Press Statement

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today awarded the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) a grant to restore oyster habitat in the Hampton River, providing key support to a community-oriented project that will advance understanding of a champion water filterer for the river.

The $494,701 in funds will enable the planting of one million baby oysters on two acres of newly created sanctuary oyster reefs along the 3.2-mile-long waterway within the densely populated city. CBF plans to engage many civic organizations, including building on CBF’s longstanding research partnership with Hampton University, a historically black university located along the banks of the Hampton River.

With the expected achievement of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement’s goal to restore six Virginia tributaries, this project marks a transition to large-scale, community-based oyster restoration work within historically underserved communities.

Over time, the reefs are anticipated to support an array of different species, additional recreational fishing opportunities, and help improve water quality in the Hampton River. 

Even though productive oyster leases were once maintained throughout the Hampton River, today the waterway’s aquatic life and recreational opportunities remain impaired. In the 1800s, hundreds of acres of natural oyster reefs called the Lower Bay home, supporting popular reef fish like speckled trout, black sea bass, and red drum. But decades of overharvesting, habitat destruction, poor water quality, and disease decimated the population of Bay oysters to a fraction of historic levels.

Engagement with students and the community will span multiple stages of the project from oyster planting, oyster shell recycling, and oyster reef construction, in part through participation and exploration on CBF’s cutting-edge mobile oyster restoration barge. 

This grant will complement CBF’s work on a living shoreline at the nearby Bluebird Gap Farm, as well as rain gardens at local schools and parks. It also comes after successful NFWF-funded oyster restoration work by CBF and partner Elizabeth River Project in the Lafayette River, which in 2018 was named the first tributary in Virginia to be restored for oysters. 

Because of oysters’ water-filtering capabilities, oyster restoration is a critical piece of the effort to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants entering the Chesapeake Bay. The grant announcement comes just months before Bay state leaders must confront the future course of Bay restoration, with many key 2025 restoration deadlines unlikely to be met by Bay states.

CBF Virginia Oyster Restoration Manager Jackie Shannon issued the following statement: 

“We are thrilled to be working in the Hampton River to bring these sanctuary reefs to the community, build on our research partnership with Hampton University, and help Hampton River oysters make a comeback, especially through the use of CBF’s unique oyster barge. With their water-filtering abilities, the one million oysters added to the river will not only improve water quality, but fishing and recreational opportunities for Hampton residents.

“These NFWF grant funds have been crucial in restoring Bay tributaries and helping the Bay become home to some of the largest oyster restoration projects in the world. We are excited to build on this momentum to get closer to the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance goal of adding 10 billion oysters to the Bay by 2025.”

In the fight for a healthier community and Chesapeake Bay, advocates have taken legal action against Kent Island’s Chesterhaven Beach residential development project. On August 8, Kent Island residents, with support from Queen Anne’s Conservation Association (QACA), Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), and Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage, filed a petition for judicial review in Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court regarding a recent County Board of Commissioners decision to designate sensitive land as a growth area for the Chesterhaven Beach project. An Application for Appeal was also filed with the County Board of Appeals objecting to the County’s action.

On July 9, County Commissioners voted to allow major residential development on 100 acres of waterfront land, much of which is in Maryland’s sensitive Critical Area. Passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 1984, the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area law protects land within 1,000 feet of high tide or tidal wetlands to minimize the negative impacts of new development on Bay water quality, habitat, and wildlife. The Chesterhaven Beach property includes 1.6 miles of vulnerable and ecologically important shoreline on the Chester River and Piney Creek.

The County’s decision undermines Maryland’s Critical Area law by circumventing requirements to obtain local and state land use change approvals known as growth allocation. It also sidesteps requirements in state law related to designating growth areas in local comprehensive plans.

Neighbors of the property, as well as environmental advocates in the Kent Island community, have voiced major opposition to the project. Not only is the project located in the sensitive Critical Area, but the ecosystem of forests, marshes, and wetlands where the development is proposed support wildlife, are important natural water quality filters, and are vital to Maryland’s resilience against flooding and climate change. Major conservation investments have been made near the property including oyster restoration and preservation and stewardship of the Piney Creek Wetland Preserve.

