Working together at the state and local levels across the Chesapeake Bay watershed is critical in the fight for clean water. The Coalition works closely with a lead in each Bay state—Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, and Delaware—to share information about state-specific threats and to engage the Coalition members around clean water issues. This year, there were significant wins for conservation throughout the watershed.

In Maryland, the General Assembly updated the Forest Conservation Act to address forest loss and fragmentation. It also passed the Maryland the Beautiful Act, which established a goal of 40 percent land conserved by 2040. Last, but not least, the newly-elected Governor Moore became Chair of the Chesapeake Executive Council.

North of the Mason-Dixon line, Coalition members assisted Pennsylvania farmers with applying for new funding in the Commonwealth's historic Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program. The funding is vital to get more critical conservation practices on-the-ground. Members from the Choose Clean Water Coalition and the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed also met with 23 state legislators in Harrisburg to discuss clean water funding and policies.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth of Virginia protected one million acres through the Land Preservation Tax Credit and invested a billion dollars to clean up rivers and streams. It is also preparing to move forward with the largest offshore wind project in the country. The West Virginia state legislature passed the PFAS Protection Act, and many West Virginia members of the Coalition and the West Virginia Rivers Coalition were awarded an environmental justice grant from the EPA to address PFAS in waterways. The West Virginia Rivers Coalition also recognized the town of Harpers Ferry with a Source Water Community award for actively protecting its drinking water source.

Up in the headwaters, New York held a successful statewide listening tour for the $4.2-billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. The Upper Susquehanna Coalition also held the Upper Susquehanna Watershed Forum in-person for the first time since 2019.

Over in the First State, Delaware passed the Climate Change Solutions Act and plans on net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The state also passed a ban on the use of polystyrene in food service establishments, which should help keep poly out of landfills and waterways. The Coalition's state leads program is critical in forming our inclusive and powerful network of advocates, and these wins around the watershed prove just how hard our members are fighting for clean water. Together, we can continue to weather challenges, share in successes, and spread information and ideas in the years to come.

Header photo by Kara Siglin/CCWC Staff