(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) President William C. Baker issued this statement concerning EPA's decision to eliminate funding for the Bay Journal.
There are 18 million people in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, many of whom are engaged in the effort to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay. The backbone of the Bay clean-up efforts is a document signed in 2014 by the Governors from six states, the Mayor of Washington, D.C., the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and the EPA Administrator. In that agreement, they commit to "operate with transparency, engage citizens, and [ensure] meaningful involvement...of all people."
During Administrator Pruitt's confirmation hearing he said that he really wanted to emphasize that the Chesapeake Bay clean-up process, specifically having states enter into an agreement to address water quality issues, is a model for what should occur elsewhere. Additionally, Administrator Pruitt stated that he would commit to funding initiatives that are critically important to the Bay clean-up effort.
"This is a transparent attempt to shut down the free exchange of scientifically validated Bay information. For 27 years, the Bay Journal has informed the public why and how the Bay is polluted and about solutions to help restore it. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt shows his true anti-environmental colors when he moves to eradicate this award-winning Bay publication.
"CBF calls on Governor Hogan, as Chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, to demand that Administrator Pruitt keep this valuable resource available to the scientists, citizens, and politicians who depend on it."
