Federal & Watershed-wide | Maryland | Pennsylvania | Virginia
Federal and Watershed-wide Releases
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EPA Fails to Hold Pennsylvania Accountable for Deficient Clean-Up Plan
December 19, 2019
The Environmental Protection Agency today released its evaluation of the states’ and District of Columbia’s clean-up plans, formally known as Phase III Watershed Implementation Plans, that were finalized in August.
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Senate Committee Advances Bill with Important Bay Provisions
December 17, 2019
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today approved a sweeping conservation bill that includes important provisions to reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Program and two programs to expand public access to the Bay.
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CBF Issues Statement on Increase in Bay Program Funding
December 16, 2019
Congressional leaders today finalized a budget deal for fiscal year 2020 that includes an increase of $12 million for EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program.
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CBF Reflects on the Contributions of Bill Ruckelshaus to the Environment and Bay
November 27, 2019
Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker issued this statement following the death of William Ruckelshaus, twice EPA Administrator and widely considered the “father of the Environmental Protection Agency.”
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CBF and NGOs Sue EPA Over Attempt to Restrict States’ Clean Air Efforts
November 22, 2019
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation today joined a coalition of NGOs filing suit to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to withdraw the Clean Air Act waiver previously granted to California’s Clean Cars program.
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CBF Statement on Rep. McEachin Environmental Justice Legislation
November 15, 2019
This week Reps. Donald McEachin and Raul Grijalva released a draft of the Environmental Justice for All Act, which would help protect minority and low-income communities that disproportionately suffer health risks from pollution.
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CBF Petitions NHTSA to Redo Rule Undermining State Clean Cars Programs
November 8, 2019
Today, we formally petitioned the Trump administration to cancel a recent rule aimed at revoking California’s authority to pursue a state program to cut tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases, saying the rule is “unreasonable” and “not in the public interest.”
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CBF Issues Statement on Senate Increase in Bay Program Funding
October 31, 2019
The U.S. Senate today passed a package of fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills that includes a more than $5 million increase for the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program.
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EPA Proposal Would Hurt State Efforts to Protect Local Waters
October 21, 2019
Today we submitted written comments opposing an Environmental Protection Agency proposal that would hamstring the ability of states to protect water quality from pollution caused by federally licensed or permitted projects such as pipelines, dams, and power plants.
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CBF Issues Statement on the Death of Congressman Cummings
October 17, 2019
The death of Congressman Cummings is a huge loss for Maryland, and all Americans.
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Oversight at Risk under EPA's Latest Proposed Changes to Coal Ash Storage and Reuse Rule
October 15, 2019
(WASHINGTON, DC)—As the Environmental Protection Agency considers a second round of changes to federal rules governing the storage and reuse of coal ash, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation submitted written comments raising concerns about how the proposed changes threaten the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the people who live there.
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CBF Statement on Appeals Court Ruling Against EPA in “Bad Neighbor Rule” Case
October 1, 2019
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against EPA in the “Bad Neighbor Rule” case, which challenged EPA’s decision to require no additional action by up-wind power plants to reduce pollution damaging air quality in downwind states.
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CBF Statement on Senate Subcommittee's Funding Increase for the Chesapeake Bay Program
September 24, 2019
The Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee today increased funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program next year from $73 million to $76 million.
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CBF Statement on Bay States' Litigation Opposing Trump’s Rollback of Critical Auto Emissions Standards
September 20, 2019
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation today is commending leaders of the Chesapeake Bay states that are opposing efforts by the Trump Administration to remove California’s critical auto emissions standards.
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CBF Issues Statement Following Subcommittee Markup of the Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization
September 19, 2019
Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee finished markup of HR 1620, which would reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Program for the next five years and increase the funding provided to it.
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CBF Opposes WOTUS Actions
September 12, 2019
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finalized the first step in their plan to repeal and replace the Waters of the United States Rule.
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CBF Statement on Offshore Drilling Ban Passing U.S. House
September 11, 2019
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act (H.R. 1941), which bans oil and gas drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts
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CBF Urges Pennsylvania to Meet Pollution Reduction Goals Following Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting
September 5, 2019
Pennsylvania's significant shortfall in its plans to reduce pollution was not directly addressed by members of the Chesapeake Executive Council until it was brought up by the press.
