ICPRB on the Hill, #PotomacLove, a riverkeeper’s review, and more in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – Feb. 22, 2024 >>>

ICPRB on the Hill

Last Thursday, ICPRB staff briefed lawmakers and their staff on Capitol Hill about the issues facing the Potomac basin and the work we do to protect and preserve its waters. They joined the experts from our two sister Mid-Atlantic river basin commissions, the Delaware River Basin Commission and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission. ICPRB’s aquatic biologist, Mike Selckmann, presented on his team’s research on harmful algal blooms.

ICPRB staff also met with elected leaders and their representatives to discuss federal funding for a study to make the DC Metro area water supply more resilient. In addition, ICPRB staff requested that the federal government carry out it’s statutory commitment to the organization.

ICPRB staff and commissioners shared their #PotomacLove

Last week, ICPRB staff, commissioners and our partners shared photos and sentiments about why they love the Potomac River. Check out the video of ICPRB posts or click on your preferred social media platform below to see all the #PotomacLove posts. We would love to hear why you love the Potomac River!

A report from the Chesapeake Bay Program moves the needle on the Bay Barometer, winter salt runoff, where we are on drought, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – Jan. 25, 2024 >>>

Moving the Needle on the Bay Barometer

ICPRB is just one of many organizations working together to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Bay Program recently released the Bay Barometer, which takes a look at the progress we have made towards the 18 outcomes set forth in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

There is some good news. Oyster habitat, public access points, and protected lands are on-course for their restoration targets.

ICPRB’s stream health index, Chessie BIBI, also provides positive news, with the report noting that between 2012 and 2017, 67.8% of stream miles in the watershed were considered healthy, marking a 6% increase since the previous assessment period.

Learn about Chessie BIBI and explore the interactive map on ICPRB’s website >>>

Recording of ICPRB’s Webinar on Agriculture

On January 19, 2024, ICPRP hosted a webinar with speakers from Devereux Consulting and the National Association of Conservation Districts to cover the impacts that agricultural land use has on water quality in the Potomac basin and funding opportunities available to mitigate these effects.

The recording and presentations can be found on ICPRB’s website >>>

From droughts to floods and dry to salty… lots of highs and lows for the river in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – Jan. 18, 2024 >>>

Join tomorrow’s webinar

We will talk about water quality impacts from agricultural land use in the Potomac basin and what funding is available to mitigate them. Olivia Devereux from Devereux Consulting who will share about the impacts that agriculture in the Potomac basin have on water quality. Mark Masters and Annica McGuirk from the National Association of Conservation Districts will share funding sources for agricultural related practices in the region.

Click here to register >>>