Development of Chesterhaven Beach runs counter to ongoing conservation in Queen Anne’s County, which recently reported 43 percent of farmland as permanently protected from development. The County Circuit Court and Board of Appeals are requested to review the petition and appeal application and consider the project’s compliance with all applicable laws.

CBF Maryland Advocacy Director, Alan Girard, issued the following statement:

“We can’t just ignore environmental law in the name of ‘growth.’ 

“The Queen Anne’s County Board of Commissioners is trying to go around Maryland’s Critical Area law by changing their Comprehensive Plan and allowing a 90-unit residential subdivision on extremely environmentally sensitive land. It would be devasting to the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem if this decision is upheld. The decision runs counter to state and local law, as well as major land preservation milestones recently celebrated by County leaders. It could also be precedent setting for other Maryland jurisdictions looking to grow development in tidal areas.

“In their review, we hope Queen Anne’s County’s Circuit Court and County Board of Appeals agree that the approval of the Chesterhaven Beach development is, in fact, against the law and must not prevail.”

Key states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are not fully on track to meet commitments to reduce pollution to the Bay by 2025, according to evaluations released today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  

The EPA evaluations come ahead of a Chesapeake Executive Council meeting in December that is key to the Bay’s future. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is calling for action from the region’s governors at this crucial meeting.  

Every two years, the EPA evaluates state progress towards milestones to meet Chesapeake Bay water quality goals. The results reported today show that, despite noteworthy progress in recent years, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia have not fully met their goals to reduce pollution. Together, these states are responsible for roughly 90 percent of the pollution that reaches the Chesapeake Bay.  

Since the establishment of the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint in 2010, the six Chesapeake Bay watershed states and Washington, D.C., in partnership with the federal government, have committed to a 2025 deadline to have practices in place to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution to the Bay. The commitment includes short-term goals every two years, called milestones, that are intended to keep progress on track.  

This December, on the eve of 2025, the Chesapeake Executive Council is scheduled to meet. The Council is comprised of governors of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, and New York, the mayor of Washington, D.C., the EPA Administrator, and the chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission.  The Chesapeake Bay watershed spans across all of these jurisdictions, and cooperative partnership is essential to meeting these goals. 

CBF is calling for the following actions at the December meeting:    

• Attendance in person by each of the Executive Council members, including all six Bay watershed governors and the EPA Administrator; 
• A formal recommitment to maintaining the Bay restoration partnership, as well as meeting the pollution-reduction and other restoration goals already agreed to by Executive Council members; and,  
• A commitment by the Executive Council to update the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement by the end of 2025 to address challenges identified by the latest science. 

CBF President and CEO Hilary Harp Falk issued the following statement.  

“While tremendous progress has been made, these evaluation reports demonstrate we still have a long way to go. As climate change, development, and population growth make finishing the job harder, we must be direct about the challenges ahead.    

“The immediate next step is clear. This December, the Chesapeake Bay’s six governors and federal leaders must recommit to working together and pledge to update the Chesapeake Bay Agreement by the end of 2025, including a new timeline for water quality goals that should be measured in years, not decades.  

“Chesapeake Bay restoration is an international model built on the world’s best science. And it’s working. By continuing to follow the latest science and build upon our collective experiences, together we can ensure a thriving Chesapeake Bay ecosystem for all.” 

Maryland 

According to EPA’s milestone evaluation for Maryland, the state has made critical improvements, specifically in wastewater treatment and its forest buffer initiative. Maryland is reported to have met 83 percent of its 2025 goal for nitrogen reduction, and 100 percent of its 2025 goals for phosphorus and sediment. To fully meet its pollution reduction goals, Maryland will need to accelerate implementation of best management practices for agriculture and urban and suburban stormwater management. 

CBF Maryland Executive Director Allison Colden issued the following statement: 

“Governor Moore and his administration have made great progress towards a healthier Maryland and Chesapeake Bay, especially considering the tough challenges we’re facing such as increased development pressure and intensified rainfall from climate change.  

“But there are still improvements to be made. We can no longer stay the course on stormwater management. It’s one of the fastest growing sources of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Current permits do not account for the latest rainfall data or require sufficient on-the-ground restoration. These clear solutions should be a top priority if Maryland wants to meet its pollution reduction goals.” 

