Day 8: The Environmentalist Side of the Chesapeake Bay, Last Day in Seminar.

After a quick breakfast at the hotel, we boarded the bus which took us to the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, home of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The building is very interesting and unique having been constructed to a Platinum level, "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED).  Numerous green elements are incorporated, for example as we arrived we could see grass growing on the roof  surfaces and large rainwater collection tanks around the building. The water is recycled and used in the washrooms which also featured composting toilets. Class 43 was treated to four presentations in a conference room featuring a spectacular view of the bay.

Our first speaker was Terry Cummings, Manager of Advocacy for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). Terry interestingly told us that he is a graduate of the Maryland LEAD program.  Terry gave us a brief background on how CBF had litigated the fact that the Chesapeake Bay was impaired as to dissolved oxygen and sediment. Therefore, under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, the EPA was required to implement a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for nitrigen, phosphorus, and sediment.  CBF prevailed and EPA is now implementing the TMDL. Terry's presentation showed the intended glide path for the reduction of nitrogen discharges to the Bay from  328 mlbs/yr to 187 mlbs/yr by 2025. Calling the TMDL  a "permit to pollute," he articulated CBF's priorities:  1) defend the TMDL, 2) blunt opposition in Congress, and, 3) implement the TMDL saying that this is "Our moment in time" to save the Bay.

Jackie Takacs, Watershed Restoration Specialist for Maryland Sea Grant Extension, spoke about how the co-operative extension is involved with helping farmers and urbans meet the requirements of the law. Her presentation focused on "Restoring our waterways by restoring the watershed."  Baseline information goes all the way back to the 1830's. She also described the process of how excess nutrient discharges promote algae blooms, eutrophication, bad smells, loss of aquatic resources, mohogany tides and more.

Carin Brisland, Associate Director for Partnerships and Accountability for the EPA, presented on the Value of the Partnership Approach to Solving Complex Environmental Problems of the Chesapeake Bay. She was very optimistic and positive about the voluntary partnership aproaches also being promoted by the EPA.

Dr. Jana Davis from the non-profit Chesapeake Bay Trust spoke to us about the efforts of her group to encourage compliance with the TMDL through outreach and grants (about $5 million/year). She led us through some interesting questions about the role of such organizations and asked us to think about areas which we felt they could be focusing more effort.

{Dr. Jana Davis, Chesapeake Bay Trust}

After our morning sessions, we had lunch at Carol’s Creek Cafe where they served excellent crab soup, crab cakes and cinnamon ice cream. Once lunch was finished, we each took a moment to articulate our personal take home message from this Maryland and DC experience.  Many in our class vowed to break the tendency of agriculture always talking to itself. They voiced the strong need to communicate the vision and necessity of California agriculture to the 99%  of the population which is non-agricultural. Some talked about how they will look at family involvement and plans. While others want to get involved on local boards, districts, or government positions.

{Class 43 at Carol's Creek Cafe}

After our two hour ride back to DC, we donned business formal and headed out to the reception at USDA hosted by the CALF program alumni for our class and DC Exchange candidates. This was an excellent event and well done by the CALF program alumni.

The day was complete. Our time together in DC and Maryland was complete. We had some time in the evening for contemplation. We also had time to relax with close friends and relish our week of  inspiration annd learning. 

Presiding Fellows: Scott Klittich, Bailey DiIoia, Chris White