In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

 “At the core of our work for clean water in the Chesapeake Bay region is the Chesapeake Bay Agreement. Since last year’s Chesapeake Executive Council meeting, many partners have worked long and hard to strengthen the Agreement to include bold, ambitious restoration goals. We must build on our momentum from past success and uphold our commitments to clean water.

“We are heartened to see so many Bay Agreement signatories attend today’s gathering. Their presence, including Governor Shapiro serving as the new Chair of the Chesapeake Executive Council, demonstrates the widespread commitment to clean water in the Bay region. As we face uncertainty for future federal funding, their participation is crucial.

“We won’t meet our goals without strong partnerships and collaboration, including the many federal agencies working on the Bay restoration effort. The Choose Clean Water Coalition and our more than 320 nonprofit member organizations will closely follow the developments on the next steps for the Bay cleanup and look for opportunities to assist by providing our expertise and experience working with communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.” 

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

The latest iteration of the Bay Agreement was signed in 2014 and set the deadline of December 2025 to have all pollution reduction practices in place. While many goals were met, there is a need to reevaluate our strategies and recommit to protecting and restoring all the rivers and streams that feed the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Program released its draft Agreement and accepted public feedback July 1-September 1.

With clean water at the heart of every healthy community, the Choose Clean Water Coalition is pleased with the broad and comprehensive approach of the draft Agreement. However, the Coalition has several areas of concern. These include:

• Need for a Standard Timeline: While the draft Agreement sets laudable goals, its scattered timelines for various goals and outcomes is like a ship with a broken compass. One standard timeline for the whole Agreement is necessary so we can chart our collective course with a common timeline.

• Inclusion of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL): The pollution limits set through the Total Maximum Daily Load, or TMDL, are an essential piece of the overall restoration effort. It's critical the Agreement mentions the TMDL and the nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment reduction targets.

• Need to Accelerate Progress: In the current revised Agreement, the attainment and monitoring targets do not reflect an acceleration of progress. If progress was maintained at the current rate suggested in the draft Agreement, restoration of the Chesapeake Bay would take 350 years. That is unacceptable. The Chesapeake Bay Program must set targets that accelerate progress, not maintain the status quo.

• Increase Wetlands Targets: Wetlands are nature's sponge, absorbing and filtering water while providing critical habitat for critters. The draft Agreement undermines the value of wetlands by setting goals drastically low. With wetlands threatened by development and more critical than ever to alleviate flooding, the new Agreement needs to set higher wetlands goals.

• Add the Indigenous Conservation Council as a Signatory: While the Chesapeake is often recognized as an example for the restoration and conservation community, we are far behind other geographic programs when it comes to recognizing tribal sovereignty and authentic Indigenous engagement. The Coalition asks for the development of a plan for discussions and a path forward for Indigenous representation on the Chesapeake Executive Council.

• Address Invasive Catfish: Invasive catfish (blue and flathead) are decimating the ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The reduction and management of their population requires a collaborative effort, which is why invasive catfish should be added to the Agreement.

Ultimately, 91 organizations endorsed the Coalition's feedback letter. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

"This is a unique time in the history of Chesapeake Bay restoration and protection. We have a special opportunity to revise the plan to conserve this national treasure. The collaborative partnership of states and federal partners serves as a national and international model for restoration and is the key to success.

"But we are far from the finish line. While the current draft revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement provides a solid foundation, it is lacking in several key areas. The Coalition's feedback on the draft Agreement outlines ways to make the Agreement stronger, inspire innovative solutions, and broaden our restoration tent.

"We have to be willing to change the way we approach this work, even if it means taking risks. Doing what we have always done has proven insufficient, and we cannot expect different outcomes with the same actions.

"The stakes are high, as this plan will chart our course for at least the next decade. We owe it to future generations to aim high, work together, and leave a legacy of clean water and healthy communities."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 300 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program, which coordinates the federal-state partnership to restore the Chesapeake Bay's rivers and streams: $92,000,000

• U.S. Geological Survey’s Chesapeake Science and Monitoring Program, which provides critical water quality monitoring data and analysis: $17,577,000

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Chesapeake WILD Program, a grant program managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that assists local partners with on-the-ground habitat restoration and protection: $8,000,000

• U.S. National Park Service’s Chesapeake Gateways Program, a network of places and partners that increases accessibility to waterways throughout the Chesapeake Bay region: $3,027,000

These numbers represent maintained funding levels from FY25. This trend is also reflected in the Senate’s Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill, which increases funding for Bay programs that support practices such as oyster restoration, environmental education, and studying the state of the menhaden fishery.

