ANEP Logo
 ANEP Image Bar
ANEP: Home How You Can Help About ANEP Contact ANEP Visit An Estuary Links Publications

Publications:
ANEP Update

April 2003

NEP NEWS

 
  Photograph courtesy of volunteer, Randy Wiscaver

In March, the Mobile Bay NEP (MBNEP) coordinated a Derelict Crab Trap Recovery Program with the Alabama Marine Resources Division (AMRD).  The highly successful program involved over 200 volunteers among some two dozen volunteer groups.  Participants retrieved over 1000 derelict traps from Alabama coastal waters.  The joint partnership involved regulations, equipment, and organization on behalf of the AMRD and volunteer coordination, donations, and publicity through the MBNEP.  The MBNEP also received a generous grant from the Gulf of Mexico Foundation and NOAA Coastal Services Center for this year's restoration effort. On this day only, any crab trap within 500 yards of the shore was considered marine litter and could be legally retrieved for disposal.  Taking crab traps at any other time is illegal in Alabama. Crab traps have been used extensively in coastal Alabama waters since the 1950s.  Each year an estimated 20 -50% of these traps become lost due to storms, broken lines and neglect.  These traps can continue to fish causing crabs, fish, and other animals to be trapped and die needlessly.  The traps are unsightly, can damage boats, and may cause personal injury. 

A 2002 report by the Complex Systems Research Center at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) reported that the area covered by impervious surfaces in NH's coastal watershed towns has increased by 2%, or 22.2 square miles, from 1990 to 2000.  This New Hampshire Estuary Program (NHEP) funded study represents the first time a quantified estimate of change in impervious surface area has been produced in the region and it provides valuable insight into how development may be impacting the water quality of New Hampshire's coastal watershed.  Since rainwater cannot infiltrate these surfaces it must be directed into sewers, rivers, or the sea, usually through a storm water system.  Runoff from impervious surfaces often carries elevated levels of pollutants, such as heavy metals, salt, oil, and excess nutrients, directly into waters that are utilized by wildlife and people.  To quantify the area covered by impervious surfaces UNH researchers David Justice and Fay Rubin analyzed satellite images of 48 towns in coastal New Hampshire. Please a .pdf version of this report on www.state.nh.us/nhep

 
  Puget Sound Action Team photograph

Washington State's Puget Sound Action Team recently compiled examples of more than 30 separate projects, programs and ordinances that use innovative approaches to develop land and manage storm water.  The innovative approaches, known as low impact development techniques, are highlighted in Natural Approaches to Storm water Management, Low Impact Development in Puget Sound.  The book will show builders and developers, city and county planners, engineers and others innovative alternatives to conventional land development and storm water management practices that can better protect Puget Sound.  To check out the book visit: http://www.wa.gov/puget_sound/Programs/LID.htm. 

The Casco Bay Estuary Project (CBEP) recently assisted the Freeport Conservation Trust with the purchase of a "forever wild" conservation easement on Pettingill Island in Casco Bay. Pettingill Island, an undeveloped 9-acre island, is the only undeveloped island in the so-called "Silver Islands" chain in Casco Bay.  The island boasts an active osprey nest and extensive adjoining tidal flats that provide important feeding grounds for great blue heron, migrating shorebirds, and waterfowl.  Casco Bay and coastal Maine are notorious for their numerous rocky islands.  Petengill Island is now one of more than 430 permanently protected coastal islands larger than one acre in Maine. This year alone, the Casco Bay Estuary Project Habitat Protection Fund has helped protect over 1,600 acres of high value habitat in the watershed.

Recently, the Science and Technical Advisory Committee of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program developed a group of indicators that will be used to monitor the health of the coastal bays watershed. The indicators deal with water quality, aquatic habitat, and land use and make use of monitoring programs currently underway with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.  These indicators consist of dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll content of water in streams and bays, and nitrate levels in streams. Aquatic habitat indicators are based on results of ongoing monitoring programs and include the acres of submerged aquatic vegetation, abundance of forage fish such as spot, croaker, anchovy and menhaden, and the prevalence of invasive species such as green crabs. Land use indicators are based on interpretation of satellite imagery and consist of the amount of forested area in the watershed, prevalence of interior forest, amount of wetlands, stream miles with natural buffers, and the ratio of interior forest to edge.

Information is available on the web at www.eyesonthebay.net.  Contact Roman Jesien at science@mdcoastalbays.org for more information on the indicators and the automatic monitors.

 
  Delaware beach resort favorite- "Love Seed Mama Jump"- brings another high energy performance to the 2nd Delaware Music Festival benefitting the Center for the Inland Bays!

