News

CBF Statement in Response to Maryland’s Plan to Sue Baltimore over Wastewater Plant Pollution Violations

January 21, 2022

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is issuing the following statement in response to the move by Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh to file legal action today against two Baltimore area wastewater treatment plants.
New Maryland Climate Adaptation Report Card Finds Gaps In Addressing Climate Change Risks

January 21, 2022

Today, a new report card was released on Maryland’s climate adaptation progress. The report, issued by the University of Maryland Center of Environmental Science in partnership with Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, provides a snapshot of several indicators that can be used to evaluate the state’s work to protect residents against the harmful effects of climate change.
CBF Calls for Greater Investments To Reduce Pollution as Number of Impaired Waters Increases

January 18, 2022

An increase in the number of miles of impaired waters listed in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Draft 2022 Integrated Water Quality Report sends a clear message that not enough is being done to clean and protect Commonwealth rivers and streams.
CBF Commends Election of Maryland Senator Sarah Elfreth as Chesapeake Bay Commission Chair

January 12, 2022

Maryland State Senator Sarah Elfreth was elected the new chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission earlier this month. In this role, Sen. Elfreth will oversee the commission’s work to coordinate legislative and policy action throughout the largest Bay watershed states—Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
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.
CBF Applauds Final Near-Term GHG Standards, Urges EPA to Make Next Round Stronger

December 20, 2021

Today EPA released final limits on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs for model years 2023 to 2026. The rule reverses the Trump administration’s harmful rollback of these standards, which are essential to restoring the Chesapeake Bay and fighting climate change.
CBF Commends New Clean Water Grants and Urges Even Greater Investments

December 16, 2021

Shannon Gority, executive director for the CBF in Pennsylvania, issued this statement after Governor Tom Wolf announced that $17.4 million in grant funding was being awarded to projects in 33 counties to reduce pollution in local rivers, streams and lakes.
MDE Permit for Valley Proteins Critically Deficient

December 16, 2021

CBF, ShoreRivers, and Dorchester Citizens For Planned Growth have filed comments on the proposed Maryland Department of the Environment wastewater discharge permit for Valley Proteins, finding it critically deficient.
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.
CBF Statement on the Death of Sen. Bernie Fowler

December 13, 2021

CBF President William C. Baker issued this statement on the passing of Sen. Bernie Fowler
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.
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.
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 Supports Biden White House Proposal to Restore Environmental Review Rules

November 22, 2021

CBF today submitted comments supporting the Biden administration’s proposal to restore important protections to the rules for reviewing the environmental impacts of federal projects. CBF filed joint comments with the Choose Clean Water Coalition, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, and the Healing Our Waters—Great Lakes Coalition.
CBF Cheers House Passage of $27 Billion for USDA Conservation Programs

November 19, 2021

CBF hailed today’s 220-213 vote by the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a $1.7 trillion budget package that would devote $27 billion to conservation programs run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
CBF Issues Statement on Green 2.0 Report Card

November 17, 2021

Today, Green 2.0 released new diversity and inclusion data from environmental NGOs and foundations. Green 2.0 is a nonprofit organization working to increase racial and ethnic diversity among environmental organizations.
CBF Congratulates New USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie

November 16, 2021

CBF congratulates Robert Bonnie on winning Senate approval of his nomination to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation. The Senate voted 76-19 to confirm Mr. Bonnie, who currently serves as deputy chief of staff for policy and senior climate advisor to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
CBF Raises Concerns over New MDE Permits

November 5, 2021

CBF raised serious concerns about municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permits that the Maryland Department of the Environment issued today for Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Prince George’s, and Montgomery Counties.
House Passes Infrastructure Bill with Historic Boost for Chesapeake Bay Program

November 5, 2021

CBF hailed passage today by the U.S. House of Representatives of the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, which boosts funding for EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program by a historic $238 million over five years.
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.
CBF Issues Statement on Water Quality Assessment

October 28, 2021

The most recent data from the Chesapeake Bay Program estimates that only a third of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal rivers are healthy enough to support essential aquatic species. The score is lower than the previous assessment, which the Bay Program attributes to unusually wet weather.
New Report Raises Questions about Maryland Department of the Environment’s Draft Wastewater Permit for Massive Eastern Shore Development

October 27, 2021

An engineering report being released today found several issues with Maryland Department of the Environment’s issuance of a draft wastewater permit that would enable the proposed Lakeside at Trappe development to spray wastewater onto fields near Miles Creek and the Choptank River.