EPA Bay Program Pronounces Bay Restored, Disbands

Just kidding, of course:

The news of the Bay today is that the EPA Bay Program thinks they are making progress and more work is needed. Report: Chesapeake an ecosystem in recovery 

Citing some signs of recovery and resilience around the watershed, scientists at the Chesapeake Bay Program called the waterway an "ecosystem in recovery" while still facing major challenges in its annual Bay Barometer report.

The report reminds that much work remains to be done. It noted nutrient and sediment pollution has been reduced by efforts of local communities but the bay remains impaired.

"Human activities bring more roads, parking lots and rooftops that have a direct impact on water quality and living resources," Bay Program Director Nick DiPasquale said. "Yet in the face of these constantly changing challenges, we are witnessing signs of a system in recovery. And people have the ability to positively affect and help in the recovery process. In fact, we must do so."

Among the examples of resilience in the report found:

•Between 2012 and 2013, underwater grasses in the bay rose 24 percent. Scientists observed 59,927 acres of underwater grasses and attribute the increase to an expansion in widgeon grass and a modest recovery of eelgrass.

•In 2013, the population of American shad increased, driven by rising numbers in the Potomac and York rivers, to 41 percent of the established goal for the species.

•Between 2013 and 2014, the abundance of juvenile rockfish increased, a significant improvement over 2012 numbers.

But there are also signs of the bay's continued struggles.

•Between 2011 and 2013, only 29 percent of water quality standard for a variety of measures — dissolved oxygen, water clarity, underwater grasses and chlorophyll, a sign of algae growth — were met. That is 2 percent less than the previous three-year period.

There has been a steady level of water quality attainment, around 30 percent, for the past 10 years. That follows steady signs of improvement between 1989 and 2002.

In other words, no real improvement in 10 years. Please send more money.

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