Enewsletter articles for Trust Fund Evaluation

Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund

Trust fund newsletterThe Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund was created in 2007 in an effort to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution to these bays. The Trust Fund has focused its financial resources on the implementation of effective non-point (i.e., diffuse) source pollution control projects in high priority watersheds. This newsletter details examples of projects supported by the Trust Fund, including stream channel restorations, stormwater retrofits, and cover crops.

2010 Trust Fund Water Quality Monitoring Strategy

Trust fund monitoring strategy coverThis Monitoring Strategy was designed to identify nutrient reduction efficiencies of best management practices (BMPs) and provide information to determine what type of monitoring is needed by Trust Fund recipients to evaluate the effectiveness of BMP implementation. The main objective is to provide a comprehensive protocol that serves all water quality assessment needs when monitoring urban and agricultural non-point nutrient and sediment fluxes. The methods and results of several intensively monitored case studies indicate that BMP implementation can be highly effective at reducing nutrient and sediment fluxes to receiving waters.

Measuring effectiveness of Best Management Practices

Measuring effectiveness of Best Management Practices coverThe Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund was created in 2007 in an effort to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution to these bays. The Trust Fund has focused its financial resources on the implementation of effective non-point source pollution control projects using best management practices (BMPs) in high priority watersheds. Examples of projects supported by the Trust Fund include stream channel restorations, stormwater retrofits, and cover crops. Evaluating BMP effectiveness is necessary for demonstrating whether projects actually reduce pollutant yields. The current monitoring strategy indicates that BMPs implemented in Trust Fund projects must demonstrate a water quality response within three years of completion. This document provides an overview of the challenges facing Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays and provides guidance to potential and current Trust Fund recipients in determining suitable approaches for measuring BMP effectiveness.

Managing stormwater and other BMPs

Stormwater ManagementMinimizing the negative impacts of stormwater runoff is a challenge. With so much impervious surface in urban, suburban, and rural areas, the flow volume and speed of runoff can cause erosion and flooding, as well as deliver pollutants that can threaten the health of downstream rivers and bays. This newsletter, sponsored by the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, reviews one strategy—a regenerative stormwater conveyance system. A list of common Best Management Practices for coping with stormwater for homeowners, business owners, and municipalities are also listed.