Sitting back and reflecting on the work of the past year is not an easy task, and one that I’ve been avoiding for weeks.  Beginning this year with the executive orders proclaiming America’s Energy Dominance does not exactly match the tone or tenor of the way I prefer to conduct business leading the Choose Clean Water Coalition’s Energy workgroup.  My energy, and I suspect many of our members, was taking a hit despite the advance notice that tracking Project 2025 had given us.  

Yet over the course of this year, the Coalition, its staff, steering committee, member organizations and its many unique and colorful characters have adapted, scrambled, planned, rallied, and found joy together in the endeavor. We reexamined our angles, thought about our strengths and how to use them.  In the process we voted to change, expand and broaden our “Energy” Policy Priority to “Land Use” to better align the coalition’s priorities to the way that our members engage in issues– through local projects in front of local land use boards or state and federal permitting authorities.  

As the landscape (pun intended) has changed throughout the past year, we find ourselves on uneven footing in navigating traditional land use decisions. Our goal however is straightforward: Protect water resources from the significant landscape level impacts of land use decisions and extractive practices to support climate resilient communities and restore ecological harmony across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.  

While that might sound lofty, we like a challenge that allows us to aim high. After all, we’re still the team that assembled a conference kickoff that brought together over a hundred attendees in person in the epicenter of data center development in Virginia.  We worked in partnership with our coalition members who are leaders in their own right and shared their experiences and expertise. We learned from academics, experts and policy makers and discussed the emerging issue of analyzing the true impacts to our most treasured natural resource: water.  

Since then we’ve continued to convene and provide space for state coalition leaders to work in parallel and exchange ideas, resources and collaborate in ways that make sense for their spot in the movement ecology. (Shout out to Maria Russo from West Virginia Rivers for highlighting the use of that term and all of the creative strategies that organizations use in moving towards shared goals.)

It is fitting that at the last official meeting of the Energy Workgroup we still found a few things to harness our inner energy even as we battle colds or year end deadlines. It closed with no tearful goodbyes, rather “see you next year!”  The Land Use Policy Priority is a natural evolution of our collective work and the Coalition is looking forward to the energy that transformation brings. We hope to have you join us in the next phase. 

We’ve had a packed calendar this fall. In October, we went on a water quality testing trip with Arundel Rivers Federation (ARF) on the South River. Choose Clean Water staff used secchi disks and took water samples to determine visibility and algae levels in the South River. We also rode around to various testing sites down the river. Thanks again to Elle Bassett and Rachel Beall from ARF for showing us what an average day of research and conservation looks like on the Chesapeake Bay!

Later in the month, we met in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia for our annual State Leads retreat. We were lucky to have our amazing West Virginia State Lead, Maria Russo of West Virginia Rivers Coalition, act as our very own tour guide. We hiked two miles of the Appalachian Trail, learned about Harpers Ferry’s deep history, and sat down to discuss what protecting clean water looks like in West Virginia. It was wonderful getting to catch up in-person with our State Leads. We are beyond grateful for such a hard-working team of leaders across the watershed.

In November, some of our staff went back to West Virginia for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Forum in Shepherdstown. Drew and Leeanna presented “Work Hard, Laugh Harder: Levity in Communications” at the forum, too! They had a great time talking about why it’s important we focus on the good during a challenging and complicated time in the environmental world. And yes, they even talked about Dewey.

A few weeks later we gathered in… You guessed it! Shepherdstown, West Virginia for our West Virginia Member Meeting. Organizations from all across the state met for a jam-packed day of discussion on emerging data centers, Project Middleway, and updates from members present in the room. To say our West Virginia members’ dedication and hard work is impressive would be an understatement. Some folks drove five hours away to attend the meeting! Another job well done by Maria Russo for facilitating this meeting.

Last, but certainly not least, the Communications Workgroup gathered in Washington, D.C. for an in-person Workgroup Meeting. Over 30 individuals met at the National Advocacy Center for a fun day of communications brainstorming. We covered topics like AI ethics, how to practice non-partisan language in our comms, and rotating workgroups on the different facets of communications. Big thanks to Marco Sánchez of Piedmont Environmental Council and Melissa Diemand of Potomac Conservancy for their outstanding work as the Communications Workgroup Co-Chairs!

Looking back on these milestones, none of these events would’ve been possible without the hard work and dedication of our Coalition members. The year may be ending soon, but our work for clean water sure isn’t!

2025 YPC Field Trip to Clagett Farm in Upper Marlboro, MD

2023 YPC in-person gathering

2024 YPC boat trip out of the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD

2025 YPC “Brave in Nature” Field Trip at Choose Clean Water Conference in Harrisonburg, VA

2025 YPC “Brave in Nature” Field Trip at Choose Clean Water Conference in Harrisonburg, VA

Almost one decade ago, Choose Clean Water Coalition created the Young Professionals of the Chesapeake (YPC) Mentorship Program. YPC fills a unique need in our work for clean water. The program is among very few spaces, let alone mentorship opportunities within the Chesapeake Bay partnership, that builds support for diverse leaders within the Bay community. An annual program, YPC typically hosts a class of 40-50 professionals and has provided mentorship and training to more than 250 individuals.

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But as we prepare to enter YPC's tenth year, the funding we normally secure for the YPC Program was declined. For the first time, we are turning to you, our friends, for support.Next month, we are hoping to open up registration for next year's class of YPC participants. But we cannot host the program next year unless we raise $10,000 for program expenses.

Now more than ever, it’s critical that we support our emerging leaders, equip them with the tools they need to thrive, and retain their talents for years to come. Those future generations are here now, ready and eager to make a difference.

 I’ll be honest, it was difficult to hear about the declined funding, especially knowing how meaningful this program has been for so many of our participants. But I want to emphasize that this is not the end of YPC yet! The impact our YPC participants have made through this program is a powerful reminder of why it deserves to continue. Every bit of visibility and support you can provide will help us get closer to our goal.

By donating to YPC, you will not only be supporting our mentorship program, you will be supporting in-person field trips, networking opportunities, youth professional development, and online trainings such as:

• Personal Sustainability and Community Care

• Courageous (Difficult) Conversations

• Overcoming Impostor Syndrome

• Combating Microaggressions

• Creating Equity in the Workplace

• Theories of Change to Advance Equity

• Advancing Equity, Influencing without Authority

Every little bit helps. If we want to continue to protect the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, we must create and support leaders to do so. By making just a $10, $25, or $50 tax-deductible gift, you can help us reach $10,000 in order to make this vital program continue.