Pennsylvania 

EPA’s evaluation of Pennsylvania’s milestones for 2024-2025 indicates that the Commonwealth is not on track to meet its 2025 pollution reduction targets for nitrogen, phosphorus, or sediment. The evaluation noted that the legislature included in the state budget a $50 million annual investment for the Clean Streams Fund, which funds the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP). EPA also urged expanded efforts advocating for a sustainable source of funding to support programs strategically designed to accelerate implementation of best management practices. 

CBF Pennsylvania Executive Director Julia Krall said: 

“This latest evaluation is a reminder that Pennsylvania has a lot of work to do to meet its clean water targets. But progress being made and greater commitments by the Commonwealth are reasons for optimism that there will be cleaner local rivers and streams. 

“To meet goals, most pollution reductions need to come from agriculture, and these historic investments in the ACAP cost-share will lead to more soil and water conservation practices on family farms. The Clean Streams Fund addresses urban/suburban stormwater runoff, agriculture, and acid mine drainage, the top three sources of stream impairment in Pennsylvania. 

“It is also significant that Governor Josh Shapiro reaffirmed this summerthat the Commonwealth plans to continue its clean water work for the long haul. ‘We’re not talking about fixing the Bay anymore, we are fixing the Bay, and we are making sure Pennsylvania does its fair share,’ the governor said, adding that, ‘You have my commitment that this work will continue. Pennsylvania is all in’.” 

Virginia 

The EPA’s milestone report for Virginia noted the state’s record funding for agricultural best management practices and significant new funding for wetlands acquisition. Virginia so far has achieved 80 percent of its 2025 goal for nitrogen, 62 percent of its target for phosphorus, and 100 percent of its statewide target for sediment. Nonpoint areas of pollution continue to be a major source of pollution.  

CBF Virginia Executive Director Chris Moore issued the following statement. 

“Virginia has made significant strides in improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay and the many communities that live in the watershed. The state should be lauded for the notable support for farmers who are putting practices on the ground that improve water quality and their crop.  

“The state still has work to do, especially as the Bay continues to face threats from increased development and new challenges from climate change. Virginia must continue to build on its momentum and accelerate nutrient pollution reductions from agriculture, expand practices to protect wetlands, and increase support to reduce pollution from stormwater and nonpoint areas of pollution.” 

Return of Algae Highlights Importance of Nutrient Management Plans

The North Fork Shenandoah River is once again experiencing excessive algal growth, restricting the community’s full use of the river for fishing and swimming.  

The Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) algal mat alert spans approximately 11 miles of the river from Deer Rapids to the Town of Strasburg, and community observations of the algae persist. The VDH’s investigation revealed widespread and unavoidable algal mats potentially producing toxins. 

If ingested, the algae’s toxins can be fatal for dogs and other animals. Disturbing the mats can pose human health risks as well. According to VDH, drinking water is not affected at this time.  

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Watershed Restoration Scientist Matt Kowalski issued the following statement:  

“These hot summer days help create a perfect storm for the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. Higher water temperatures from hotter weather, low water levels, and pollutants from sources like lawns, parking lots, and farm fields cause these algal mats. That shouldn’t be the case for the river in your own backyard. The community should be able to swim and fish in our river.” 

“This algal mat occurrence highlights the importance of nutrient management plans in order to reduce pollution to our local waterways. In an area with as much agriculture as the Shenandoah Valley, we should ensure fertilizers are applied at rates and using techniques that protect water quality.”   

Laura Bennett, Executive Director of Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, issued the following statement:  

“People love to swim and fish in the North Fork Shenandoah River and bike near the water. In the middle of summer, excess nutrients entering the Shenandoah River fuel these algal mats and too often restrict or prevent the water from being enjoyed by our community. It stresses why tree plantings and managed applications of fertilizer are so important to keep our water safe.” 

In a strong effort to reduce harmful polluted runoff from entering the Chesapeake Bay, Gunpowder Riverkeeper has filed a ‘Notice of Intent’ to sue the new Ridgley’s Reserve housing development in Joppatowne, Maryland under the Clean Water Act. 

