The Chesapeake Bay Program’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) is administered by the CRC and funded through a cooperative agreement with the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) Partnership – currently spanning the period 2016-2022. The CRC has had a long-standing role of administering all activities of STAC, an active committee with 38 members from academic and scientific institutions around the watershed.
For any inquiries, or to be added to STAC’s Interested Parties list, contact STAC Coordinator, Annabelle Harvey.
STAC Seeking Nominees for At-large Members
STAC is seeking nominations of candidates for At-large Membership positions. Please share this information with any others who would be interested and could contribute to the needs of this committee. Deadline for self-nominations is November 8, 2021. Click here to learn more.
STAC September Quarterly Meeting
STAC hosted its third meeting of 2021 virtually on September 13-14. Presentations, the agenda, and materials can be found on the STAC September Meeting Page.
STAC host presenters and engaged in discussion on the Conowingo Dam. Specifically, STAC received a summary of previous findings on long-term trends affecting Conowingo Reservoir mass balance, brief review of findings from the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed Assessment, STAC review on that Assessment, and the STAC workshop on Conowingo Reservoir Infill (2016). Representatives from Exelon were available for questions and led to an interesting discussion on the communication of Conowingo issues.
STAC also heard from the STAR team on monitoring needs and how to make connections with the outcomes from CESR. There were multiple changes in membership, most notably the rotation of Chairs. Andy Miller (UMBC) rotated off as STAC Chair and Kathy Boomer (FFAR) rotated on for a two-year term. Larry Sanford (UMCES) rotated on as STAC Vice Chair.
Recent STAC Workshops
Overcoming the Hurdle: Addressing BMP Implementation Through a Social Science Lens (Virtual; July 13, 14, and 20, 2021)
This workshop brought together a broad swath of expertise from the social science, policy, and practical (“boots-on-the-ground”) realms to provide actionable recommendations to the CBP partnership that address the underlying socio-economic characteristics and engagement approaches that will result in farm management modifications necessary to achieve nutrient and sediment load reduction goals, while also fostering viability within the agriculture sector. Agenda and materials from this workshop can be found on the STAC Workshop Webpage and a workshop report is currently being drafted.
Assessing the Water Quality, Habitat, and Social Benefits of Green Riprap (Virtual; September 15th, 2021)
Green Riprap is a low cost, simple restoration technique used to improve the water quality, habitat, and aesthetics of shorelines hardened with rock revetments. Green Riprap involves planting marsh vegetation in the voids between riprap rocks. Green Riprap is not a substitute for living shorelines. This technique also can be used in sills and other rock features associated with living shoreline projects. Green Riprap provides another tool for waterfront homeowners and river groups to improve water quality in the Bay/river while creating a more natural look along their shoreline. This workshop gathered experts in living shorelines, Green Riprap, and shoreline/marsh ecology to synthesize the state-of-the-science on green techniques for riprap revetments and identify research needs. Workshop outcomes include lessons learned from recent case studies and recommendations for next steps to evaluate the potential for these projects as a new, creditable Best Management Practice (BMP) for nutrient/sediment load reduction and/or encouraged community practices to mitigate shoreline hardening. Agenda and materials can be found on the STAC Workshop Webpage.
Recently Released (links to reports)