The House and Senate funding levels are a notable diversion from the President’s proposed budget which zeroes out support from these programs critical to realizing clean water. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

"Clean water is at the heart of every healthy community. We are thrilled to see Congress unite behind crucial programs that protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and the rivers and streams that feed it.

"States and local governments are implementing projects throughout the Chesapeake Bay region to improve their local waterways. But these projects are not possible without federal support.

"This first step of Congress demonstrating their continued commitment to clean water is an encouraging sign. We are grateful for the strong bipartisan support for clean water and look forward to working with all members of Congress to maintain these federal investments."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 300 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

"With its rapid reproduction, large size, and long lifespan, blue catfish are a top predator in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. And this invasive species known for its robust appetite is causing major issues for blue crabs, rockfish, oysters, and many other fish populations in the region.

"The Choose Clean Water Coalition is pleased to support the MAWS Act, which will take a critical step in mitigating the damage caused by blue catfish in the Bay. This legislation is yet another example of an action that's positive for both the environment and local economy. 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.

"We want to thank Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (D-MD) and Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) for introducing the MAWS Act and are looking forward to it progressing through Congress."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 300 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

“Congressman Gerry Connolly was a tireless leader for clean water and conservation. As chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and a member of Congress, Connolly was a strong voice in ongoing efforts to restore and protect local waterways throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. In Congress, he encouraged the EPA to reaffirm its commitment to the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement and championing legislation to protect wildlife and habitat. Our thoughts are with Congressman Connolly’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 300 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

"We are thrilled to gather our passionate community of advocates for the 2025 Choose Clean Water Conference," said Kristin Reilly, Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition. "In the face of unprecedented challenges, it is more important than ever for us to convene and learn from one another. Despite these headwinds, I am inspired by the tremendous progress spearheaded by our community. Our Conference showcases all we can accomplish when we work together to reach our collective clean water goals."

The Conference began with an afternoon seminar yesterday which focused on the widespread growth of data centers throughout the Chesapeake Bay region and the threats they pose to local rivers and streams. The seminar featured several presentations and a panel discussion including community activists and Delegate Josh Thomas. The Conference continued today with Virginia Department of Natural and Historic Resources Secretary Stefanie Taillon delivering a keynote address. Secretary Taillon discussed efforts throughout Virginia to protect and restore local water quality. "Under Governor Youngkin's leadership, Virginia remains fully committed to our Chesapeake Bay efforts and continues to accelerate progress towards meeting our targets" said Secretary Taillon. "By operating under realistic strategies, focusing on voluntary incentive-based solutions, and exploring innovative ideas, we can have cleaner water, support our farmers, and sustain the Bay's living resources, including oysters and blue crabs, which are vital to Virginia's economy."

This evening, the Choose Clean Water Coalition honored Senator Emmett Hanger and Chris Miller with the Coalition's Clean Water Champion Award, which is presented annually to individuals who exemplify the values of the Coalition and are a true champion for clean water. Serving in the Virginia legislature for more than 40 years, Hanger was a leader in securing countless wins for Virginia's rivers and streams throughout his tenure. This includes helping farmers implement more conservation practices on their land, supporting localities to install projects that reduce polluted runoff and flooding, and passing laws to protect more than one million acres of land in Virginia. Said Hanger, "Clean water is essential to our health, economy, and way of life here in the Shenandoah Valley and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and Chesapeake Bay region. I am proud of my efforts to protect and restore our precious waterways and am honored to be named a 2025 Clean Water Champion. I want to thank the Choose Clean Water Coalition and its member organizations for this recognition and I look forward to continuing this critical work."

The Coalition also honored Chris Miller, President of the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC). Miller, who has served as PEC's President for nearly 30 years, is a founding member of the Choose Clean Water Coalition's Steering Committee. Under his leadership, PEC is a leader in land conservation, sustainable agriculture, and smart growth.