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CBF Assesses PA, MD, VA Plans to Achieve 2025 Pollution Reduction Goals
August 23, 2019
With only six years left for Bay jurisdictions to implement plans necessary to restore water quality in local rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay, Bay jurisdictions have now sent the EPA their final plans that outline how the 2025 goal will be met.
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CBF Statement on Trump Administration’s Changes to the Endangered Species Act
August 12, 2019
Today, the Trump administration published rules stripping key provisions from the Endangered Species Act regulations.
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CBF Statement on Striped Bass Actions by ASMFC
August 8, 2019
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission aims to address overfishing of the striped bass population in the Chesapeake Bay and along the Atlantic Coast after recent assessments confirmed that numbers of the fish are down significantly.
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Northrop Grumman Experimenting with Sensors to Help CBF Monitor Oyster Reefs
August 5, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Six engineering teams are working with the latest technology to develop a solution to a challenging environmental issue.
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CBF Issues Statement on Bay Grass Abundance
July 24, 2019
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s annual Bay grass survey is good news, especially considering last year’s record rainfall.
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CBF Issues Statement on CBSAC Blue Crab Report
July 2, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Estimates from this year’s winter dredge blue crab survey found that the population is 60 percent above the previous year, and the best since 2012.
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CBF Issues Statement on Increased Funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program
June 25, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Instead of decreasing funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program by 90 percent, as the Trump Administration proposed, the House increased funding from $73 million to $85 million.
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CBF Calls on EPA to Hold States Accountable to Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint
June 21, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, the Environmental Protection Agency released its evaluation of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland’s draft "Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plans."
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CBF Issues Statement on Proposed ACE Plan
June 19, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The Affordable Clean Energy Plan is designed to boost the coal industry, requires no state limits on CO2, and would permit increased nitrogen oxide pollution.
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CBF Opposes Rollback of EPA Clean Water Protections
June 7, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) opposes a proposed new EPA interpretation of the legal framework for protecting surface waters like streams and the Chesapeake Bay from pollution travelling through groundwater.
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CBF Report: The State of the Blueprint
May 28, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—A new Chesapeake Bay Foundation report examining the state of the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint found both good and bad news.
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CBF Statement on Chesapeake Bay Program Federal Funding Legislation
May 23, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Congress released details about Interior Department funding legislation that calls for increasing the annual budget for the Chesapeake Bay Program.
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CBF Issues Statement on the UMCES Report Card
May 21, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's annual Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card found that extreme rainfall in 2018 cause indicator score to either decrease or remain the same
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Chesapeake Bay Foundation Applauds Funding for Oyster Restoration
May 21, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, the House Appropriations Committee released details of funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers including $5 million for large-scale oyster restoration and rehabilitation efforts.
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Chesapeake Bay Foundation Opposes Changes to Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
April 18, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has submitted comments to EPA opposing proposed changes to the analysis underlying the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.
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CBF Files Comments Opposing Replacement of the WOTUS Rule
April 12, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The Chesapeake Bay Foundation today filed comments on the proposed replacement for the 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule.
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CBF Issues Statement on Trump Executive Order
April 12, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—President Trump has signed an Executive Order that benefits the energy industry and will limit the ability of states to provide critical oversight.
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CBF Issues Statement on the Bay Barometer Report
April 2, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, the Chesapeake Bay Program released its annual Bay Barometer report, looking at 19 environmental indicators. Questions have been asked about the difference in the Bay Barometer and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's State of the Bay score, which declined in 2018.
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CBF Issues Statement on Trump Budget
March 11, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The Trump Administration budget proposes to reduce spending for EPA by 31 percent.
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CBF Issues Statement on Proposed 90 Percent Cut to Chesapeake Bay Program
March 11, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Currently funded at $73 million, the budget proposes reducing funding to $7.3 million, a 90 percent cut.
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CBF Issues Statement on Waters of the United States Rule
February 14, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The changes would remove protections for some wetlands and intermittent streams.
