Definitions/Contacts for FY 2011 National Water Program Guidance Measures - Subobjective: Improve the Health of the Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem

• SP-33
• SP-34
• SP-35
• SP-36
• SP-37
• CB-1 (a,b)
• CB-2

Measure Code: SP-33

Measure Language: Percent of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation goal of 185,000 acres achieved, based on annual monitoring from prior year.

Type of Measure: Long-term Target Measure; Cumulatively reported

Measure Contact: Nita Sylvester, Chesapeake Bay Program Office
sylvester.nita@epa.gov | (410) 267-5711

Measure Definition

Terms and phrases: Submerged Aquatic Vegetation, also known as Underwater Bay Grasses, refers to the 16 species found in the Chesapeake Bay. Bay grasses are used as a measure of the Bay's overall condition because they are not under harvest pressure and their health is closely linked to the overall health of the Bay.

Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_baygrasses.aspx?menuitem=19652 

Methodology for computation of results: The Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) measure is reported as the % of long term goal achievement of 185,000 acres of SAV in the tidal waters of Chesapeake Bay. The long term restoration goal of 185,000 acres is based upon historical Chesapeake Bay SAV abundance and distribution records dating back to late 1930's. The reported information is based on annual monitoring from the prior year.

Black-and-white aerial photography at a scale of 1:24,000 was the principal source of information used to assess distribution and abundance of SAV in Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries, and the Delmarva Peninsula coastal bays from Assawoman Bay to Magothy Bay in 2008. There were 173 flight lines that yielded aerial photography negatives that were scanned and orthorectified to create orthophoto mosaics. These mosaics were carefully examined on-screen and outlines were drawn to identify all SAV beds visible on the photography, providing a geographic information system (GIS) digital database for analysis of bed areas and locations. Ground survey information collected in 2008 was tabulated and entered into the VIMS SAV GIS digital database.  Refer to: http://archive.chesapeakebay.net/status/status09/baygrasses2009.doc 

Units: Percent of goal achieved.  Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_baygrasses.aspx?menuitem=19652 

Universe: 185,000 acres is the long term goal.  Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_baygrasses.aspx?menuitem=19652 

Baseline: Annual percent of submerged aquatic vegetation achieved.  39% (72,945) in FY 2005.  Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_baygrasses.aspx?menuitem=19652 

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Measure Code: SP-34

Measure Language: Percent of Dissolved Oxygen goal of 100% standards attainment achieved, based on annual monitoring from the previous calendar year and the preceding 2 years.

Type of Measure: Long-term Target measure; Cumulatively reported

Measure Contact: Nita Sylvester, Chesapeake Bay Program Office
sylvester.nita@epa.gov | (410) 267-5711

Measure Definition

Terms and phrases:Dissolved oxygen (DO) refers to the amount of oxygen that is present in the water. It is measured in units of milligrams per liter (mg/L), or the milligrams of oxygen dissolved in a liter of water.

Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_dissolvedoxygen.aspx?menuitem=19647 

Methodology for computation of results: The dissolved oxygen (DO) measure is reported as % of long term goal achieved. The long term goal is 100 % of volume of the Chesapeake Bay tidal waters attaining the state water quality standards for dissolved oxygen over a 3 year assessment window for each designated use. The results are based on monitoring data from the previous calendar year (and the preceding 2 years).  Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_dissolvedoxygen.aspx?menuitem=19647

DO concentrations are measured in-situ at surface and depth profiles at fixed stations in the entire Bay.  Raw data are processed by the Bay Program's interpolator program and, subsequently, interpolations are analyzed by a fortran program on a linux platform to determine the volumetric extent of compliance.  Refer to: http://archive.chesapeakebay.net/status/status09/dissolvedoxygen2009.doc 

Units: Percent of goal achieved.  Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_dissolvedoxygen.aspx?menuitem=19647

