for Chlorophyll a was very good, dissolved as good, while dissolved oxygen, generally on the rise since the 2008 reductions to be seen in bay phosphorus represents the status oxygen, phosphorus, and hard clams phosphorus, and seagrasses were mechanical harvesting ban. Assawoman, concentrations. of water quality, Newport, and Chincoteague Bays were seagrasses, and were moderate, while nitrogen and moderate. clams in 2015. seagrasses were very poor. + Indicators used in the report card Chincoteague Bay received a C+ grade, a decline from a B‒ last year. C The aim of this report card is to provide a transparent, timely, and geographically detailed What do the scores mean? It was the only region to go down a grade. Dissolved oxygen and hard clams assessment of 2015 Coastal Bays’ health. Coastal Bays health is defined as the progress of four improved while the other indicators all declined. Dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, and water quality indicators (TN, TP, chl-a, DO) and two biotic indicators (seagrass, hard clams) a b C f chlorophyll a were good to very good, phosphorus was moderate, while seagrasses toward scientifically derived ecological thresholds or goals. The six indicators are combined d and hard clams were poor to very poor. into one Coastal Bays Health Index, presented as the report card score. Detailed methods 80–100% 60–80% 40–60% 20–40% 0–20% available at http://ian.umces.edu/ecocheck/report-cards very good good moderate poor very poor

TN Total nitrogen TP Total phosphorus Chlorophyll a DO Dissolved oxygen Seagrasses Hard clams Gold stars for partnerships Bishopville Dam project a success Without the assistance of our friends, students, partners, and visitors, the Maryland Coastal Bays Monitoring revealed that alewife, white perch, Program would not be able to accomplish so much. Some examples are below. and gizzard shad successfully navigated the newly Coastal Bays constructed Bishopville Stream Restoration Project. It 1 alewife TheTown of Berlin is constructing an offline consists of a series of shallow cobble ramps and pools wetland to improve water quality and help reduce that give fish access to upstream spawning areas in report card flooding along Hudson Branch. In partnership the upper St. Martin River. These are anadromous 36 gizzard shad with the community and several government fish species that live in salt water but require agencies, this unique project, located on property freshwater to reproduce. They were able to pass into 2015 donated by Worcester County, is funded through a the freshwater portion of the river for the first time combination of Maryland Department of Natural since 1959 through the innovative structure that is 39 white perch Resources and Community Development Block a first of its kind in Maryland. The passageway was Grant funds as well as in-kind services from Berlin. designed and built by Underwood and Associates. It Grant funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust replaced the aged dam at Bishopville yet maintained This figure shows numbers of