The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are the lifeblood of Virginia’s agricultural operations, and farmers’ efforts to improve the bay are paying off.
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science released its annual report card July 9, with the overall Chesapeake Bay earning a grade of C+, or 55 percent—the highest grade since 2002. The 17th annual ecosystem report card is a half-letter grade improvement from the previous year’s mark, up four points from 2022.
Of the 15 regions in the 64,000-square-mile watershed, 11 showed improved scores, with five showing significant improvement.
Virginia’s Tidewater region scored at the top. The Lower Bay region that stretches from Norfolk to the Northern Neck again earned the highest overall score at 70 percent—a solid B grade.
Improvements to water quality, habitat and fisheries are credited to public investments in wastewater system upgrades, controlled runoff from development, and farmers’ efforts in reducing nutrients in waterw...