3RC for D.C. Coalition members marching in support for a D.C. Bottle Bill

Sea of bottle bill pollution near Ward 8 Congress Heights Metro Station

Credit: Ward 8 Woods

How the 3RC for D.C. Coalition Is Leading the Way

Washington, D.C. is drowning in beverage container waste. From the banks of Oxon Run to neighborhoods across all eight wards, plastic bottles litter our public spaces and waterways. But a powerful grassroots movement is fighting back using strategy, determination, and collaboration. 3RC for D.C., the Return, Refund, Recycle Coalition, the driving force behind the District’s proposed Bottle Bill: The Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Amendment Act of 2025 (B26-0058). 3RC for D.C., which stands for the Return, Refund and Recycle Coalition for D.C., is leading a campaign for a strong, equitable beverage container deposit-return law in the District. The District is overrun by beverage container litter. Bottle Bills are a proven solution to this type of pollution. 3RC for D.C. is a proud member of the Choose Clean Water Coalition’s D.C. Workgroup with more than 20 organizations in support of this major bill!

A People-Powered Campaign for Cleaner Communities

The idea is simple: put a 10-cent refundable deposit on beverage containers to incentivize recycling. When consumers return the bottle or can, they get their dime back. It’s a model that has worked in ten U.S. states, which altogether account for more than 50% of all bottles recycled nationally, despite comprising just 27% of the population. A D.C. bottle bill could triple our recycling rates and cut litter by up to 84%, also protecting residents from the health harms of plastic pollution.

This about more than just litter, it’s also about health justice. Beyond litter reduction, this initiative addresses broader environmental health concerns. Washington, D.C. is grappling with significant environmental challenges, notably the pervasive presence of microplastics and PFAS ("forever chemicals") in its waterways. These pollutants threaten both ecological integrity and public health. PFAS contamination is a pressing issue. The synthetic chemicals, used in various industrial and consumer products, have been found in D.C.'s water bodies where residents are still practicing subsistence fishing. For instance, groundwater near the Anacostia River has shown PFAS concentrations totaling 58,764 parts per trillion. PFAS are persistent in the environment and have been linked to adverse health effects, including cancer and liver damage. A study by American University found concentrations of microplastics as high as 127 particles per liter in the Anacostia River's Nash Run tributary. These particles pose risks to aquatic life and potentially to human health.

Grassroots Power

Unlike past efforts that pursued a ballot initiative, the 3RC for D.C. Coalition made a strategic decision to build power through the Council. And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Over nearly two years of tireless organizing, the coalition has:

• Met with every D.C. Council office

• Secured the support of Councilmember Charles Allen, Chair of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment

• Persuaded Councilmember Brianne Nadeau to introduce and champion the bill

• Helped secure 11 co-introducers out of the 13 members of Council (12 currently active)

• Delivered literature and messages to Council offices more than a dozen times

• Held creative events, like the “burrito breakfast briefing,” to engage staff members 

• Integrated the bottle bill into over 23 unrelated Council meetings

• Testified at hearings and mobilized community support across ANCs, business leaders, and faith communities

Not Just Advocacy—Leadership in Action

When the bill was introduced in January 2025, the coalition stood side by side with Councilmembers at a media event celebrating the legislation. Now, the bill is with the Committee on Business and Economic Development. Later this summer it, will head to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment for a hearing expected in the fall.

And the support is broad: 14 Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs)have passed resolutions supporting the bill. Organizations like Ward 8 Woods Conservancy have documented plastic pollution. One example, the piles of bottles outside the Congress Heights Metro Station, underscores the need for action.

Environmental Progress That Pays for Itself

Critically, this is not a budget buster. The bill is designed to avoid burdening D.C. taxpayers, with beverage companies funding the logistics, not residents. Small retailers, bars, and restaurants are exempt from container redemption responsibilities unless they opt in (and get a handling fee if they do). Additionally, D.C.’s own brewers and small beverage producers are shielded from new costs. That’s a win for both the environment and the local economy.

Let’s show the rest of the country what environmental justice and grassroots power can achieve. Thanks to the leadership of the D.C. Council and the tireless work of the 3RC for D.C. Coalition, real change is within reach. By addressing the intersection of health and environmental challenges through a comprehensive bottle bill, D.C. has the opportunity to enhance environmental health, protect public well-being and public spaces, and set a precedent for sustainable urban living as we push for a zero waste D.C.

What You Can Do

This movement needs you. Whether you're a resident, business owner, or part of a community organization, here’s how to help:

• Sign up for action alerts: 3rcfordc.org/campaign

• Distribute flyers, testify at hearings, or host a community discussion

• Engage with your ANC or Councilmember to express support.

• Distribute informational materials and encourage discussions within your community.

• Testify at upcoming hearings to share your perspective using our Outreach Toolkit. This toolkit includes a sign up link as well as messages you can send by email, text and social media in our Testimony Guide. 

• Donate to support advocacy efforts: sc.org/dcbottlebill

For more information or support in taking any of these actions, visit www.3rcfordc.org or contact Susan Schorr (susanschorr0@gmail.com) and Chris Weiss (cweiss@dcenvironmentalnetwork.org).

But we didn’t let the weather get to us—our Steering Committee, friends of the Coalition, and staff hopped on the boat ready to set sail on the Potomac River. We had the amazing opportunity to see a live catfish shocking demonstration led by Maryland Department of Natural Resources and United States Geological Survey. We learned about the importance of harvesting these invasive catfish not only to protect the health of the Bay, but to collect data on these apex predators.

Maryland DNR showing us flathead catfish

Branson Williams of Maryland DNR presenting on blue catfish and electrofishing

Nikki Ghorpade of Ducks Unlimited holding blue catfish

Maryland DNR Waterman holding up a flathead catfish

Jamoni Overby of NatureForward talking about Coalition work in D.C.

Maryland DNR electrofishing boat

Kristin Reilly posing with a flathead catfish

Stunned catfish floating along the boat

Tom Dunlap, James Riverkeeper, holding a blue catfish

Needless to say—the catfish weren’t the only ones who were shocked that day!

It was stunning to see hundreds of blue catfish suddenly surrounding our boat. It’s one thing to hear about the magnitude of catfish in the Bay, but to see it firsthand left me speechless. Following the shocking, Maryland DNR scooped up their select picks and cruised over to show us what they caught. The watermen held up a variety of blue and flathead catfish. We learned how to identify them, their biology, their diets, and how big they can get. We also got the opportunity to hold the 35-pound blue catfish they caught.

I’ll never forget the feeling of being dwarfed by that massive catfish. And that’s not even the biggest one Maryland DNR has caught on these trips! We learned that it’s not uncommon for them to catch 55-pounders on their electrofishing outings. If that’s not unsettling to you, I don’t know what is.

