Policy Proposal

Policy Proposal

Your Name (First M. Last)

School or Institution Name (University at Place or Town, State)

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This fact cannot be denied that “Chesapeake Bay” is one of the largest estuaries of United Stated but by taking a look at the present condition, it could be seen that there are multiple issues that are threatening it’s water species (Sullivan,et,al,2018). These issues are getting severe with time and authorities should take notice of it. One of the most threatening issues, is “excess nutrient concentration” (i.e. nitrogen and phosphorous). According to the report proposed in 2016, the overall population of Chesapeake was 18 million and it could be seen that people are trying to improve their life standards by setting more industries that would facilitate them. According to the sources, number of people would raise up to 20 million in 2030. Experts have claimed that the main cause of this increased concentration of nutrients involves agriculture runoff, discharge of wastewater from industries and the urban runoff. By taking a look at the current scenario, authorities especially Maryland House of Delegates, should take notice of this issue as it is getting worst.

By taking in consideration, the records of NOAA, it could be seen that the commercial seafood industry of Maryland and Virginia in 2016, earned $300 million. Authorities should pay more attention towards this issue of excess nutrients that is accelerating the growth of algae and other harmful blooms that produces various types of toxic substances. These toxic substances, then threats the aquatic life by mainly casting negative effects on those aquatic creatures that earn economic benefits for Bay. Considering the entire scenario, it becomes clear that authorities could play an effective role as they could implement laws that would control the continuously increasing population of the area. Another major thing that Maryland House of Delegates could do, for eradicating this issue, is that it could implement those laws that have been made for protecting all types of population from the wastewater, discharged from the factories and industries. It could be seen that there is “Refuse Act of 1899” that could play an effective role in this case. Authorities should make all factories and industries aware that they have to follow the rules that have been made for discharging toxic pollutants, after being treated properly, so that their impact could be lessened.

Authorities could make the population aware that they have to follow all the rules and regulations that are being made by “Maryland Department of the Environment” (MDE) who is responsible for restoring the quality of Maryland’s air, water, and land (Mazzuca,et,al,2019). There are many Acts and laws that are being passed for protecting not only human population but the aquatic population as well, especially it has been seen that oysters, blue crabs and rockfish are suffering from excess nutrients.

There are many Amendments and laws that help in restoring aquatic species in Maryland, such as “The Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990”. There would be not much financial pressure or expense that the “Maryland House of Delegates” has to bear as it could be seen that Acts and laws are already there just their implementation would cost a little. This thing should not be overlooked that aquatic species that would be rescued, brings back a huge amount for economic growth of this area. So as a whole, it could be concluded that government could take an action for implementing laws and Acts for treating the wastewater, discharged by industries so that it would be no or less dangerous for aquatic species. Being a responsible citizen, everyone living in that area should help authorities in restoring animal species such as oysters, blue crabs, rockfish and many others, by following their instructions and abiding by the rules that have been implemented by government. Above all, “Maryland House of Delegates” could contribute the most important role, by considering the mentioned concerns and taking timely action that has been suggested.

References:

Mazzuca, G. M., Pickering, K. E., New, D. A., Dreessen, J., & Dickerson, R. R. (2019). Impact of bay breeze and thunderstorm circulations on surface ozone at a site along the Chesapeake Bay 2011–2016. Atmospheric Environment, 198, 351-365.

Sullivan, J. T., Berkoff, T., Dreessen, J., Delgado, R., Gronoff, G., Nino, L., ... & Tzortziou, M. (2018, December). Direct Observations of Pollution Gradients Within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: Overview of the Ozone Water-Land Environmental Transition Study-2 (OWLETS-2). In AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts.