Chesapeake Bay Foundation: U.S. Senate Committee Increases Funding For Chesapeake Bay Program

On September 24, the U.S. Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee increased funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program next year from $73 million to $76 million. The Trump administration’s 2020 budget, in contrast, called for slashing funds for this critical program by 90 percent.

Administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Bay program coordinates the science underpinning restoration efforts, provides grants to states to support the work, and funds projects that reduce pollution into the Bay. 

It is the glue that holds together the federal-state partnership to save the Bay and oversees individual states’ clean-up programs.

Following the vote, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Federal Executive Director Jason Rano issued the following statement:

“This funding boost is welcome news for efforts to save the Chesapeake Bay and the local economies it supports, and for everyone who values this national treasure. Annual increases like this are essential to meeting the 2025 deadline to restore the health of the Bay set by the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint.

“The Chesapeake Bay Foundation thanks subcommittee members Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), along with Subcommittee Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and ranking Democrat Tom Udall (NM), for advancing and supporting this critical investment, particularly given the budget constraints they faced this year.

“CBF looks forward to working through the legislative process to ensure robust funding for this vital program in the final 2020 EPA budget Congress approves later this year.”

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: Muddy Pennsylvania water going through the Conowingo Dam just below PA-MD line.)

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