However, I did not hold it. I just didn’t want to get the fish smell on me… Or something…

How Did We Get Here?

In the 1970s, blue catfish were introduced to Virginia rivers for recreational fishing. With its rapid reproduction, large size, few natural predators, and long lifespan, blue catfish are now a top predator in the Bay. These opportunistic bottom-feeders cause major issues for keystone native species such as blue crabs, rockfish, freshwater mussels, menhaden, and many other fish populations in the region.

Why Does This Matter?

Without any catfish mitigation, native species have no chance at survival and the health of the Bay ecosystem will be at a huge risk. Opening up new markets for blue catfish will provide an additional revenue stream for watermen while also addressing a growing threat to the health of the Bay's ecosystem. The Coalition is also advocating for the inclusion of an invasive catfish population mitigation and reduction target in the Revised Chesapeake Bay Agreement.

Our Solutions

The Coalition is working with the Bay’s Congressional delegation to alleviate inspection restrictions which complicates the removal of these harmful invasive fish from the Bay and its rivers and streams. We also support state and federal efforts, including federal legislation, which would accelerate the removal, harvesting, and processing of invasive blue catfish from the Bay and its rivers and streams.

Additionally, we’re advocating for enhanced marketing of invasive blue catfish to increase demand and sales, and the establishment and coordination of a federal-led interagency adapting blue catfish research framework.

What’s Next?

The Coalition will continue to research and fight for blue catfish mitigation in order to prevent these predators from further invading the Watershed. To support our work, please consider donating to the Coalition and our efforts.

To see more videos from our catfish shocking trip, check out our Instagram.

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Choose Clean Water team after a successful In-Person Maryland Workgroup Meeting

Genesis attending the Environmental Interns and Fellows Networking Mixer hosted by BlackOak Collective and Green 2.0

Genesis and Natasha De La Cruz of Maryland Sea Grant

Taking a ride through the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center

Genesis on a boat ride with ShoreRivers to test the water in the Eastern Bay

Genesis with LaTricea D. Adams, Founder and CEO of Young, Gifted & Green

View of the Living Shoreline project in Havre de Grace, Maryland

Hey, Choose Clean Water Coalition Family!

As summer draws to a close, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible internship experience I’ve had here. From the very beginning, I was given remarkable opportunities that I will carry with me into the future.

During my first week, I had the privilege of assisting Kate Vogel with her living shoreline project, where we planted 4,000 native plants in Havre de Grace. This hands-on experience set the tone for an enriching summer.

Throughout my internship, I participated in several impactful events, including the Juneteenth Environmental Justice Summit, the Environmental Interns and Fellows Networking Mixer, and CCWC’s In-Person Maryland Member Meeting. These experiences not only expanded my knowledge, but also allowed me to network with passionate individuals and learn about various aspects of water conservation.

When I first arrived, Wuillam Urvina asked what I hoped to gain from this internship, and I mentioned my desire to enhance my public speaking skills. I’m thrilled to share that I achieved that goal and more! I worked on my interview skills as well, overcoming my initial fears and now feeling prepared to tackle any interview and speak confidently in public.

My summer project focused on evaluating community perceptions and implementations of Nature-Based Solutions in the Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Bay region. I conducted seven in-depth interviews with practitioners from different organizations, exploring their views on the reactions, barriers, and opportunities related to the adoption of these solutions. I also created a visual storymap to accompany the information I gathered!

Working with the Choose Clean Water Coalition has been a transformative experience. Leading my project while having the support of an incredible team and embarking on various side quests has truly been a blessing.

In my final week, I had the exciting opportunity to go out on a boat with ShoreRivers to test the water in the Eastern Bay. It was amazing to connect with different organizations and witness the critical work being done firsthand.

Thank you all for making this summer unforgettable!

P.S. I will miss the Hot Girl Walks through downtown Annapolis!

Signing off,

Genesis Ibrahim-Balogun :)

What city and state is your organization located in?

Charlottesville, Virginia.

Tell us about your organization and your mission.

RCA formed in 2016 when two long-standing organizations joined together, marrying a scientifically-rigorous volunteer-supported water quality monitoring program with a grassroots focus on community outreach, education, stewardship, advocacy, and restoration. RCA’s programs are guided by a belief that healthy waterways and green spaces are essential to a vibrant and resilient community. Today, RCA serves as the local “voice of the river” and actively engages around 1,000 community volunteers each year.

Rivanna Conservation Alliance Staff

Bailey Pleasant, Watershed Coordinator at RCA

RCA Cleanup event

RCA Biological Volunteer Monitors

What is one of your current projects you are the most excited about?

Our current project that I’m the most excited about is the Rivanna Forest Restoration Partnership, which is focused on improving riparian forest health through invasive plant management and native tree planting along the Rivanna River in Charlottesville. Along with protecting our existing tree canopy from invasives, we planted 1,800 new native trees and shrubs across four public properties along the river to strengthen the riparian buffer. Community members helped with the planting, and we will continue to maintain the trees with volunteer support. This effort not only builds a healthier forest but also creates a stronger community by fostering long-term stewardship.

What issue area do you hope to focus on in the future? How is it relevant for clean water restoration?

I hope that we can focus more on urban stormwater management. While resources exist for homeowners to do retrofit projects, there is a need to promote more on-site stormwater management for new infill construction. The City of Charlottesville is trying to encourage increased density through new zoning, and we are concerned about the impacts on our already degraded urban waterways. As more dense living spaces increase, so will impervious surfaces. Stormwater runoff and its related problems will only worsen if the community isn’t proactive about addressing it.  

What do you hope to gain from being a member of the Coalition/what do you appreciate about being a member of the Coalition?

I appreciate that being a member of the Coalition provides opportunities to connect with others involved in similar work. It’s easy to fall into a routine of only doing what we know, but hearing about different strategies and approaches used by others allows us to challenge our current knowledge and reflect. Could we change what we’re doing to become more efficient, thoughtful, or impactful? Without new perspectives, we risk remaining unchanged and missing out on improvement.

On April 24, 2025, environmental advocates, local leaders, and community stakeholders came together for an inspiring day of collaboration and learning at the DC Choose Clean Water Coalition (CCWC) Workgroup Luncheon, hosted by Nature Forward.

Held at The Arc in Southeast Washington, DC, the gathering welcomed 32 attendees—many meeting face-to-face for the first time in years. The morning kicked off with coffee, pastries, and vibrant networking, setting the tone for a day dedicated to strengthening partnerships and advancing environmental equity in the District.

Our momentum never skipped a beat. Jamoni Overby and Sara Ramontik opened the session by expressing gratitude for the workgroup's shared commitment and walking attendees through the day’s agenda.