In 2022, more than 100 acres were cleared for the Ridgley’s Reserve development. All trees and vegetation were removed simultaneously, exposing its soil to the elements and making sediment extremely susceptible to runoff. Noticeably muddy water and a decline in underwater grasses in the nearby Foster Branch and Gunpowder River sparked major community and water quality concerns. 

Despite repeated stormwater management violations, and multiple complaints and citations, corrective actions have been unsuccessful at stopping the pollution. Enforcement from both Harford County and the Maryland Department of the Environment has fallen short. 

Gunpowder Riverkeeper is represented by Chesapeake Legal Alliance (CLA). Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is extremely supportive of the action. 

Paul Smail, CBF’s Vice President for Litigation, issued the following statement: 

“We need severe economic consequences for polluters. That seems to be the only way to enforce compliance with our laws.  

“Stormwater runoff is one of the fastest growing sources of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Not only do we need to better enforce current stormwater management rules, but we need to enhance them. Maryland’s regulations are not keeping pace with the rapid pressures of development, nor the effects of climate change and increased rainfall. 

“CBF applauds the Gunpowder Riverkeeper and CLA’s legal action against Ridgley’s Reserve, for it demonstrates our collective intent to hold polluters accountable for their harm on communities and our shared natural resources.”  

Precautionary measures are needed to protect menhaden for osprey, dolphins, and other species that depend on them for food

Today, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) voted to establish a workgroup to consider additional protections from industrial fishing of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay after hearing new survey results that show low osprey nesting success in the Bay. 

The motion, offered by Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Maryland Executive Director Allison Colden, a member of Maryland’s ASMFC delegation, directs the workgroup to consider management actions, including seasonal closures, that would protect important fish and bird predators in Chesapeake Bay that rely on menhaden for food. 

The motion was unanimously supported by the menhaden management board. This action demonstrates ASMFC’s recognition of the imminent need for additional precautions on the menhaden fishery. The workgroup is expected to present the results of their discussion to the Board at its October 2024 meeting.

Many refer to menhaden as “the most important fish in the sea.” These small, nutrient-packed fish serve as a vital food source for iconic Bay predators like osprey, striped bass, dolphins, and humpback whales. However, industrial fishing of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay, one of the nation’s most important nursery areas, raises major concerns. While industrial menhaden fishing only occurs in Virginia waters, its impact can be felt across the Bay. 

At Tuesday’s meeting, the Atlantic Menhaden Management Board was briefed by scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on the latest data for osprey abundance and nesting success in the Chesapeake Bay and along the Atlantic Coast. USGS researchers noted that the generally accepted reproductive rate for population maintenance is 1.15 young for each active nest. In 2021, the rate of osprey young per nest was 0.3, setting the Bay’s osprey population on a declining trajectory. This corroborates data from a 2023 study by the College of William & Mary’s Center for Conservation Biology, which revealed that osprey nests in Virginia’s lower Chesapeake Bay are failing at the highest rate ever recorded.

ASMFC’s current ecosystem model bases menhaden fishing limits on what’s required to feed a healthy striped bass population. While osprey and other fish-eating birds are generally more sensitive to the abundance of menhaden, they are not explicitly considered in management of the menhaden fishery.

Allison Colden, CBF Maryland Executive Director, said in a statement:

“We’re seeing some major ecological red flags in the Chesapeake Bay. From struggling osprey populations to dismal menhaden bait landings, it’s clear that additional precautions are needed. Seasonal fishing closures during the time of year when menhaden are demanded most by osprey and other predators is a critical next step in better managing menhaden fishing in the Bay. We appreciate the Menhaden Management Board’s action to begin this important and overdue conversation.”

Chris Moore, CBF Virginia Executive Director, said in a statement:

“It’s more apparent than ever that we need to better protect the Bay’s menhaden resource. For decades we’ve been concerned about industrial harvest of this species, and CBF has long fought to ensure enough menhaden are left in the water for a healthy ecosystem. Unfortunately, industrial fishing interests have continued to delay efforts to better manage this species. Without action, the concerns of many citizens and the warning signs from species like osprey would have fallen to the wayside.”

