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Mystic River Watershed Gets Poor Environment Grade

BOSTON (AP) -- The Mystic River watershed has received a nearly failing environmental grade due to bacterial contamination.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Mystic River Watershed Association said Sunday that the watershed received a "D-" for 2010 in an annual grading. Data monitored over the past year show that water quality met swimming standards only 28 percent of the time and boating standards 70 percent.

Officials say the grade isn't for a lack of effort to improve water quality in the watershed. EPA and Massachusetts officials have enforced water quality rules that officials say have removed more than 12,000 gallons a day of sewage from storm drains in the watershed.

The grade is down from "C-" in 2008 and 2009.

There was some good news as officials said Sunday that herring have returned to the Mystic River.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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