Together, we explored a central question: What does clean water truly mean for the District of Columbia?

Department of Energy and Environment

The morning’s presentations began with the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). Josh Burch, Environmental Protection Specialist, highlighted the Oxon Run Stream Restoration Project - a transformative effort to naturalize the concrete-lined stream channel that stretches from Prince George’s County to the Potomac River. Burch emphasized the role of community engagement in shaping this project and building trust with residents.

Lily Cheng, DOEE’s Flood Resilience Planner, shared updates on the Watts Branch Flood Resilience Plan—critical for addressing flooding in DC’s most affected neighborhoods. As the largest tributary to the Anacostia River, Watts Branch is at the forefront of resilience planning to protect vulnerable communities.

The State of Our Waters

Trey Sherard and Dean Naujoks, Riverkeepers for the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, offered a deep dive into the State of the Rivers. Highlights included:

• Expanded E. coli testing to trace pollution sources more accurately

• Support for the 2026 Virginia bottle bill, a regional effort to reduce waste and improve recycling through cross-jurisdictional collaboration with DC and Maryland

• Discussions around PFAS, microplastics, biosolids, and the public health risks of fish consumption in local waterways

These updates sparked lively dialogue on how policy, infrastructure, and public education must align to protect the health of both people and rivers.

Public Health Intersections: The Fight for a Lead-Free DC

A standout moment came during the public health panel, led by Tene Lewis and Dr. Janet Phoenix from the Campaign to Reduce Lead Exposure and Asthma. Their dynamic discussion centered on the Lead-Free DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2025 - legislation critical for eliminating toxic lead service lines and safeguarding children’s health.

Panelists including Carlton Poindexter, Robin Lewis, Valerie Baron, Susan Schorr, and William Washburn shared their insights, personal experience and call to action for our member organizations in attendance. Taeilorae Levell-Young of DC Water affirmed the agency’s commitment to collaboration across sectors from residents and advocates to agencies and lawmakers to achieve a Lead-Free DC.

Call to Action

Attendees refueled over a delicious catered lunch, using the time to network, reflect on the day’s presentations, and explore ways to work more closely together. The luncheon concluded with a powerful presentation from Rachel Felver of the Chesapeake Bay Program, offering a forward-looking vision for the Bay Beyond 2025.

The DC CCWC Workgroup Luncheon proved to be more than just an event. It was a necessary gathering to deepen relationships, exchange ideas, and re-energize efforts for clean water in the District and across the watershed.

In the coming weeks, the workgroup will turn its attention to:

• Submitting comments on the Poplar Point Redevelopment Plan

  • Read here.

• Engaging in the DC FY26 Budget process

• Supporting key legislation like the Recycling Refund Amendment Act of 2025 and the Lead-Free DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2025

Together, we were left reminded of a vital truth: Clean water work is people work. It’s built on trust, shared responsibility, and the belief that everyone deserves safe, clean and accessible water.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing our journey toward a healthier, more equitable future for all who call the District home.

I’m from Fontana, California, where drought resilience isn’t just encouraged, it’s essential. Growing up, I loved trips to the beach and quickly became committed to preserving our coasts… yes, I was proudly that kid with the metal straw!

I’m a senior at North Carolina A&T State University (Aggie Pride!), majoring in Agriculture and Environmental Systems with a concentration in Environmental Studies. My personal experiences and community impact have shaped my passion for environmental science.

Ironically, I once resisted getting involved in water-related work. But my mom helped me recognize that nearly every internship and research opportunity I’d taken on had water at its core, whether I realized it or not.

I previously served as an Environmental Intern for former Mayor Deborah Robertson in Rialto, California, where I developed city planting guidelines based on drought tolerance and carbon sequestration. I’ve also conducted undergraduate research with Texas A&M–Corpus Christi and the USDA, evaluating irrigation systems for Texas crops using sensor-based data collection. Most recently, I conducted research at NC A&T, focusing on turbidity and physicochemical water quality parameters in an urban stream in Greensboro, North Carolina.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading, volunteering with youth, and spending quality time with my family and friends. I can’t wait to dive into this summer’s work with the Coalition!

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As you might recall, on April Fools Day, we launched our "new logo" which featured Dewey, a small yet mighty water drop. Needless to say, Dewey made ripples. Due to such positive reactions and real, actual requests, we're happy announce a Dewey merch line! (It's also his one-month birthday, feel free to celebrate.)

This one-of-a-kind merch line includes a selection of wonderful t-shirts, tote bags, stickers, and more! By the way, Dewey told us it's his birthday wish for you to buy his merch. Please make his wish come true.

Fair warning: people will definitely come up to you to ask where you got your shirt/bag/sticker/etc, so please tell them to check out our shop for Dewey merch and all other Choose Clean Water products.

And in case you forgot (how could you...), our Choose Clean Water Conference water shindig thingy is only 18 days away! If you haven't registered yet, it's not too late! Dewey may or may not be there in flair form, also.

Register now and join us May 19-21 in Harrisonburg, Virginia!

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April Fools!

Our work for clean water is challenging and at times grueling. This is especially true over the past few months. We thought adding a bit of levity could serve us all well :)

As the video shares, we don’t only have an amazing new logo for the Coalition, we also have a new logo for the upcoming Choose Clean Water Conference water shindig thingy…

Of course, we’re not really changing it from a “Conference” to a “shindig thingy,” nor are we abandoning our timely theme of Hills and Valleys: Our Journey for Clean Water, for yayyyy water!!! But we’re serious that we’re extending the early bird rate for the upcoming Choose Clean Water Conference through this Friday, April 4!

Register now and join us May 19-21 in Harrisonburg, Virginia!

We also are offering scholarships to attend the conference. The application deadline is tomorrow, April 2, at 5:00 p.m. Again, not a joke! 

But seriously, people loved the new logo…

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My name is Leeanna Duong (she/her) and I’m thrilled to join Choose Clean Water Coalition as the Communications Intern!

I grew up visiting the Chesapeake Bay every weekend. Although my hometown (Winchester, VA) is roughly two hours from the Bay, my dad was more than willing to make the drive so my family and I could enjoy a whole day of fishing, swimming, and boating. Besides from a childhood full of Bay visits, I’ve always had an affinity to the natural world and its creatures. I always pictured myself all grown up, having a job where I get to help take care of the environment.

As a recent Virginia Tech graduate, I earned my B.A. in Multimedia Journalism with a minor in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Throughout my time as an undergraduate student, I was able to explore the many facets of journalism such as working on the Collegiate Times, editorial team for Studio Collective, videography and photography projects, and so much more.

