Chesapeake Bay Advocates Maintain Pressure for Strong Clean Water Funding

Federal Funding

Mar 4

(WASHINGTON, DC)—Today, more than 100 members of the Choose Clean Water Coalition met with their members of Congress to urge support for the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort. The Coalition, made up of more than 250 nonprofit organizations throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, is asking Congress to maintain, and in some instances, increase funding for programs that are critical to attaining clean water.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Trump administration's budget proposes drastic cuts in funding for the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort, including the Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program. The Coalition has worked with members of Congress to successfully oppose these cuts. With strong bipartisan support for clean water and the Chesapeake Bay, Congress has restored critical funding to programs that improve communities and protect local waterways in every state in the region and the District of Columbia.

"Thanks to the diligent efforts of our Coalition members, combined with the leadership of our strong Chesapeake congressional delegation, we have succeeded in not only restoring, but increasing funding for the Chesapeake Bay," said Kristin Reilly, Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition. "Our coalition of clean water advocates are encouraging their members of Congress to maintain their support for the Bay and its rivers and streams, stressing the need for new and increased investments for clean water."

At the forefront of asks for legislators is securing critical funding for EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program. In 2019, approximately two-thirds of Bay Program funding went to support on-the-ground projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed states and the District of Columbia. This support created new oyster beds, planted trees to improve wildlife habitat, reduced pollution from farmland, and other activities that improved local water quality. And cumulatively, these projects are making an impact. The Bay's underwater grasses are increasing, blue crab populations are rising, and upstream water clarity is improving.

But progress is still fragile. The Bay and its rivers and streams are facing new and growing threats from impacts from climate change, gutting of environmental protections, and an increasing population throughout the watershed. Amidst these challenges, we need to accelerate restoration efforts and invest in critical programs that move us closer to clean water in our local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.

"The Chesapeake Bay is critical to the environmental and economic health of our region and the Commonwealth of Virginia," said Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA). "The federal and multi-state partnership to restore the Bay is working, as evidenced by improving water quality and more oysters and rockfish. Critical to this partnership is the Chesapeake Bay Program. In the past, we have seen proposed cuts to this program; I've fought back each time there has been proposed cuts, and will continue to do so."

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), added his voice to the chorus of support, saying, "A clean Chesapeake Bay is crucial to the health and success of Maryland's Bay economy, and reducing funding for the Bay Program would seriously harm ongoing restoration efforts. I'm proud to have worked on a bipartisan basis to prevent damaging cuts–and last year we were successful in securing an even larger investment. As in years past, I will fight tooth and nail against any attempts to undermine Bay cleanup, so we can preserve and protect this vital treasure for years to come."

In addition to increased funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program, the Coalition is also asking Congress for $3.4 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF). This program is critical to any national initiative and provides the lifeblood for 1,779 local governments throughout the Chesapeake region to secure their clean water infrastructure. The Coalition is also requesting that Congress fully fund and implement the conservation programs under the 2018 Farm Bill to ensure that well run, responsible farms in the Chesapeake region remain economically viable. These programs are essential for regulated agricultural operations to meet federal requirements under the Clean Water Act and help farmers meet state regulations that address both farm health and water quality.

The eighth annual event of the Choose Clean Water Coalition's Chesapeake Bay Day on Capitol Hill, this year set new records, with 40 meetings with members of Congress and 155 organizations signing letters endorsing the Coalition's appropriations asks.

CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM GRANTS – BY STATE (FY2019–$73 million enacted level)

  
    Jurisdiction
    TOTAL
  
    Delaware
    $2,707,766
  
    District of Columbia
    $2,825,720
  
    Maryland
    $13,928,440
  
    New York
    $2,798,067
  
    Pennsylvania
    $10,129,560
  
    Virginia
    $13,244,028
  
    West Virginia
    $2,979,915
  
    TOTAL
    $48,593,496