Maryland Nearing 2-Year Bay Pollution Goals
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Maryland has almost reached its two-year milestones for cutting two key Chesapeake Bay pollutants.
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley made the announcement Monday in Richmond, Va., where he is attending a meeting of leaders of the Chesapeake Bay Program, a partnership that works to restore the bay. The governor says the state is 98 percent of the way to reaching 2011 milestones for nitrogen and phosphorus reductions.
The two pollutants come from sources such as a fertilizer, animal waste and auto and power plant emissions. Too much of the pollutants can cause algae blooms that lead to the death of fish.
The milestones are part of a new and tougher bay restoration strategy being led by the federal Environmental Protection Agency that has prompted court challenges from agriculture and development interests.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