I previously worked with a three-year project called Monuments Across Appalachian Virginia as a Communications and Community Engagement Intern. There, I learned the importance in uplifting and giving back to your communities. I had the privilege of working alongside community leaders and groups from Appalachian Virginia to highlight the stories of marginalized and overshadowed populations. I was given many opportunities to expand my communications skills in a meaningful way.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, Pilates, hiking, and listening to all kinds of music!

I’m so excited to begin the next chapter of my life with CCWC. Being able to give back to the watershed means so much to me, and I can’t wait to start such important work!

Check out my personal portfolio here.

Have Your Voice Heard!

On July 1, the public feedback period for the draft revised 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement will open. This is an opportunity to provide recommendations and changes to the document that guides the restoration and conservation work for the Chesapeake Bay. Stakeholders and the public are asked to provide specific feedback and recommendations to the draft agreement by September 1. Feedback should be emailed to comments@chesapeakebay.net. If you have questions about the Bay Agreement and/or the proposed revisions, please contact Kristin Reilly.

Read the draft revised 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement here.

What is Beyond 2025?

In 2014, the Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council (Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, New York, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, EPA, and the Chesapeake Bay Commission) signed the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement. This agreement had 10 goals and 31 outcomes that focused on everything from water quality and toxics, to land conservation and public access. The deadline to achieve these goals and outcomes was 2025. This aligned with the goal for the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to have all projects in place by 2025. Out of the 31 outcomes, 18 have been achieved and 13 are off track or have an unknown status.

In October of 2022, the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council issued a directive to the Bay Program to develop a plan to accelerate progress to get our goals and outcomes as close as possible to being achieved by 2025 and to present recommendations about the future of the Chesapeake restoration effort beyond 2025.

Phase 1

Since the Executive Council’s directive in 2022, the Coalition has worked to ensure the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Reaching 2025 and Beyond 2025 process was inclusive and that the voice of the nonprofit and stakeholder community was heard. Last year, the Coalition was a member of the Beyond 2025 Steering Committee, which wrote recommendations for Beyond 2025 that were eventually adopted by the Executive Council (see previous blog for more background information).

At the December 10 meeting, the Executive Council issued another directive, which asked the Program’s Principals’ Staff Committee (PSC) to review the existing goals and outcomes in the Bay Agreement and propose changes by the end of 2025. It also directed the PSC to revise the Program’s governance and structure by 2026.

Phase 2

In this second phase of Beyond 2025, the work is focused on revisions to the current Chesapeake Bay Agreement. There are opportunities for Coalition members and other interested parties to provide their comments and feedback on the goals and outcomes through Bay Program goal team and workgroup meetings, which can be found here. All of these meetings are open to the public, and information on the meetings, the agenda, call-in, and contact information can be found on the Bay Program’s calendar. The Coalition will continue to update our blog with more information as the process continues.

If you have questions about the process or how to get involved, please contact Kristin Reilly for more information.

What city and state is your organization based in? What area (local, regional, statewide) do you work in?

We're based in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, specifically Jefferson and Berkeley County

Tell us about your organization and your mission.

Our goal is for the Safe Water Conservation Collaborative to serve as a vibrant network collaborating on land conservation and stewardship practices to protect safe, clean drinking water for communities in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Our mission is to protect drinking water through land conservation.

What is one of your current projects you are the most excited about?

We are currently finishing up our work on our NFWF grant to plant 20 acres of riparian buffers in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. We are wrapping this project up this Spring and will have planted a little more than 20 acres, surpassing our goal. We're very excited about this work and look forward to seeing and feeling the benefits of these buffers in the future.

What issue area do you hope to focus on in the future? How is it relevant for clean water restoration?

I hope to focus on best management practices in the future and help farmers and landowners learn more about their options to manage their land in ways that can be less harmful and even helpful to the environment.

What do you hope to gain from being a member of the Coalition/what do you enjoy about being a member?

I enjoy staying up to date on other local organizations and hearing about their efforts to safeguard our community's drinking water. It is helpful as a Coordinator to learn about the different projects happening throughout the region, and also nice as a resident to learn ways to get involved personally.

Tell us about your organization and your mission.

The goal of the Muddy Branch Alliance is to protect the vulnerable natural environment that surrounds our stream in central Maryland. From Gaithersburg, through North Potomac and eventually to the Potomac River, we want to ensure that the natural spaces in our area flourish into the future. As stewards of the Muddy Branch Watershed, we are committed to maintaining its water quality, natural habitat and ecological well-being. We do this by bringing neighbors together to build awareness, improve its natural habitat, and enhance the community's enjoyment of the many creeks and streams within the watershed.

What is one of your current projects you are the most excited about?

I'm very excited about our HOA partnership project! We are working with homeowners' associations in our area to help them transition lawn areas to native plant gardens. We're creating communications materials that will guide HOA leaders through parts of the process, allowing us to scale our efforts—and we're leveraging our learnings to replicate the program with other organizations nationwide! We are very grateful to the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center for their invaluable assistance.

What issue area do you hope to focus on in the future? How is it relevant for clean water restoration?

We want to do more advocacy. This year, we've worked with partners to call for the cancellation of a proposed highway expansion that threatens our stream and its greenway. We've also joined our Coalition allies in asking the Bay states to renew and strengthen the Chesapeake Bay Agreement. We love engaging neighbors in litter cleanups and Weed Warrior events; these actions make an immediate visible difference for our stream. But advocacy is crucial for addressing systemic problems like climate change, excessive runoff, and the ongoing influx of invasive species, which are the major threats to clean water in our area.

What do you hope to gain from being a member of the Coalition?

The Coalition has been an incredible source of information, inspiration, and strategic guidance. With the help of Coalition leaders and partners, we know what to advocate for and how to advocate for it—and we know we have allies on our side. It's been great to share knowledge and stories with our friends all around the Chesapeake Bay region.

The Town Run Watershed Group was officially started in 2023, following the announcement that the Potomac River would be mixed with the Town Run, to serve as the town of Shepherdstown's drinking water source. Formerly, only water from the Potomac River was used. Additionally, in the currently expanding Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, a new housing development is under construction directly adjacent to the Town Run. These shifts ignited the founding members to begin meeting and discussing how they can support the water quality, stream flow, and overall public health of their beloved community.

Some of the biggest issues faced in the watershed are increased development, stormwater management, high levels of bacteria, invasive plant species and septic system maintenance.

The group's purpose is "Stewardship of Town Run for the Shepherdstown community, our downstream neighbors, current and future generations, human and other living beings."

The group has created an ongoing campaign of public awareness, complete with community events, informational signage, stream cleanups, stream restoration projects, and more.

Recently, the Town Run Watershed Group received both a Stream Partners Grant from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection as well as an Advocacy Grant from the West Virginia Rivers Coalition. This additional funding will help expand the already growing public education campaigns!