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CBF Opposes Proposed Offshore Drilling
February 11, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—"Offshore drilling poses unjustifiable risks to the Chesapeake Bay, our coasts, and the economy."
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CBF Issues Statement on Changes to Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
February 7, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, EPA published changes in how it looks at the costs and benefits of the Mercury Air Toxics Standards.
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CBF Issues Statement on Suit to Force EPA to Reduce Interstate Air Pollution
January 31, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is joining Earthjustice and others to sue theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to reduce interstate air pollution.
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2018 Bay Health Score Drops as Massive Rains Increase Pollution
January 7, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s biennial State of the Bay report score decreased one point this year to 33, equivalent to a D+. The drop was largely due to increased pollution and poor water clarity caused by record regional rainfall.
Maryland Releases
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CBF Statement on Recommendation to Implement Phosphorus Management Tool
December 13, 2019
Today the Phosphorus Management Tool Advisory Committee recommended continuing to implement the phosphorus management tool as scheduled.
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New Study Estimates Ammonia Emissions from Poultry Farms on Maryland’s Eastern Shore
December 5, 2019
A new study commissioned by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation has determined an estimate of the amount of nitrogen that reaches the Chesapeake Bay due to ammonia emissions from poultry farms on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
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CBF Statement on Anne Arundel County Approving a New Forest Conservation Bill
November 19, 2019
On Monday night, the Anne Arundel County Council unanimously passed the forest conservation bill that council members have been debating since County Executive Steuart Pittman first proposed strengthening forest protections in September.
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CBF Urges Anne Arundel County Council to Pass Forest Conservation Bill as Amended
November 14, 2019
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is asking the Anne Arundel County Council to approve the amended version of the forest conservation bill at its next meeting Nov. 18.
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CBF Statement on Conowingo Dam Settlement Agreement
October 29, 2019
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is concerned that the settlement agreement announced today between Exelon and the Maryland Department of the Environment falls short of mitigating the negative water quality impacts associated with operating Conowingo Dam.
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CBF Statement on Maryland Senate President Mike Miller
October 24, 2019
Thank you to Maryland Senate President Mike Miller for his decades of work to promote Chesapeake Bay restoration.
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CBF Statement Urging Anne Arundel County Council to Pass a Strong Forest Conservation Bill
October 18, 2019
We're urging Anne Arundel County Council members to not accept amendments that would weaken the promising forest conservation bill that’s before them.
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CBF Statement on Anne Arundel County Forest Conservation Bill
October 7, 2019
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is strongly supporting an Anne Arundel County bill that is designed to reduce the county’s significant forest loss.
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CBF Statement on New Chesapeake Conservancy Study Showing Significant Tree Canopy Loss in Anne Arundel County
September 25, 2019
The Chesapeake Conservancy released detailed data from aerial imagery analyses that estimated Anne Arundel County has lost about 2,500 acres of tree canopy from 2013 to 2017.
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CBF Statement on Maryland’s Changes to Oyster Fishery Regulations
September 16, 2019
The regulations call for removing one harvest day per week for commercial watermen—Wednesday—as well as reducing bushel limits.
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CBF Statement On Gov. Hogan's Call for Pennsylvania to Do More to Reduce Chesapeake Bay Pollution
August 29, 2019
CBF President Will Baker commended Gov. Hogan for pushing the EPA Administrator and the Governor of Pennsylvania to fix and fund the Commonwealth's deficient Clean Water Blueprint plan.
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CBF Statement on Maryland’s Decision to Deny Permits for Charles County Solar Project
August 28, 2019
The Maryland Department of the Environment announced it is denying permits that a developer for Georgetown University had requested for a large solar energy project in Charles County.
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CBF Urges Maryland to Deny Permit for Charles County Solar Project
August 27, 2019
Georgetown University is proposing to clear-cut 240 acres of forest next to an environmentally sensitive stream to build the solar array on the Nanjemoy Peninsula near La Plata.
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CBF Statement on Final Maryland Clean Water Blueprint
August 23, 2019
Maryland is on-track to meet its overall pollution-reduction targets by 2025, due in large part to investments to upgrade sewage treatment plants, which have exceeded goals, and in farm management practices.
