President’s Budget Strong on Chesapeake Restoration

(WASHINGTON, DC)—Today, President Biden's FY23 budget proposed funding EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program at $90.568 million, the highest amount of funding ever requested for the Bay Program. These funds are in addition to the $238 million over five years allocated to the Bay Program from the bipartisan infrastructure bill signed into law in November 2021. The proposed budget also calls for a 17 percent increase in conservation technical assistance for the U.S. Department of Agriculture—from $759.813 million in FY22 to $886 million for FY23. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

"We applaud the Biden administration for proposing record-setting investments for clean water with increased funding for EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program. The Bay Program is the glue that holds together the cleanup partnership of federal, state, and local governments, conservation groups, and educational institutions. If we are to meet the 2025 deadline to have all pollution reduction practices in place as part of the Bay's restoration effort, we need strong federal investments in programs that make a difference on-the-ground in communities throughout the watershed.

"Paramount to reaching our clean water goals for the rivers and streams that feed the Chesapeake Bay is advances in conservation practices on farms throughout the 64,000 square mile Chesapeake Bay watershed. The proposed increase in funding for conservation technical assistance at the U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide farmers with additional resources needed to implement critical conservation practices on their land. These practices will not only improve local water quality, but will also boost local economies and improve farmers' bottom line.

"We call on Congress to continue its bipartisan record of strong investments in clean water and pass a FY23 budget that provides the necessary support to leave a legacy of clean water to future generations."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition, an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 270 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