New York and Connecticut got a collective grade of "C+" for their efforts to improve and protect the health of Long Island Sound during the past decade.

One of the biggest threats to water quality in Long Island Sound is contamination from raw sewage.In the first report of its kind to assign grades for Sound protection, Save the Sound -- a project of Connecticut Fund for the Environment -- gave an "A" for efforts to improve coastal and wildlife habitats. The report card cited several marsh-restoration projects, fish ladders and other measures as good steps forward. 

Efforts to clean litter from Long Island Sound beaches got a "B-" grade. 

From there, though, it was all downhill. Low oxygen levels, toxic chemicals and storm water runoff each got a "C-" for water quality; the continued contamination by raw sewage, particularly after a heavy rain, resulted in a "D-"; and the overall grade came in at "C+."

"From the looks of this report, the region is striving for mediocrity when it comes to the health of Long Island Sound; however, we know that is not the outcome residents of Connecticut and New York expect or want," said Leah Schmalz, Save the Sound's director of legislative and legal affairs.

Nancy Seligson, the new supervisor of the Town of Mamaroneck -- a coastal community in Westchester County -- said the report card is a great tool for the public and environmental advocates to examine the Sound more closely and draft an improvement plan.

"I wish the report was able to give A+ grades to all categories, but the reality is we need to do much more to restore and improve LIS. This report gives us a clear blueprint of how to," Seligson added.

For more, check out Newsday's story on the report card.