Through their efforts, the group hopes that they can:

• Mitigate pollution of groundwater from septic systems and other sources.

• Address runoff from streets, parking lots, and lawns.

• Stabilize stream banks, by planting trees and addressing erosion.

• Remove invasive plants and replace them with vegetated buffers.

• Promote stream restoration efforts to spread awareness that the Run is critical to community health!

Over the last few months, the Watershed Group has invited the community to join their efforts. More than 80 people have signed up on their website as "Friends" of Town Run, indicating what kind of volunteer skills they can offer.

The group is partnering with other nonprofits in the area on a variety of projects. This includes Bee City Shepherdstown for the restoration of Back Alley, Historic Shepherdstown for a lecture on the colonial era history of Town Run, and the Master Naturalists of the Potomac Valley Audubon Society for stream clean-ups. Other partners include The Downstream Project, the Shepherdstown Community Club, and the Shepherd University Student Environmental Club.

Town Run Watershed Group holds regular stakeholder meetings, which include participation from individuals and groups such as the Mayor of Shepherdstown, the local water utility, nonprofit organizations, local government agencies, and interested residents. With the assistance of this diverse group of stakeholders, they have collected information on the parks, roads, railroad, sewered areas, wetlands, ponds, and other distinct characteristics of the watershed. They have compiled this information into an interactive map to monitor local water quality.

The group has evolving plans for how their work will grow in the future, including the development of a Watershed Management Plan, a Tree Canopy Plan, and Land Conservation Plans. They also want to promote farmland preservation, increase rainwater harvesting for irrigation, and continue to educate private and institutional property owners on Bay-friendly landscape practices.

This education continued recently when the Town Run Watershed Group partnered with Friends of the Run for a special presentation titled "Risks and Resiliencies for Water Security in Town Run" at Shepherd University. Led by Dr. Nathaniel "Than" Hitt, Senior Scientist with the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, the program explored the critical role of Town Run in Shepherdstown's future water supply and the challenges it faces. Attendees also learned how karst geology, a defining feature of the local landscape, impacts Town Run and other municipal water supplies across the region and the potential effects of climate change and land use on water security.

With Shepherdstown preparing to blend water from Town Run with the Potomac River as its primary drinking water source, understanding the risks and resiliencies involved is more crucial than ever. Water resource management presents ever-evolving challenges, but Town Run Watershed Group is dedicated to helping residents learn how they can play a vital role in safeguarding the future of the Town Run watershed.

The Town Run Watershed Group is "walking the walk" and "talking the talk" on how to be a phenomenal upstream neighbor. They are listening to the concerns of their neighbors and using their collective resources to respond to these pressing issues. We hope their work inspires you to get involved and help protect water quality in the community you love.

Don't forget–we all live downstream!

What city and state is your organization based in? What area (local, regional, statewide) do you serve/work in?

NPCA is a nationwide non-profit, we work in DC in the halls of Congress, and across the country. I support NPCA's work in the Mid-Atlantic region, which encompasses Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. My work focuses mostly on Virginia and Maryland.

Tell us about your organization and your mission.

NPCA's mission is to protect and enhance America's national parks for present and future generations. There are 431 distinct units of the National Park Service. Of course, there are the classic National Park sites like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Shenandoah National Parks. But NPS designations also include battlefields, parkways, seashores, and more. NPCA works to protect and enhance every single one of these sites. First, we advocate at the federal level to ensure parks have the resources they need to be effective. We also advocate for the creation of new park sites, to ensure the entire American story is told through national parks. This includes the proposed Chesapeake National Recreation Area, a future NPS site dedicated to telling the amazing story of the Chesapeake Bay. We also advocate at the state and local level to protect parks from threats. In the Mid-Atlantic region, that includes everything from the exploding data center industry to shipping warehouses. We ensure park landscapes, viewsheds, watersheds, and wildlife are protected now and moving forward.

What is one of your current projects you are the most excited about?

The project I am currently most excited about is NPCA and our partners' work around data center reform in Virginia, in Maryland, and at the federal level. Data centers present one of the most complex and difficult environmental issues of the 21st century. There is no doubt that our digital lives are here to stay, but we must ensure that the digital world does not harm everything we have fought for in the past 50 years, including fighting climate change, protecting landscapes around parks, and having clean water to drink and for the health of our aquatic ecosystems. It is no secret that getting this issue right will be critically important to the environmental movement in the coming years.

What issue area do you hope to focus on in the future? How is it relevant for clean water and healthy aquatic ecosystems?

In the future, I hope to focus more on work in and around Shenandoah National Park. Shenandoah is the only "capital N, capital P" national park in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and protecting and preserving the park and the landscape around the park will be critically important in the coming years. The region around Shenandoah National Park faces unprecedented growth, from industrial development like data centers to housing sprawl caused by population growth. NPCA hopes to work with partners around Virginia to work to protect the broader Shenandoah landscape from incompatible development. In the face of a changing climate, protecting large landscapes around park sites in the Bay Watershed will be critically important to protecting regional water quality, wildlife habitat, and more.

Disclaimer: For all the relevant background information on the status of the Bay restoration effort and the “Beyond 2025” campaign, please see below.

As the Coalition has discussed at length, the effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams is facing a critical juncture. For several months, we have closely followed discussions on the future of the Bay restoration effort as it approaches an important deadline—what lies beyond 2025.

What’s the Latest?

This summer, the Coalition and its member organizations were very active in advocating for a bold vision for clean water in the Bay region. This includes 131 nonprofit organizations signing our series of recommendations, many members and partners writing their own recommendations on the draft plan for next steps in the Bay restoration effort, and several members and partners making their voices heard in the opinion pages of their local newspapers.

The Beyond 2025 Steering Committee received a deluge of comments during the public feedback period. Last week, the committee voted on the final draft of the plan, approving a plan that adopts several changes recommended from the comments received. Notably, this includes the suggestion to review the status of the next series of recommendations for the Bay cleanup plan at the end of 2025, as opposed to 2026.

What’s Next?

Based on these recommendations, the Management Board will draft a directive on the next steps for the Chesapeake Bay Program partnerships for approval by the Principals’ Staff Committee (PSC) at their meeting on October 25. The Chesapeake Executive Council, which consists of the governors of the six watershed states, the mayor of the District of Columbia, the chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will meet on December 10 in Annapolis, Maryland, when they will make the final decision on the directive and the next steps in the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort.

What Can You Do?

It’s not too late to raise your voice for clean water! There is still time to influence plans for what lies beyond 2025, especially prior to the PSC meeting on October 25.

