The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), the bay's largest regional environmental watchdog group, gave the water body an even poorer grade than it did in last year's State of the Bay report. The organization cites increased phosphorus levels, decreased water clarity and fewer blue crabs as evidence of the bay's decreasing water quality.
CBF shared its findings on Monday, two days before the governors of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia host their annual bay meeting. Last year the bay earned a score of 29; this year it received a 28, which is equivalent to a "D." No category showed improvements between the 2006 and 2007 reports.
CBF President William Baker, while he was not surprised by the findings, said they are unacceptable. Heavy pollution loads from wastewater treatment plants, storm water runoff and agricultural runoff in particular are negatively affecting the body's water quality.
Baker blamed the federal government and President Bush for the Chesapeake Bay Program's lack of cleanup progress. He noted large mercury and nitrogen release limits and federal funding cuts for sewage upgrades. The federal-state partnership includes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and has been working to improve the bay's waters since 1984.
Jeffrey Lape, program director for the program, said Wednesday's executive council meeting, which will include the three governors and the EPA's administrator, should involve "significant actions" to move cleanup efforts along.
Source: Baltimore Sun
