President Obama has injected himself into the slow, mostly unsuccessful process of improving the quality of the Chesapeake Bay.

An executive order establishes the Bay as a "National Treasure, and directs the EPA to "examine how to make full use of its authorities under the Clean Water Act to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary waters."

The order was signed yesterday,. to coincide with a meeting ot the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council. The Council includes the governors of the five states bordering the Bay, as well as the mayor of Washington, D.C.

Last year the Council conceded that not nearly enough has been accomplished in the 25 years since its founding. Federal agency muscle may help, since it removes from elected officials the burden of making and enforcing economically and socially difficult regulations. (Dave Sagarin, May 13, 2009)

Note: Learn more at the website of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation www.cbf.org/