It’s 2022—which means there are less than four years to go until the deadline for the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, the landmark federal/state plan to restore the Bay. The states have a lot of work left to do. This month, our 2021 State of the Blueprint report assesses progress to date in the three Bay states that account for 90 percent of pollution: Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. We go over the basics of the Blueprint, take a closer look at the highs and lows in Pennsylvania—the state that is farthest off track—and visit a Virginia cattle farm to show how agricultural conservation practices work on the ground (and why they’re so important for clean water). We’ve also included a go-to guide for legislative sessions that outlines the actions we’re fighting for to get states back on track, a special look at Maryland’s generational opportunity to fight climate change, and our monthly news roundup.
State of the Blueprint Report
CBF’s 2021 State of the Blueprint report looks at one question: Are the Bay states on track to reduce pollution by the Blueprint’s 2025 deadline? Our assessment of progress in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, which account for 90 percent of Bay pollution, found the answer collectively is ‘no.’ But urgent, aggressive action can still get us there.
VIDEO: What Is the Blueprint?
Most experts consider the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint the Chesapeake Bay's best, and perhaps last, chance for real restoration. In this short video, learn the basics about how this landmark federal/state plan works, where it came from, what it will do, and what makes it different from past, failed agreements to save the Bay.
5 Ways States Can Get on Track
What aggressive, urgent actions will get the states back on track? We’re fighting for five key priorities as state and federal legislatures kick off their new sessions in 2022. Funding for conservation practices on farms, mitigating and building resilience to climate change, and green infrastructure are all on the docket. This is your go-to guide.
VIDEO: A Generational Opportunity
In 2022, Maryland’s state budget surplus has created an unprecedented opportunity to protect future generations from a changing climate. CBF’s Maryland Executive Director Josh Kurtz discusses how the state can protect the Bay and communities by investing in natural filters that tackle urban pollution, prevent flooding, and mitigate the harmful effects of climate change.
Pennsylvania, Highs and Lows
Despite leading the watershed states with 4 million pounds of nitrogen-pollution reductions in 2020, Pennsylvania remains far off track to achieve its targets by the Blueprint’s 2025 deadline. We dig into the highs, lows, and next steps to get the Keystone state back on track—an essential task for Bay restoration to succeed.
VIDEO: Greener Pastures
Meet Wayne Snapp. He and his wife have a 430-acre cattle farm in Virginia, where they've expanded rotational grazing to benefit the herd, the soil, and the water. Their farm is just one example of agricultural conservation practices—and why it’s so important for Virginia’s leaders to fully fund programs that help farmers implement them.
VIDEO: Around the Bay in 60 Seconds
In this month’s news roundup: EPA issues tougher tailpipe standards for carbon emissions; CBF secures a grant to expand outreach to under-resourced farmers in the watershed; CBF’s student leaders make the news for their Bay-saving efforts; Chesapeake Oyster Alliance members earn grants for oyster innovation; Virginia begins considering its next two-year budget, and more. Watch now.
What You Can Do
- We want to hear from you! Help us plan for the year ahead by taking our brief 2022 CBF Supporter Survey.
- Tune in virtually to the annual Maryland Environmental Summit on January 25.
- Want to stay up-to-date on late breaking Bay-related issues during the 2022 legislative sessions? Sign up for our SMS advocacy alerts by texting CBF UPDATES to 52886. Message and data rates may apply. 4 msgs/month. Reply HELP for help or STOP to cancel at any time.
- Save the Date! The Bay’s biggest night is back. This year’s DC on the Half Shell gala will take place March 14.
