October 30, 2009
Press Release

Congress to Increase Bay Restoration Funding

New Funding Targets Urban, Suburban, and Agricultural Runoff

(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Recognizing the need for more accountability and regulatory enforcement, Congress has authorized significant new funding to reduce pollution in local rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay. Legislation passed by the House and Senate contains a record $50 million for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Bay cleanup efforts, with $19 million in new funding for regulatory enforcement and accountability.

"Congress has clearly recognized that the Obama Administration's commitment to reduce pollution from all sources will place additional demands on both the EPA and the states," said CBF President William C. Baker. "With this funding, significantly higher than the Administration requested, EPA will be accountable to ensure that pollution reductions promised are actually delivered."

Language in the appropriations bill says the funding must "support additional regulatory and accountability programs to control urban, suburban and agricultural runoff in the watershed."

"Maryland's communities want to do the right thing by the environment, but they can't do it on their own. That's why I've worked so hard to put money in the federal checkbook that creates jobs, builds communities, and takes care of our environment," said Senator Mikulski, a member of the Senate Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. "I will always fight for the Bay and the lives and livelihoods that depend on it."

"For too long, the federal-state partnership to restore the Bay has issued ambitious goals, but yielded too little action to actually improve the Bay," said Congressman Jim Moran, a senior member of the Interior Subcommittee who served on the conference committee and played a key role in the funding increase. "Starting with the Obama administration's new Executive Order, the updated agreement on the Bay, and now the conference agreement on the Interior and Environment appropriations bill, we have the commitment and a down payment on the money to meet the goals."

"In the Senate, we are extremely fortunate to have Senator Mikulski's leadership, which has been a cornerstone of Bay restoration efforts in the Senate for more than 20 years," Baker said. "In the House, Congressman Moran has become an extremely effective voice for reducing pollution and restoring the Bay. They both deserve recognition for this action."

The legislation also contains $2 million for the Chesapeake Forestry Stewardship Program, a $1.2 million grant for the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant, a $500,000 grant to reduce stormwater runoff in Alexandria, Virginia, and a $750,000 grant to upgrade Rockville, Maryland's sewer system.