NEWSLETTER

Chesapeake Assessment Scenario Tool

CAST Newsletter: March 2025

Tips and information to facilitate environmental restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Did You Know?

Did you know the 2024 Wastewater Data is now available? The latest 2024 wastewater treatment plant estimated loads are now available for use in scenario development. These updated data reflect the most recent information reported by Chesapeake Bay watershed jurisdictions. To incorporate the updated wastewater data, simply select the new dataset from the drop-down list when building or updating a scenario.

CAST Webinars and Training

Upcoming Webinars

This month's webinar will focus on oyster BMPs and their role in improving water quality and supporting marine ecosystems. Chris Moore from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will join us to discuss oyster aquaculture and reef restoration, their environmental benefits, and ways to get involved in restoration efforts. Following his presentation, we'll demonstrate how to use CAST to estimate nitrogen and phosphorus reductions from these practices. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the power of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay!

  • Topic: Exploring Oyster BMPs & Their Impact
  • Time: March 20, 2025 at noon EDT
  • Join Zoom Meeting
  • Meeting ID: 886 6942 7070
  • One tap mobile +13017158592,,88669427070#

In-person trainings are available upon request.

Available Training Videos

January's CAST webinar highlighted the Ecosystem Benefits Browser. This interactive Browser ties together all the Chesapeake Bay Program's goals and outcomes related to abundant life, clean water, conserved lands, engaged communities, and climate change with CAST BMPs. Watch this webinar to learn how to use this, and other CAST resources, to develop a well-rounded plan for your watershed.

This, and other past training videos on topics ranging from buffers to targeting nutrient reductions, are available in the Learning section of CAST under 'Free Training Videos'. Amongst the variety of training content available, there are also short videos on topics like 'Where do I start,' under CAST 101 - Getting Started.

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Success Story

Five Maryland Watersheds Selected for Whole Watershed Act Grant Funding To Support Environmental Restoration and Economic Development: Spread across the state, watershed-scale programs will start the next phase of restoration in Maryland, benefitting habitats and local communities. Read more about this success story on the Maryland Department of Natural Resource's website.

Does your organization have a Chesapeake Bay Watershed success story you'd like to share? If you have a story you would like to see in the next CAST Newsletter, submit an article using the 'Contact Us' feature from any page of the CAST website.

Chesapeake Bay Program Deadlines

2024 Progress toward the Bay TMDL

The Chesapeake Bay Deadlines refer to the major jurisdictions' annual reporting of new BMPs implemented, and existing BMPs verified as functioning in the watershed. BMP implementation information is used to create annual progress scenarios using CAST and to make assessments and report out the estimated impacts of restoration efforts.

  • Early May 2025: 2024 Progress finalized and released on CAST. Progress may be delayed due to unresolved issues surrounding the verification assessments.

Updates to CAST

New features:

The 2024 wastewater is available. 2024 Progress is not yet available.

Miscellaneous updates to the backend framework.

A full list of changes is available on CAST's Upgrade History. The new CAST version is Phase 6 - 7.14.2.

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