APPENDIX D: GLOSSARY OF TRIBUTARY STRATEGY OPTIONS

1992 Planning Act implementation

Requires local governments to update comprehensive plans and development regulations to incorporate the seven environmental principles or "visions" in the Act, protect sensitive areas, streamline development approval procedures in growth areas, and ensure that all development regulations are consistent with comprehensive plans.

Animal waste management system

Systems for the proper handling, storage and use of waste generated by confined animal facilities. These include ponds, lagoons, and tanks for liquid waste, and sheds or pits for solid waste.

Animal waste runoff control

Measures to prevent runoff from animal confinement areas, including upslope diversions and directed downspouts to minimize offsite water entering the facility.

Biological nutrient removal (BNR) for nitrogen

A temperature dependent process in which the ammonia nitrogen present in raw wastewater is converted by bacteria first to nitrate nitrogen and then to nitrogen gas. Annual BNR refers to the operation of this process for as much of the year as possible in order to maximize nitrogen removal.

Chemical phosphorus removal (CPR)

The addition of chemicals to wastewater in order to precipitate phosphorus which is ultimately settled out and removed with sewage sludge.

Clustering of new development

Voluntary or required measures to group new residential or other development on a smaller portion of the available land in order to preserve open space.

Concentrating growth

Reduces nutrient pollution by preserving open space and reducing transportation needs.

Conservation tillage
A process that uses tillage equipment to seed the crop directly into the vegetative cover or crop residue on the surface, with minimal soil disturbance.

Cover crops

Small grains (rye, barley or wheat) planted without fertilizer in September or early October on land otherwise fallow. This practice reduces nitrate leaching losses during the winter, and also reduces erosion.

Critical Area Law implementation

Requires a special planning process for all lands within 1,000 feet of tidal waters including the designation of three land use categories (i.e., intensely developed areas, limited development areas, and resource conservation areas) and the establishment of a 100-foot vegetative buffer around the Bay.

Domestic animal waste

A public education program targeted at pet owners to properly dispose of pet waste.

Enhanced stormwater management

The regulatory requirement for the control of stormwater on all new development, including maintenance on new and existing facilities. Enhancements include improved standards and guidance emphasizing water quality controls in addition to water quantity controls.

Erosion and sediment control

The regulatory requirement for erosion and sediment control on all new development over 5,000 square feet. Assumes that the enhanced standards now being developed by MDE will be fully implemented and enforced.

Forest buffer

A linear strip of forest along rivers and streams that filters nutrients and sediment and enhances stream habitat.

Forest conservation

Implementation of the Forest Conservation Act, which requires the retention of a portion of forested lands on any newly developed site.

Forest harvesting practices

Application of regulatory and voluntary best management practices applied to timber harvests, including erosion and sediment control, streamside management zones, etc.

Grassed buffer

A linear strip of grass along rivers and streams that filters nutrients and sediment.

Highly erodible land (MEL) retirement

The removal of lands with a high potential for soil loss from crop or hay production for at least ten years.

Highly erodible land (MEL) treatment

An accelerated application of practices used in SCWQPs on lands with a high potential for soil loss. (See definition of SCWQP.)

Horse pasture management

The use of a range of practices to address erosion and animal waste problems on horse pasture operations in suburban and rural areas.

Land easements/acquisition

Easements are voluntary, long-term restrictions on the permitted uses on a parcel of land that remains in private ownership, and are usually donated or purchased. Acquisition is the purchase of land by a public or nonprofit agency for conservation purposes.

Marine pumpout

A facility sited at marinas for pumping sewage from boat holding tanks to a dockside storage facility.

Mine reclamation

The restoration of lands disturbed by mining operations. May include seeding of areas, reforestation, or creation of nontidal wetlands.

Nonstructural shore erosion control

A practice for stabilizing eroding shorelines by establishing marsh grasses; suitable for sites with lower wave energy. Also creates wetland habitat.

Nutrient management plan

A comprehensive plan to manage the amount, placement, timing and application of animal waste, fertilizer, sludge, or other plant nutrients.

Point source control

See definition for BNR and CPR.

Pumpout education

Boater education programs to encourage pumpout use and responsible environmental behavior.

Presidedress soil nitrate test

A test to determine if additional nitrogen is needed during the growing season for corn.

Restoring aquatic ecosystems

The restoration of tidal and nontidal ecosystems to a healthy state which maximizes nutrient recycling and biological diversity (e.g., oyster restoration, which is expected to improve water quality in the Bay for many other living resources).

Roadside drainage system management

The use of buffers, stormwater controls, and maintenance requirements to achieve nutrient reductions from roadside drainage systems.

Septic connections

The connection of failing septic systems to sewer lines.

Septic denitrification

The installation of new systems or retrofitting of existing systems with technology to remove nitrogen from individual systems.

Septic pumping

Pumping of individual septic systems once every three years, the average for routine maintenance of these systems.

Soil conservation and water quality plan implementation (SCWQP)

A comprehensive plan addressing natural resource management on farmlands directed toward the control of erosion and sediment loss and management of animal waste or agricultural chemicals to minimize their movement from agricultural land to surface waters.

Stone Revetment

A structural technique for stabilizing eroding shorelines, involving the placement of stones along a graded bank to reduce wave energy and prevent soil loss.

Stormwater management conversion

Conversion of dry ponds for stormwater management to extended detention or retention facilities which are more effective at nutrient removal.

Stormwater management retrofits

Construction of stormwater management facilities on lands previously developed without such facilities.

Stream corridor protection

The use of a variety of tools (local ordinances, land acquisition and easements, buffers, etc.) to protect streams and their buffers for living resources, recreation, and other values.

Stream protection with fencing

Fencing along streams to completely exclude livestock from the stream. Also improves streambank stability and reduces sedimentation.

Stream protection without fencing

Providing troughs or other watering devices in remote locations away from the stream to discourage animals from entering the stream, and the provision of some fencing adjacent to stream crossings to limit access points.

Stream stabilization/restoration

May include a variety of practices, depending on the needs of the site, including streambank erosion controls, re-establishment of riparian vegetation (see buffers), channel erosion control, in-stream habitat creation/enhancement, and mitigation of upstream pollution sources.

Structural shore erosion control

A practice for stabilizing eroding shorelines using stone riprap or timber bulkheads. Suitable for sites with high wave energy.

Tree planting

Reforestation or afforestation on any site except along rivers and streams (see Forest buffer).

Tributary Strategy(ies)

The Tributary Strategies are watershed-specific plans to achieve at least a 40% reduction of the nutrient loads entering tidal waters in Maryland by the year 2000. These plans provide specific recommendations for implementation of nutrient reduction practices, but can be modified to reflect public concerns and local considerations. The Strategies were developed through a collaborative effort among citizens, interest groups, and state and local governments.

Tributary Teams

For each of the ten Tributary Watersheds in Maryland, a group of 15-25 people will be appointed by the governor representing local government, business, agriculture, academia, environmental concerns and others. This team will ensure that implementation of the Tributary Strategies proceeds on schedule in a fair and flexible manner. The Team will coordinate participation among citizens, government agencies and other interested parties in promoting an understanding of Tributary Strategy goals.

Urban nutrient management

A public education program to reduce excess lawn fertilizer use, targeted at suburban residents and businesses.

Water management systems

The use of water control structures, sediment basins, and/or small constructed wetlands to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen levels in water flowing through farm drainage systems.

Wetland protection

Protection of tidal and nontidal wetlands through federal and state laws and planning processes.