"I am honored and humbled by this recognition from the Coalition today, but we don't do this work alone. The core tenant of PEC's work has always been to engage, on the ground, with the people in our communities, and to give them, we hope, the information and knowledge they need to feel empowered to take action toward positive outcomes," said Miller. "We are grateful to the many organizations of the Choose Clean Water Coalition that help us in this work across the watershed. The burgeoning threats of data centers and related infrastructure has the potential to undermine all we've accomplished together and we as a coalition and as individual organizations must press onward to address these threats. Our water resources provide many well-known and also many less obvious public benefits, from ecosystem to agricultural to economic to climate to human health and quality of life. The Chesapeake Bay Watershed is a better place because we have all been steadfast and relentless in our efforts over time."

"Senator Hanger and Chris are incredibly deserving of this recognition. Both have made lasting impacts on clean water throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia," said Reilly. "Throughout their careers, Senator Hanger and Chris have served as unifying forces, gathering and empowering local stakeholders to raise their voices for their rivers and streams. As we work to leave a legacy of clean water to future generations, we would be well-served to follow in their footsteps."

The annual Choose Clean Water Conference provides a three-day forum for attendees to learn about the most important and up-to-date Chesapeake restoration issues, network with fellow Chesapeake Bay supporters and activists, develop strategies to advance federal, regional and local restoration goals, and learn from successes. Gathering in Virginia for the first time since 2022, the 15th annual Choose Clean Water Conference concludes tomorrow.

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

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"Federal funding is the cornerstone of the effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay and the rivers and streams that feed it. Federal investments support programs that plant trees, monitor local water quality, and get kids outside for meaningful education experiences. Proposing to cripple or eliminate programs that improve clean water and healthy communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay region is deeply concerning.

"We are grateful for the strong bipartisan support for the Bay. We look forward to working with all members of Congress to safeguard these critical federal investments and leaving a legacy of clean water to future generations."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 300 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

For more than a decade, the six states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the District of Columbia have worked with the federal government on a historic restoration program. Projects supported with federal investments have not only generated positive environmental benefits, but also created jobs and stimulated local economies. The federal funding freeze is jeopardizing communities throughout the region.

"Everyone wants clean water. Clean rivers and streams are an economic driver, safeguard of public health, and a cultural treasure. But without federal support, the Bay restoration effort is heading upstream without a paddle," said Kristin Reilly, Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition. "The pause in federal funding for clean water projects is putting community partners, like farmers, small businesses, and localities, in dire financial situations. We are eager to tell these stories to members of Congress and urge them to recommit to these critical programs that benefit so many communities."

At the forefront of asks for legislators is maintaining critical funding for EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program. Two-thirds of Bay Program funding supports on-the-ground projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed states and the District of Columbia. This support plants trees to improve wildlife habitat, installs conservation practices on farmland, improves oyster and crab populations, and funds other activities that improve local water quality. Other asks include policies to increase the harvesting of invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and support for the Chesapeake WILD Program, a grant program that assists local partners with on-the-ground habitat restoration.

"As Coastal Virginians, the Chesapeake Bay is a vital part of our economy, environment, and way of life," said Congresswoman Kiggans (R-VA). "From our vibrant aquaculture to our bustling tourism industry, our Commonwealth relies on a clean and healthy Bay. We must be responsible stewards of our environment and work together to make our coastal communities more resilient for generations to come. I will always fight to ensure we continue to protect the coastal waterways that provide so much for us here in Virginia’s Second District."

Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) added, "The Chesapeake Bay is the crown jewel of our great state. I appreciated the opportunity to speak at Chesapeake Bay Day and look forward to continued engagement with our incredible partners to protect the Bay now and forever."

The thirteenth annual Choose Clean Water Coalition's Chesapeake Bay Day on Capitol Hill held 41 meetings with members of Congress. There were also 170 organizations signing letters endorsing the Coalition's appropriations asks. In addition to meeting with members of Congress, 10 members of Congress spoke at the aforementioned luncheon gathering of advocates.

EPA CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM GRANTS – BY STATE
(FY2024–$92 million enacted level/$47.6 million Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act)

The Choose Clean Water Coalition, an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 300 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

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• EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program which coordinates the federal-state partnership to restore the Chesapeake Bay's rivers and streams.

