Premium Essay

Chesapeake Bay Tragedy

Submitted By
Words 1808
Pages 8
Jonathan Berjikian
UID: 204 84 6339
CEE 185EW
The Exemplification of the Tragedy of the Commons in the Chesapeake
Encompassing six states and the District of Columbia, the Chesapeake Bay is among the largest estuaries in the world. The bay serves as a source of food, water, and entertainment to the millions of people that inhabit its watershed. Over the past century, anthropogenic pollutants, such as nitrogen and phosphorous-rich industrial fertilizers, enter the bay and spark the creation of hypoxic zones that threaten water quality and inhibit marine life. As the human population surrounding the bay continues to grow, efforts to have the states’ government improve the condition of the bay have been fruitless. The implementation and enforcement …show more content…
By setting federal standards that limit the amount of pollutants leaving wastewater treatment plants and industrial sources, the federal government hoped that they could force a technical solution to the hypoxic zones in the Chesapeake. However, for the first thirty years of the CWA, little improvement was seen within the bay because it only regulated large point sources of pollutants. While these point sources comprise a significant fraction of pollution entering the bay, they omit the “watershed's nearly 88,000 farms … [which are the] largest source of nutrient and sediment pollution entering the bay” (Jenner). These farms, through their cavalier use of industrial fertilizers, served as non-point sources of pollution that were left unregulated by the EPA. The CWA, with its lack of regulation of non-point sources, proved to be an ineffective solution to the Chesapeake’s hypoxic …show more content…
8, no. 3, 15 Jan. 1998, pp. 559–568.
“Chesapeake Bay TMDL.” Chesapeake Bay TMDL, Environmental Protection Agency, 29 Dec.
2010, www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-12/documents/bay_tmdl_executive_summary_final_12.29.10_final_1.pdf.
“Cleaning Up the Chesapeake Bay.” The Pew Charitable Trusts, 13 Feb. 2012
Conley, Daniel J., et al. “Controlling Eutrophication: Nitrogen and Phosphorus.” Science, vol. 323, 20 Feb. 2009, pp. 1014–1015.
“The Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983.” The Chesapeake Bay Program, 9 Dec. 1983, https://www.chesapeakebay.net/documents/1983_CB_Agreement2.pdf
“The Effects: Dead Zones and Harmful Algal Blooms.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency,
10 Mar. 2017,
Fahrenthold, David A. “A Revitalized Chesapeake May Be Decades Away.” The Washington
Post, WP Company, 5 Jan. 2007,
Hardin, Garrett. “The Tragedy of the Commons.” Jstor, 2003, pp. 1243–1248.
Kirkpatrick, T. J. “The War over Chesapeake Bay.” Politico, Politico, 25 May 2016
Jenner, Andrew. “Farmers, EPA Clash over Chesapeake Bay Regulations.” The Christian
Science Monitor, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2011
Shapiro, Ari, and Sam Gringlas. “Chesapeake Bay Dead Zones Are Fading, But Proposed EPA
Cuts Threaten Success.” NPR, NPR, 28 June

Similar Documents

Free Essay

During the 1700's, People in the American Colonies Lived in Very Distinctive Societies. While Some Colonists Led Hard Lives, Others Were Healthy and Prosperous. the Two Groups Who Showed These Differences Were the

...During the 1600's, people in the American colonies lived in very distinctive societies. While some colonists led hard lives, others were healthy and prosperous. The two groups who showed these differences were the colonists of the New England and Chesapeake Bay areas. The differentiating characteristics among the Chesapeake and New England colonies developed due to economy, religion, and motives for colonial expansion. The colonists of the New England area possessed a very happy and healthy life. This high way of living was due in part to better farming, a healthier environment, and a high rate of production because of more factories. The colonists of the Chesapeake Bay region, on the other hand, led harder lives compared to that of the colonists of New England. The Chesapeake Bay had an unhealthy environment, bad eating diets, and intolerable labor. The colonists had different reasons for settling in these two distinct regions. The New England region was a more religiously strict yet diverse area compared to that of the Chesapeake Bay. The development of religion in the two regions came from separate roots. After Henry VIII and the Roman Catholic Church broke away from each other, a new group of English reformers was created called the Puritans. The Puritans came from protestant backgrounds, after being influenced by Calvinistic ideas. When their reforms were thwarted by King James I of England, they fled to the New World in what is now known as the "Great Migration". The Puritans...

