Kaufman, Daniel E.Shenk, Gary W.Bhatt, GopalAsplen, Kevin W.Devereux, Olivia H.Rigelman, Jessica R.Ellis, J. HughHobbs, Benjamin F.Bosch, Darrell J.Van Houtven, George L.McGarity, Arthur E.Linker, Lewis C.Ball, William P.2021-12-062021-12-062021-101364-8152105141http://hdl.handle.net/10919/106851Extensive efforts to adaptively manage nutrient pollution rely on Chesapeake Bay Program's (Phase 6) Watershed Model, called Chesapeake Assessment Scenario Tool (CAST), which helps decision-makers plan and track implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs). We describe mathematical characteristics of CAST and develop a constrained nonlinear BMP-subset model, software, and visualization framework. This represents the first publicly available optimization framework for exploring least-cost strategies of pollutant load control for the United States' largest estuary. The optimization identifies implementation options for a BMP subset modeled with load reduction effectiveness factors, and the web interface facilitates interactive exploration of >30,000 solutions organized by objective, nutrient control level, and for similar to 200 counties. We assess framework performance and demonstrate modeled cost improvements when comparing optimization-suggested proposals with proposals inspired by jurisdiction plans. Stakeholder feedback highlights the framework's current utility for investigating cost-effective tradeoffs and its usefulness as a foundation for future analysis of restoration strategies.application/pdfenCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 InternationalWater qualityStakeholder participationDecision support systemWeb applicationChesapeake bay watershed modelWatershed management optimizationArticle - Refereedhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2021.1051411441873-6726