• Reach out to leadership within your state’s environmental agencies asking for them to embrace the recommendations of the Beyond 2025 Steering Committee.

• Urge your Governor to attend the Executive Council meeting on December 10.

• Write op-eds to your local paper about what the restoration effort means to your local community and rivers and streams.

The Coalition has several communications resources and tools to equip your organization raise its voice for clean water in the Bay watershed beyond 2025. Contact Drew Robinson at RobinsonAQ@nwf.org for more information!

Background Information

What is Beyond 2025?

In 2014, the Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council (Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, New York, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, EPA, and the Chesapeake Bay Commission) signed the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement. This agreement had 10 goals and 31 outcomes that focused on everything from water quality and toxics, to land conservation and public access. The deadline to achieve these goals and outcomes was 2025. This aligned with the goal for the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to have all projects in place by 2025. Out of the 31 outcomes, 18 have either been achieved or will be achieved by 2025, and 13 are off track or have an unknown status.

In October of 2022, the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council issued a directive to the Bay Program to develop a plan to accelerate progress to get our goals and outcomes as close as possible to being achieved by 2025 and to present recommendations about the future of the Chesapeake restoration effort beyond 2025.

Beyond 2025 Steering Committee

The Chesapeake Bay Program convened a Beyond 2025 Steering Committee to discuss and created the Beyond 2025 recommendations to be presented to the Program’s Executive Council at their December 2024 meeting. There are 29 members of the steering committee filled by federal and state agency representatives and two non-voting seats for public members filled by the Coalition and the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

At the 2024 Choose Clean Water Conference Kickoff, attendees participated in a public feedback session which included a review of the current 2014 Agreement, a preview of the Beyond 2025 Steering Committee recommendations, a feedback exercise using Mentimeter, and breakout groups to discuss needed changes to the current agreement. The steering committee finalized their recommendations for the Executive Council in June and released their recommendations for public feedback from July 1 - August 30. All of the recommendations were compiled and released publicly.

What Did the Coalition Recommend?

The Coalition gathered 131 nonprofit organizations to sign its series of recommendations:

1. At the December meeting, the Executive Council signs a recommitment to all 31 outcomes in the 2014 Chesapeake Watershed Agreement.

2. The signatories sign a directive to the Principals’ Staff Committee to:

   • Lead a revision of the current 31 outcomes and identify suggested changes to bring to the Executive Council at their 2025 meeting. This will:

     • Start with a public engagement period on the 31 outcomes and create an iterative process for continued feedback.

     • Be evaluated through the lens of the emerging challenges (climate change conditions, increasing population growth), and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice considerations, as requested by the Executive Council in their 2022 directive. 

     • Be done through an inclusive process that utilizes the most publicly accessible aspects of the Chesapeake Bay Program.

     • Result in the sunset of the Beyond 2025 Steering Committee.

   • By December 2026, facilitate a process to streamline decision-making, eliminate duplicative systems, and ensure the Program is built to advance our ultimate goal of thriving living resources, healthy communities, and clean water.

     • Elevate the emphasis on living resources and healthy communities by revising the structure and governance of the Program to make it more inclusive, efficient, and effective.  

     • The new structure and governance should allow for and inform a revised strategy for stakeholder and public engagement within the partnership.

     • As directed in Executive Order 13508, regularly convene the Federal Leadership Committee (FLC) to ensure all federal agencies are engaged and to recalibrate the focus of the Program beyond water quality.

   • By the 2026 Executive Council Meeting, assess the current TMDL Accountability Framework of the Chesapeake Bay Program and identify opportunities for additions and improvements to ensure the signatories are meeting their clean water commitments. Create an implementation structure that tracks progress and provides mutual accountability toward all the goals and outcomes in the 2014 Agreement.

     • The TMDL Accountability Framework should include all aspects of Section 117, E.O. 13508, the TMDL, and accountability framework documents, including mandatory reporting, the selection of an Independent Evaluator, and filling the position of the Senior Advisor of the Chesapeake Bay and Anacostia River to the EPA Administrator.

     • Clearly define the roles of EPA Region III and that of the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office to ensure the Chesapeake TMDL is supplementing, rather than supplanting, the ongoing work of Region III and the states with respect to their statutory obligations.

     • State regulators use their own traditional authority under state and federal water quality laws to improve permitting, compliance, and local TMDL development.

     • The Partnership will develop an implementation structure that includes mutual accountability to ensure progress towards all the goals and outcomes in the 2014 Agreement.

The Coalition hosted a webinar on June 3 walking through the status of the Bay restoration effort and our recommendations for next steps:

As the Coalition has discussed at length, the effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams is facing a critical juncture. For several months, we have closely followed discussions on the future of the Bay restoration effort as it approaches an important deadline—what lies beyond 2025.

For all the relevant background information on the status of the Bay restoration effort and the “Beyond 2025” campaign, please see below.

Stay tuned in the weeks ahead as we continue updating this blog with additional op-eds.

Charleston Gazette-Mail

On September 21, West Virginia Rivers Coalition and Chesapeake Bay Foundation published an op-ed detailing the importance of the Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort to protecting and restoring West Virginia’s rivers and streams.

In the Eastern Panhandle's remaining stronghold of native brook trout, a landowner in the Lost River watershed is restoring a tributary on his property where he caught West Virginia's beloved state fish as a boy. In addition to the stream restoration, the landowner's conservation easement will ensure the land remains preserved for future generations.

Over in Jefferson County, a cattle farmer has adopted more efficient grazing methods and planted trees along groundwater-fed springs to prevent his topsoil from washing away. He's also saving money on fertilizer, animal feed, and other expenses.

These are just two examples of the folks helping to ensure that Potomac River headwaters in the Eastern Panhandle flow from West Virginia as cold and clean as when they emerged from the mountains and limestone aquifers to their ultimate destination, the Chesapeake Bay.

Local conservation projects such as these that improve the headwaters of the Potomac, and ultimately the Bay, have gotten crucial funding and technical support since West Virginia joined the six-state Bay restoration effort more than two decades ago.

Today, those restoration efforts are at a crossroads. The 2025 deadline is fast approaching to achieve the goals the Bay states set in a 2014 agreement to improve water quality, recover fish and wildlife habitat, conserve forests and farmland and increase resiliency.

Read the rest at the Charleston Mail-Gazette

Maryland Matters

On September 20, Liam O’Meara, friend of the Coalition, published an op-ed in the Maryland Matters, discussing the many benefits to local economies provided by the Bay restoration effort. As the President of Environmental Quality Resources LLC, a well-known and respected environmental restoration firm, O’Meara’s provides the valuable perspective of how investing in clean water supports small businesses.

