Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Outcome:Logic & Action Plan

Ongoing

• Monitor submerged aquatic vegetation throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries
• Track advancements in the scientific understanding of underwater grass biology, ecology, genetics, restoration and other related topics.
• Encourage local, state and federal partners to manage those invasive species that are detrimental to underwater grasses.
• Support the Water Quality Goal Implementation Team in its efforts to achieve water clarity standards in areas designated for submerged aquatic vegetation use.
• Convene quarterly, in-person meetings of the Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Workgroup to discuss priorities, review status updates and implement work plan actions.
• Enhance existing laws and regulations that protect underwater grasses in the Chesapeake Bay.
• Continue efforts to plant seeds or propagules and establish underwater grass beds where they are not recovering naturally or add diversity to grass beds that have already recovered. Use these restoration activities to engage and educate citizen volunteers and further our understanding of site selection criteria.
• Encourage local, state and federal partners to consider and promote the habitat benefits and ecosystem services of underwater grasses, especially when handling nearshore and shallow-water use conflicts.
• Promote the use of best management practices that benefit the persistence and recovery of underwater grass beds.
• Support the continue improvement and evolution of the submerged aquatic vegetation component of the shallow-water component of the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Model.
• Review and refine the documents that guide work toward this outcome with new monitoring or restoration knowledge.

2022-2023

• Support efforts to conserve and restore current and future SAV habitat and SAV habitat conditions.
  • Encourage/promote the use of BMPs within local planning efforts that benefit SAV persistence and recovery.
  • Determine the local effect of flow/stormwater runoff on SAV density and acreage and options for targeting BMPs that would protect priority SAV areas.
  • Explore the potential for co-locating land-based BMPs, oyster/mussel restoration efforts and SAV restoration efforts.
  • Evaluate the potential for SAV to reach restoration targets and provide relevant ecosystem services in the face of climate change by completing and publishing the results of the GIT—funded SAV/Climate Modeling Project.
  • Evaluate the potential for SAV to reach restoration targets and provide relevant ecosystem services in the face of rising temperatures by holding the STAC workshop on rising temperatures in the Chesapeake Bay and by completing and publishing the workshop report and management recommendations.
  • Implement the SAV Sentinel Site Program.
  • Consider the implications of competing goals related to shallow water uses. Evaluate the potential for SAV to reach restoration goals and provide relevant ecosystem services in the face of climate change impacts (i.e., sea level rise, increased Bay temperatures).

• Protect existing and recovering SAV
  • Work with jurisdictional leadership in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. to review and implement appropriate recommendations from “Existing Chesapeake Bay Watershed Statutes and Regulations Affecting Submerged Aquatic Vegetation”.
  • Encourage local, state and federal partners in Virginia, DC and Maryland to manage water chestnut.

• Restore SAV
  • Continue SAV restoration efforts through direct plantings of seeds or propagules in hopes of establishing viable SAV beds where they are not recovering naturally.
  • Distribute the recently completed SAV Restoration Guide.
  • Work with permitting agencies to ensure SAV restoration activities are permitted during appropriate growing conditions and over-harvesting from donor beds does not occur.
  • Review potential opportunities to create a Chesapeake Bay SAV nursery or SAV nursery network.

• Enhance SAV research and monitoring
  • Identify and prioritize an updated list of SAV science and research needs.
  • Continue annual Bay-wide SAV Survey to track progress towards SAV restoration targets and water-clarity standards attainment.
  • Work with the Bay Program partners to identify funding opportunities.
  • Continue implementation of the SAV Watchers Program.
  • Finalize SAV Sentinel Site monitoring protocol, develop an implementation plan, and identify funding opportunities to ensure the long-term stability of program.

• Enhance citizen involvement, education, and outreach
  • Develop a communication strategy that enhances the public's knowledge of and appreciation for SAV in Chesapeake Bay.
  • Complete the development and publication of the SAV Monitoring Program webpages on Chesapeakebay.net.