Chesapeake Bay Leaders Recognize Impact of Climate Crisis on Clean Water

(VIRGINIA BEACH, VA)—Today, the Chesapeake Executive Council, comprised of the governors and leadership from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and New York; the mayor of the District of Columbia; and the chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, met to discuss the state of the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort. This year's meeting focused on the climate crisis, which is greatly impacting efforts to protect and restore the Bay and its rivers and streams. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

"We are pleased to see the Chesapeake Executive Council use their meeting today to recognize the critical connection between clean water and climate change. The impacts of climate change are easily recognizable throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Urban heat islands are intensifying; waters are rising, warming, and acidifying; and an increase in extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Ida, are causing catastrophic flooding. All of these impacts and more present many challenges in our work to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams.

"Fortunately, more often than not, projects and programs to improve local water quality also alleviate negative climate impacts through improved ecosystem resilience. Trees planted by streams soak up pollutants before they enter the waterway, while also helping alleviate flooding. Oyster reefs established near the shore filter the water while also helping reduce storm surge. Cover crops installed on farms reduce polluted runoff while also sequestering carbon. These practices and many more illustrate how working for clean water is also working to fight climate change.

"The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by the Senate provides $238 million over five years for the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program to support projects like these, helping improve community resilience and local water quality. We are hopeful that the members of the Chesapeake Executive Council will follow this example and that their words recognizing the urgency of the climate crisis are quickly followed by actions at the local and state level. We have no time to waste if we are to leave a legacy of clean water to future generations."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 260 local, state, regional, and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

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Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org