Media contacts, the latest news and stories on CBF and the Chesapeake Bay, and quick links to more information.
Media Contacts
News

Joan Smedinghoff/Chesapeake Bay Program
Will Chesapeake Bay's Cold, Snowy Winter Spell Success for Striped Bass?
As striped bass prepare to spawn in Maryland and Virginia rivers this month, experts believe the species may benefit from the Chesapeake Bay region’s snowier and colder winter. Historically, cold weather conditions have produced strong year classes of striped bass—when reproduction levels are high and young fish can grow into the large, iconic rockfish targeted by anglers.
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Kenny Fletcher/CBF Staff
Virginia Senate Appoints Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Jay Ford to Key Flooding Committee
The Virginia Senate on Tuesday announced the appointment of Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Virginia Policy Manager Jay Ford to the legislative committee dedicated to addressing recurrent flooding across the Commonwealth.
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Bob Miller
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Thanks Maryland Legislators for Preserving Clean Water Funding
Over the past week, members of the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate each approved versions of the State Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget, which preserve funding for key agencies and programs that support restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.
Read MoreLatest Stories

Brian Daniel
Harnessing the "Little Bivalve" to Produce Big Results for the Bay
Federal investment in large-scale oyster restoration in the Bay's rivers provides support for community efforts and is reaping benefits downstream.
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Pasa Sustainable Agriculture
Federal Funding Freeze for Pennsylvania Farmers Is a Blow to Momentum for Cleaner Waterways
The federal government has frozen grants awarded to Pennsylvania farmers, leaving behind unpaid contracts, people out of work, and obstacles to reducing pollution to local waters and the Chesapeake Bay.
Read MoreRegional News
Press statements and releases from CBF's Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Federal Offices.
Maryland
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Chesapeake Bay Foundation Thanks Maryland Legislators for Preserving Clean Water Funding
April 1, 2025
Over the past week, members of the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate each approved versions of the State Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget, which preserve funding for key agencies and programs that support restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.
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Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Baltimore County Residents File Legal Challenge Against Middle River Depot Developers
March 21, 2025
To protect communities and waterways from toxic polluted runoff in Baltimore County, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and several concerned residents filed a legal challenge against developers of the 53-acre Middle River Depot property.
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Chesapeake Bay Advocates and Oyster Growers Fight for Funding While Serving Fresh, Local Oysters to Legislators in Annapolis
March 20, 2025
In the face of looming state budget cuts, Maryland advocates and oyster growers demonstrated the critical importance of restoration and natural resource funding by serving fresh, local oysters to legislators on Lawyer’s Mall in Annapolis on March 18.
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Five Maryland Watersheds Selected for Whole Watershed Act Pilot Program
March 6, 2025
In an exciting step for Maryland water quality, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the five watershed projects that’ll be implemented as part of the Whole Watershed Act.
Pennsylvania
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Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership Closing in on Lofty Goal as Spring Planting Plans Take Shape
March 5, 2025
The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership (K10) plans to add nearly 200,000 new trees to Pennsylvania this year, approaching a lofty goal of 10 million new trees planted by the end of 2025.
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$50 Million in Governor's Budget Proposal Would Mean Cleaner Pennsylvania Rivers and Streams
February 5, 2025
CBF praised inclusion of $50 million in recurring budget investments for the Clean Streams Fund, which funds Pennsylvania's Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program.
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CBF Relocates Pennsylvania Office to Wildwood Park in Harrisburg
December 19, 2024
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) staff in Pennsylvania has surrounded itself with woodlands, water, and wildlife by relocating to Wildwood Park in Harrisburg.
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CBF Will Fight Preliminary Permit Granted For Proposed York County Hydroelectric Facility
November 21, 2024
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is considering its next move in the fight against plans to create a hydroelectric facility in York County and build a 1.8-mile-long dam and flood 580 acres of farms, fields, and forests at Cuffs Run.
Virginia
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Virginia Senate Appoints Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Jay Ford to Key Flooding Committee
April 4, 2025
The Virginia Senate on Tuesday announced the appointment of Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Virginia Policy Manager Jay Ford to the legislative committee dedicated to addressing recurrent flooding across the Commonwealth.
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Virginia Governor’s Cuts to Environmental Education Harms Students
March 27, 2025
Governor Youngkin's cuts to environmental education from the state budget this week casts doubt on whether Virginia students can adequately meet state education standards, remain competitive with neighboring states, and solve complex challenges facing the future of the state.
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Virginia General Assembly Session Hits Finish Line with Environmental Victories
February 28, 2025
Though it was a short legislative session, Virginia lawmakers secured significant victories this month for climate adaptation, conservation, and cleaner water – all helping lead to healthier communities and a stronger economy.
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Reducing Pollution, Flood Relief, and Environmental Education Key Pillars of Virginia Budget
February 20, 2025
Virginia lawmakers made some of the strongest investments in recent years when it comes to flood protection, cleaner rivers and streams, and more hands-on outdoor learning in the compromise budget proposal announced Thursday.
Federal News
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EPA Deregulation Bombshell a Blow to the Chesapeake Bay
March 13, 2025
In what EPA called “the biggest deregulatory action in U.S. history,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin yesterday unveiled its intent to unleash an unprecedented assault on dozens of science-based standards that safeguard the environment, protect public health, and ensure the federal government does its part to restore the Chesapeake Bay.
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Bay Region Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Boost Conservation Practices
March 13, 2025
House members and senators from the Chesapeake Bay region yesterday reintroduced bipartisan legislation to help accelerate farmers’ progress reducing agricultural runoff into the Bay and its rivers and streams.
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Latest Trump Memo Spells Disaster for Chesapeake Bay
February 27, 2025
A Trump Administration memo issued Feb. 26 spells disaster for the Chesapeake Bay, directing federal agencies to prepare for mass layoffs. The Trump Administration yesterday also announced a 65 percent cut to the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget.
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President Signs Bipartisan Bill to Extend Bay Restoration Programs Into Law
January 2, 2025
President Biden signed into law bipartisan legislation last week to extend federal programs essential to restoring the Chesapeake Bay and increasing access to this national treasure.
Quick Links
- State of the Bay Report
- Annual Reports
- Legislative Session Issues Maryland | Pennsylvania | Virginia
- What is the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint?
- Press releases from 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017.
- Fact Sheet: The Moment in Time: The Case for the Clean Water Blueprint for the Chesapeake
- Report: Debunking the "Job Killer" Myth: How Pollution Limits Encourage Jobs in the Chesapeake Bay Region