Monday, January 5, 2009

A conservation group is suing to force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the law and clean up the polluted Chesapeake Bay.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William Baker says scientists know how to revive the nation's largest estuary. He says all that's missing is the political will to enforce the federal Clean Water Act.

The foundation filed its lawsuit in federal court in Washington.

Baker says he hopes the legal action will grab the attention of President-elect Barack Obama's incoming administration and put the bay's restoration back on track.

Poor water quality caused by pollution from nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous has harmed the blue crab population, destroyed underwater grasses and hurt fish in the bay.