Our Asks for Clean Water
The Choose Clean Water Coalition harnesses the collective power of more than 250 organizations to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake Bay region. The Coalition is focused on helping local communities and states to meet their pollution limits as outlined in their state blueprints or clean water plans. These pollution limits and blueprints were created to protect human health and fisheries throughout the Bay watershed.
We are asking our Members of Congress to continue to support funding and programs in FY22 that provide critical support to the states, local governments, and communities and farmers throughout our region.
Ask #1 ̶ EPA CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM ($90.5 MILLION) - Please support increased funding to $90.5 million in FY22 (from $87.5 million in FY21) for the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program AND provide report language to use the additional funds for the Chesapeake Small Watershed Grants (SWG) - from $9.625 million in FY21 to $10.375 million in FY22 - AND the Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants (INSR) - from $9.625 million in FY21 to $10.375 million in FY22 – AND for “state-based implementation in the most effective basins” – from $7.25 million in FY21 to $8.75 million in FY22.
The Bay Program coordinates and supports the Chesapeake Bay cleanup. Funds are passed through to states, local governments and non-profit groups. SWG & INSR grants fund critical on-the-ground restoration at the local level. Please support language in FY22 that directs EPA to increase funding for these critical grant programs.
Due to increased annual nitrogen pollution loads from Conowingo Dam (6 million pounds) and climate change (5 million pounds) and the looming 2025 cleanup deadline, we urge you to increase funding to $90.5million.
$90.5 million is the authorized amount for FY22 in the newly enacted America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act (P.L. 116-188).
More than 71% of the Program’s funds go directly through grants to the states, local communities and non-profit organizations for on-the-ground restoration work. The chart below breaks those grants down by state:
Ask #2 – U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Chesapeake WILD Program ($15 million) – Recently established by ACE (P.L. 116-118), and authorized at $15 million annually, Chesapeake WILD is intended to assist local partners with the on-the-ground habitat restoration and protection, such as riparian forest buffer restoration; wetland restoration; expanding black duck populations; restoring and protecting brook trout habit; and removing barriers to fish migration in freshwater systems. The centerpiece of Chesapeake WILD is a grant program and funding is necessary for the Fish & Wildlife Service to begin this effort.
Ask #3 – CLEAN WATER SRF ($10 billion) - Please support a substantial increase in funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), and include it as a primary component of any Federal infrastructure spending package. The Clean Water SRF provides low interest loans to local governments for clean water infrastructure projects to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution from wastewater treatment and stormwater facilities; nonpoint sources of pollution, such as farms and development; and other sources. This is critical support for the 1,779 local governments in the Bay watershed. This doubling in funding from FY20 will create jobs, clean our waters, and protect human health. We also support targeting 20 percent of these funds for green infrastructure and innovative projects, and setting aside at least 20 percent in each state for additional subsidization aimed at assisting disadvantaged communities.
Ask #4 – FARM BILL FUNDING – The Coalition strongly supports Farm Bill conservation programs and urges Congress to ensure they are implemented and funded as intended. The most critical programs for the Chesapeake Region are:
Regional Conservation Partnership Program – Fund at $300 million in FY22
Environmental Quality Incentives Program – Fund at $1.85 billion in FY22
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) – The 2018 Farm Bill codified CREP and we urge you to ensure that USDA fully enrolls CREP acres based on the provisions in the bill.
Conservation Technical Assistance – increase funding to $1.2 billion.
Ask #5 – COSPONSOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOR ALL ACT [not reintroduced yet – introduction date uncertain]
To be introduced by Congressmen Grijalva (D-AZ) and McEachin (D-VA) in the House and by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in the Senate.
This is a comprehensive approach to updating our bedrock environmental laws and policies to address environmental justice, equity and human health impacts.
Ask #6 – COSPONSOR REAUTHORIZATION OF NOAA CHESAPEAKE BAY OFFICE [not reintroduced yet – introduction date uncertain]
To be introduced by Congressman Sarbanes (D-MD) and Senator Warner (D-VA).
Updates authorization that expired in 2007 and increases funding levels
Clarifies that the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office will be the lead entity within NOAA for Chesapeake Bay work.