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CBF Statement on Maryland Court of Appeals’ Decision Upholding Stormwater Permits
August 8, 2019
The Maryland Court of Appeals upheld state-mandated pollution reduction requirements for Frederick and Carroll counties in an Aug. 6 decision.
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CBF Plants More Than 3 Million Oysters near Baltimore Harbor
July 31, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The work continues CBF’s efforts to increase the spawning potential of oysters at reefs next to Fort Carroll, just south of the Baltimore Harbor.
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CBF Statement on Maryland's Ongoing Efforts to Create A New Oyster Management Plan
July 23, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The Chesapeake Bay Foundation continues to have significant concerns about the draft fishery management plan for oysters put forth by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources today.
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CBF Statement in Response to Gov. Hogan’s Veto of Oyster Fishery Management Plan Bill
May 24, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed bipartisan legislation passed by the General Assembly that would have created a consensus-based process to develop a new oyster fishery management plan for Maryland.
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CBF Statement on Maryland’s Release of the Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan Draft
April 12, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, Maryland released its draft "Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan" for public review.
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CBF Statement on Senate Override of Oyster Bill Veto
April 8, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, the Maryland state Senate overrode Gov. Hogan’s veto of legislation that would permanently protect five of Maryland’s oyster restoration sanctuaries.
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CBF Statement on the Passing of Maryland Speaker Mike Busch
April 7, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—“The Chesapeake Bay lost a champion today."
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CBF Statement on Override of Hogan’s Veto
April 5, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The Maryland House of Delegates Friday voted to override Gov. Hogan’s late-night veto of legislation that would permanently protect Maryland’s five oyster restoration sites.
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CBF Statement on Gov. Hogan Vetoing Oyster Protection Bill
April 4, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Tonight, Governor Hogan vetoed legislation that would permanently protect oyster restoration sites in five Maryland tributaries.
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CBF Issues Statement on Passage of the Oyster Fishery Management Bill
April 4, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Legislation that would task the Oyster Advisory Commission with developing consensus-based recommendations for the future of oyster fishery management in Maryland has now passed both the House and the Senate.
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CBF Issues Statement on Passage of Maryland Oyster Tributary Bill
March 27, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Legislation that would permanently protect the five Maryland tributaries targeted for large-scale oyster restoration has passed both the Senate and the House.
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Chesapeake Bay Foundation Lauds Maryland House Speaker Michael Busch’s Bill to Protect the State’s Oyster Restoration Tributaries
January 29, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—On Monday night, Maryland House Speaker Michael Busch introduced a new bill to permanently protect the state’s five Chesapeake Bay tributaries where oyster restoration work is underway or planned to take place.
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CBF Issues Statement on Nomination for New MD DNR Secretary
January 18, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Governor Hogan has nominated Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio to be Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
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Eastern Shore State Senators and Delegates to Discuss Environmental Legislative Priorities Monday, Jan. 7
January 4, 2019
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Members of the media and the public are invited to attend the Eastern Shore Environmental Legislative Preview in Easton Monday night.
Pennsylvania Releases
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CBF Names Harry Campbell Director of Science Policy and Advocacy
November 20, 2019
The CBF has created a new position that combines science and advocacy and has tapped a familiar face to be its first director.
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CBF Applauds Passage of Keystone Tree Fund; Bill to Plant More Trees Headed to the Governor’s Desk
October 30, 2019
The Keystone Tree Fund could lead to the planting of more trees along streams and streets in the Commonwealth.
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CBF Applauds NFWF Grants to Improve Pennsylvania’s Water Quality
October 17, 2019
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grants totaling more than $3.1 million aim to clean and restore polluted rivers and streams in the Commonwealth.
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CBF Commends Gov. Wolf’s Executive Order for Pennsylvania to Join Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
October 3, 2019
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by setting caps on total carbon dioxide emissions from electric power plants.
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CBF Cites Lack of Funding for Clean Water in PA Budget
June 28, 2019
Harry Campbell, executive director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Pennsylvania, issued this statement about the $34 billion General Fund budget for 2019-20, negotiated by the legislature and signed by Governor Tom Wolf.
