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AgendaAgenda•Chesapeake BayChesapeake Bay

•Non Point Source PollutionNon Point Source Pollution

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•Rain Barrel ManufacturingRain Barrel Manufacturing

•Installation & Maintenance OptionsInstallation & Maintenance Options

•Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

The Chesapeake BayThe Chesapeake Bay Nation's largest and most productive Nation's largest and most productive

estuary. The Bay provides recreational estuary. The Bay provides recreational and commercial opportunities for humans and commercial opportunities for humans and is "home" for many animals.and is "home" for many animals.

Over recent years, the Bay has become Over recent years, the Bay has become a "victim" of pollution. Many a "victim" of pollution. Many Pennsylvania land use practices affect Pennsylvania land use practices affect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay The Chesapeake Bay BasinBasin

Stretches from upstate New York to Virginia. The drainage area Stretches from upstate New York to Virginia. The drainage area covers 64,000 square miles or 41,000,000 acres. covers 64,000 square miles or 41,000,000 acres.

Pennsylvania makes up over one-third of the entire Chesapeake Pennsylvania makes up over one-third of the entire Chesapeake Bay Basin, more than any other state. Bay Basin, more than any other state.

About half of Pennsylvania (52%) lies within the Chesapeake Bay About half of Pennsylvania (52%) lies within the Chesapeake Bay Basin. Basin.

Within Pennsylvania's portion of the Chesapeake Bay Basin, the Within Pennsylvania's portion of the Chesapeake Bay Basin, the Susquehanna River drains 92% of the watershed.Susquehanna River drains 92% of the watershed.

Three million people, or about one-quarter of the entire Three million people, or about one-quarter of the entire Chesapeake Bay Basin population, lives in Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Basin population, lives in Pennsylvania

The Susquehanna RiverThe Susquehanna River

Flows 440 miles from New York through Flows 440 miles from New York through Pennsylvania and Maryland and into the Pennsylvania and Maryland and into the Chesapeake Bay.Chesapeake Bay.

The Susquehanna River has an average flow The Susquehanna River has an average flow of 19 million gallons of water per minute, the of 19 million gallons of water per minute, the highest average flow of any river in the eastern highest average flow of any river in the eastern United States. United States.

The Susquehanna River supplies 50% of the The Susquehanna River supplies 50% of the freshwater entering the Bay. freshwater entering the Bay.

Nutrient PollutionNutrient Pollution

Caused by excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus -- Caused by excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus -- impacts local water quality and the Chesapeake Bay.impacts local water quality and the Chesapeake Bay.

Excess nutrients cause an overgrowth of algae, called algae Excess nutrients cause an overgrowth of algae, called algae blooms. Algae blooms deplete oxygen supplies and block sunlight blooms. Algae blooms deplete oxygen supplies and block sunlight needed by aquatic plants and animals. needed by aquatic plants and animals.

Pennsylvania contributes an estimate 36 percent of the nitrogen Pennsylvania contributes an estimate 36 percent of the nitrogen and 25 percent of the phosphorus entering the Bay. and 25 percent of the phosphorus entering the Bay.

Animal manures and commercial fertilizers can pollute local Animal manures and commercial fertilizers can pollute local waterways if applied in excess of crop needs. waterways if applied in excess of crop needs.

The Pennsylvania The Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay ProgramChesapeake Bay Program

A cooperative project between state, federal, and local agencies A cooperative project between state, federal, and local agencies and organizations and organizations

A voluntary effort of Basin landowners to help reduce agricultural A voluntary effort of Basin landowners to help reduce agricultural runoff; runoff; a nonpoint source pollution control program within Pennsylvania's a nonpoint source pollution control program within Pennsylvania's portion of the Bay watershed. portion of the Bay watershed.

A technical and financial assistance program for farmers who are A technical and financial assistance program for farmers who are interested in installing prescribed management practices to interested in installing prescribed management practices to reduce water pollution. reduce water pollution.

An educational outreach effort teaching farmers, students An educational outreach effort teaching farmers, students homeowners, local governments, and private industries homeowners, local governments, and private industries about Pennsylvania's connection to the Chesapeake Bay.about Pennsylvania's connection to the Chesapeake Bay.

Nonpoint Source Pollution Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS)(NPS)

- is caused by rainfall or snowmelt - is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of and even our underground sources of drinking water. drinking water.

NPS PollutantsNPS Pollutants Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from

agricultural lands and residential areas;agricultural lands and residential areas;

Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban runoff and Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy production;energy production;

Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding streambanks;and forest lands, and eroding streambanks;

Salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from Salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from abandoned mines;abandoned mines;

Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes, and Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes, and faulty septic systems; andfaulty septic systems; and

Atmospheric deposition and hydromodification Atmospheric deposition and hydromodification

Affects of NPS PollutantsAffects of NPS Pollutants

the leading cause of water quality the leading cause of water quality problems. The effects of NPS pollutants problems. The effects of NPS pollutants on specific waters vary and may not on specific waters vary and may not always be fully assessed. However, we always be fully assessed. However, we know that these pollutants have know that these pollutants have harmful effects on drinking water harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries, and supplies, recreation, fisheries, and wildlife.wildlife.

What Can We Do?What Can We Do? Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves, and debris out of street gutters Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves, and debris out of street gutters

and storm drains--these outlets drain directly to lake, streams, and storm drains--these outlets drain directly to lake, streams, rivers, and wetlands.rivers, and wetlands.

Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to directions.directions.

Dispose of used oil, antifreeze, paints, and other household Dispose of used oil, antifreeze, paints, and other household chemicals properly, not in storm sewers or drains. If your chemicals properly, not in storm sewers or drains. If your community does not already have a program for collecting community does not already have a program for collecting household hazardous wastes, ask your local government to household hazardous wastes, ask your local government to establish one.establish one.

Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease, and antifreeze. Do not Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease, and antifreeze. Do not hose them into the street where they can eventually reach local hose them into the street where they can eventually reach local streams and lakes.streams and lakes.

Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover and stabilizing erosion-prone areas.and stabilizing erosion-prone areas.

Encourage local government officials to develop construction Encourage local government officials to develop construction erosion/sediment control ordinances in your community.erosion/sediment control ordinances in your community.

What Can We Do Con’t….What Can We Do Con’t…. Have your septic system inspected and pumped, at a minimum, Have your septic system inspected and pumped, at a minimum,

every 3-5 years so that it operates properly.every 3-5 years so that it operates properly.

Purchase household detergents and cleaners that are low in Purchase household detergents and cleaners that are low in phosphorous to reduce the amount of nutrients discharged into our phosphorous to reduce the amount of nutrients discharged into our lakes, streams and coastal waters.lakes, streams and coastal waters.

Manage animal waste to minimize contamination of surface water Manage animal waste to minimize contamination of surface water and ground water.and ground water.

Protect drinking water by using less pesticides and fertilizers.Protect drinking water by using less pesticides and fertilizers.

Reduce soil erosion by using conservation practices and other Reduce soil erosion by using conservation practices and other applicable best management practices.applicable best management practices.

Use planned grazing systems on pasture and rangeland.Use planned grazing systems on pasture and rangeland.

Dispose of pesticides, containers, and tank rinsate in an approved Dispose of pesticides, containers, and tank rinsate in an approved manner. manner.

Questions??Questions??