“In order to implement a more precautionary approach to the menhaden fishery, we need to take action now to protect the Bay’s iconic species. Unfortunately, Virginia missed a key opportunity earlier this year to better understand the connections between menhaden and its predators when a Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee unanimously delayed funding a robust study of the Chesapeake Bay’s menhaden population.”

Progress Still Needed to Improve Habitat and Chesapeake Bay Health

Underwater grasses, a key barometer for Chesapeake Bay health, experienced an increase overall this past year, according to the 2023 results of the annual Chesapeake Bay grasses survey released today. 

The extent of the Bay’s underwater grasses increased by seven percent to an estimated total of 82,937 acres, the results of the survey conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science indicated. 

This is good news for the Bay since these underwater meadows improve water quality and provide critical shelter and food for Bay species like the blue crab, migrating water birds, and juvenile fish. Sometimes called the ‘Tums’ of the Bay, these grasses also diminish Bay acidification caused in part by greenhouse gas emissions. Through carbon uptake and sequestration, underwater grasses are also a critical tool to mitigate climate change.

However, the overall increase wasn’t experienced evenly across the Bay. Slightly salty areas of the Bay saw a major decrease attributed to algal blooms and sediment, while cooler water stemming from La Niña fueled a significant increase in the saltier Lower Bay’s underwater grasses. No underwater grasses at all were mapped in the Elk River despite the tributary meeting its grasses goals repeatedly since 2000.

This year’s survey still represents a major decline from the 2018 survey, which estimated approximately 108,000 acres of grasses. But it does get the Bay closer to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement target of 185,000 acres of underwater grasses covering the bottom of the Bay and its tidal tributaries. The Bay states won’t meet many of the outcomes by the 2025 deadline set by the agreement. CBF continues to urge Bay watershed leaders to recommit to the multi-state Bay restoration partnership this December.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Vice President for Environmental Protection and Restoration Alison Prost issued the following statement:

“We must dramatically reduce pollution long-term to give the Bay’s underwater grasses a fighting chance in the face of climate change and rising seas. The seven percent growth indicated in this year’s survey marks the third annual increase in Bay grasses, a bright spot in a longer history of mixed results for Bay grass restoration. This increase benefits keystone Bay species like blue crabs, which use grass beds for shelter, protection from predators, and reproduction.

“But there’s still a long way to go. This increase doesn’t offset major declines in underwater grasses from five years ago, and we aren’t even at the halfway point of the 185,000-acre underwater grasses goal that states committed to in the Chesapeake Bay Agreement. 

“For a healthier future Chesapeake Bay, Bay watershed leaders must recommit to the Bay partnership this December and chart a future course for Bay restoration that addresses new challenges like climate change and reflects scientific updates. Those scientific recommendations include focusing restoration efforts on shallow-water habitat. If that is done, we could reach the 185,000-acre goal.”

The Senate Appropriations Committee’s bipartisan fiscal year 2025 Interior-Environment bill includes welcome increases for EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program and Interior Department programs that restore wildlife habitat and increase public access and understanding of the Bay region’s history and natural resources. 

The panel adopted the $44.6 billion bill yesterday by a vote of 28-1. 

The EPA-led Chesapeake Bay Program coordinates the federal-state-local government partnership to clean up the Bay and its tributaries. Roughly two-thirds of the Program’s annual budget goes directly to state and local partners for watershed restoration, protection, and monitoring activities. 

The Senate Appropriations Committee would increase the Bay Program’s fiscal 2025 budget to $92.5 million from the current level of $92 million. The Interior-Environment bill the House adopted on July 24 by a vote of 210-205 would keep Bay Program funding flat at $92 million in fiscal 2025. 

The Chesapeake Watershed Investment for Landscape Defense (WILD) program, administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, awards competitive grants to fund local projects that restore fish and wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities in the Bay region. 

Chesapeake WILD grants would see fiscal 2025 funding bumped up to $8.5 million from $8 million this year under the Senate Appropriations bill. The House-passed bill would leave funding unchanged at $8 million next year. 

The Chesapeake Gateways Program, operated by the National Park Service, manages the Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Network of historic, cultural, and natural sites and funds grants for community-based projects to share the Bay’s diverse stories, support tourism, and promote economic development. 