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CBF Urges House Not to Pass Senate Bill That Would Redefine Pollution
June 27, 2019
(HARRISBURG, PA)—Harry Campbell, executive director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Pennsylvania, issued this statement after the state Senate's narrow vote to approve Senate Bill 619, which would redefine the term "pollution" in the Clean Streams Law, and potentially allow for certain spills and discharges to go unreported and unregulated.
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PA Gets a Hellbender of an Official State Amphibian
April 23, 2019
(HARRISBURG, PA)—“Today is a victory not only for hellbenders and clean water, but also for the power of student voices."
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Pennsylvania House Passes Bill Making the Eastern Hellbender PA’s Official State Amphibian
April 16, 2019
(HARRISBURG, PA)—A bill designating the Eastern hellbender as Pennsylvania's official state amphibian is headed to Governor Tom Wolf's desk.
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CBF Urges Full Implementation of Commonwealth’s Plan to Reduce Pollution in Rivers and Streams
April 12, 2019
(HARRISBURG, PA)—The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania today released its draft plan to ensure that programs and practices are in place to reduce pollution in the Keystone State's rivers and streams by 2025.
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CBF Applauds Senate Passage of Bill Designating the Hellbender as Pennsylvania’s State Amphibian
February 4, 2019
(HARRISBURG, PA)—The Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Pennsylvania applauds the state Senate’s overwhelming passage of Senate Bill 9 today, which would designate the Eastern Hellbender as Pennsylvania’s official state amphibian.
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CBF Applauds Committee’s Approval of Bill to Designate the Hellbender as Pennsylvania’s Official State Amphibian
January 29, 2019
(HARRISBURG, PA)—The Chesapeake Bay Foundation applauded the unanimous approval by the state Senate State Government Committee of Senate Bill 9 on Tuesday, to designate the Eastern Hellbender as Pennsylvania’s official state amphibian.
Virginia Releases
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U.S. Commerce Department Takes Action after Virginia Menhaden Limit Exceeded
December 19, 2019
Following Omega Protein’s violation of the menhaden harvest cap in the Chesapeake Bay, the U.S. Department of Commerce has upheld the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s non-compliance finding against the Commonwealth of Virginia
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CBF Statement on Gov. Northam’s Proposed Clean Water Budget
December 11, 2019
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam today unveiled his proposed budget for key state programs that restore Virginia’s rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay.
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Innovative Sustainable Classroom at CBF’s Brock Environmental Center Will Inspire Hampton Roads Students
December 9, 2019
The Macon F. and Joan P. Brock Classroom will educate local students, train teachers, and inspire the next generation of conservation leaders through Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
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CBF Statement on Gov. Northam’s Call for Action on Menhaden
November 21, 2019
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam asked U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to impose a moratorium on Virginia’s menhaden harvest in a letter sent yesterday.
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CBF Statement on New Flood Standards for Virginia Buildings
November 15, 2019
Today Gov. Ralph Northam released a new executive order that sets aggressive, forward-looking standards for new state-owned buildings to protect against threats from flooding and sea level rise.
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CBF Christens Cutting-Edge Floating Oyster Restoration Center
November 7, 2019
The Prudence H. & Louis F. Ryan Mobile Oyster Restoration Center will change how CBF helps bring back Virginia’s oyster population.
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ASMFC Cuts Striped Bass Catch by 18 Percent
October 31, 2019
“This is an important step in a much larger process to recover the striped bass population up and down the Atlantic Coast."
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CBF Statement on Death of Former Virginia Gov. Gerald Baliles
October 29, 2019
Governor Baliles was a leader in the early fight to save the Chesapeake Bay. The partnership he forged with the other Bay states provided the foundation for Bay restoration efforts.
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Fisheries Board Finds Virginia Out of Compliance with Menhaden Harvest Cap
October 28, 2019
Today the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Menhaden Management Board found Virginia out of compliance with the menhaden harvest cap on the Chesapeake Bay reduction fishery.
