(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker today applauded the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies for fully funding the Chesapeake Bay Program. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen and West Virginia Senator Shelly Moore Capito are members of the Subcommittee.
The Chesapeake Bay Program, funded by EPA, coordinates the science, modeling, and implementation of the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint across the region.
”The Chesapeake Bay Program is the glue that holds Bay restoration efforts together. Since the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint was implemented in 2010, we have seen real progress. Bay grasses are at record levels, oysters are rebounding, and the dead zone has gotten smaller over time.
“Full funding for the Bay Program at $73 million has been challenged. The Administration proposed to eliminate funding. The House rejected that proposal. Their bill provides $60 million, $13 million less than last year. The Senate Subcommittee has proposed full funding, and there is strong, bipartisan support from the region’s Congressional delegation. We urge all parties to continue to work for full funding to save this American treasure.
“Clean water is a right all of us deserve. We must not short change future generations.”
