News

Winter Leviathan

January 6, 2022

Known for their acrobatics, humpback whales sometimes venture into the Chesapeake to feed.
Former EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler Appointed Virginia’s Next Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources

January 5, 2022

Virginia Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin has appointed former EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler as Virginia’s next Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources. CBF Virginia Executive Director Peggy Sanner issued the following statement.
Chesapeake Bay Trust Issues Chesapeake Oyster Innovation Awards

December 21, 2021

The Chesapeake Bay Trust, in partnership with the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance, is pleased to announce the approval of 13 grants in Maryland and Virginia for the Chesapeake Oyster Innovation Awards, a program supported by CBF.
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.
Virginia Biennial Budget Proposes Historic Funding for Clean Water

December 15, 2021

Today Virginia Governor Ralph Northam previewed his proposed budget for clean water, covering fiscal years 2023 and 2024. The budget proposes $1 billion for programs to clean up local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.
CBF, JRA, and EIP Issue Statement on Henrico Consent Order

December 14, 2021

The State Water Control Board today approved another consent order with Henrico County that fails to solve chronic water pollution violations by its sewage treatment plant and sewage collection system.
Virginia Releases Coastal Resilience Master Plan

December 7, 2021

Today Virginia Governor Ralph Northam released Virginia’s Coastal Resilience Master Plan, which aims to protect communities vulnerable to flooding and provides a roadmap for adapting to climate change.
Clean Water Advocates File Federal Lawsuit to Halt Decades of Violations by Henrico Sewage System

December 6, 2021

Three environmental organizations filed a federal lawsuit today to halt decades of water pollution violations by Henrico County’s sewage treatment plant and sewage collection system, including the release of more than 66 million gallons of raw sewage into the James River in the last five years alone.
Virginia Air Board Denies Permit for Pipeline Compressor Station

December 3, 2021

Today in a 6-1 vote the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board denied a permit for a controversial proposed compressor station in Southside Virginia.
95-Year-Old Williamsburg Man Honored as Longest-Serving Oyster Restoration Volunteer

December 1, 2021

CBF today presented Walter Zadan with an award for outstanding environmental stewardship recognizing him as CBF’s longest-serving Virginia oyster shell recycling volunteer.
Virginia Completes Major Oyster Restoration Projects

November 30, 2021

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam today announced the completion of major oyster restoration projects on Virginia’s Piankatank and Great Wicomico rivers, totaling more than 150 acres of oyster habitat combined.
CBF Statement on Election of Glenn Youngkin to Virginia Governor

November 3, 2021

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Executive Director Peggy Sanner issued the following statement on the election of Glenn Youngkin to Virginia Governor.
CBF Statement on Passing of A. Linwood Holton Jr.

October 29, 2021

CBF Virginia Executive Director Peggy Sanner issued the following statement on the passing of former Virginia Governor A. Linwood Holton.
Juvenile Striped Bass Numbers in Chesapeake Bay Remain below Average in Maryland

October 15, 2021

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources today released the results of annual surveys of the juvenile striped bass population in the Chesapeake Bay. For the third consecutive year, the Maryland numbers are below average, while the Virginia numbers are about average.
Southside Richmond Residents Eligible for Free Trees in October Giveaway

October 11, 2021

Southside Richmond residents this October can receive two free native trees or shrubs to plant at home as part of a major initiative to increase tree cover under the Greening Southside Richmond project.
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.
Alexandria Renew Enterprises to Prevent Millions of Gallons of Sewage Pollution

September 30, 2021

This morning, Alexandria Renew Enterprises (AlexRenew), Alexandria’s wastewater treatment provider, celebrated the groundbreaking of a major initiative to control millions of gallons of raw sewage polluting the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.
Fredericksburg to Prevent Litter With Plastic Bag Fee

September 29, 2021

The Fredericksburg City Council has approved an ordinance to prevent litter through a 5-cent fee on disposable plastic bags provided at grocery stores, convenience stores, and drugstores.
Ann Jennings Appointed Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources

September 22, 2021

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam today appointed Ann Jennings as Virginia’s Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources. Jennings has served for more than three years as Virginia Deputy Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, helping to implement Governor Northam’s priorities for the Chesapeake Bay, water quality, and natural resources.
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.
Virginia Environmental Leader W. Tayloe Murphy Passes Away

September 16, 2021

Longtime Virginia environmental leader and Chesapeake Bay advocate W. Tayloe Murphy passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 15. Murphy served as Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources from 2002 to 2006 and as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing the Northern Neck throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
400,000 Dead Fish Spilled in Hampton Roads Waters by Omega Protein

September 10, 2021

This week Omega Protein, a Canadian owned seafood company, spilled more than 400,000 dead menhaden fish into Hampton Roads waters, according to a Sept. 8 letter by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. The fish spilled during two separate incidents this week.
Virginia Efforts Plant 3.5 Million Oysters This Season from the Northern Neck to the Eastern Shore

September 7, 2021

CBF's Virginia Oyster Team is completing its 2021 oyster restoration season today after raising about 3.5 million new oysters on innovative oyster barges docked at the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach. The barges produced a CBF Virginia record high spat set this year.
Hampton Roads Faces Harmful Algal Blooms This Week

August 27, 2021

A proliferation of harmful algal blooms this week across Hampton Roads is clear in striking aerial photos and videos captured by CBF and American Multimedia Solutions near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on Aug. 26. The algae colored the water reddish-brown in many places, including Ocean View in Norfolk, Chic’s Beach in Virginia Beach, and the Lafayette and York rivers.
Shenandoah’s North Fork under Health Advisory Due to Harmful Algal Bloom

August 13, 2021

The Virginia Department of Health this week urged people to avoid the water on more than 50 miles of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River due to dangerous toxic algal mats recently reported in Shenandoah and Warren counties. These harmful algal blooms can contain toxins that cause illnesses and rashes in people, pets, and livestock.