Chesapeake Bay Advocates Maintain Pressure for Strong Clean Water Funding

Federal Funding

Mar 3

(WASHINGTON, DC)—This week, more than 70 members of the Choose Clean Water Coalition met with their members of Congress to urge support for the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort. The Coalition, made up of more than 270 nonprofit organizations throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, is asking Congress to maintain, and in some instances, increase funding for programs that are critical to attaining clean water.

Over the past decade, the states and the federal government committed to a massive restoration program in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to restore the Bay and its tributaries by 2025. But we will not meet our water quality goals without the leadership, guidance, science, and funding support provided by various Federal agencies. With strong bipartisan support for clean water and the Chesapeake Bay, the Coalition has worked with members of Congress to successfully support strong investments in clean water programs. These programs improve communities and protect local waterways in every state in the region and the District of Columbia, while often also serving as a stimulus to local economies.

"Thanks to the diligent efforts of our Coalition members, combined with the leadership of our strong Chesapeake congressional delegation, support for the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams is at an all-time high," said Kristin Reilly, Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition. "While the health of the Bay's waterways is improving, progress is still very fragile. Our coalition of tireless environmental advocates are asking their members of Congress to maintain their support for the Bay and its rivers and streams, stressing the need for new and increased investments for clean water."

At the forefront of asks for legislators is securing critical funding for EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program. Approximately two-thirds of Bay Program funding supports on-the-ground projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed states and the District of Columbia. This support creates new oyster beds, plants trees to improve wildlife habitat, reduces pollution from farmland, and funds other activities that improve local water quality. Cumulatively, these projects are making an impact. The Bay's underwater grasses are increasing, blue crab populations are rising, and upstream water clarity is improving.

But progress was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic which delayed restoration projects and diverted resources. The Bay and its rivers and streams are facing new and growing threats from impacts from climate change, rapid deforestation, and an increasing population throughout the watershed. Amidst these challenges, we need to accelerate restoration efforts and invest in critical programs that move us closer to clean water in our local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. As the 2025 deadline approaches, it's critical that members of Congress hear from their constituents about the importance for new and increased investments for Bay restoration. One example of new investments is the Chesapeake Watershed Investments and Landscape Defense (WILD) Program, a grant program intended to assist local partners with on-the-ground habitat restoration and protection. Originally authorized in October 2020 at $15 million annually, Chesapeake WILD is now a year and a half old and has yet to receive a single dollar in funding.

"The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure. The Bay is an economic engine that is also critical to the environmental health of our region and the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. Since coming to Congress, I have been working across the aisle with my colleagues to protect funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program to preserve the viability of the Bay and the countless benefits the Bay brings," said Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA). "I am thankful for the Choose Clean Water Coalition and the many individuals and groups that work tirelessly to preserve the Chesapeake Bay. Over the years, I have been proud of the strides made in the right direction to protect the Bay, and I look forward to continuing our work to ensure the Bay remains healthy for years to come."

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), added his voice to the chorus of support, saying, "A clean Chesapeake Bay is crucial to the success of our state's economy and the health of our environment. That's why we've fought to deliver historic funding for the EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program through last year's appropriations legislation and the new infrastructure modernization law. Our hard-won successes were earned in large part thanks to the dedication of the broad-based grassroots advocacy network that the Choose Clean Water Coalition has assembled in support of the Bay, and I've been proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you in this fight. These investments we've secured will help us ramp up our ongoing restoration efforts, but we need to continue building on this momentum and ensure an all-hands-on-deck effort to meet the goals of the Bay Agreement. I'm proud to have worked on a bipartisan basis to prioritize this crucial work, and I will keep fighting to preserve and protect this vital treasure for generations to come."

In addition to increased funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program and first-time funding for Chesapeake WILD, the Coalition is asking Congress for $8.1 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF). This program is critical to any national initiative and provides the lifeblood for 1,779 local governments throughout the Chesapeake region to secure their clean water infrastructure. The Coalition is also requesting that Congress fully fund and implement the conservation programs under the 2018 Farm Bill to ensure that well run, responsible farms in the Chesapeake region remain economically viable. These programs are essential for regulated agricultural operations to meet federal requirements under the Clean Water Act and help farmers meet state regulations that address both farm health and water quality.

Despite going to a virtual format for the second consecutive year, the tenth annual event of the Choose Clean Water Coalition's Chesapeake Bay Day on Capitol Hill set new records, with 45 meetings with members of Congress and 162 organizations signing letters endorsing the Coalition's appropriations asks.

EPA CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM GRANTS – BY STATE (FY2021–$87.5 million enacted level)

  
    Jurisdiction
    TOTAL
  
    Delaware
    $2,808,453
  
    District of Columbia
    $2,626,765
  
    Maryland
    $13,385,167
  
    New York
    $3,652,595
  
    Pennsylvania
    $19,290,496
  
    Virginia
    $13,861,975
  
    West Virginia
    $3,176,041
  
    TOTAL
    $57,479,602

Jurisdiction	TOTAL
Delaware	$2,808,453
District of Columbia	$2,626,765
Maryland	$13,385,167
New York	$3,652,595
Pennsylvania	$19,290,496
Virginia	$13,861,975
West Virginia	$3,176,041
TOTAL	$57,479,602