Chesapeake?s underwater grasses disappearing

Chesapeake Bay underwater grasses dropped 25 percent Bay-wide, from 78,263 acres in 2005 to 59,090 acres in 2006, according to a study by the Chesapeake Bay Program. The drop marks the first setback for grasses after two years of moderate gains, while the total acreage reached its lowest since 1989.

Grasses in the upper Bay fell 20 percent to 15,510 acres. Middle Bay grasses fell 23 percent to 30,659 acres, and grasses in the lower Bay dropped to 12,922 acres, or 33 percent.