Words: 929 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Chesapeake Bay Oyster Wars

...The Chesapeake Bay oyster wars were multiple wars between pirates and legal watermen and authorities during 1865 through 1959. Watermen from near and far would come to the Chesapeake Bay and sometimes even the Potomac River to harvest oysters. The oyster wars demonstrate exploration, encounter, and exchange in history. Exploration is demonstrated through the Chesapeake Bay oyster wars. Foreign watermen would travel far distances to come to the Chesapeake Bay to harvest oysters. Many did this because of restrictions in their harvesting areas, such as laws and/or the amount of oysters in their local oyster beds. “New England watermen encroached on the Bay after their local oyster beds had been exhausted… (1)” Oyster dredgers would clean out their local oyster beds and would search for places with a plethora of oysters so they can continue their business....

Words: 471 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Field Survey

...Felice Schwartz Ms. North IB Environmental Science I September 23, 2013 Field Survey Project A. Defining the Problem 1. Run off is the indicator 2. The runoff affects the Chesapeake Bay because it brings pollution into it. It carries contaminants from land such as nitrogen and bacteria. This then creates algae, which deprives the bay of oxygen. It also clouds the water and in turn restricts the amount of sunlight in the water, which limits the growth of grasses. Ultimately creating an unstable environment in the bay and kills the life that lives there. 3. Healthy system: RainDrainage Systems Heavily forested area with high grasseslimited runoffHealthy Bay Unhealthy system: RainDrainage systemsImpervious surfaceRunoff from the surface into the storm drainsstorm drains give off into the bayBay is unhealthy from excessive runoff.  B. Data Collection Qualitative | Bare soil | Landscape | Drainage systems | | Quantitative | Measure in cm^2 | Percentages taking of different land use | Count how many | | C. Data Processing 1. The mathematical formula used was Q= (C)(i)(A). The calculated results of the formula were Q= .89x3x3.2, Q=8.54. 2. The uncertainties that exist in our formula are that some of the components are our own estimations and therefore the validity of them is uncertain. 3. The estimated effect is that our calculation could be about .2 off. We got this effect because we calculated a different Q using slightly...

Words: 604 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Navesink Oyster Statue: Environmental Analysis

...shells and you will still evidence of the oysters history in the naming of key landmarks and locations such as Oyster Point in Red Bank. However, the reality is that the now mostly extinct oyster was indeed a key component of the area and was an importance resource since the Lenape Tribes populated the area. (History of the Navesink n.d.) When the early explorers arrived to the areas of Greater New York Harbor and the Navesink and Shrewsbury estuaries they discovered large piles or middens of oyster and other shells that had been left by the native tribes after the harvest and consumption of the native shellfish. (Raritan Bay, n.d.) The abundance of this valuable resource was made possible by the sheer success and population density of oysters in the native habitat of the regions bays and estuaries. It is believed that the New York Harbor and Raritan Bay region that includes the Navesink and Shrewsbury Estuaries was once the world’s largest oyster bed that covered a total of three hundred and fifty square miles with a possible population of up to nine BILLION oysters. (Karr, R. 2013) These oysters were an integral resource as the area was settled and the population grew. Navesink Oysters in particular became famed for their quality and became a major food a source of for a growing New York City. This harvesting along with conventional farming became the foundations of the early economies of the Navesink/Shrewsbury peninsula and in fact many streets were paved with oyster shells...

Words: 884 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Differences Between Chesapeake And New England Colonies

...The Chesapeake and New England regions were both similar in the fact that they were founded by English settlers looking for a better life. Though the regions’ beginnings were very much alike, they eventually evolved into completely different distinct societies. They had very different demographics, successes, and values. These differences came for a few key reasons. Chesapeake and New England became such distinct societies due to differences in geography, religion, and reasons for coming to America. Geographical differences played a big part in how each society developed. In the Chesapeake area, horrible diseases ravaged the colonies which led to a great percentage of the population dying. In New England, the colder climate prevented these diseases...

Words: 1242 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Jug Bay Lab Report

...Jug Bay Lab Intro The Jug Bay Watershed near the patuxent river wetlands. The area is a wildlife sanctuary for animal and wildlife preservation. The dominant forest type around Jug Bay is of deciduous forest. This province comprises the flat and irregular Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains down to the sea. Well over 50 percent of the area is gently sloping. The climate regime is equable, with a small to moderate annual temperature range. Average annual temperature is 60 to 70F. Rainfall is abundant and well distributed throughout the year; precipitation ranges from 40 to 60 in per year. Mild rainforest is run of the mill in this region. The broad beach front bogs and inside bogs are overwhelmed by gum and cypress. Soils are chiefly Ultisols, and Entisols. Estuaries are home to exceptional plant and creature groups that have adjusted to salty water. Container Bay backings and holds a wide assortment of untamed life and species. Container Bay is one of three locales which makes up the Chesapeake Bay estuary. These tributaries are a critical part of the general wellbeing of the Chesapeake Bay biological system. The essential point of this trek was to examine the natural life found in the Jug Bay region and record information about it. Description of Methods/Procedure: Though out the day we went and investigated two different plots and explored the wetlands. In the two plots we went to, we had to research the wildlife to decide if the plot was a young forest, a mature...

