"While some indicators and geographic regions have shown incremental signs of improvement, the Chesapeake Bay is still a system dangerously out of balance. It remains on the federal 'impaired waters' list with only 12 percent of the Bay and tidal rivers meeting the standard for healthy oxygen levels. There is still a long, long way to go before we achieve a restored ecosystem.
"While the settlement of CBF's lawsuit and the announcement of a new federal strategy offer hope for the future, much of this year's improvement was due to Mother Nature. Just because Pennsylvania's rainfall was below normal does not mean we have made significant progress.
"That's why it is critical that Congress pass the Chesapeake Clean Water Act. It will establish as a matter of law accountability and consequences for failure, as well as providing new funding and tools to get the job done once and for all."