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Grants to Boost Lynnhaven River Oyster Restoration
October 10, 2019
Today the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded two grants for oyster restoration in the Lynnhaven River to Lynnhaven River NOW and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
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Unique Technology Gives Underwater View of Hampton Roads Oyster Reefs
October 3, 2019
CBF and an underwater photography team are using an innovative technology to survey current and future oyster restoration sites.
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VMRC Approves Striped Bass Limit Changes in Virginia
September 24, 2019
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted to give final approval to changes to regulations for Virginia's striped bass fisheries to address overfishing.
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CBF Expresses Deep Concern with Omega Proteins Announcement It Will Violate the Bay Menhaden Cap
September 13, 2019
Today Omega Protein announcement that it is knowingly and willingly going to exceed the Chesapeake Bay menhaden harvest cap.
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Striped Bass Limits Changed in Virginia
August 27, 2019
Today the Virginia Marine Resources Commission approved emergency changes to the regulations for Virginia’s striped bass fisheries, including lowering the daily limit for the fall recreational season from two fish to one fish.
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CBF Statement on Final Virginia Clean Water Blueprint
August 23, 2019
Virginia’s plan is on track to achieve its 2025 goals, provided it accelerates efforts to reduce pollution from agricultural sources and growing urban and suburban areas, while continuing progress in the wastewater sector.
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CBF Statement on Strengthening Virginia’s DEQ
August 19, 2019
Today Virginia’s Secretary of Natural Resources released a report on commitments to strengthen Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) under Gov. Northam’s Executive Order 6, issued in April 2018.
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Virginia Oyster Gardeners Break Records in 2019
August 9, 2019
Volunteer oyster gardeners in Virginia this year raised and returned nearly 104,000 adult oysters to plant on sanctuary reefs, nearly three times the 39,000 oysters returned in 2018.
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Menhaden Fishery Sustainability Certification Hits Snag
August 1, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—After numerous conservation groups raised serious concerns, a certification for sustainable seafood must take additional action before conditionally certifying Omega Protein's Atlantic Coast menhaden fishery.
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Become A Hopewell Tree Steward at Free Summer Course
July 1, 2019
(HOPEWELL, VA)—Volunteer tree stewards are needed to help plant and nurture the growing number of trees in Hopewell.
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CBF Statement on James River Standards to Reduce Harmful Algal Blooms
June 27, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—Today the Virginia State Water Control Board approved key revisions to James River water quality standards for chlorophyll.
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CBF Statement on Signing of Virginia Aquaculture Bills
June 25, 2019
(VIRGINIA BEACH, VA)—Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed two bills that will help support Virginia's oyster and clam aquaculture industry and others who use Virginia's tidal waters.
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CBF Statement on Changes to Virginia’s Blue Crab Fishery
June 25, 2019
(HAMPTON, VA)—Today the Virginia Marine Resources Commission approved changes to Virginia’s blue crab fishery that include a slight increase in catch limits in November.
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CBF Statement on Virginia Beach Shooting
June 1, 2019
(VIRGINIA BEACH)—The Chesapeake Bay Foundation dedicated today’s Clean the Bay Day to those affected by yesterday’s shooting in Virginia Beach and held a moment of silence for the victims at many cleanup sites across Virginia this morning.
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Thousands of Volunteers across Virginia Pick up Litter on Clean the Bay Day
June 1, 2019
(VIRGINIA BEACH, VA)—Thousands of volunteers across Virginia today took part in the 31st annual Clean the Bay Day, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s shoreline and stream cleanup and one of the largest volunteer events in Virginia.
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Senator Hanger Presented CBF’s 2019 Legislator of Year Award
May 14, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—Senator Emmett Hanger (R-Augusta) has been a leader in ensuring strong investment in farm conservation practices and other programs that reduce pollution to local streams and rivers.
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Delegate Bulova Presented CBF 2019 Legislator of Year Award
May 14, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—The Chesapeake Bay Foundation recently presented Delegate David Bulova (D-Fairfax) with a 2019 Legislator of the Year award for his leadership in restoring Virginia's waterways.
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CBF Statement on Blue Crab Survey Results
May 6, 2019
(VIRGINIA BEACH, VA)—The Winter Crab Dredge Survey results released today show increasing numbers of all three major biological indicators of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay.