• Chesapeake Watershed Investments and Landscape Defense (WILD) Program, a grant program managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that assists local partners with on-the-ground habitat restoration and protection.

• Chesapeake Gateways Program, a National Park Service administered network of partners and places that increases accessibility to waterways throughout the Chesapeake Bay region.

In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

"We are thrilled to see this critical legislation head to President Biden's desk. The extraordinary bipartisan support for the ACE Reauthorization Act demonstrates the popularity of critical programs that make a difference for clean water throughout the country.

"We want to thank Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) for sponsoring this legislation, as well as Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) for co-sponsoring. We also want to reiterate our thanks to Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) for sponsoring the accompanying legislation in the House."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 300 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

The Chesapeake Bay Agreement, signed in 2014, set the deadline to have all pollution reduction practices in place by 2025. While acknowledging we will not meet all the goals set in the Agreement, Chesapeake Executive Council Chair Governor Moore led a recommitment to the restoration effort and issued a directive for the Chesapeake Bay Program to evaluate all the goals and outcomes of the 2014 Agreement and prepare a report of recommended updates by next year's Executive Council meeting. The Executive Council also issued a directive to evaluate the structure of the Chesapeake Bay Program, ensuring that its work and processes are open to the public and accessible, with a report ready by the 2026 Executive Council meeting.

In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

"For more than a decade, efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams have circled 2025 on the calendar. At this pivotal moment, we applaud Governors Moore, Shapiro, and Youngkin for recommitting to the Bay restoration effort.

"We are seeing real progress throughout the Bay region. Water quality is improving, vital habitats are rebounding, and public access to our treasured waterways and green spaces is growing. But there is much more work ahead to leave a legacy of clean water to future generations.

"Now more than ever, we need strong local and state leadership to propel this regional restoration effort forward. And with clean water at the heart of every healthy community, we need an updated Chesapeake Bay Agreement that embraces a holistic view of restoration. As the Bay Program begins to evaluate the next phase of the Bay Agreement, we urge them to base their recommendations on the latest science and center the impacts on people as they consider future goals and objectives.

"The Choose Clean Water Coalition and our more than 300 nonprofit member organizations will closely follow the developments on the next steps for the Bay cleanup and look for opportunities to assist by providing our expertise and experience working with communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 300 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

• EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program which coordinates the federal-state partnership to restore the Chesapeake Bay's rivers and streams.

• Chesapeake Watershed Investments and Landscape Defense (WILD) Program, a grant program managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that assists local partners with on-the-ground habitat restoration and protection.

• Chesapeake Gateways Program, a National Park Service administered network of partners and places that increases accessibility to waterways throughout the Chesapeake Bay region.

In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

"While today's politics are fraught with partisanship and division, clean water is the great unifier. When America's Conservation Enhancement Act passed in 2020, it was the most important piece of federal legislation to help the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams in more than 30 years. The programs supported through the ACE Act are bearing fruit throughout the Chesapeake Bay region, with vital habitats restored, public access to our waterways and green spaces improved, and local economies boosted.

"We want to thank Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) for his leadership sponsoring the ACE Reauthorization Act, as well as Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) for co-sponsoring the legislation. With strong bipartisan support for this legislation and Congress set to adjourn shortly, we urge the Senate to pass it quickly and send it to President Biden's desk."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 300 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

(WASHINGTON, DC)—Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources unanimously voted the Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act (S.2620) out of committee. Introduced in July 2023 by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), the legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA). The CNRA would designate a collection of new and existing parks and protected lands along the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal waters in Maryland and Virginia as part of the National Park System.

For decades, legislators and advocates have discussed efforts to recognize America's largest estuary with a national designation. The creation of the CNRA would be a historic step to celebrate and protect this national treasure. It also would help introduce future generations to the Chesapeake Bay by increasing public access and strengthening the culture of stewardship across the region.

In response, leaders from Chesapeake Conservancy, Choose Clean Water Coalition, National Parks Conservation Association, and Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued the following statements:

Chesapeake Conservancy President & CEO Joel Dunn said:

"Thanks to Senator Van Hollen's leadership, this is a great day for the Chesapeake Bay, with another step forward in the four-decade effort to establish National Park Service recognition for the nation's largest estuary. The Chesapeake Bay is as spectacular as Yellowstone or Yosemite, as great as the Great Smokies and as grand as the Grand Tetons.

