It's an exciting time on the Bay and its rivers and streams. Ospreys are back, flora is beginning to bloom, and the days are lengthening. And in Richmond and Annapolis, activity is beginning to wind down in the halls of its Capitols. But there is still unfinished business before these legislatures.
In Richmond, the regular session adjourned on March 10 with major victories for clean water. But differences between House and Senate budget proposals could not be reconciled, so a special session will commence April 11. With no finalized budget, funding for clean water is in jeopardy. Continued investments are needed for critical programs such as the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund to help localities reduce polluted runoff from cities and suburbs, agricultural cost-share programs for farmers to install clean water practices, and investments for oyster replenishment and restoration. Virginians, urge your legislators—before Wednesday—to invest in clean water!
Further north in Annapolis, the fight to protect Maryland's forests rages on. Maryland's Forest Conservation Act (FCA), written in 1991, is supposed to protect forests from overdevelopment. But the FCA needs dramatic improvement as increasing development paired with lax forest protections are wiping out thousands of acres of Maryland forests, and with them, one of our most successful resources to improve water quality. While the desired revisions to the FCA won't occur this legislative session, Senate Bill 610 requires the next best thing—a sanctioned task force whose recommendations could become legislation next session. Marylanders, urge your Delegate—before session ends Monday—to support Senate Bill 610!
Help us finish these legislative sessions strong and raise your voice for clean water. And beyond these budgets and legislation, there are many opportunities to make a difference for the Bay and its rivers and streams. Check out our calendar for more. The work to save the Bay never ends. Stay tuned!
This Week in the Watershed: Oyster Dive, Fishy Debate, and Toddler Turtles
- Students on a field experience with CBF at the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach found a colony of baby turtles on the shoreline. (WVEC–VA) BONUS: See the video on our Facebook Page!
- Farmers are embracing managed grazing, to the benefit of the soil, farmer's bottom line, and the Chesapeake Bay. (Bay Journal)
- A recent dive on a restored Chesapeake oyster reef revealed a growing, self-sustaining, healthy ecosystem. (Chesapeake Bay Program)
- A power plant near Harrisburg, PA with a history of air and water pollution, committed to converting from coal to natural gas. (Bay Journal)
- An unconventional conservation measure for rockfish is under debate. (Daily Times–MD)
- Despite cold winter temperatures, oysters in Virginia's Lafayette River are thriving. (Virginian Pilot–VA)
- EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt loosened fuel economy rules, to the dismay of environment and public health advocates. (ClimateWire) BONUS: CBF Statement
- Volunteers are needed for the 30th annual Clean the Bay Day, with cleanup sites throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. (Augusta Free Press–VA) BONUS: CBF Press Release
- Federal officials rejected the request to suspend seasonal tree-cutting restrictions for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. (Sierra Club) BONUS: CBF Statement
- While the health of the Bay is improving, one restoration goal is well off target—planting streamside trees. (Bay Journal)
What's Happening Around the Watershed?
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 13
- Hopewell, VA: Join us outside for a trash pickup in near a local elementary school. Click here to learn more!
April 14
- 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 15
- Richmond, VA: Help plant trees that will beautify the landscape, provide habitat for wildlife, and reduce pollution. All volunteers can take home a native tree seedling to plant in their garden. 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!
- Annapolis, MD: Calling all anglers! Join us for the 17th Annual Boatyard Bar & Grill Opening Day Rockfish Tournament. Part of proceeds benefit CBF. Click here to learn more and 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!
May 12
- Talbot County, MD: Come paddle with us on Harris Creek! A prime example of a tidal Eastern Shore creek, enjoy a comfortable and peaceful paddle, offering up close views of herons fishing in the shallows and wood ducks nesting in the many trees along the banks. Click here to learn more and register!
May 16
- Virginia Beach, VA: Join us for a boat trip on the Lynnhaven River. Examine what is living in this diverse and dynamic part of the Chesapeake Bay and learn about the recovery of the oyster population in the Lynnhaven. Click here to learn more and register!
- Annapolis, MD: Come on board for a sail on our historic skipjack the Stanley Norman. While aboard, you'll be invited to help hoist the sails or simply enjoy the view! You will leave with a better understanding of oysters and their role in keeping the Bay clean as well as what CBF is doing to restore the oyster stocks to save the Bay. Click here to register!
May 19
- Annapolis, MD: Come on board for a sail on our historic skipjack the Stanley Norman. While aboard, you'll be invited to help hoist the sails or simply enjoy the view! You will leave with a better understanding of oysters and their role in keeping the Bay clean as well as what CBF is doing to restore the oyster stocks to save the Bay. Click here to register!
May 30
- Annapolis, MD: Come on board for a sail on our historic skipjack the Stanley Norman. While aboard, you'll be invited to help hoist the sails or simply enjoy the view! You will leave with a better understanding of oysters and their role in keeping the Bay clean as well as what CBF is doing to restore the oyster stocks to save the Bay. Click here to register!
June 2
- Throughout Virginia: Join us for the 30th annual Clean the Bay Day! One of the largest volunteer efforts in Virginia, roughly 6,000 volunteers remove more than 100,000 pounds of harmful debris from Virginia's waterways and shorelines. With sites all across the Commonwealth, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Click here to learn more and register!
- Annapolis, MD: Join us out on the water for a morning of fishing, learning, and fun! Spend the morning aboard the Marguerite in search of whatever is biting! Our experienced crew will provide all the knowledge and equipment necessary—just bring your enthusiasm! Click here to register!
- Annapolis, MD: Come on board for a sail on our historic skipjack the Stanley Norman. While aboard, you'll be invited to help hoist the sails or simply enjoy the view! You will leave with a better understanding of oysters and their role in keeping the Bay clean as well as what CBF is doing to restore the oyster stocks to save the Bay. Click here to register!
- Columbia, PA: High school students from across the Keystone State team up in pairs of two and put their canoeing skills to the test against other high school teams. This year's event will be part of the Riverlands Trail Festival and Lancaster Water Week. In addition to the canoeing competition, there will be educational exhibits, live music, and an awards ceremony. Click here to register!
Issues in this Post
Forest Loss Advocacy Community Conservation Eastern Oysters Forest Loss Habitat Loss Politics Virginia's Agricultural Cost-Share Program Virginia's Stormwater Local Assistance Fund Water Quality CBF in Maryland CBF in Virginia Eastern Shore Office CBF at the Federal Level Hampton Roads Office Maryland Office, Annapolis CBF in Pennsylvania Virginia Office, Richmond
