Report Says Chesapeake Bay's Health Not Improving

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A report finds the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay did not improve last year, despite increased restoration efforts.

An annual study on the nation's largest estuary released Thursday by the Chesapeake Bay Program found that the bay continues to have poor water quality and degraded habitats. The report cited pollutants caused by agriculture and suburban runoff.

The report found that the population of the bay's hallmark blue crabs declined last year to 120 million, a decrease of 23 million from 2007.

There was some good news, however. There was an 18 percent increase in underwater bay grasses from 2007. The grasses are important because they filter excess nutrients from the water and provide habitat and food for fish.

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