AVIS D President’s Message IKKI N Science, Resources, and Enforcement: A Formula for Success CBF President Will Baker s we go to press, there is so much on my The result? By the spring of 2010 the crab delegation don’t want to require a scientific mind, from our truly game-changing set- population had rebounded by 60 percent. standard for pollution reduction, because A tlement with EPA (page 10) to the sad- some polluters will be upset? What a sad ness we feel for the Gulf Coast and our deter- There was a formula for success that was testimony to the current state of affairs in mination to see that oil drilling never comes to followed and a lesson to be learned. Use America. our waters (page 22). But what I want to science to set a standard and then enforce write about is the resurgence of blue crabs it, strictly. Go to CBF’s website at cbf.org/ccwa to to the Bay, how it happened, and what les- review the list of those who are on the bill sons we can learn. The Chesapeake Clean Water Act intro- and those who are not. If your senator or duced by Senator Ben Cardin and House member is not a supporter, let him “Blue crab fishery on verge of collapse.” Congressman Elijah Cummings will put the or her know how you feel. Repeatedly! That was CBF’s warning, and the year was 1996. While you may think your voice has little We were met with almost Let your elected officials know that weight compared to the universal criticism for a the formula for crab success can work big money lobbyists, “Chicken Little” alarmist “ for pollution reduction. think again. You are a message. From elected voter. In your numbers, officials to the commer- you can do anything! cial fishing industry, CBF ” Even overcome the influ- was excoriated. We even had a building same formula to work on pollution reduc- ence of big money lobbyists. burned to the ground at one of our tion. It would have the weight of federal island education centers, as a threat statute behind it. Every member of Let your elected officials know that the for- from a local waterman. Congress who has promised to help “Save mula for crab success can work for pollu- the Bay” is a sponsor of this legislation. tion reduction. Support the Chesapeake Fast forward ten years, to 2006. There was Right? Wrong! Only 17 of the 53 members Clean Water Act. It is the most important then widespread acceptance of a blue crab of the six-state and D.C. congressional del- legislation for the Bay in a generation. fishery severely depleted, and yes, even on egation are on the bill. the brink of collapse. The non-sponsors are concerned by the In response in 2008, Governors O’Malley opposition of lobbyists for some special and Kaine agreed to a plan to cut the crab interests which would be required to harvest to sustainable levels, something that reduce their pollution. So let’s get this William C. Baker CBF and others had pushed for a decade. straight. Thirty-nine members of our Bay President, Chesapeake Bay Foundation 2 Spring 2010 ● cbf.org Contents Spring 2010 Vol. 36 ● No. 2 6 Destination Chesapeake: Antietam Creek The forested streams of the Antietam connect Maryland and Pennsylvania—through both geography and restoration efforts. 10 Progress in the Fight for Clean Water Updates on CBF’s Biggest Fight include an agreement with EPA, advocacy efforts to pass the Chesapeake Clean Water Act, and a federal plan for Bay restoration. 17 Blue Crabs Respond to Conservation Last year’s coordinated harvest restrictions by Maryland and Virginia have produced a promising rebound in the Bay’s blue crab population. 18 Menhaden: The Chesapeake’s Unsung Hero Although many are unfamiliar with this little fish, Atlantic menhaden are a vital feeding link and a mighty filter. 22 Offshore Drilling Proposed leasing for exploration off the Atlantic coast has been temporarily halted following the massive oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. 6 10 17 18 22 Departments 2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 21 REFLECTIONS 30 LAST LOOK Use good science to set a standard and A Pennsylvania farmer calls for equal An eye-opening look at the financial then enforce it. effort behind new farming models. prospects for Dendron, Virginia—the proposed site of the largest-ever coal- 5 MAILBOX 24 BAY BRIEFS fired power plant in the state. Your voice is being heard. CBF activities in the Bay states and the District of Columbia. 