465 



such abundance they created navigation problems, choked out de- 

 sirable waterflow plants, interfered with shellfishing and finfishing, 

 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 Cheaspeake 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 very factors which 

 make the bay more valuable for some human uses threaten to dissipate 

 other resources. The filling of wetlands, the disposal of municipal and 

 industrial wastes, the deposition of spoil from channel dredging, and 

 thermal discharges all tend to diminish the bay's usefulness as a 

 commercial source of fish, shellfish, and crabs ; and as a site for water- 

 front housing, swimming, boating, and hunting. 



Returning to a quote from Cronin (V-7-1), he states that: 



Prospects are that * * * Nutrient pollution from domestic waste poses the 

 greatest of all recognized threats to the Chesapeake. It will seriously change and 

 partially destroy local areas, and there is no assurance that it will not ultimately 

 damage major portions of the bay and its tributaries. 



Section 4. Progress in Current Management Activities 



In chapter 1, the "Federal Role and Activities in the Estuarine 

 Zone," were descri'bed and a general outline of such activities was pre- 

 sented in table form. In addition, the weaknesses and the needs of the 

 Federal program were noted. In chapter 2, the "Management Activi- 

 ties of the States and the Problems Facing Them," were discussed in 

 consideraJble detail. With this in mind, it is intended to present here 

 for later evaluation what appears to be progress in management; 

 namely, organization, planning, implementation, and the knowledge- 

 gathering activities necessary for effective support. 



MARYLAND 



(1) Maryland has this year created a department of natural re- 

 sources responsible for policies, management, administration and re- 

 search, and study in the area of natural resources. Among other things, 

 this department is responsible for the coordination and direction of 

 comprehensive planning. 



This in itself should be a most effective step in meeting recommenda- 

 tions in FWPCA's legal study of the bay ( V-7-2) . 



The recommendations noted were "the need for a single agency 

 within the State to control and regulate water and related land re- 

 sources, and the need for a comprehensive plan." 



(2) Water quality standards have been adopted and approved by the 

 Secretary of the Interior. 



(3) There is in preparation a comprehensive plan for the bay and 

 its related resources — coordinated under the State planning depart- 

 ment — ^possibly to include the inventory of Maryland's wetlands as 

 directed by House Resolution No. 2 of 1967. 



(4) Planning is going forward for a statewide waste control and 

 acceptance plan. 



