September 7, 2007

Corn production boom might harm Chesapeake Bay

The increase in corn production for ethanol could increase fertilizer runoff and pose problems for the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States.

The Chesapeake Bay Commission said Tuesday (September 4) adjacent states Virginia and Maryland should start planning now to manage the runoff and capitalize on what could be a boon to farmers.

The commission also said growing crops that can be used for ethanol and other biofuels could bring profound changes to forestry and farming. The new market should provide "significant and permanent" income sources for farmers and foresters.

The report also warns both the public and private sectors should help in developing cover crops and other runoff controls. Without them, the commission said, the effect on the bay could be severe and could reverse some of the progress made in pollution control in recent years.

Commission chairman James W. Hubbard said taking action on the issue now would provide benefits for farmers and the bay.

Corn production in Virginia increased dramatically in the past two years as corn prices have escalated with demand for biofuels. The commission's report said that trend would continue. There will be an increase of about 300,000 acres of corn produced in the entire bay watershed.

Without new runoff control measures, this would bring 5 million more pounds of nitrogen into the bay. Nitrogen is the bay's No. 1 water-quality problem.