News

CBF Congratulates New USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie

November 16, 2021

CBF congratulates Robert Bonnie on winning Senate approval of his nomination to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation. The Senate voted 76-19 to confirm Mr. Bonnie, who currently serves as deputy chief of staff for policy and senior climate advisor to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Enactment of Infrastructure Legislation is Major Victory for Chesapeake Bay

November 15, 2021

Today, President Biden signed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill contains an increase of $238 million over five years for the Chesapeake Bay Program through EPA and an additional $11.715 billion over five years for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

House Passes Infrastructure Bill with Historic Boost for Chesapeake Bay Program

November 5, 2021

CBF hailed passage today by the U.S. House of Representatives of the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, which boosts funding for EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program by a historic $238 million over five years.

CBF Statement on Election of Glenn Youngkin to Virginia Governor

November 3, 2021

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Executive Director Peggy Sanner issued the following statement on the election of Glenn Youngkin to Virginia Governor.

CBF Statement on Passing of A. Linwood Holton Jr.

October 29, 2021

CBF Virginia Executive Director Peggy Sanner issued the following statement on the passing of former Virginia Governor A. Linwood Holton.

New Report Raises Questions about Maryland Department of the Environment’s Draft Wastewater Permit for Massive Eastern Shore Development

October 27, 2021

An engineering report being released today found several issues with Maryland Department of the Environment’s issuance of a draft wastewater permit that would enable the proposed Lakeside at Trappe development to spray wastewater onto fields near Miles Creek and the Choptank River.

Farms and Forests Are Short-Sighted Locations for Solar Projects

October 15, 2021

Most of Pennsylvania's solar farm projects have been proposed for locations that are not only short-sighted and counter-intuitive to tackling climate change, they have the potential to lead to a cascade of other negative ecological impacts.

CBF Applauds NFWF Grants to Improve Pennsylvania’s Water Quality and Urges Greater Federal Support

October 15, 2021

Shannon Gority, Executive Director for CBF in Pennsylvania, issued this statement applauding National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grants totaling roughly $3.88 million to clean and restore polluted rivers and streams in the Commonwealth.

CBF Commends the Selection of Adam Ortiz as EPA Region III Administrator

October 12, 2021

Alison Prost, CBF Vice President for Environmental Protection and Restoration, commended the selection of Adam Ortiz to be the new EPA Region III Administrator.

Chesapeake Executive Council Falls Short: CBF Issues Statement

October 1, 2021

The Council’s job is to lead Bay restoration efforts, establish the policy direction for the restoration and protection of the Bay and its living resources, and be accountable to the public for progress made under the Bay agreements. By those measures, the Executive Council has fallen short.

Ann Jennings Appointed Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources

September 22, 2021

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam today appointed Ann Jennings as Virginia’s Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources. Jennings has served for more than three years as Virginia Deputy Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, helping to implement Governor Northam’s priorities for the Chesapeake Bay, water quality, and natural resources.

CBF Issues Statement on EPA Proposal to Add Bear Creek Sediments Site to Superfund List

September 8, 2021

Today, the federal Environmental Protection Agency proposed adding at least 60 acres of Bear Creek in Baltimore County to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL lists hazardous waste sites eligible for cleanup financed by the federal Superfund program.

CBF Applauds Governor Wolf’s Call for $737 Million to Support Farmers’ Clean Water and Climate Change Efforts

September 7, 2021

CBF issued a statement from Pennsylvania Executive Director Shannon Gority today, commending Governor Tom Wolf for urging U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to implement the $737 million Chesapeake Bay Resilient Farms Initiative (CRFI).

CBF Urges Support for Pennsylvania Program to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions

September 1, 2021

CBF issued the following statement from Pennsylvania Executive Director Shannon Gority today, supporting proposed regulations to establish a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Budget Trading Program (CDBTP) and the Commonwealth joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

CBF Urges Congress to Direct Large Share of USDA Budget Boost to Conservation Programs

August 24, 2021

CBF applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for adopting a budget resolution that boosts USDA funding by $89.1 billion. CBF urges lawmakers to invest a significant amount of those funds in conservation programs that improve soil health, reduce pollution, and bolster resilience to climate change.

Virginia House and Senate Boost Budgets for Clean Water Programs

August 9, 2021

The Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, meeting in a special session today, approved appropriations that will substantially increase investments in programs that lead to cleaner water in rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay.

CBF Praises Additional USDA Funding in Senate Budget Resolution

August 9, 2021

CBF praised the fiscal year 2022 Senate budget resolution introduced today for including an increase of $135 billion over ten years for U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.

CBF Hails Senate Appropriations Committee's Fiscal 2022 Spending Plan for Army Corps

August 6, 2021

The Senate Appropriations Committee’s fiscal year 2022 spending plan for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers includes a dedicated $9.6 million to restoration projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

CBF Praises House Passage of Legislation to Fund Priority Programs Next Year

July 29, 2021

CBF praised today’s passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of fiscal year 2022 spending bills that include promising budget numbers for EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program, a new Interior Department program to restore habitat in the Bay watershed, and Army Corps of Engineers oyster restoration work.

Gov. Northam Proposes Clean Water Investments Totaling $411.5 Million in Federal Funds

July 27, 2021

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam today announced a $411.5 million proposal to invest federal American Rescue Plan funds in updating Virginia wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

Shuffling Conservation Funds for Other Purposes Is a No-No – Says State Supreme Court

July 22, 2021

CBF issued the following statement from Pennsylvania Executive Director Shannon Gority, applauding the state Supreme Court’s ruling this week that it is unconstitutional for the Commonwealth to transfer monies from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Oil and Gas Fund to the General Fund in order to fill budget gaps.

CBF Cheers House Committee Push to Increase Oyster Restoration Funds in Fiscal 2022

July 16, 2021

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) welcomed the House Appropriations Committee’s approval today, 33-24 of a fiscal year 2022 budget for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that would explicitly dedicate funds next year to on-going large-scale oyster restoration work in Maryland and Virginia.

CBF Encouraged by Proposed Fiscal 2022 Funding Boost to NOAA Education and Habitat Restoration Programs

July 16, 2021

CBF applauded the House Appropriations Committee for voting 33-26 today to approve a fiscal year 2022 budget for NOAA that includes encouraging funding increases for watershed education and oyster restoration programs.