Words: 1002 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Chesapeake Bay Problem

...There seems to be a plethora of human problems that are contributing to the problems that surround the Chesapeake Bay. The problems that humans are causing on the environment may or may not be able to be solved. Nevertheless, it is crucial that the human race attempts to do so. There happens to exist a plethora of ways that humans could restore balance to the bay again. human activity takes a toll on the environment, and there are in fact ways to help the bay be nursed back to health Another, perhaps less obvious way to solve this problem is to lower the amount of power plants are used. As stated in the articles above, power plants heat the water before it is re-entered into the bay, thus changing the chemistry. If the population there turns...

Words: 389 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Chesapeake Bay Maryland Research Paper

...Slogan Maryland the great state where we fish with great bate. Our colony give you the free decision for your religion. We have chesapeake bay it’s a major trading post and we don’t even boast. This is our state, now let's celebrate! Location The state of Maryland is located on the east coast, between the states of Pennsylvania, delaware, Virginia, and West Virginia. Chesapeake Bay Maryland has a large selection of major job industries. Such as; shipping on Chesapeake bay, commercial fishing for Striped Bass, farming crops and animals, and lumber. The low, fertile land surrounding Chesapeake Bay is ideal for farming cattle, chickens and soybeans. Also, the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal is one of the world’s largest shipping canals, it...

Words: 395 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Chesapeake Bay Research Paper

...The Chesapeake Bay is a complex ecosystem consisting of a flooded river delta. It is fed to the north by freshwater from the Susquehanna River and major rivers on Eastern and Western Shores of the Bay, which are mixed with water from the Atlantic Ocean. The diversity of aquatic and plant species is a characteristic of this Bay because its waters range from fresh, to saline, to ocean waters, combined with extensive warmth from the sun due to the shallow nature of the Bay. The Bay structure makes it possible for extensive systems of grasses to thrive such as salt marshes, wetlands, and several species of submerged grasses, which provide ample food and dissolved oxygen for fish, shellfish, and waterfowl. These grasses are extremely important for the...

Words: 1875 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Ecosystem Task 2

...Systems of Natural Science 114.2.3 Ecosystems Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem (Taylor & Allen) • The Bay is approx. 200 miles long, from Havre de Grace, Maryland to Virginia Beach, Virginia • The Bay's width ranges from 4 miles near Aberdeen, Maryland, to 30 miles near Cape Charles, Virginia Major Components Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem Biotic Components (Living) Abiotic Components (Non-living) • • • • • • 350 species of fish Crabs Shellfish Birds Mammals Reptiles and Amphibians (Bay stat) • • • • • Water Quality Sunlight Weather Soil Air (pollution) Current Human Impact on Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem Air Pollution  Vehicles, industries, power plants, gas-powered lawn tools, and farm operations: Almost one third of the nitrogen that pollutes the Bay and its rivers comes from the air Pollution from a very large geographic area can eventually wind up in the Bay Water Quality  Fertilizers, waste water and vehicle emissions: • • Increased nitrogen and phosphorus fuels unnaturally high algae growth in the water Algae turns color of the water brownish or greenish - blocking sunlight from reaching underwater grasses When algae die they are decomposed by bacteria that consume the oxygen needed by other aquatic creatures in the bay Without enough oxygen dissolved in the water, aquatic creatures like fish, blue crabs and oysters become stressed or even die. • • • Air and water pollution are not separate problems. There is a close link between the health...

Words: 513 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Early Colonization in America

...EARLY COLONIZATION PERIOD IN AMERICA By the 1700’s two settlements had been established, Chesapeake and New England regions. Both New England and the Chesapeake region started off as colonies, established by England, and were divided into two distinct societies because of their religious, economic and geographical differences. The first major difference between the two settlements was religion. On one hand, the puritans, who colonized the New England, were very religious.  They wanted to create a model society in which there were limits to legitimate commercial behavior, and the religious idealism would turn into a renewed sense of community. They were very strict in their religious beliefs.  The Chesapeake region took a different approach, and did not put religion at the center of life. In the Chesapeake, religion was much less severe. These was the difference between two region. The second difference between the two settlements was economy. The Chesapeak’s  economy was almost entirely based on farming. Rice, indigo, tobacco, sugarcane, and cotton were cash crops. Crops were grown on large plantations where slaves and indentured servants worked the land. On the other hand New England’s economy was largely depend on ocean.  Fishing was most important to the New England economy. Farming was difficult in New England for crops like wheat because of the poor soil. As can be seen the economic sources was different between the two region. The last difference between the two settlements...

