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Airborne nitrogen is one of the largest sources of pollution affecting the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Excess nitrogen can fuel the growth of algae blooms, which can block sunlight from reaching underwater grasses and create low-oxygen “dead zones” that suffocate marine life.

Facts about the Chesapeake Bay and Watershed The Bay is surprisingly shallow—the average depth is about 21 ft. It is 200 miles long and varies in width from 3.4 miles to 35 miles at the mouth of the Potomac River.

Excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous come from fertilizers, wastewater, septic tank discharges, air pollution, and runoff from farms, cities, and suburbs. Excessive amounts of sediment are carried into our waterways from erosion and from construction sites.

Unfortunately, the Chesapeake Bay faces serious problems due to human activities, including polluted stormwater runoff, over-fertilization and pollution from animal wastes, deforestation, wetland destruction from agricultural, urban, and suburban development, and sea level rise caused by global climate change.

Unfortunately, the Chesapeake's wetlands are threatened by development, rollbacks of federal regulations, invasive species, and the effects of climate change, including sea level rise, flooding, drought, increased heat, and more frequent and severe storms.

Humans are Over Fertilizing the Bay Nutrient pollution also comes from urban sources, including exhaust from automobiles, wastewater, septic systems, and stormwater runoff. These nutrients are overwhelming the Chesapeake's already weakened natural filters and have resulted in a significant loss of wildlife.

It coordinates scientific research on the health of the Bay and provides matching grants that drive local investment in reducing pollution and improving the water quality of local rivers and streams.

The Commission helps the legislatures of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia evaluate and respond to problems relating to the Chesapeake Bay. The Commission also encourages coordinated resource planning and action among the executive agencies of the three member states and serves as liaison to the U.S. Congress.