A study of the Cheasapeake bay by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science from July 11 to 15 found that one third of the bay was a low 0xygen “dead zone.” Twice monthly monitoring will continue through the summer. Researchers fear that by season end the dead zone may grow to the largest ever on record. Two decades of work to restore the bay have accomplished nothing.
Dead zones are the result of fertilizer and other pollutants high in nitrogen and phosphorous are washed by rain into the bay. These compounds feed an explosive growth of algae, which die and rot. Bacteria devouring this decaying mass consume oxygen, suffocating marine life.
Bruce Michael, with the Mayland Department of Natural Resources, believes that major changes will be needed to restore the bay,
Just upgrading sewage treatment plants won’t do it. We need less fertilizer on lawns and farms, upgrades of septic tanks, storm water control systems - all of these things will reduce nutrient pollution.
The draft of the Maryland Green Party addresses many of the issues that affect the bay, from low till farming that uses less fertilizer and pesticides, to urban planning that adopts the principles of new urbanism that limit suburban sprawl, to green roofs that help moderate runoff water during heavy rains.
The Green Party is the party of ideas; the Democrats and Republicans have nothing to offer that comes anywhere close to solving problems such as the dying bay. Take a look at the nothing burger that the Maryland Democrats offer up in the way of issues statements. There’s absolutely nothing there that will solve the problems of a dying bay, poorly planned urban sprawl, and the looming energy problems.
It is vital that the Greens offer a strong, issues oriented alternative. The failure of bay cleanup efforts is only one sign that the ruling duopoly cannot solve the problems that face us. They are bankrupt of ideas, at a time when creative thinking is needed the most.