Citizen Monitoring Component of the Maryland Targeted Watershed Project

by Gayla Campbell, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, United States,
Kathleen Ellett, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '91

Abstract:

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has conducted a water quality testing program using volunteers since July of 1985. This program has laid the foundation for volunteers to help Bay managers augment data gathering in near-shore areas of tributaries to the Bay. In the Spring of 1989, the State of Maryland began the Targeted Watershed Project which is a cooperative effort by local, state, federal government agencies and private organizations. Management of these small tributaries could help improve aquatic values not only within each watershed but also in the larger downstream tributaries including the Chesapeake Bay. The Alliance is recruiting and training citizens to monitor seven different physical and chemical variables on a weekly basis. Quality assured, citizen generated data in the targeted watershed project will enhance the capability of implementing effective management practices. Other citizen participation activities are essential to the project. These include streamwalk surveys, cleanups, scout projects, wildlife habitat enhancement and watershed reforestation. It is hoped that the success of these projects will lead to additional watershed programs in the Chesapeake Bay and that citizen involvement will continue to be an integral part of every program.

Subject Headings: Water quality | Watersheds | Bays | Project management | Water resources | Water pollution | Volunteerism | Maryland | United States

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