Universe: 100% standards attainment achieved is the long term goal.  This would equate to the total volume of the Bay and its tidal tributaries (74.8 cubic kilometers) achieving water quality standards for dissolved oxygen.  Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_dissolvedoxygen.aspx?menuitem=19647

Baseline: Percent of dissolved oxygen attainment goals achieved. 30% (22.73km) in FY 2005
Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_dissolvedoxygen.aspx?menuitem=19647

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Measure Code: SP-35

Measure Language: Percent of goal achieved for implementation of nitrogen reduction practices (expressed as progress in meeting the nitrogen reduction goal of 162.5 million pounds reduced from 1985 levels to achieve an annual cap load of 175 million lbs (based on long-term average hydrology simulations).

Type of Measure: Annual and Long-Term Target measure; Cumulatively reported

Measure Contact: Nita Sylvester, Chesapeake Bay Program Office
sylvester.nita@epa.gov | (410) 267-5711

Measure Definition

Methodology for computation of results: Implementation of point & non-point source nitrogen reduction practices throughout the Bay watershed, expressed as % of nitrogen reduction goal achieved. The nitrogen goal is a 162.5 million pound reduction from 1986 levels to achieve an annual cap load of 175 million lbs (based on long-term average hydrology simulations). Achieving this cap load is expected to result in achievement of the long-term restoration goals for submerged aquatic vegetation and dissolved oxygen.

Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_reducingpollution.aspx?menuitem=19691 (click on "Multi-year" tab)

Point source loads are calculations of measured or estimated effluent flows and concentrations.  Nonpoint source loads are simulated based on reported implementation of best management practices (BMPs) that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution. The simulation removes annual hydrological variations in order to measure the effectiveness of BMP implementation and converts the numerous BMPs, with various pollution reduction efficiencies -- depending on type and location in the watershed -- to a common currency of nutrient or sediment reduction.  The Chesapeake Bay Program Phase 4.3 Watershed Model, used to transform all nonpoint source practices and point source discharges into indicators, is a lumped parameter, physically based mathematical tool simulating physical, chemical, and biological processes in the ecosystem and designed to equitably account for all load sources and assess changes due to management actions. Refer to: http://archive.chesapeakebay.net/status/status09/reducingpollutiontoplevelindex2009.doc 

Units: Percent of goal achieved.  Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_reducingpollution.aspx?menuitem=19691 (click on "Multi-year" tab)

Universe: 162.5 million pounds reduced is the long term goal.  Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_reducingpollution.aspx?menuitem=19691 (click on "Multi-year" tab)

Baseline: 41% (67m lbs) in FY 2005. Percent of goal achieved for implementation of nitrogen reduction practices.  Tracking began in 1985 with zero percent of goal achieved.  Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_reducingpollution.aspx?menuitem=19691 (click on "Multi-year" tab)

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Measure Code: SP-36

Measure Language: Percent of goal achieved for implementation of phosphorus reduction practices (expressed as progress in meeting the phosphorus reduction goal of 14.36 million pounds reduced from 1985 levels to achieve an annual cap load of 12.8 million lbs (based on long-term average hydrology simulations).

Type of Measure: Annual and Long-Term Target measure; Cumulatively reported

Measure Contact: Nita Sylvester, Chesapeake Bay Program Office
sylvester.nita@epa.gov | (410) 267-5711

Measure Definition

Methodology for computation of results: Implementation of point & non-point source phosphorus reduction practices throughout the Bay watershed, expressed as % of phosphorus reduction goal achieved. The phosphorus goal is a 14.36 million pound reduction from 1986 levels to achieve an annual cap load of 12.8 million lbs (based on long-term average hydrology simulations). Achieving this cap load is expected to result in achievement of the long-term restoration goals for submerged aquatic vegetation and dissolved oxygen.

Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_reducingpollution.aspx?menuitem=19691 (click on "Multi-year" tab)

Point source loads are calculations of measured or estimated effluent flows and concentrations.  Nonpoint source loads are simulated based on reported implementation of best management practices (BMPs) that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution. The simulation removes annual hydrological variations in order to measure the effectiveness of BMP implementation and converts the numerous BMPs, with various pollution reduction efficiencies -- depending on type and location in the watershed -- to a common currency of nutrient or sediment reduction.  The Chesapeake Bay Program Phase 4.3 Watershed Model, used to transform all nonpoint source practices and point source discharges into indicators, is a lumped parameter, physically based mathematical tool simulating physical, chemical, and biological processes in the ecosystem and designed to equitably account for all load sources and assess changes due to management actions.  Refer to: http://archive.chesapeakebay.net/status/status09/reducingpollutiontoplevelindex2009.doc

Units: Percent of goal achieved. Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_reducingpollution.aspx?menuitem=19691 (click on "Multi-year" tab)

Universe: 14.36 million pounds reduced is the long term goal. Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_reducingpollution.aspx?menuitem=19691 (click on "Multi-year" tab)

Baseline: 58% (8.4m lbs). Percent of goal achieved for implementation of phosphorus reduction practices. Tracking began in 1985 with zero percent of goal achieved. Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_reducingpollution.aspx?menuitem=19691 (click on "Multi-year" tab)

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Measure Code: SP-37

Measure Language: Percent of goal achieved for implementation of sediment reduction practices (expressed as progress in meeting the sediment reduction goal of 1.69 million tons reduced from 1985 levels to achieve an annual cap load of 4.15 million tons (based on long-term average hydrology simulations).

Type of Measure: Annual and Long-TermTarget measure; Cumulatively reported

Measure Contact: Nita Sylvester, Chesapeake Bay Program Office
sylvester.nita@epa.gov | (410) 267-5711

Measure Definition  

Methodology for computation of results: Implementation of sediment reduction practices throughout the Bay watershed, expressed as % of land-based sediment reduction goal achieved. The sediment reduction goal is a 1.69 million ton reduction from 1986 levels to achieve an annual cap load of 4.15 million tons (based on average hydrology simulations). Achieving this cap load is expected to result in achievement of the long-term restoration goals for submerged aquatic vegetation and dissolved oxygen.

Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_reducingpollution.aspx?menuitem=19691 (click on "Multi-year" tab)

Sediment loads are simulated based on reported implementation of best management practices (BMPs) that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution. The simulation removes annual hydrological variations in order to measure the effectiveness of BMP implementation and converts the numerous BMPs, with various pollution reduction efficiencies -- depending on type and location in the watershed -- to a common currency of nutrient or sediment reduction.  The Chesapeake Bay Program Phase 4.3 Watershed Model, used to transform all nonpoint source practices and point source discharges into indicators, is a lumped parameter, physically based mathematical tool simulating physical, chemical, and biological processes in the ecosystem and designed to equitably account for all load sources and assess changes due to management actions.  Refer to: http://archive.chesapeakebay.net/status/status09/reducingpollutiontoplevelindex2009.doc 

Units: Percent of goal achieved.  Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_reducingpollution.aspx?menuitem=19691 (click on "Multi-year" tab)

Universe: 1.69 million tons reduced is the long term goal.  Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_reducingpollution.aspx?menuitem=19691 (click on "Multi-year" tab)

Baseline: 54% (0.9m tons) in FY 2005. Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_reducingpollution.aspx?menuitem=19691 (click on "Multi-year" tab)

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Measure Code: CB-1a

Measure Language: Percent of point source nitrogen reduction goal of 49.9 million pounds achieved.

Type of Measure: Annual and Long-Term Target measure; Cumulatively reported

Measure Contact: Nita Sylvester, Chesapeake Bay Program Office
sylvester.nita@epa.gov | (410) 267-5711

Measure Definition

Methodology for computation of results: Point source (municipal and industrial wastewater) nitrogen reductions are reported as % of goal achieved. The goal for point source nitrogen reductions is 49.9 million pound reduction from 1986 levels.

Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_wastewater.aspx?menuitem=19692 

 Point source loads are calculations of measured or estimated effluent flows and concentrations. Point source nitrogen data is reported from all significant municipal and industrial wastewater dischargers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed based upon monitored results from the previous year.  The Chesapeake Bay Program Phase 4.3 Watershed Model is the tool used to transform calculated point source discharge loads to nutrient loads delivered to Chesapeake Bay tidal waters, which the indicator is based on. Refer to: http://archive.chesapeakebay.net/status/status09/wastewater2009.doc 

Units: Percent of goal achieved. Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_wastewater.aspx?menuitem=19692

Universe: 49.9 million pounds reduced is the long term goal.  Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_wastewater.aspx?menuitem=19692

Baseline: 60.95% in FY 2005. Percent of point source nitrogen reduction goal achieved. Tracking began in 1985 with zero percent of goal achieved. Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_wastewater.aspx?menuitem=19692

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Measure Code: CB-1b

Measure Language: Percent of point source phosphorus reduction goal of 6.16 million pounds achieved.

Type of Measure: Target measure; Annually and Cumulatively reported

Measure Contact: Nita Sylvester, Chesapeake Bay Program Office
sylvester.nita@epa.gov | (410) 267-5711

Measure Definition

Methodology for computation of results: Point source (municipal and industrial wastewater) phosphorus reductions are reported as % of goal achieved. The goal for point source phosphorus reductions is 6.16 million pound reduction from 1986 levels from.

Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_wastewater.aspx?menuitem=19692

Point source loads are calculations of measured or estimated effluent flows and concentrations. Point source nitrogen data is reported from all significant municipal and industrial wastewater dischargers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed based upon monitored results from the previous year.  The Chesapeake Bay Program Phase 4.3 Watershed Model is the tool used to transform calculated point source discharge loads to nutrient loads delivered to Chesapeake Bay tidal waters, which the indicator is based on.  Refer to: http://archive.chesapeakebay.net/status/status09/wastewater2009.doc 

Units: Percent of goal achieved. Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_wastewater.aspx?menuitem=19692

Universe: 6.16 million pounds reduced is the long term goal. Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_wastewater.aspx?menuitem=19692

Baseline: 80% in FY 2005. Percent of point source phosphorus reduction goal achieved.Tracking began in 1985 with zero percent of goal achieved. Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_wastewater.aspx?menuitem=19692

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Measure Code: CB-2

Measure Language: Percent of forest buffer planting goal of 10,000 miles achieved.

Type of Measure: Target; Annually and Cumulatively reported

Measure Contact: Nita Sylvester, Chesapeake Bay Program Office
sylvester.nita@epa.gov | (410) 267-5711

Measure Definition

Methodology for computation of results: Forest buffer planting is reported as % of goal achieved. The long term goal is to plant 10,000 miles of forest buffers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The information is based on cumulative acres planted since 1997 provided by the states for the previous year.

Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_forestbuffers.aspx?menuitem=19723 

Linear feet, miles, and acres of forest buffers planted are measured directly.  The data are summarized in a spreadsheet by geographic location with related extent of project sites. Sampling design is formulated by the USDA for tracking projects and funds.  The data is input by field personnel and submitted to State Departments of Forestry for QA/QC checks. Refer to: http://archive.chesapeakebay.net/status/status09/forestbuffers2009.doc

Units: Percent of goal achieved. Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_forestbuffers.aspx?menuitem=19723

Universe: 10,000 miles planted is the long term goal. Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_forestbuffers.aspx?menuitem=19723

Baseline: 38% in FY 2005. Percent of forest buffer planting goal achieved. Tracking began in 1996 with zero miles planted. Refer to: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_forestbuffers.aspx?menuitem=19723