There is a fact so indisputable that it stands with the laws of thermodynamics: Marylanders love the Chesapeake Bay. Case in point, we willingly identify with a crustacean, the blue crab, so closely that just its silhouette means Maryland! Our motto might as well be “callinectes sapidus.”

It's also a fact that the Bay needs a lot more than just love to thrive.

Since the first major wave of colonists settled here hundreds of years ago, humans have drastically impacted the landscape. By the early 19th century, thousands of acres of forest were stripped to make way for tobacco, pasture and lumber. Today, less than one percent of our forests are considered old growth. The scale of deforestation was so massive that it caused the erosion of hundreds of millions of tons of topsoil, burying streams and rivers under feet of sediment.

The ghosts of our ancestors still haunt us today. More than 80 percent of suspended sediment in our waterways comes from streambank erosion, as flowing water carves channels ever deeper and wider through this unnaturally located sediment. As storms become more frequent and intense under climate change, stream erosion could continue to accelerate for centuries.

That's the bad news. The good news is that thousands of Marylanders wake up every day and turn their love for the Bay into action. In fact, our tiny state is a world leader in the ecological restoration sector, which employs more than 53,000 Americans nationally.

Those companies, like many in Maryland, tackle projects every day such as constructing living shorelines, planting native plants and wildlife habitat, and building green infrastructure that slows the flow of polluted runoff entering our waterways from our streets, roofs, and parking lots.

Dozens of nonprofit and for-profit businesses employ your neighbors to do this difficult work year-round in all conditions. These are high skill, rewarding careers that cannot be outsourced. The resulting projects bring real, permanent benefits to local communities.

Read the rest at Maryland Matters

Sunbury Daily Item

On August 30, Gary Truckenmiller, the owner and operator of Dry Run Dairy in Watsontown, Pennsylvania, published an op-ed discussing the evolution of his farm installing conservation practices. Truckenmiller details the many benefits to installing these practices and how the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort is inextricably connected to the work on his Pennsylvania dairy farm.

It’s For six generations, my family has tended to our dairy farm near Dry Run by Watsontown. Over the past nearly 200 years, the way we farm has changed drastically. While the rapid advance of technology has greatly influenced our farming, perhaps the most seismic change occurred in the 1950s as the conservation movement began to take hold in Pennsylvania.

Slowly but surely, my father began implementing conservation practices on our farm such as converting from strip farming to no-till. My conservation journey began when I witnessed the positive impact of no-till. I built on that legacy by adding cover crops to our farm. Typically grown in the offseason, cover crops provide many benefits to the land such as improving soil health, reducing erosion, and suppressing weeds. And cover crops don't only feed the soil, they also help my bottom line by providing forage for my cows, increasing my crop yield, and reducing the need for pesticides.

Today, our farm has a wide array of conservation projects, including efficient and sustainable manure storage pits, fencing for rotational grazing, and plans this fall to install fencing to keep our cows out of Dry Run and plant trees on streambanks to reduce erosion. It took decades to restore, but we now have more productive soil throughout our land.

Read the rest at the Sunbury Daily Item

Baltimore Sun

On August 20, the Coalition’s own Kristin Reilly published an op-ed sharing the story of her connection to the Chesapeake Bay, the status of the decades-long effort to protect and restore the Bay’s rivers and streams, and how it’s crucial for state and federal leaders to recommit to the Bay restoration effort and refresh the goals and outcomes of the 2014 Chesapeake Watershed Agreement.

As a born-and-raised Marylander, I share in the state’s obsession with blue crabs, our state flag and lacrosse. I spend summer vacations in Ocean City, and we served the famous Smith Island cake at my wedding. And to top it off, I have spent most of my professional career working to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay. But while I may have been born with a love of crabcakes, my passion for the Chesapeake isn’t something that was instilled in me from a young age.

Growing up in Gaithersburg, the shores of the bay were a little over an hour away. My only early memories of the bay were crossing over it heading to our annual beach vacation. It was big; sometimes blue. But that was my only connection to this estuary that has now become the center of my personal and professional world.

What I do remember are the critters found in my parent’s front yard, the woods I walked through to get to my elementary school, and the aquatic life I saw wading barefoot in the stream down the street. It is only natural that a person’s priorities center on where they live, what they can see, and the impact it has on themselves and their families. The Choose Clean Water Coalition recognized this when it was created 15 years ago. While the coalition is focused on ensuring progress toward the bay’s clean water goals, our more than 300 nonprofit member organizations understand that a clean bay is not achievable unless the rivers, streams and communities throughout the Chesapeake's 64,000-square-mile watershed are clean as well. This means focusing on the issues that matter to the people who live there.

In 2014, the six states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed; Washington, D.C.; the Environmental Protection Agency and the Chesapeake Bay Commission signed the 2014 Chesapeake Watershed Agreement. With 10 goals linked to 31 outcomes, it focuses on priorities facing every community in the watershed, from water quality and wildlife habitat to fisheries and public access. Its goals were ambitious, included milestones and progress reports, and set the target of having all conservation practices in place for bay water-quality goals by 2025.

And we’ve seen progress. Of the 31 outcomes, we’re on track to meet 18 by the end of this year. But much has changed in the past 10 years. Those woods I walked through to school are long gone, replaced with new neighborhoods and shopping centers, and they reflect the growing land-conversion challenges we face across the region.

Read the rest at the Baltimore Sun

For those out of the loop, here’s a quick recap on the status of the Bay restoration effort:

In 2014, the six states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the District of Columbia, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Chesapeake Bay Commission signed the 2014 Chesapeake Watershed Agreement. With ten goals and 31 outcomes, it focuses on priorities facing every community in the watershed, from water quality and wildlife habitat to fisheries and public access. Its goals were ambitious, included milestones and progress reports, and set the target of having all conservation practices in place for Bay water quality goals by 2025. While we have made great progress, out of the 31 outcomes, 13 are off track or have an unknown status.

The Chesapeake Bay Program partnership convened a Beyond 2025 Steering Committee to discuss and created the Beyond 2025 recommendations to be presented to the Program’s Executive Council at their December 2024 meeting. There are 29 members of the steering committee filled by federal and state agency representatives and two non-voting seats for public members filled by the Coalition and the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The committee received a deluge of comments during the public feedback period. Last week, the committee voted on the final draft of the plan, approving a plan that adopts several changes recommended from the comments received. Notably, this includes the suggestion to review the status of the next series of recommendations for the Bay cleanup plan at the end of 2025, as opposed to 2026.

The Coalition will continue to closely follow events related to the future of the Bay restoration effort. With the support of our member organizations, we will continue to advocate for the policies and practices that will allow us to leave a legacy of clean water to future generations.