On June 5, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation denounced the Trump administration’s emergency executive order allowing federal agencies to waive the consultation requirements of bedrock environmental laws to speed up the permitting process for major construction projects like pipelines and highways.

Laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act help ensure the federal government listens to the public and considers a range of alternatives to avoid harming local communities and the air, water, land, and other natural resources vital to their health and economic prosperity.

Federal Executive Director Jason Rano issued the following statement:

“The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is disappointed but unsurprised that the Trump administration is again using the pandemic as cover to weaken bedrock environmental laws. These laws protect our environment and empower citizens to speak out against projects that would harm their communities and their health.

“The administration is undermining the law that gives citizens, and particularly communities of color, a powerful tool to combat environmental injustice. CBF condemns this effort to deny our shared rights to a clean, healthy environment and to an inclusive process for protecting our communities from harm.”

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.

Also visit the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership to learn how you can help clean water grow on trees.

Resource Link:

White House: Executive Order On Accelerating COVID-19 Economic Recovery By Expediting Infrastructure Investments, Other Activities

NewsClips:

The Hill: Trump Signs Order Removing Environmental Review Of Major Projects

Post: Trump To Sign Order To Waive Environmental Reviews For Key Projects

NYT: Trump, Citing Pandemic, Plans 2 Moves To Weaken Key Environmental Protections

Audubon: Trump Order Endangers Birds, People And Places We Need

Related Article:

Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Delaware RiverKeeper Slams EPA Rule Limiting Ability Of States To Protect Water Quality On Pipeline, Other Projects

[Posted: June 5, 2020]

6/8/2020