The Chesapeake Bay Foundation gave the troubled estuary a grade of "D" today in the environmental group’s annual state-of-the-bay report.
The bay is showing "no significant progress," the group said.
"That the Chesapeake Bay, a national treasure, remains in critical condition is outrageous. It is a national disgrace," said group President Will Baker.
He called on the federal government to reduce pollution from new developments and from urban and suburban lands. He said the government should deny permits for new coal-burning power plants, which can contaminate waterways with air pollution.
The bay continues to suffer from, among other things, excess levels of nitrogen and phosphorus contained in sewage-plant discharges, lawn-and-farm fertilizers and animal waste. The pollution fuels the growth of algae that foul bay waters.
The report gave the bay a score of 28 out of 100, with 100 representing a pristine bay.
This marked the 10th year the group has issued its report. The bay has gotten a "D" grade each year.
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