The Gateways budget would get a slight increase to $3.05 million in fiscal 2025 from this year’s $3.03 million under the Senate Appropriations Committee bill. The House-passed bill would also leave the Gateways budget unchanged in fiscal 2025. 

Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Federal Director Keisha Sedlacek made the following statement: 

“The Senate Appropriations Committee has wisely recognized that essential federal partners like EPA and the Interior Department must have sufficient resources as we enter the next phase of the restoration effort. 

“CBF thanks the committee for boosting the budgets of the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program, which keeps the multi-agency partnership on track, and Interior Department grant programs that fund locally led projects to restore fish and wildlife habitat and increase public access to the wonders of the watershed. 

“We commend Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine), Interior-Environment Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) for their hard work and bipartisan approach to drafting this year’s bill.  

“We encourage the Senate to pass it soon and urge panel leaders to fight to preserve these important investments in the Bay region in conference with the House.” 

In a positive step for forest conservation and clean water, Harford County has reached a settlement that will rescind the approvals for Abingdon Business Park and require developers to reforest parts of the property.

The project developers, BTC III I-95 Logistics Center will no longer move forward with planned development. The settlement requires them to stabilize the 327-acre site and install stormwater management. It will also require reforestation and revegetation on the property, which is just upstream of Bush River, and will help mitigate pollution in local waterways. The landowner, Harford Investors LLP, retains the right to develop the property in the future, but would be required to resubmit future warehouse construction plans.

The business park’s original plan, approved by Harford County Department of Planning and Zoning, involved the clearing of a 220-acre forest, including 49 large and ecologically valuable specimen trees, to build warehouses. Despite legal action against this plan, much of the forest had already been cleared in the property’s center, including 29 of the 49 specimen trees. 

Since 2019, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) has argued, in various jurisdictions, that Abingdon Business Park’s forest conservation plan, which included a specimen tree waiver, was inadequate.

CBF filed a lawsuit in 2020, seeking judicial review of the plan, arguing it was against the 1991 Maryland Forest Conservation Act which requires specific strategies for retaining, reforesting, and protecting forest areas tied to new development. This lawsuit led to a landmark ruling in the Maryland Court of Appeals declaring that forest conservation plans can be legally challenged. Forests are essential to improving water quality, providing habitat for wildlife, and supporting healthy communities.

Following this landmark ruling, CBF filed multiple injunctions, and in May 2023, a Harford County Circuit Court judge agreed with CBF and issued a stop work order on future tree clearing at Abingdon Woods. Appeals from the developers followed, but ultimately resulted in this settlement which will require them to reforest roughly four acres of the property and revegetate much of the cleared area as meadow.

Paul Smail, CBF’s Vice President for Litigation and General Counsel, said in a statement:

“This is a promising step for the future of Maryland’s forests. Despite the damage that’s already been done at Abingdon Woods, this settlement between Harford County and the developers is a step in the right direction. For many years, CBF has urged jurisdictions to hold developers accountable and deny their inadequate forest conservation plans. These actions led to a landmark ruling that will keep Maryland forests better protected from harmful development.

“Any reforestation at Abingdon Woods—even only four acres, two of which will restore the buffer adjacent to residences—will support healthier waters in Haha Branch, which flows into the Bush River, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. Bush River is already classified as impaired due to high levels of sediment from stormwater runoff. This settlement will have a positive impact, not only on the environment, but for community health, and the everyday lives of Harford County residents.”

Today, Governor Wes Moore announced $130 million in grants, awarded to the State of Maryland by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that will support Maryland’s pollution reduction and climate goals by investing in green infrastructure and jobs.

Allison Colden, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland Executive Director said in a statement:

“This grant is a major investment in Maryland’s green future. New funding for green infrastructure and natural solutions to climate change, such as living shorelines, forested buffers, and critical habitats, will be paramount to keeping Maryland resilient against sea-level rise, extreme weather, and other climate threats while reducing pollution reaching our waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. 

“With this support, the Moore Administration is one step closer to achieving Maryland’s bold climate goals. We look forward to seeing more natural filters and green infrastructure solutions being implemented across the state.”