On February 15, Lisa Feldt, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Vice President for Environmental Protection and Restoration, issued the following statement regarding the final budget approved by Congress and signed by the President--

“The legislation fully funds EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program, NOAA's BWET program (funding environmental education), as well as speaking to the importance of continuing USGS efforts in support of Bay restoration.

"This is a great day for the Chesapeake Bay. Once again, the Chesapeake attracts strong bipartisan support—a demonstration that clean water is important to all of us!  CBF is particularly grateful to all the Bay state Congressional members whose support was critical in securing this funding.

“The Bay is making progress and our members of Congress know how important it is to continue investing in science-based solutions to save the Bay."

"The Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint - a federal/state partnership - is working.  We are seeing measurable progress in reducing pollution. Crabs, fish, and Bay grasses are coming back. And we are stimulating the economy!

The funding provided in this bill will build on that success and, as we look ahead to the next fiscal year, we hope to see significant support for Bay restoration efforts to continue.  Now is the time to do more to ensure clean water for our children and grandchildren."

For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA webpage.  Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left column).  Click Here to support their work.

(Photo: Susquehanna River at Chickies Rock Park, Lancaster County, EPA Chesapeake Bay Program.)

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