The+Estuary's+Fortune?

The Estuary's Fortune The future of the San Francisco Bay Estuary at one point looked very bleak, but due to protection agencies, such as Save the Bay, the future of the estuary is looking better each and everyday. Much of the remaining wetlands and waters are federally and locally protected along with many of the species that live there. Legislative support and protection has helped reverse the forlorn future of the bay. In 1996 California legislature passed a $995 million law, which appropriated funds for environmental protection and better water quality, and the best part is not a single inch or ounce of land or water was added for public or private use. Increased water treatments have reduced the amounts of pollutants. From 1961 to 1984 treatment facilities reduced their discharge of organic waste by 93 percent, oil and grease by 95 percent, and chromium and zinc by more than 99 percent. Even though great strides are being made the work is far from over, water treatment centers still an average of 300 million tons of trace metals in to the estuary yearly. In addition, non-native species still dominate while native plants and animals are at a disadvantage; better regulation of species introduction is a critical need. 50 years ago it seemed like the San Francisco Estuary wasn’t going to outlive the baby boomers but thanks to increased awareness and concern the Bay has made strides to recovery. I predict that the Bay will continue to improve as long the public continues to be interested in the state of the bay and they all should because the bay directly and indirectly affects every one of them. Therefore, the future of the Bay is not in my hands, the hands of any lawmakers, but yours! The fate of the San Francisco Estuary is in the hands of the people and it would be a horrendous loss if the Bay ever disappeared. So do not save the Bay for yourselves but for the generations to come so that they can see the wonders that are only seen in the magnificent San Francisco Bay Estuary. 

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