Photo: Chesapeake Bay Program
Pollution levels are decreasing in the Chesapeake Bay. That’s according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s 2012 State of the Bay Report.
The most recent State of the Bay report shows a 10% improvement in the Bay’s health in less than 5 years. Chesapeake Bay Foundation spokesman Chuck Epes says phosphorus pollution levels are down, while the numbers of oysters and crabs are up. He hopes members of the General Assembly, in their upcoming session, approve Governor McDonnell’s $217 million worth of budget amendments to keep Virginia’s cleanup on track. He says the General Assembly also needs to implement a plan protecting menhaden.
“The menhaden is a small, little fish that is incredibly important the Bay and Atlantic Coast ecosystem. An Atlantic Coast Fisheries Commission approved some better management measures that the General Assembly needs to tackle.”
The cleanup efforts are part of a federal/state Clean Water Blueprint for the Chesapeake Bay to reduce pollution by 25% by the year 2025. Epes says it could cost as much as 29 billion dollars to restore the Bay to about 70% of what it was when described by Captain John Smith in the 1600s. Virginia’s share is about $7 billion, which includes federal, state, and private funding, spread over 15 years.
— Beverly Amsler
Virginia Public Radio 