Can Cows Kill the Chesapeake?

Environmental panel sees farm practices as threat to creeks, Chesapeake Bay 

The Bethel Township Environmental Advisory Council has agreed to contact the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for advice on maintaining riparian buffers around creeks in the township.

Although nearly all streams in Berks County eventually empty into the Delaware Bay, creeks in Bethel flow to the Chesapeake Bay via the Swatara Creek and Susquehanna River.

The council is concerned that livestock in the township are contributing to water pollution from erosion and waste in creeks that is detrimental to preservation of the Chesapeake's water quality.

Council Secretary Fred Folmer said Monday that he has seen cows standing in creeks to drink and graze. Cattle can also aggravate erosion of stream banks by trampling them, according to council members who want to bring the concerns to the attention of farmers who own livestock.

Do you ever watch those nature shows that show the African rivers, teaming with hippos and crocodiles, and being crossed by massive herds of wildebeests and other herding animals? 

People sometimes forget that before the White Color Challenged Settlers came, the rivers were unfenced, and the land had big populations of  large herbivores like Elk and Eastern American Bison.  They did not politely stay out of the streams for fear of muddying the view and polluting the water for the local Indians Native Americans.

I'm not saying I'm in favor of large masses of cattle being allowed to wallow in streams, but a little common sense is in order; a few cattle being allowed to get down to the river to drink is not the source of Chesapeake Bays problems.