Using Carbon to Achieve Chesapeake Bay (and Watershed) Water Quality Goals and Climate Resiliency: The Science, Gaps, Implementation Activities and Opportunities

May 25, 2023 - May 26, 2023


This workshop convened in-person on Thursday-Friday, May 25-26, 2023 at the Hotel Hershey (550 East Main Street Hummelstown, PA).

Save the Date: STAC Biochar Workshop_Save the Date

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.

STAC Biochar Literature Review, compiled by James Oliver Lee (University of MD Environmental Finance Center).

Questions that were addressed at the workshop:
Over-arching question for each Management Strategy listed above: 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?

The Committee proposed categorization of biochar use for purposes such as:

  • A soil/media conditioner increasing soil structure and improving vegetative (both trees and crop) resilience
    • Where and how biochar has the greatest effect (infiltration, waterholding capacity, nutrient, and pollutant reduction)?
    • Where its use makes the most economic sense (increased BMP efficiencies, crop resilience)?
    • What are the compound benefits to Bay goals?
  • As a carbon sink:
    • How as a carbon negative technology can biochar be used in climate resiliency strategies in the forthcoming Climate TMDL?

Please note that this workshop did not provide any introductory information about biochar. It was not the intention of the committee to exclude anyone from the conversation but the time allowed was limited, so the committee assumed that the attendees are knowledgeable about the topic of biochar and delved into the specifics outlined in the agenda below. For those not familiar with biochar and wanted to prepare in advance of the workshop, the committee provided some information and key links here.

Biochar Final Agenda

Workshop Steering Committee: 

Presentation Slides:

  • Biochar Industry – Myths, Fake News & Facts – Tom Miles (US Biochar Initiative), Chuck Hegberg (Resource Environmental Solutions LLC)
  • Existing Protocol Review – David Wood (Chesapeake Stormwater Network), Chris Brosch (DE Dept. of Agriculture), Carol Wong (Center for Watershed Protection), Larry Trout Jr. (Straughan Environmental)
  • The TMDL for the Chesapeake Bay – Gary Shenk (USGS)
  • Keynote Address: A Maryland State Change Agent’s Journey to Produce and Utilize Biochar for Good – Charles Glass (MD Environmental Services)
  • Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) Work Group – facilitated by Wayne Teel (James Madison University)
    • State of the Science Speaker: Brandon Smith (Allied Soil Health Services)
    • Panelists: Chris Brosch (DE Dept. of Agriculture), Kristin Trippe (USDA), Brandon Smith (Allied Soil Health Services), Debbie Aller (Cornell University), Sabina Dhungana (VA Dept. of Forestry)
  • Urban Landscapes (Stormwater) Work Group – facilitated by Chuck Hegberg (RES/Infinite Solutions)
    • State of the Science Speaker: Paul Imhoff (UD)
    • Panelists: Paul Imhoff (UD), Carolyn Voter (UD), Debbie Aller (Cornell University), Carol Wong (Center for Watershed Protection), Larry Trout Jr. (Straughan Environmental), David Wood (Chesapeake Stormwater Network), Jim Doten (City of Minneapolis)
  • Emerging & Toxic Contaminants (ETC) Work Group – facilitated by Dominique Lueckenhoff (Hugo Neu)
    • State of the Science Speaker: Isabel Lima (USDA-ARS)
    • Panelists: Isabel Lima (USDA-ARS), Charles Glass (MD Environmental Service), Mark Johnson (EPA), Sean Sweeney (Barton & Loguidice), Ken Pantuck (EPA Region III)
  • City of Minneapolis Biochar Story: Bloomberg Climate Challenge – Jim Doten (City of Minneapolis)

Workshop Recordings:

  • Biochar Industry – Myths, Fake News & Facts
    Presented by Tom Miles (US Biochar Initiative) and Chuck Hegberg (Resource Environmental Solutions LLC)
  • Existing Protocol Review and Group Discussion

  • The TMDL for the Chesapeake Bay
    Presented by Gary Shenk (USGS)
  • Keynote Address: A Maryland State Change Agent’s Journey to Produce and Utilize Biochar for Good
    Presented by Charles Glass (Maryland Environmental Services)
  • City of Minneapolis Biochar Story: Bloomberg Climate Challenge
    Presented by Jim Doten (City of Minneapolis)

For more information, please contact Meg Cole, STAC Coordinator, colem@chesapeake.org.