News

CBF Urges Congress to Direct Large Share of USDA Budget Boost to Conservation Programs

August 24, 2021

CBF applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for adopting a budget resolution that boosts USDA funding by $89.1 billion. CBF urges lawmakers to invest a significant amount of those funds in conservation programs that improve soil health, reduce pollution, and bolster resilience to climate change.
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.
Statement from CBF President William C. Baker on Senate Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

August 10, 2021

CBF welcomed today's passage by the U.S. Senate of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that would increase funding for EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program by $238 million over five years.
Virginia Farmers Now Eligible for Portable Fencing Funding to Protect Streams

August 10, 2021

This summer, farmers in Virginia became eligible for state cost-share funding to pay for portable fencing to keep livestock out of streams and rivers. Fencing livestock out of waterways has significant benefits for clean water because it prevents erosion and waste from polluting streams. The practice also contributes to healthier herds.
Virginia House and Senate Boost Budgets for Clean Water Programs

August 9, 2021

The Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, meeting in a special session today, approved appropriations that will substantially increase investments in programs that lead to cleaner water in rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay.
CBF Praises Additional USDA Funding in Senate Budget Resolution

August 9, 2021

CBF praised the fiscal year 2022 Senate budget resolution introduced today for including an increase of $135 billion over ten years for U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.
CBF Hails Senate Appropriations Committee's Fiscal 2022 Spending Plan for Army Corps

August 6, 2021

The Senate Appropriations Committee’s fiscal year 2022 spending plan for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers includes a dedicated $9.6 million to restoration projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
CBF Praises House Passage of Legislation to Fund Priority Programs Next Year

July 29, 2021

CBF praised today’s passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of fiscal year 2022 spending bills that include promising budget numbers for EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program, a new Interior Department program to restore habitat in the Bay watershed, and Army Corps of Engineers oyster restoration work.
Report: Freshwater Mussels Unsung Heroes at Risk in Chesapeake Bay Watershed

July 29, 2021

Freshwater mussels play an amazing yet little-known role in healthy rivers and streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Maryland recently began several pilot restoration projects to monitor and augment mussel populations in the Bay watershed.
CBF Issuses Statement on 2020 Bay Grasses Survey Results

July 28, 2021

The Chesapeake Bay Program has released the results of the 2020 Bay grasses survey, which found a 7 percent decline from 2019.
Gov. Northam Proposes Clean Water Investments Totaling $411.5 Million in Federal Funds

July 27, 2021

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam today announced a $411.5 million proposal to invest federal American Rescue Plan funds in updating Virginia wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
CBF Endorses Sen. Casey’s Bill to Revitalize the Civilian Conservation Corps

July 22, 2021

CBF today endorsed legislation authored by Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa) to create a new Civilian Conservation Corps that would put people to work restoring waterways and public lands, adopting sustainable farming practices, and improving resilience to climate change in local communities.
Shuffling Conservation Funds for Other Purposes Is a No-No – Says State Supreme Court

July 22, 2021

CBF issued the following statement from Pennsylvania Executive Director Shannon Gority, applauding the state Supreme Court’s ruling this week that it is unconstitutional for the Commonwealth to transfer monies from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Oil and Gas Fund to the General Fund in order to fill budget gaps.
CBF Cheers House Committee Push to Increase Oyster Restoration Funds in Fiscal 2022

July 16, 2021

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) welcomed the House Appropriations Committee’s approval today, 33-24 of a fiscal year 2022 budget for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that would explicitly dedicate funds next year to on-going large-scale oyster restoration work in Maryland and Virginia.
CBF Issues a Statement on the June Dead Zone Assessment

July 16, 2021

Data from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University found that the dead zone in the Chesapeake Bay was smaller than average in June.
CBF Encouraged by Proposed Fiscal 2022 Funding Boost to NOAA Education and Habitat Restoration Programs

July 16, 2021

CBF applauded the House Appropriations Committee for voting 33-26 today to approve a fiscal year 2022 budget for NOAA that includes encouraging funding increases for watershed education and oyster restoration programs.
CBF Urges Municipalities to Use Some Pandemic Recovery Funds to Invest in Local Waters

July 14, 2021

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued the following statement from Pennsylvania Executive Director Shannon Gority, encouraging municipalities within the Commonwealth’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed that will receive a portion of a total of $170 million of American Rescue Plan funding, to invest some of it in projects that will clean up and protect water quality in their local communities.
CBF Lauds Sens. Cardin, Casey for Championing PA Conservation Projects

July 9, 2021

CBF thanks U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Robert Casey (D-Pa.) for their efforts to help achieve those requirements by seeking funds in next year’s budget for projects to tackle the biggest challenge to restoring the Bay—reducing polluted runoff from Pennsylvania farms.
CBF Cheers Robust Fiscal 2022 Funding for Priority Programs in House Committee Bill

July 1, 2021

The House Appropriations Committee today approved a fiscal year 2022 spending bill that would boost Chesapeake Bay Program funding by $3 million and provide $15 million for a new grant program to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat in the watershed.
Governor Northam Signs Clean Water Bills

June 25, 2021

Today at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Brock Environmental Center, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed legislation that will benefit the environment and the Chesapeake Bay. The bills were passed earlier this year by the Virginia General Assembly.
CBF Issues Statement on 2021 Dead Zone Forecast

June 23, 2021

The Chesapeake Bay’s dead zone is predicted to be smaller than average this summer. The forecast is largely based on the amount of rainfall from January to May.
On National Soil Health Day, CBF Highlights Importance to Clean Water

June 23, 2021

As a member of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation supports soil management for its ability to reduce polluted runoff from agriculture and trap carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
CBF Issues Statement on UMCES Report Card

June 22, 2021

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science has released its Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card for 2020 and its overall score remained unchanged from last year at a B-.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Issues Recommendations for Maryland Oyster Regulations

June 22, 2021

In comments filed with Maryland's Department of Natural Resources, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation is asking the state to take stronger action to end oyster overfishing and develop a rebuilding plan for areas of the Bay where the oyster population has declined to the lowest levels on record.
CBF Statement on 2021 Maryland Oyster Stock Assessment Update

June 9, 2021

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) presented preliminary information Tuesday evening from the 2021 oyster stock assessment update indicating the market-size oyster population in Maryland rose slightly, while spat estimates increased to the highest level in the previous 20 years.