Report on Restoring the Chesapeake Bay

In the Wicomico River, poor clarity of water and high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus add to unhealthy conditions. Those lead to low dissolved oxygen levels, dead zones and high concentrations of algae blooms.

These conditions spread through tributary connections and add to the decline in the Chesapeake Bay's health, according Alan Girard, project manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The report says 84 percent of the 25 water quality testing sites were in the moderate to severe range for nitrogen pollution. That's four percent higher than 2007.

Girard said all sources of pollution are being addressed except those atrributed to growth and development.

But the time has come, he said, referring to a vote scheduled for Tuesday by the Wicomico County Council on legislation that could end what environmentalists see as rampant growth around Salisbury and near the Wicomico River.

Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt said the county is close to finding a solution.

He called for more community involvement and a focus toward an agricultural land preservation program to make restrictive zoning legislation work for both sides -- preservationists and farmers, two groups that do not necessarily have mutually exclusive goals.

All Eastern Shoremen are environmentalists at heart, the executive said.

Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton said the first move toward treating the Bay's disease has been taken. "Like with any disease, admitting we have a problem is the first step," Ireton said. "We've learned for yet another year ... that our river is unhealthy."

Ireton said he intends to deliver an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance to the Salisbury City Council soon. The ordinance is a similar concept to impact fees, and is his solution to unchecked growth in the city.

Ireton also said the Creekwatchers' data will be included in his Wicomico River cleanup plan for swimmable and fishable conditions in 10 years, in cooperation with recommendations from the Environmental Task Force.

City Council Vice President Gary Comegys, liaison to the task force, said, "We need to maintain and enrich this place we call home."