Runoff = Bad!

Okay, I suppose the title of this entry might give it away, but hear me out. Something that I hope that I've established so far is that the main problem with planting more corn for the production of ethanol is that it would increase the runoff from the fertilizers (containing phosphorous and nitrogen) that are applied to the corn.

Chesapeake Renewable Energy, LLC is planning the construction of an ethanol production plant in Somerset County, Md. (Click on "Somerset County" to see a more detailed map of the county.) Russell Brinsfield, executive director of the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc, based out of Queenstown, Md., is concerned with the runoff that would come from the corn being planted. More corn would equal more runoff entering the Chesapeake Bay. More runoff entering the Bay could endanger the wildlife and have more severe effects if left unmanaged over time.

Dr. Brinsfield is quick to emphasize that the management of the crops themselves, along with the promotion of conservation programs, is the best chance that we have to limit runoff entering the Bay. He also mentions that moving to alternate methods of producing ethanol would also help in terms of reducing runoff. "If managed right the impact could be minimal, if not the impact could be significant. In the long term, I believe we need to move towards cellulose ethanol from native grasses like switchgrass and gamma grass," he said.

Like Dr. Brinsfield said, management is key. It's easier to prevent the runoff than having to clean it up later. Remember, hindsight is always 20/20...let's hope that things don't come to that.