In Washington's polarized atmosphere, issues finding bipartisan support are few and far between. But as the recent FY18 budget reveals, partisanship is often cast aside when clean water is at stake.
Congress just passed a spending bill that maintains or increases funding for clean water programs across the country, including for the Chesapeake Bay. This includes full funding for the critical Chesapeake Bay Program, no cuts to crucial agricultural conservation programs, and full funding for NOAA's Bay Watershed Education and Training program.
This is a vote of confidence from Congress. Thanks in part to advocacy efforts from our members, legislators recognize the importance of a clean Chesapeake Bay to the region's economy, health, and way of life. What's more, with this budget they acknowledge that the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint is working.
Crucial to preserving funding for the Bay is grounding our efforts in science. The Blueprint's success is not a guess or mere conjecture. Rather, we can objectively prove that the Blueprint is reducing pollution and cleaning our water. And we're seeing the results in rebounding blue crab and oyster populations, booming underwater grasses, and shrinking dead zones.
But we must continue fighting for greater investments in clean water. While the health of the Bay is improving, the recovery is still fragile. And although this FY18 budget is fantastic news, it only runs through September 30. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration's FY19 budget proposal cuts 90 percent of funding to the Chesapeake Bay Program. Thanking your representatives now is the best way to ensure Congress continues to save the day—and the Bay Program.
This Week in the Watershed: Bay Funding, Buffer Needs, and a Life Changing Spring Break
- Great news for the Bay, as the federal spending bill approved by Congress maintains funding for the critical Chesapeake Bay Program. (Baltimore Sun–MD) BONUS: CBF Statement
- Students from Rutgers University dedicated their spring break to helping save the Bay, joining CBF for the Alternative Spring Break program. (Bay Weekly)
- Efforts are underway in Pennsylvania to identify streams most in need of riparian buffers to improve water quality. (Bay Journal)
- CBF President Will Baker writes on the damage climate change is wreaking on the Bay and potential harm in the future. (Daily Times—MD)
- We couldn't agree more with this op-ed arguing for Virginia's General Assembly to protect the critical menhaden fishery. (Daily Press—VA)
What's Happening Around the Watershed?
March 24
- Monroe, VA: Join us for a workshop with information about creating habitat for critters, protecting water quality, and beautifying your property with native plants and trees. Click here for more information and to register!
April 7
- Frederick County, MD: Come help CBF plant more than 1,000 trees and shrubs along Linganore Creek on a beef cattle farm in Frederick County. Approximately 3,000 feet of stream banks will be planted resulting is five acres of new riparian buffer. Linganore Creek is in the Monocacy River watershed, which flows to the Potomac River then to the Chesapeake Bay. Click here to register!
April 10
- Virginia Beach, VA: With ospreys already returning to their summer homes, come learn about these incredible birds and other raptors at the first "flight" of CBF's Brock Environmental Center Learning Series! Click here to register!
April 19
- Hopewell, VA: Join us for a lunch and learn featuring Carol Heiser, Habitat Education Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. In her program, Habitat at Home© for Pollinators and Other Wildlife, you'll learn how to use native plants in your landscape to support pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and many others. Expand your knowledge as a steward of the environment. As a bonus, Hopewell residents will have a chance to enroll for a free rain barrel. Click here to register!
April 21
- Washington County, MD: Join us Earth Day weekend and help us plant more than 1,000 trees and shrubs along Little Antietam Creek. Click here to register!
- Trappe, MD: Help CBF make the Choptank River cleaner and safer for the whole community during this river cleanup event. All supplies will be provided. Families and groups are welcome to attend. Click here to register!
April 28
- Baltimore County, MD: Come help CBF plant more than 700 trees along Compass Run in the Prettyboy Reservoir watershed. This stream system supports brook trout, a fish species that is rapidly losing its' habitat due to climate change. Click here to register!
