House Appropriations Bill Increases Investments in Chesapeake Restoration Effort
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee reported out their Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations bill, which begins on October 1, 2022. The bill includes many projects and programs that benefit the Chesapeake restoration effort, including:
$92 million for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Chesapeake Bay Program. And directs a substantial portion for on-the-ground restoration work throughout the region:
$25.5 million for Chesapeake Small Watershed Grants;
$20.5 million for Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants;
$22.708 million State Based Implementation in the Most Effective Basins.
$15 million for US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Chesapeake WILD grant program to protect and restore fish and wildlife and their habits, as well as to expand public access to these resources.
$17.75 million for US Geological Survey for Chesapeake region, an increase of $2.5 million from last year.
$3.027 million for National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails program for public access and interpretation.
$1.58 million from EPA for a community funding project for the Upper Susquehanna Coalition to reduce pollution across the New York portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed through on-the-ground restoration projects
This $92 million will also be supplemented with $47.6 million for FY23 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the bipartisan infrastructure law passed late last year.
In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:
“The Choose Clean Water Coalition would like to thank our champions in the House for acknowledging the critical role that federal funding plays in the success of the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort. With this $3.5 million increase for the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program, our more than 270 Coalition members across the watershed will have more opportunities to implement on-the-ground restoration projects that improve local rivers and streams, restore critical wildlife habitat, and stimulate local economies.
“We are thrilled to see that the House appropriations bill funds the USFWS Chesapeake WILD grant program at its full authorization of $15 million. This program will not only improve water quality, but it will preserve and protect critical fish and wildlife habitat through increased fish passages, tree plantings, and protecting wetlands. It will also enhance recreational opportunities, with an emphasis on equitable public access.”
The Choose Clean Water Coalition is 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
