Existing Conditions Report in 1974 and Future Conditions Report in 1977, sup- 

 ported three years of hydrographic study of the Bay, constructed the Chesapeake 

 Bay Model, and began its use with outside support for some of the studies (Corps of 

 Engineers, Baltimore District, 1974, 1977; McKay, 1976; Shea et al., 1980; Withers, 

 1979). The National Science Foundation, through its program on Research Applied 

 to National Needs (RANN), funded the operation of the Chesapeake Research 

 Consortium, established in 1972 by The Johns Hopkins University, University of 

 Maryland, Smithsonian Institution, and Virginia Institute of Marine Science to 

 conduct interdisciplinary and interinstitutional research on principal problems, and 

 supported that effort over a period of about 4 years. In fiscal year 1976, Congress di- 

 rected the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a 5-year, $25 million 

 Chesapeake Bay Program of research directed to assess the principal adverse factors 

 impacting the Bay's environment, improve related data systems, and assist in better 

 management of the system (Office of Research and Development/ EPA, 1980). The 

 products of the RANN investment are completed and widely disseminated; the 

 Corps' reports are readily available, but the model studies have not been completed; 

 and the results of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's program are 

 beginning to appear. Such uneven federal funding of relatively short-term attention 

 to long-term problems has important value, but is inadequate in meeting the needs of 

 the region (Cronin, 1979). 



Other important federal and state-federal programs were also initiated. Both 

 Virginia and Maryland established Sea Grant Programs and Coastal Zone Manage- 

 ment Programs in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

 Administration. Sea Grant Programs appear to be well established. Maryland has 

 established a Coastal Resources Division as a permanent center for coastal zone 

 efforts, while Virginia has chosen to forego federal support and leave these matters 

 as tasks of various agencies. 



Research efforts have escalated, albeit unevenly and largely in response to funding 

 opportunities. The Chesapeake Research Consortium functions through the four 

 largest academic centers, with about two-thirds of the non-federal scientists of the 

 area and the principal research facilities. It exists to identify the problems of the 

 region, to conduct multi-institutional research toward their solution, and to assist 

 management agencies. The Smithsonian Institution has established a Chesapeake 

 Bay Center for Environmental Studies, and the University of Maryland has re- 

 grouped its Bay-related programs to create a Center for Environmental and 

 Estuarine Studies as a new branch of the University. All of these and a large number 

 of other federal laboratories, academic institutions, consulting firms, and other 

 organizations have participated in research related to pollution and the Bay eco- 

 system (Chesapeake Research Consortium, 1978). 



The states of Maryland and Virginia have undertaken cooperative ventures that 

 are highly innovative in this region where state rights are rigorously protected. As the 

 result of a study by the Chesapeake Bay Legislative Advisory Commission, created 

 by legislative action in 1978, a permanent Chesapeake Bay Commission was estab- 

 lished in 1980 by the two states. Present roles are limited to review of long-term 

 needs, advisement of state legislative and executive branches and the federal govern- 

 ment, and assessment of coordinated efforts between the states and with the federal 

 government (Gartlan et al., 1980). In 1979. a complementary Bi-State Working 

 Committee was established for continuing direct interaction between the executive 

 agencies of Virginia and Maryland. The Commission and Committee may be highly 

 important in assessment and control of pollution. 



It is appropriate to note that a Susquehanna River Basin Commission and Inter- 

 state Commission on the Potomac River exist, so that there are now complementary 

 commissions for the entire watershed. The managerial network would appear to be 

 in place. The achievements obviously lie in the future and cannot now be assessed. 



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