Words: 353 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Ecosystems

...Chesapeake Bay Ecosystems The Chesapeake Bay is near and dear to me for a variety of reasons. First, that is near where I grew up and now that I don't live there I have a major appreciation for the natural ecosystem there and secondly, as a seafood and more importantly oyster lover I realize that many of the oysters that I eat come from there. The Chesapeake Bay's ecosystem houses all types of shell fish such as perch, croaker, and anchovies but primarily oysters. Being the largest estuarine system in the United States, the importance of maintaining that ecosystem is at an all time high. The EPA reports that over half of the fresh water entering the estuarine in the Middle Atlantic Region. (epa.gov, 2014) There have been a decrease in the ecosystems ability to maintain the native oyster population due to several reasons. Over fishing has been one of the causes of this. (Cerco, 2005)Other causes include but are not limited to disease and the destruction of the habitat. Additionally, the increased population growth rate, heightened sewage dumping, and further development of agricultural lands have had its fair share in the blame as well. In 1975, the EPA cited that the Chesapeake Bay became the Nation's first estuary to be targeted for protection and restoration. (EPA.gov, 2014) Due to the fact that 25% of our shellfish comes from the Chesapeake Bay, I say again that this is a major concern. As we think about some of the nutrients that play a role in the survival...

Words: 812 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

New England Colonies Dbq Analysis

...Essay The New England Colonies and the Chesapeake Bay was once settled by the same people however evolved into two distinct societies. All the settlers who arrived to these region were trying to get away from the Civil War which was dividing England and also were trying to escape poverty. The New England Colonies mostly had people looking for a stable community and were very religious. The Chesapeake Bay mostly cared about wealth and their social rank. Due to these reasons the regions began to vary and so did people. The differences in development occurred due to the the difference in priority, while one society,The New England Colonies, focused on family and community, the other society, the Chesapeake Bay, focused on wealth and social ranking...

Words: 967 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Audience Analysis Memo

...audience for the “Maryland Blue Crabs-How to Pick ‘Em and Eat ‘Em” instruction manual. Summary: The target audience for the instruction manual will be categorized in three groups; primary, secondary and tertiary. The primary audience is intended to be people who have never “picked” or eaten a Maryland Blue Crab. The secondary audience consists of people that may be familiar with eating crabs but are only interested in the technique being taught. The tertiary audience would consist of people whom are not necessarily looking to pick up the manual and eat crabs but may look at the manual simply in passing. Primary Audience: This audience will be individuals who are new to or visiting Maryland that has an interest in eating this Chesapeake Bay delicacy. Tourists, new Maryland residents or other individuals from the area that have a newly developed interest in crabs are grouped in this category. Tourists are individuals who are not from this area and are likely to be visiting or passing through Maryland. New residents are also part of the prime audience along with current residents of Maryland both who have decided to enjoy what is such a big tradition of the state. With Maryland designating the blue crab as the State Crustation, when individuals visit, “picking crabs” is on the top of the list for “things to do”. The audience in this category is very wide, they could range from any age level, any educational level and could be from any part of the world. Many of these...

Words: 625 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Environmental Outline

...had to pay back taxes for there crews. Ÿ It had been the best year ever for oysters, however many of the tongers and dredgers hadn’t gone far enough up the bay for the winter, as they usually did for the last ten years. Ÿ Early spring the time all watermen dreamed of a great season to come. Ÿ Captain grant the watermen the author went out with said,“ don’t mind going out in this weather, catching some crabs.”(pg.264) Ÿ Part way through the season he brought his boat home, like a number of the other watermen who found better conditions in Tangier Sound. Ÿ The price for oysters had remained around five dollars a bushel. Ÿ Captain Grant was talking about how he wanted a better and easier life for his boys, “bricklaying that’s a good start, easy enough to learn, the pay is good and you don’t need a whole lot of equipment.” Sometimes he thought about it himself, to tell the truth. “ But here I am out on the water again, if we just caught one or two, be alright.”(pg.266) Ÿ As far as anybody could tell, the early season was not going very well. Early year more and more crabbers were working late into autumn, and Grant figured that had to mean the old crabs would be scarce the following springs. Ÿ Bait was sky high at $5 three quarter of a bushel, and the diesel fuel had climbed to over forty cents a gallon. Ÿ Chesapeake watermen are excellent mechanics, but they...

Words: 742 - Pages: 3