On September 24, the U.S. Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee increased funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program next year from $73 million to $76 million. The Trump administration’s 2020 budget, in contrast, called for slashing funds for this critical program by 90 percent.

Administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Bay program coordinates the science underpinning restoration efforts, provides grants to states to support the work, and funds projects that reduce pollution into the Bay.

It is the glue that holds together the federal-state partnership to save the Bay and oversees individual states’ clean-up programs.

Following the vote, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Federal Executive Director Jason Rano issued the following statement:

“This funding boost is welcome news for efforts to save the Chesapeake Bay and the local economies it supports, and for everyone who values this national treasure. Annual increases like this are essential to meeting the 2025 deadline to restore the health of the Bay set by the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint.

“The Chesapeake Bay Foundation thanks subcommittee members Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), along with Subcommittee Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and ranking Democrat Tom Udall (NM), for advancing and supporting this critical investment, particularly given the budget constraints they faced this year.

“CBF looks forward to working through the legislative process to ensure robust funding for this vital program in the final 2020 EPA budget Congress approves later this year.”

For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA webpage.  Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left column).  Click Here to support their work.

[For more information, visit the EPA  Chesapeake Bay Program webpage.

[For more information on Pennsylvania’s efforts to reduce pollution going to the Bay visit DEP’s PA Chesapeake Bay Plan webpage.]

(Photo: Muddy Pennsylvania water going through the Conowingo Dam just below PA-MD line.)

NewsClips:

Lycoming Conservation District Awards Conservation Mini Grants

Harrisburg Officials To Interview 4 Firms Interested In Taking Over Capital Region Water Authority

Harrisburg Council: Mayor Overstepped In Scheduling Interviews With Private Firms Interested In Taking Over Capital Region Water Authority

Chesapeake Conservancy: Paddle The Susquehanna River With New Guide Website

Click Here For Links To Last Week’s Environment & Energy NewsClips

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EPA Awards Grants To Support Pollution Reduction Tied To Conowingo Dam Reservoir

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Bay Journal: Brook Trout Gone From 34% Of Watersheds In PA, But Groups Fight To Keep, Restore Habitat

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Final PA Chesapeake Bay Implementation Plan Still Falls Short Of Required Water Pollution Reductions

CBF: Pennsylvania's Plan To Reduce Pollution Going To Chesapeake Bay Sorely Deficient

New Poll Shows Overwhelming Public Support For Restore PA Infrastructure Plan; When Will It Translate Into Legislative Votes?

Gov. Wolf Signs Bills Providing $6 Million In Farm Conservation Aid Missing Target By $171 Million Or So This Year

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Urges PA To Meet Its Water Pollution Reduction Goals

Pennsylvania Has Permanently Protected More Land In Chesapeake Bay Watershed Than Any Other Individual Bay State

Maryland Governor Calls For Action, Accountability On PA's Plan To Reduce Water Pollution Going To Chesapeake Bay

DEP, Agriculture, DCNR Layout Their Hopes For Final Chesapeake Bay Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities Watershed Plan

Harrisburg Sewage System Released Nearly 1.4 Billion Gallons Of Inadequately Treated Wastewater Into Susquehanna In 2018, An Increase Since 2016

[Posted: September 24, 2019]

9/30/2019