News

CBF Welcomes Increase for Bay Program in Biden’s Fiscal 2023 Budget

March 29, 2022

CBF welcomes the funding increases in President Biden’s fiscal year 2023 budget for two programs essential to restoring the Bay and its tributaries, EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program and technical assistance for farmers enrolled in U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs.

Local Photographers Invited to Participate in Save the Bay Photo Contest

March 22, 2022

CBF's annual Save the Bay Photo Contest is underway. Photo submissions are being accepted now, through April 1. Photographers of all skill levels are encouraged to participate to win cash prizes of from $100 to $500, and to have their photos featured in CBF’s award-winning publications.

Federal Funds Coming to Pennsylvania for Watershed Restoration Plans Coordinated by CBF — Thanks to Senators Casey and Cardin

March 16, 2022

Two watershed restoration plans coordinated by CBF in Pennsylvania will receive over $3 million in direct federal funding in the fiscal year 2022 omnibus spending package signed by President Biden on Tuesday.

CBF Encouraged by Fiscal 2022 Increases for Priority Programs

March 10, 2022

CBF is encouraged by House passage of a $1.5 trillion fiscal year 2022 omnibus spending package that would increase funding for three programs integral to restoring the Bay, its tributaries, and wildlife habitat across its six-state watershed.

CBF Applauds House Committee Vote to Advance Bipartisan SEEE Act

February 16, 2022

CBF applauded the House Natural Resources Committee’s approval today of bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and boost funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Chesapeake Bay Office and expand environmental education about the Bay.

New Report Details Farm Practices That Cut Pollution and Fight Climate Change

February 15, 2022

A new report from CBF highlights the multiple benefits of agricultural conservation practices essential to restoring the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Farm Forward examines practices that reduce pollution, combat climate change, improve soil health and farmers’ bottom lines, and boost local economies.

Proposed Interim Wetlands Definition Is a Good Start, but Needs More Clarity in Next Round

February 7, 2022

CBF and 26 other water quality groups today filed comments supporting the Biden administration’s proposal to effectively repeal its predecessor’s dangerously narrow wetlands rule and temporarily replace it with an updated version of the stronger rule in use before 2015.

This Groundhog Day, We're Feeling a Bit Like Bill Murray.

February 2, 2022

Discover a few of the most important federal issues that CBF is tracking in 2022.

CBF Applauds Final Near-Term GHG Standards, Urges EPA to Make Next Round Stronger

December 20, 2021

Today EPA released final limits on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs for model years 2023 to 2026. The rule reverses the Trump administration’s harmful rollback of these standards, which are essential to restoring the Chesapeake Bay and fighting climate change.

CBF Issues Statement on Executive Council Meeting

December 15, 2021

The Chesapeake Executive Council met today in Richmond, Virginia, and selected EPA Administrator Michael Regan to be the next Council Chair. Following the meeting, CBF President William C. Baker issued this statement.

CBF Supports Biden White House Proposal to Restore Environmental Review Rules

November 22, 2021

CBF today submitted comments supporting the Biden administration’s proposal to restore important protections to the rules for reviewing the environmental impacts of federal projects. CBF filed joint comments with the Choose Clean Water Coalition, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, and the Healing Our Waters—Great Lakes Coalition.

CBF Cheers House Passage of $27 Billion for USDA Conservation Programs

November 19, 2021

CBF hailed today’s 220-213 vote by the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a $1.7 trillion budget package that would devote $27 billion to conservation programs run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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 Welcomes New Federal Legislative and Policy Attorney Keisha Sedlacek

November 2, 2021

CBF is pleased to announce Keisha Sedlacek has joined the Federal Affairs Office as Federal Legislative and Policy Attorney. Ms. Sedlacek’s first day was October 12.

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.

CBF Praises Watershed Farm Leaders’ Letter Urging More Money for USDA Conservation Programs

September 20, 2021

CBF applauds the state Farm Bureaus of the Bay watershed’s six states for urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to devote nearly three quarters of a billion dollars to reducing agricultural pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and the local creeks, streams, and rivers that feed into it.

August Dead Zone Is Bad News for the Bay

September 17, 2021

CBF raised concerns about Bay restoration efforts following the August dead zone report. The report, from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University, found that dissolved oxygen conditions in Maryland and Virginia were worse than average this August following two better-than-average months.

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.

Statement from CBF President William C. Baker on Senate Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

August 10, 2021

CBF welcomed today's passage by the U.S. Senate of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that would increase funding for EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program by $238 million over five years.

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.