Technical Resources for the Chesapeake Bay Area

Updated 04/09/2012

With watersheds from six states pouring into it everyday, the Chesapeake Bay is our Nation’s largest estuary, and an endangered wetland. The states that affect the health of the Bay are Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York.  In each of these states the largest land use is by far agriculture.  Because of this, much of the water runoff that comes from these farms could contain large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides which ultimately find their way into the Bay.

The accumulated effects of this water runoff results in high nitrogen levels which, when heated by the sun during the summer months, creates algae blooms which can be miles across and can suffocate wildlife in the waters of the Bay.

The NRCS Plant Materials Program selects conservation plants and develops innovative planting technology to solve the nation's most important resource and environmental concerns, such as the Chesapeake Bay.

Related Publications

• Coastal and Shoreline Restoration Resources
• Publications by Topic

Featured Publications

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Plant Guide for Establishing Coastal Vegetation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. (PDF; 333 KB) Sherry Surrette. 2007. Jackson, MS. 4/202007. 39p. (ID# 7271)

Native Plants for Mississippi Coastline Restoration. (PDF; 713KB) Sherry Surrette, Cassandra Meyer. 2007. Palnt guides, plants database, plant vendors guide, Coffeeville, MS. 6p. (ID# 7156)

Fact Sheet: Freshwater Submerged Aquatic Vegetation found in the Chesapeake Bay. (PDF; 57KB) Zinecker, B., R.J. Ugiansky, and J.M. Englert. 2007. USDA, NRCS, National Plant Materials Center, MD. September 2006. 1p. (ID# 7167)