Posts Tagged ‘Gerald-Winegrad’
Agriculture: No. 1 Bay Polluter
(Posted by Gerald Winegrad.)
After 27 years of formal recovery efforts under the Bay Program, the Chesapeake Bay remains severely degraded and bay recovery is failing. About 90 percent of Bay waters remain impaired in clear violation of the Clean Water Act with collapsed fisheries, including oysters and shad. We have so poisoned our waters that reports abound of serious infections in humans who come in contact with Bay waters. Catfish in the South River have cancerous lesions and male bass from the Potomac are turning up with female egg sacs.
Read More“Smart Growth” in Maryland–Not So Smart
(Posted by Gerald Winegrad) No matter how one scores it, the Chesapeake Bay is still in trouble. We’ve done the easy things. Now, if we want to restore the bay and save our natural heritage, we must do the most difficult tasks. Among these critical elements are the necessity to limit population growth and related…
Read MoreChesapeake Bay’s Future at Stake
Posted by Gerald Winegrad.
The recently filed plans by states on how they will meet the pollution diet mandated under the Clean Water Act fall well short of the necessary measures to restore the Bay. Missing are details about how they will fund the platitudes in the plans as well as specific regulatory measures that will be taken to reduce farm pollution and developed land pollution.
Read MoreOur Natural Heritage Sqaundered
Posted by Gerald Winegrad.
As we celebrate the Christmas season and anticipate the coming New Year with family and friends, my thoughts have turned inward. Now in my mid-60’s, I think deep thoughts of the way things used to be and how radically things have changed. Sadly, as I reflect on the Chesapeake Bay and its mighty rivers and its many streams, I see the results of the slow but ongoing degradation and poisoning of this natural legacy.
Read MoreWhat Can Each of Us Do To Save the Bay?
(Posted by Gerald Winegrad)
On December 9, 1983, 27 years ago, I was one of 700 enthused, hopeful participants to witness the signing of the first Chesapeake Bay Agreement. The Governors of three states and other officials solemnly committed to restore the Bay and the Bay Program began. I was there as a member of the tri-state Chesapeake Bay Commission and was then a Maryland State Senator.
Despite 27 years of efforts, the Bay recovery is badly lagging and living resources are declining.
Read MoreA Sad Thanksgiving Reflection on the Bay’s Decline
We are all taking time from busy schedules and our frantic American lifestyle to give thanks for our many blessings here in Bay country. The Buffleheads and Hooded Mergansers are here on Oyster Creek where we live very close to the Bay and Double-crested Cormorants are diving and feasting on small fish. As I reflect on our bounty I come to the realization and then sadness of how we are surrounded by a much diminished population of waterfowl and wildlife due to human disturbance.
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