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ASMFC Takes Action on Striped Bass
April 30, 2019
(ARLINGTON, VA)—In order to reduce fish mortality and restore a thriving striped bass population, today the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted to begin developing changes to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for the striped bass harvest coastwide.
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CBF Statement on Striped Bass Trophy Season Closing in Virginia
April 23, 2019
(ARLINGTON, VA)—The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted today to close the trophy striped bass fishing season this spring following concerns about the striped bass population.
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Bay Discussion Comes at Critical Point for Virginia's Clean Water Blueprint
April 19, 2019
(VIRGINIA BEACH) – A May 14 discussion with leading Chesapeake Bay science and restoration experts comes as Virginia completes its final update to the Clean Water Blueprint, which creates a roadmap to a restored Bay.
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Penalty Increased for Tyson Poultry Plant Violations
April 17, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—The Virginia State Water Control Board voted to support stiffer penalties for Tyson Foods for repeated wastewater and stormwater violations at a poultry plant in Temperanceville on Virginia's Eastern Shore.
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CBF Statement on Virginia Stream Fencing Proposals
April 17, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—CBF Virginia Executive Director Rebecca Tomazin issued the following statement on livestock stream fencing proposals in the draft update to Virginia’s Clean Water Blueprint
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CBF Statement on Virginia’s Draft Clean Water Blueprint
April 5, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—Virginia Governor Ralph Northam today released a draft of the final update to Virginia’s Clean Water Blueprint, more technically known as the Chesapeake Bay TMDL Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan.
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Virginia Volunteers Needed for Clean the Bay Day
April 1, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—Thousands of volunteers and dozens of partner organizations are needed from the Eastern Shore to the Shenandoah Valley to join in the major annual effort to pick up litter from Virginia waterways during Clean the Bay Day this June.
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Statement on Challenge to Menhaden Sustainability Certification
March 27, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—Today, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and The Nature Conservancy submitted an objection to the recommendation of a provisional certification of Omega Protein’s Atlantic Menhaden Fishery to the Marine Stewardship Council Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing.
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CBF Statement on Virginia Coal Ash Legislation Signing
March 20, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—Today Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed legislation into law requiring safe cleanup of four toxic coal ash sites along waterways in Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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Budget Increases for Virginia Clean Water Programs
February 24, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—Today Virginia's General Assembly approved modifications to the state's budget for this fiscal year and the next, including several funding changes for key programs that restore Virginia's waterways.
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CBF Statement on Passage of Virginia Coal Ash Legislation
February 15, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—The Virginia General Assembly today passed legislation to ensure proper cleanup of four toxic coal ash sites along waterways in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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Appeals Court Upholds Stormwater Decision in Norfolk Southern v. Roanoke
February 15, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit today upheld a decision requiring that Norfolk Southern pay stormwater utility fees to the City of Roanoke.
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Fisheries Managers to Further Study Depletion of Menhaden in Chesapeake Bay
February 7, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—Today the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Menhaden Management Board passed a motion requiring Virginia to maintain its menhaden harvest below the Chesapeake Bay reduction fishery harvest cap.
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CBF Statement on Striped Bass Stock Assessment
February 6, 2019
(ARLINGTON, VA)—Today the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission discussed initial findings from its striped bass stock assessment, which shows declining numbers—especially in the number of large spawning fish.
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CBF Statement on Virginia Coal Ash Agreement
January 24, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—Today, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and a bipartisan group of Virginia legislators announced an agreement to clean up toxic coal ash sites along waterways in Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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CBF Statement on Bill to Ban Offshore Drilling
January 23, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—A proposed ban on offshore drilling in Virginia’s waters is scheduled to be considered this Thursday by the Virginia Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources.
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Broad Coalition Supports Trees for Clean Water Bill
January 18, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—A broad coalition of Virginians urges support of legislation introduced by Virginia Delegate Mark Keam to expand the ability of localities to require tree planting or replacement during the development process to achieve specific water quality goals.
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CBF Statement on Air Board Approval of Buckingham Compressor Station Permit
January 8, 2019
(RICHMOND, VA)—Today the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board approved a permit for the Buckingham natural gas compressor station linked to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
