Today’s DP describes the unhealthy grass beds in The Bay (Underwater grass at risk, May 26, 2006). Total acreage of underwater grasses increased (good) by 7 % to 80,000 acres in 2005. The Government goal (Feds?) is 185,000 acres by 2010.
The biggest damage to underwater grasses was Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Last year’s hot summer did some damage. Interesting that Mother Nature is the worst culprit.
Regardless, the eelgrass traps nitrogen and phosporus and produces oxygen (good). So, more eelgrass would be a good thing – I’d think. But, I have science questions with policy implications.
What pollution – name the chemical and culprit – hurts the eelgrass? Or, is it that the eelgrass can’t take too much nitrogen or phosphorus (if so much, how much is too much?).
Does the VMRC or anyone else have stocks of eelgrass seed for 100,000 acres more?
I’m looking for hard evidence for cause and effect to see what is needed to fix the problem.
Also, there was an article this week about rays coming in early and eating most of the baby oysters set out to re-populate beds. More Mother Nature interfering with nature.
Last item. 655 or so acres were given to the Nature Conservancy near the Yorktown oil refinery. Most of it is designated wetlands. I applaud it. But, in the dust up on land use, is this a problem or a good thing?