To improve habitat for living resources of the Chesapeake Bay, a nutrient reduction goal was adopted by the bay states. Jurisdictions agreed on a goal to reduce controllable discharges of nitrogen and phosphorus by 40 percent by the year 2000, using 1985 as the base year. Results from a highly refined computer model indicate that this would improve dissolved oxygen levels, which are critical to life in the bay, by up to 25 percent. Officials believe that at this level the bay can sustain a healthy balance of living resources.
Nutrient reduction helps living resources by improving water quality and enhancing physical habitat.
Just as responsibility for controlling nutrients is shared throughout the watershed, benefits will also be seen basinwide. These benefits vary within the Shenandoah, upper Potomac and lower Potomac subbasins. For example, in the Shenandoah and the upper Potomac, better water quality would decrease excessive aquatic weed growth, enrich dissolved oxygen levels during low flow conditions and yield fewer fish kills. In the James, reductions of both nutrients and sediment are needed to lead to improved habitat. BMPs reducing nutrients also enhance habitat - Enhanced habitat could result from many nutrient reduction practices.