Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Old Waterworks Building
614 N. Front St. Harrisburg, PA 17101

Contact:
Jolene Chinchilli
(717) 234-5550
(717) 234-9632 (fax)
jchinchilli@cbf.org

Environmental Results:

351 restoration projects implemented.

Riparian buffers established along 149 miles of stream o 1,144 acres of wetlands restored.

Protection & Restoration
Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Saving the Bay through Cost-Sharing Incentives

With the rallying cry "Save the Bay," the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is on a mission to improve the water quality of Pennsylvania's rivers and streams, and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. As the largest regional nonprofit conservation organization in the country, CBF focuses on three key functions to bring about measurable water quality improvements in watersheds impaired by non-point source pollution from nutrients and sediment.

CBF works with an extensive network of partners to design and manage restoration programs that are beneficial to landowners and ecologically effective. It offers a cost-share system to encourage landowners to create wider stream buffers. And, CBF pays for the full cost of fencing and plantings, and the landowner pays for the costs of stabilized crossings. The landowner has the option of keeping buffers to the minimum width, or widening the buffers and earning credits to cover the cost of the crossings. This creates a strong incentive for landowners to keep the number of crossings to a minimum - with savings on stream impacts, overall costs and maintenance.

CBF is also involved with "on-the-ground" delivery programs, which include the creation of forested riparian buffers along stream banks and the restoration of wetlands. Finally, the foundation uses its resources and expertise to train and empower other groups to maximize their potential for restoration. CBF expects to conduct approximately 40 training sessions over the next four years.

In partnership with the Stroud Water Research Center, CBF also is collaborating on a watershed restoration and monitoring project involving four small watersheds. This 15- to 20-year project will measure the cumulative benefits accrued from buffering an entire watershed rather than piecemeal areas throughout a watershed. This long-term research will help the foundation continuously improve and adapt its cutting-edge restoration program.

" Riparian buffers and wetlands are a proven boon to the quality of life at both project sites and downstream, resulting in healthier farms, healthier Pennsylvania streams and ultimately, a healthier Chesapeake Bay."
Jolene Chinchilli
Pennsylvania Executive Director
Chesapeake Bay Foundation

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