Riparian Forest and Grass Buffers BMP Expert Panel Report

This expert panel report (2014) evaluates updated research on nutrient and sediment removal by riparian forest and grass buffers to determine whether revisions to existing Chesapeake Bay BMP crediting rates are warranted. It concludes that overall evidence is insufficient to substantially change current buffer efficiencies, but recommends a minor additional credit for instream nitrogen processing in forested buffers on both sides of a stream, while supporting further research into hydrologic flow paths and buffer function for future model refinement.