Progressive Management Practices for Drainage Systems on the Eastern Shore of Maryland

The project will provide outreach, education, technical resources and implement restoration of sites for producers and landowners in target watersheds utilizing the most promising drainage technologies for nutrient and sediment reductions. These sites will couple together some of the newer technologies such as water control structures and phosphorous filters, or hydromodification and offline wetlands to maximize nutrient and sediment education effectiveness. We will work with landowners and farmers to adopt a new management options for drainage ditches, such as, increased buffer setbacks and utilization of the “weed wiper” instead of chemical spraying for vegetation management. Implementation of innovative technologies proposed in this project is supported by Maryland’s Watershed Implementation Plan to address the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. Improved knowledge of the nutrient transport process and education on newer drainage ditch management practices will assist landowners and producers in meeting Chesapeake Bay Program nutrient goals.