MD Coastal Bays gets 2018 evaluation, shows decline in water quality

BERLIN, Md. – The Maryland Coastal Bays got results back from their 2018 evaluation which highlighted a decline in the bay’s water quality. According to the report, the bays received a score of 71% for it’s overall water quality. Environmental officials tell 47 ABC a lot of what attributes to the decline is the runoff that goes into the water after a rainstorm which can often be polluted. That’s why they say it’s important now than ever before to make sure people know what they can do to prevent this from happening.

“One of the main things that we can do to continue to improve our stormwater management plans. Especially in the urbanized areas where there’s a lot of impervious surface, anytime you get a rain event, or any kind of precipitation event, any of the pollutants, from agricultural fields, parking lots and things like that, that eventually finds it’s ways into the bays,” said Assateague Coastal Trust Communications Director, Billy Weiland.

If you would like to view the full 2018 Maryland Coastal Bay Report Card click here.