Impacts to the Estuary

Impacts to the Estuary

Types of ImpactsAnthropogenic:

Man made causes

Environmental: Caused by natural

processesUrban DevelopmentDamsOverfishingFarming Infilling/DredgingClimate Change

StormsTectonicsSea level rise

Anthropogenic Urban development

OverfishingGarbagePulp and Paper millsSewage treatment (or not)

Bacterial Antibiotics Hormones

Waterway use Petroleums Traffic=erosion

Point source pollution Industry

Non-point source pollution Impervious surfaces

(parking lots)

CommercialFinfishShellfish

RecreationalFinfishShellfishExotic species

introductionWORMS???

PollutionPetroleumErosion/siltation

AnthropogenicFarming Infilling/

DredgingCrops

Nutrients (eutrophication)

PesticidesLivestock

BacterialSiltation

FishEscapeesNutrientsFeed

Creating more landLoss of wetlands

(functions)Urban development

DredgingChannelizing SpoilAltering tidal movement

Impacts salt wedge and other tidal/river influence.

EnvironmentalStorms Tectonics

Severe erosionCan link bodies of waterCauses siltation (sand’s

gotta go somewhere)Destroy vegetationPollute waterways

(urban debris)

Sinking of land Water fills in a bowl of

landChange in water

chemistry = change in biota

EnvironmentalAdvancing wetlands

Lose land to waterTerrestrial areas

become estuarineLoss of habitat (i.e.

oysters, eelgrass) Sandy beaches (sea turtle

and shore bird habitat nesting sites)

Elevated erosion (sedimentation)

Sea level rise

Remediation EffortsSewage treatment plants or septic systemsReduction in the use of pesticides/fertilizersImproved BMP’s for road constructionRecycling efforts limit amount of debris

ending up in environmentDam Removal

Proactive remediation effortsFisheries management (Overfishing)Natural habitat building

(Overfishing/siltation/pollution)Oyster reefsGrass bed plantings

Artificial Habitat BuildingRock reefsArtificial reefs (Concrete/Subway Cars)

Beach/River sweepsPainting drainsCleanup activities

What You Can DoRespect the environment

Understand cause and effect

Proper lawn maintenanceFertilize sparingly/use

grass clippings as mulchCut grass taller (deeper

roots)Native plants

At the waterfrontProtect trees shrubsPlant buffersCreate fewer impervious

surfaces

At the BeachFollow

management/harvest regulations when fishing

“Catch and Release”Pack it in pack it outStay off the dunes and

grassesWhile Boating

Watch your wakeSecure items topsideEngine leaksRespect habitat

EDUCATE!!!