The Center for the Inland Bays (CIB) (Delaware Inland Bays Estuary Program) held their 2nd Delaware Music Festival on April 11th and 12th in Dewey Beach, Delaware.  More than 70 bands on six stages performed during the two-day program.  The CIB's Executive Director, Dr. Bruce Richards, entertained a large crowd when "Rich & Doc" took the stage on Saturday evening!  The 2nd Delaware Music Festival was organized in conjunction with local businessman Alex Pires of Highway One Partnership in Dewey Beach.  A portion of the proceeds from the event will support habitat and restoration programs sponsored by the CIB.

The Albemarle-Pamlico NEP was proud to participate in the recent Estuary Live Event held on April 10th & 11th
APNEP partnered with the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve Program, Division of Coastal Management with support from Marine Grafics Film and Video Production Services, and the Carolina Estuarine Reserve Foundation to produce this two-day event.  More information may be found at http://www.estuarylive.org

On April 17, 2003 the public was invited to help Mote Aquarium and The Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program celebrate Earth Day 2003, "Celebrate Our Backyard." Earth Day activities took place on Saturday, April 19 in the Aquarium Courtyard. Children of all ages enjoyed activities like Vanishing Spaces, making Earth Day buttons, meeting Mother Earth and Father Ocean, and receiving information from The Southwest Florida Water Management District, The Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program, and Mote.

 
   

At an Earth Day ceremony held aboard an historic 125-foot schooner at the 79th Street Boat Basin, U.S. EPA Administrator Christie Whitman was joined by NYC Dept. of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe to announce 11 grants totaling $50,000 to NY and NJ groups.  The grants are for programs that will educate area students and residents about the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary, foster stewardship of its resources and improve its environmental quality.  "Since joining EPA's National Estuary Program fifteen years ago, a dedicated group of stakeholders, representing government, community and environmental groups, have worked to develop a plan to restore, manage, and protect the waters of the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary," said Administrator Whitman.   Eleven projects, focusing on water quality improvement, student education, teacher training, and stewardship, won grants ranging from $950 to $5,000.  NY Sea Grant works with HEP to oversee the education and outreach portion of the program, including this grant program.

 

 
  LSU Ag Center and LSU Sea Grant personnel, along with area elementary school pariticipants provide Gov. Whitman with innfromal presentation on Coastal Roots Program.

On Friday, March 28, the Barataria-Terrebonne NEP (BTNEP) was honored to host EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman for a visit on the banks of Bayou Lafourche.  Administrator Whitman was the featured speaker at the annual banquet for the Center for Women in Government, housed on the campus of Nicholls State University (as is BTNEP).  During her visit, Administrator Whitman was provided with an update on the status of the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water Re-Introduction Project and had the opportunity to learn about the Coastal Roots Program from four students and their teacher from St. Joseph's Elementary School in Thibodaux.  The Coastal Roots Program is part of an ongoing partnership between BTNEP, Louisiana State University (LSU) Sea Grant Program, the LSU Ag Center, area schools, and other sate and federal partners.  Governor Whitman was presented a gift basket of BTNEP educational products, as well as gifts reflecting the unique culture and cuisine of the area, and displays of native Louisiana irises were decorated the reception area.

MEETINGS & CONFERENCES

Delaware Estuary Aquatic Nuisance Species Conference: Planning is underway for the Delaware Estuary Aquatic Nuisance Species Conference. Sponsored by PA Sea Grant, PADEP - CZM, the Partnership and DELEP, the conference will take place on May 20th at the Penn State Great Valley Complex in Malvern, PA. The purpose of this conference is to create an estuary forum and begin developing a comprehensive estuary wide understanding of the ANS problem. It is also anticipated that the conference will begin to lay the framework for multi-state collaboration in addressing this critical issue. If you are interested in attending or want more information contact: Martha Maxwell-Doyle (609) 883-9500 x215

The Albemarle-Pamlico NEP is presenting a set "Conservation Easements and Other Land Preservation Techniques" workshops on the use of conservation easements as well as tax incentives, programs, laws, regulations, and assistance that provide opportunities for agencies, non-profit organizations, landowners and others to preserve land. These workshops are intended to fill the general education needs of landowners, cooperative extension personnel, federal and state agency officials, and employees of nonprofit organizations who are interested or are working in the area of land preservation/conservation.   These workshops are also designed to advance the skills and knowledge base of appraisers, attorneys, foresters, and other professionals that provide consulting, management, legal, valuation, or other services of interest to landowners.  More information may be found at http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/wq/coneasementworkshops/#description