“Establishing the Chesapeake National Recreation Area expands resources for environmental protection and makes it clear that the United States cherishes the Chesapeake, the birthplace of American identity. As a great gift to future generations, this legislation ensures public access to our nation's largest estuary while providing for the needs of those who live here and depend on the bay for their livelihood."

Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly said:

"Our National Park System plays an invaluable role in helping the public access and enjoy our most precious natural resources. As the epicenter of so much history, culture, and economic growth, it's high time for the Chesapeake Bay to receive a national designation.

"This recognition will enhance and expand public access to the Bay, helping introduce this national treasure to future generations. We're grateful for Senator Chris Van Hollen's leadership on the creation of a Chesapeake National Recreation Area and look forward to working with all members of the Chesapeake Bay watershed's congressional delegation to pass this legislation."

National Parks Conservation Association President and CEO Theresa Pierno said:

"The natural beauty and significant history of the Chesapeake Bay should be protected for all to know, and for many more visitors to explore. The watershed has sustained Tribal nations for centuries, is home to thousands of plant and animal species, and is rooted in some of our most consequential American history.

"The Chesapeake National Recreation Area will better connect green spaces and waterways, improve access and help build a more sustainable future for those that live, work and adventure in the Bay. We are grateful to Senator Van Hollen for his leadership in spearheading this legislation, which is now moving us one step closer to becoming our next national park site."

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Federal Policy Coordinator Annabelle Harvey said:

"The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure worthy of national recognition. Its natural wonders, unique maritime culture and thousands of years of fascinating history deserve the additional resources, attention, and access a national recreation area designation would bring.

"The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is pleased to see the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee acknowledge that by approving Sen. Van Hollen's Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act. We thank the committee for moving this important bill forward and urge congressional leaders to act quickly to complete work on it."

# # #

Media Contacts:

Jody Couser
Chesapeake Conservancy
443-703-8678
JCouser@chesapeakeconservancy.org

Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

Kyle Groetzinger
National Parks Conservation Association
202.893.3391
kgroetzinger@npca.org

Lisa Caruso
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
202-739-4485
LCaruso@cbf.org  

"For decades, the work to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams has unified our elected leaders. With tremendous bipartisan support for clean water, we now have record-high funding levels for programs that are critical for improving the health of our waterways and communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. We will continue working with all our elected leaders to fight for critical investments in clean water programs, resist harmful deregulations, and leave a legacy of clean water to future generations."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 300 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region. The Coalition is fiscally sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, not-for-profit, charitable organization; is nonpartisan; and does not coordinate with, support, or oppose any candidates for public office or political party.

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

In 2014, the Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council, comprised of the governors of the six states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the mayor of the District of Columbia, the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, and the chair of 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 are ambitious, includes milestones and progress reports, and sets the target of having all conservation practices in place for Bay water quality goals by 2025.

While we have seen progress, we are off track on meeting many of the goals and outcomes. In response, the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership convened a Beyond 2025 Steering Committee to discuss and create recommendations for the future of Bay restoration. The committee issued its draft recommendations and is currently receiving public feedback through August 30. The Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council will review the recommendations at their December 2024 meeting.

From across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, 131 member organizations of the Coalition signed a letter in support of the findings of the Beyond 2025 Steering Committee to recommit to the Chesapeake Bay Program restoration effort and to sign a directive to revise the 10 goals and 31 outcomes within the current Bay Agreement. The undersigned members of the Coalition specifically ask that the Executive Council demonstrate their commitment to the partnership by signing a recommitment at their meeting in December and directing that recommended changes to the Bay Agreement are ready for review by the Executive Council's 2025 meeting.

In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

"Throughout the Bay region, people are watching to see what is next for the Chesapeake Bay cleanup. One-hundred and thirty-one nonprofit organizations, representing every state in the Bay watershed and DC, are urging our state leaders to recommit to the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort. As the organizations working in local communities across the watershed, they see the benefits and successes of this coordinated effort first-hand. With this experience, they expect this critical partnership to continue so we can achieve our goals for clean water and healthy communities.

