Federal Omnibus Bill Includes Major Wins for Clean Water in Chesapeake Bay Region
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Early this morning, Congress and the White House reached a bipartisan deal on the FY23 Omnibus Bill, which is anticipated to pass both the House and Senate and be signed into law by the President before midnight on Friday, December 23. The bill to fund the federal government through September 30, 2023 prevents a government shutdown and includes several items relevant to the effort to protect and restore the rivers and streams that feed the Chesapeake Bay. The highlight of those items is a record-high funding level of $92 million for EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program. Receiving an increase of $4 million, the Bay Program is the glue that holds together the cleanup partnership of federal, state, and local governments, conservation groups, and educational institutions. Other wins for clean water, as well as for fish and wildlife, include:
$8 million, double from FY22 and a record-high funding level, for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Chesapeake WILD Program
$3.027 million for the National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Trails Program
$17.485 million, an increase of $2 million and a record-high funding level, for U.S. Geological Survey Chesapeake Science and Monitoring
$1.58 million in a new “earmark” to fund the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, a member of the Choose Clean Water Coalition, to install conservation practices throughout the New York portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:
"This budget is great news for all who enjoy clean water in the Chesapeake Bay region. We are thrilled at the funding levels for programs that play a critical role in improving local water quality. We won't reach our clean water goals without significant investments such as those reflected in this budget.
"The dollars supporting these programs will help implement crucial conservation projects including planting forested buffers on farmlands, updating wastewater treatment plants, and removing impervious surface in urban areas. We look forward to working with our more than 275 member organizations to guide this funding toward efforts that will make the greatest impact for our rivers and streams."
The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 275 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