16 PROFILE 28 GIFTS AND GIVERS A Smith Island native brings his Bay PHOTO CREDITS THIS PAGE: WILLIAM GRAY; LEFT TO RIGHT, JOHN traditions to CBF field trippers aboard Turner Sculpture exhibits a passion for SURRICK/CBF STAFF, NANETTE KARDASZESKI, CHESAPEAKE BAY his floating classroom Susquehanna. wildlife and conservation. PROGRAM, GETTY IMAGES 3 JACK NEVITT Save the Bay is published quarterly and provided free of charge to CBF members by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403. Spring 2010 Volume 36 • Number 2 Loren Barnett Appel, Editor/Director of Creative Services Jen Wallace, Managing Editor WILL SAVING THE BAY BE YOUR LEGACY? © Chesapeake Bay Foundation 2010 E-mail: [email protected] 888/SAVEBAY • cbf.org Editor’s Note Our fight continues, and progess is being made. Positive news has come in the last days of this maga- zine’s production: a binding agreement with EPA settling our lawsuit (page 10), abundant support from members and the public for the Chesapeke Clean Water Act (page 12), a promising new federal plan to clean up the Chesapeake (page 15), and an encouraging increase in the Bay’s blue crab population (page 17). At the same time, other threats are coming to the fore- front: the dangers of offshore drilling (page 22) and the overfishing of the Bay’s “most important fish” (page 18). It is no time to rest on our laurels—and no time to think about quitting. Get involved. Write or call your federal representatives. Visit our web site and Facebook page. There ain’t no stopping us now! Including CBF in your will can be a convenient way to leave a restored Bay as your lasting Loren Barnett Appel legacy. Environmental Awareness Statement The Chesapeake Bay Foundation saved the following resources in the production of this publication: 11 tons Trees For more information about planned giving, 233,086 gallons Wastewater please contact us at 410/268-8816, or 506 million BTUs Total Energy 29,329 pounds Solid Waste contact your financial advisor. 75,763 pounds Greenhouse Gases Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Defense Paper Calculator. www.papercalculator.org The inks used for this publication are based on linseed oil, a renewable vegetable oil derived from flax and known for low toxicity. CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION TRUSTEES Byron F. Marchant HONORARY TRUSTEES Jane P. Batten H. Turney McKnight Louisa C. Duemling OFFICERS EX OFFICIO TRUSTEES Donald F. Boesch, Ph.D. Charles W. Moorman IV C. A. Porter Hopkins D. Keith Campbell Governor Martin J. O'Malley W. Russell G. Byers, Jr. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. Burks B. Lapham Chairman Governor Edward G. Rendell John T. Casteen III Marie W. Ridder T. Gaylon Layfield III James E. Rogers Governor Robert F. McDonnell Amanda Deaver Alexis G. Sant H.F. Lenfest Vice Chairman Mayor Adrian M. Fenty Richard L. Franyo Truman T. Semans M. Lee Marston Susan S. Phillips Joanne S. Berkley G. Waddy Garrett Simon Sidamon-Eristoff Wayne A. Mills Secretary Bay Care Chapter Alan R. Griffith Jennifer Stanley Russell C. Scott Alan L. Wurtzel Carolyn Groobey Rt. Rev. Bishop Eugene Thomas H. Stoner Treasurer Ann Fritz Hackett Taylor Sutton Aileen Bowdoin Train William C. Baker Michael J. Hanley Anthony A. Williams President Robert A. Kinsley Peter L. Woicke Matthew J. Klein 4 Spring 2010 ● cbf.org Your Voice is Being Heard The last issue of Save the Bay magazine included a postcard readers could use to urge their representatives in Congress to support the Chesapeake Clean Water Act—the most important piece of federal Bay legislation since the 1972 Clean Water Act. What a response: More than 1,500 postcards were received. Thank you to everyone who has made his voice heard and supported this critical effort to provide pollution reduction and accountability. In addition to the postcards, we’ve been hearing your support in e-mails and on social media. Here is some of the conversation: Concerned Save the Bay readers rallied and sent in more Let’s get the Chesapeake Clean Water Act passed now so our chil- than 1,500 postcards urging the passing of the dren can enjoy a clean Bay tomorrow. Chesapeake Clean Water Act. The postcards —TONY VACHINO (e-mail) have been delivered directly to your Congressional representatives. If you join CBF’s action network, they will e-mail you all legislative and community action alerts, as well as updates on issues they are working on and any victories we have. I recommend it, it’s usually just a few per month, so your inbox won’t be clogged. —NICOLE PRICE (Facebook) It says a great deal about the leaders in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, etc., who should be working to protect this troubled resource, this irreplaceable treasure, “my beloved Bay.” If we all think it is “my beloved Bay,” we can make a difference. —CYNTHIA WOOD (Facebook) We all deserve clean, swimmable water. When Congress passes the Chesapeake Clean Water Act, we will be one step closer to a saved Bay and water that we can safely swim in once again.