"The Chesapeake Bay and the rivers and streams that feed it are critical to local economies, drinking water supplies, and cultural heritage. But our communities and waterways are facing new threats that are creating new challenges for us to overcome. We must recognize these obstacles and revise the goals and outcomes for this effort so we can adapt and ensure future success.

"The Coalition will continue to closely follow the developments on the next steps for the Bay cleanup. We hope our state leaders will capitalize on this transformational moment and take the necessary steps to safeguard this national treasure for future generations."

The organizations that signed the Coalition's recommendation letter include:

Action Together Northeastern Pennsylvania
Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley
American Canoe Association
American Chestnut Land Trust
American Rivers
Anacostia Parks & Community Collaborative
Anacostia Watershed Society
Audubon Mid-Atlantic
Audubon Society of Northern Virginia
Baltimore Green Space
Baltimore Tree Trust
Beaverdam Creek Watershed Watch Group
Blue Ridge Watershed Coalition
Blue Water Baltimore
Butternut Valley Alliance
Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust
Cacapon Institute
Capital Region Land Conservancy
Casey Trees
Catoctin Land Trust
Centro de Apoyo Familiar
Chapman Forest Foundation
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Chesapeake Conservancy
Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council
Chesapeake Legal Alliance
Chestnut Hill United Church
Citizens to Conserve and Restore Indian Creek
Clean Fairfax Council
Clean Water Action
Coalition for Smarter Growth
Conservation Foundation of Lancaster County
Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania
DC Environmental Network
Defensores de la Cuenca
Delaware Center for Horticulture
Delaware Nature Society
Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society
Earth Force
Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy
Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental Integrity Project
Environmental Policy Innovation Center
Envision Frederick County
Forever Maryland
Friends of Accotink Creek
Friends of Dyke Marsh
Friends of Lower Beaverdam Creek
Friends of Quincy Run
Friends of Sligo Creek
Friends of the Cacapon River
Friends of the Chemung River Watershed
Friends of the Nanticoke River
Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River
Friends of the Rappahannock
Friends of the Rivers of Virginia
Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake
Interfaith Power & Light (MD. DC. NoVA)
Izaak Walton League of America
James River Association
Lancaster Clean Water Partners
Lancaster Farmland Trust
Land Trust Alliance
Latino Outdoors
Lower Shore Land Trust
Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association
Lynnhaven River NOW
Maryland Academy of Science at Maryland Science Center
Maryland Conservation Council
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
Maryland Nonprofits
Maryland Pesticide Education Network
Mattawoman Watershed Society
Montgomery Countryside Alliance
Muddy Branch Alliance
National Aquarium
National Parks Conservation Association
National Wildlife Federation
Nature Forward
Neighbors of the Northwest Branch
New York League of Conservation Voters
Otsego County Conservation Association
Otsego Land Trust
Parks and People Foundation
Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust
PennFuture
Penns Valley Conservation Association
Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited
Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light
Phillips Wharf Environmental Center
Piedmont Environmental Council
Potomac Conservancy
Potomac Riverkeeper Network
Potomac Valley Audubon Society
Preservation Maryland
Protect Hanover
Rachel Carson Council
Restore America's Estuaries
Rivanna Conservation Alliance
River Network
Rock Creek Conservancy
Save Our Soils
Scenic Rivers Land Trust
ShoreRivers
Sidney Center Improvement Group
Sierra Club
Sleepy Creek Watershed Association
Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project
Southern Maryland Audubon Society
SouthWings
St. Mary's River Watershed Association
Sussex Preservation Coalition
Sweet Springs Resort Park Foundation Inc.
Sweet Springs Watershed Association
The 6th Branch
The Downstream Project
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Town Run Watershed
Transition Howard County
Trout Unlimited
Virginia Conservation Network
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
Virginia Organizing
Ward 8 Woods Conservancy
Waterkeepers Chesapeake
West Virginia Citizens Action Group
West Virginia Land Trust
West Virginia Rivers Coalition
Wetlands Watch
Wild Virginia

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

"We applaud the many members of Congress who championed the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort by firmly rejecting this harmful amendment. Accountability is a critical element of keeping the Bay cleanup effort on track. Safeguarding the accountability measures when we need it most prevent us from reverting to the failed policies of the past and more polluted waters.

