(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Following the release of the Chesapeake Bay Program's pollution assessment, Beth McGee, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Director of Science and Agricultural Policy, issued this statement.
"The new findings from the CBP provide both good and bad news. It's clear the Clean Water Blueprint is working. Our water is getting cleaner, leading to smaller dead zones and more Bay grasses and oysters. This is a testament to the strong monitoring and science that supports the Blueprint.
"But water quality still has to improve in 60 percent of the Bay, meaning that we can't take our foot off the gas pedal. We need increased efforts from both the states and federal government. The Bay Program must be fully funded and all the Bay jurisdictions must continue to reduce pollution from agriculture and urban and suburban runoff."
