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Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Susquehanna River picture

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed is a large ecosystem that encompasses approximately 64,000 square miles in six states− Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York.

Although Pennsylvania doesn't border the Chesapeake Bay, more than half of the state lies within the watershed. Pennsylvania contains two major rivers− the Susquehanna, with 21,000 square miles and the Potomac, with 1,600 square miles. Together, they total 40% of the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed.

The Susquehanna River basin is the largest tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. From its start near Cooperstown, New York, the river flows over 400 miles and empties into the northern portion of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

Maps (require Adobe Acrobat icon Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Adobe Acrobat icon Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Adobe Acrobat icon Chesapeake Bay Watershed Acreage

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   NRCS Helps Farmers Help the Bay

    NRCS helps Pennsylvania farmers help the Bay by providing financial and technical assistance for conservation practices,  

    such as

  • Stream bank fencing

  • Riparian buffers

  • Windbreaks/odor control

  • Soil erosion control

  • Wildlife habitat establishment and improvement

  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

  • Grazing

  • Irrigation

  • Nutrient management

  • Farm land protection

    Explore NRCS' Programs in Pennsylvania to see how we can help you help the bay.

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Success Stories

 

CREP Helps Restore Wetlands

 

EQIP Helps Farmers Help the Bay

 

 

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 Other Chesapeake Bay Watershed States

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Estimated Program Funding for Pennsylvania Portion of Chesapeake Bay Watershed (million dollars)
 
Program FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007
Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) $1.0 $0.97 $0
Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) $7.14 $6.58 $6.5
Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) $0.75 $0 $0
Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) $0.25 $0.28 $0.35
Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) $0.10 $0.10 $0.20
Conservation Security Program (CSP) $0.91 $0.95 $1.08

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Chesapeake Bay Partners

Chesapeake Bay Program - The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983.

Chesapeake Bay Journal - Bay Journal is published by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to inform the public about issues and events that affect the Chesapeake Bay.

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Contacts

Robert McAfee
NRCS Chesapeake Bay Watershed Management Specialist
443-482-2953

Barry Frantz

Assistant State Conservationist for Programs

717-237-2216


The NRCS Vision:   Productive Lands - Healthy Environment
The NRCS Mission: Helping People Help the Land