V-272 



More recently the problem of the toxic nature of sooil 

 from industrialized Baltimore Harbor has raised the ques- 

 tion of immediate toxic effects in disposal areas. 



(2) Altered salinity patterns in the Bay are due to diversion 

 of fresh water to the Delaware Basin through the deepened 

 Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and because of increased pot- 

 able water needs in the Delaware Basin. The use of the 

 Susquehanna River at the Conowingo Dam for hydroelectric 

 purposes causes problems of low flow with the resultant 

 intrusion of salinity further up the Bay. 



(3) Aquatic plants such as wild celery, coontail, sea let- 

 tuce, Eurasian milfoil, and water chestnut have been found 

 in the Chesapeake Bay area. At times some of these aquatic 

 plants have increased in such abundance they created naviga- 

 tional problems, choked out desirable waterflow plants, 

 interfered with shellfishinq and finfishinq, discouraged 

 swimming^ and created suitable breeding grounds for mosquitoes. 



(4) Shoreline erosion control is [most certainly] another 

 significant problem. Shoreline erosion can be a major source 

 of sediment where headlands of easily eroded material are 

 subject -to wave attack. 



Today, pressures for the varied use of Chesapeake Bay are more intense 

 than ever before. An increasing population looks toward the Bay for 

 new habitable areas and recreational facilities, and as a conduit for 

 the disposal of wastes. Nevertheless, the "i^r^ factors which make the 



