The Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) hosted a 2-day workshop to bring together leading experts to elevate the use of biochar in practice Bay-wide by evaluating and translating current research for integration into current Chesapeake Bay protocols. Concurrent with rapid global research and biochar-focused publications, US research grew with demonstration projects in the Chesapeake Bay region conducted by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, state and federal partners, and non-profits. These projects show significant environmental benefits including water quality improvement (reduction of nutrients/toxics), improved agricultural and urban soil health, and significant increases in soil infiltration capacity and hydrology. They have greatly advanced the empirical evidence supporting biochar protocols, standards, specifications, and crediting which are lacking in the Bay region. The purpose of this workshop was to accelerate the water quality efforts via the benefits biochar provides to more closely meet 2025 requirements and plan forward for water quality policies and carbon negative opportunities considered in the forthcoming 2025-2035 Climate TMDL.
Over-arching questions asked:
- What are the specific and efficient ways to integrate biochar into current protocols and strategies?
- How will biochar enhancement crediting be developed? What is needed to improve the integration?
- Who are specific programmatic partners that will benefit from this integration?
Citation: Hegberg, C., J. Egan, C. Brosch, J. Hubbart, P. Imhoff, D. Lueckenhoff, T. Miles, W. Teel, and D. Wood. 2024. Using Carbon to Achieve Chesapeake Bay (and Watershed) Water Quality Goals and Climate Resiliency: The Science, Gaps, Implementation Activities and Opportunities. STAC Publication Number 24-005, Edgewater, MD. 110 pp.