Md. Gov. sets new pollution reduction goal for bay ANNAPOLIS, MD (wesm) - (AP) Gov. Martin O'Malley says Maryland will try to reduce nitrogen pollution from agricultural runoff in the Chesapeake Bay by boosting the use of cover crops.

Cover crops such as barley, canola and kale absorb nitrogen from the soil.
The state also plans to create more forested stream buffers.

O'Malley took a tour Monday of two rivers near the bay on the eve of a regional meeting on restoring the nation's largest estuary in Mount Vernon, Va.

O'Malley says the state will be setting new two-year goals, instead of setting deadlines for improvement far into the future when state and local leaders can no longer be held accountable. © Copyright 2009, wesm