Chesapeake Bay Foundation Vice President Kim Coble issued this statement Wednesday concerning the release of the federal appropriations bill:

"This is a critical moment in time for Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts and CBF commends the continued Congressional support to reduce pollution and restore water quality to local rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay. The federal government plays a crucial role in cleanup efforts, and this budget bill honors its commitment to the goal of clean water.

"CBF commends the leadership of Senator Barbara Mikulski, long a champion of Bay restoration efforts, in securing the necessary funding for this work, as well as for fending off efforts to derail these efforts."

Key items include:

— The Chesapeake Bay Program received a $3 million increase, to a record $73 million;

— Funding for Clean Water State Revolving Loans remained steady at $1.448 billion. These low cost loans are critical for communities to upgrade sewage treatment plants and install green infrastructure projects;

— The Bay Watershed Education and Training Program is funded at $7.2 million; and

— The Army Corps of Engineers' oyster restoration efforts received $5 million in funding.

Other Provisions

The federal budget bill was not so favorable to the environment in other ways, as reported by the Washington Post--

-- In a win for Republicans, the bill prohibits the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from applying the waters of the U.S. rule to farm ponds and irrigation ditches;

-- Cuts another $60 million from EPA’s budget which has been cut 21 percent since 2010; and

-- Again delays the implementation of the ban on incandescent light bulbs.

Friends of the Allegheny Wilderness reported Friday the bill does include designations for five new areas totalling over 250,000 under the federal Wilderness Act.

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12/15/2014