"As the Bay restoration effort faces a critical juncture with the upcoming deadline to have all pollution reduction practices in place by 2025, we are encouraged by the defeat of this amendment on a bipartisan basis. The Choose Clean Water Coalition and our more than 300 nonprofit organizations throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed will continue to advocate for the defense of the collaborative effort which has resulted in real progress toward achieving clean water and healthy communities across the Bay watershed."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 300 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—As the EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program seeks public input on the next phase of Chesapeake Bay restoration, this week a bipartisan group of 25 U.S. Senators and Representatives from Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, New York, and the District of Columbia urged regional leaders to recommit to the Chesapeake Bay.

The June 24 letter from members of Congress to a committee of state and federal leaders comes at a pivotal time in the decades-old partnership to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams.

The most recent phase of this effort was galvanized in 2014, when the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement was signed by the governors of the six states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the mayor of the District of Columbia, the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and the EPA Administrator.

The agreement includes a 2025 deadline for having the practices in place to reduce pollution to the region's waterways, as well as other key measures. That has led to important successes, including the largest oyster reef restoration projects in the world and dramatically reducing pollution from sewage treatment plants.

But many goals will not be met by 2025, including legally-binding commitments by the states to reduce pollution to the Bay. Polluted runoff from agriculture, cities, and developed areas remain major issues.

Seeking to chart a course on next steps for Chesapeake Bay restoration, the partnership formed a Beyond 2025 Steering Committee last year managed by the EPA and the Chesapeake Bay Commission. The committee recently issued a draft report with recommendations, and on June 27 voted to open it to a 60-day public feedback period beginning July 1.

A critical next step comes in December, when the Chesapeake Executive Council—made up of the governors of Bay watershed states, the mayor of the District of Columbia, the EPA Administrator, and the Chesapeake Bay Commission—will meet.

The Beyond 2025 Steering Committee's recent report asks for the region's leaders to affirm their commitments to working together in partnership to meet Bay restoration goals. It also recommends reviewing and updating the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement as needed, given updates in science and growing challenges such as climate change.

In a letter this week, members of Congress urged action on several fronts, including:

• Asking "signatories of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement to affirm their continuing commitment at this December's Executive Council Meeting to the partnership and ultimate goal of that Agreement—to restore the Bay and its watershed for the benefit of all residents."

• Asking state and federal leaders to "evaluate, amend and recommit to the Agreement by the end of 2025 to build on four decades of progress by strategically and expeditiously updating specific goals and outcomes to reflect the current, best available science."

Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement.

"We're facing a critical juncture in the effort to protect and restore the rivers and streams feeding the Chesapeake Bay. Despite many challenges, we've seen tremendous progress under the 2014 Chesapeake Watershed Agreement. But we are off track on several goals that are critical to reaching our objective of healthy rivers and streams, thriving communities, and flourishing habitats.

"Now more than ever, we need bold and ambitious leaders to build on current momentum and move the Bay restoration effort forward. We applaud all the Members of Congress who demonstrated this leadership by calling on the Chesapeake Executive Council to recommit to and refresh the 2014 Agreement."

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Federal Director Keisha Sedlacek issued the following statement.

"Unless our region's governors pledge to continue working together with state and federal leaders on Chesapeake Bay restoration, we will never have a vibrant, healthy Bay. Decades of hard work would come undone, threatening the well-being of millions of people across the region.

"Chesapeake Bay restoration experts and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are all saying the same thing. Now is the time for governors across the Chesapeake Bay region to step up and publicly recommit to working together to meet goals for cleaner and healthier waterways. That includes updating the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement by the end of 2025 to reflect the latest science and growing challenges from climate change.

"This December's Chesapeake Executive Council meeting is the greatest opportunity for our region's governors and the EPA Administrator to come together and recommit to the Bay."

# # #

Media Contacts:

Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

Kenny Fletcher
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
804-638-9036
kfletcher@cbf.org

The annual conference comes at a pivotal time in the Bay cleanup, as the 2025 deadline approaches to have clean water protections in place as part of the Bay restoration effort. With the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership developing their plan for the future of the restoration effort beyond 2025, the conference kicked off yesterday with an afternoon seminar featuring Bay Program staff sharing the direction of their plan and gathering feedback from attendees.

"At this watershed moment in the Bay cleanup, we're excited to convene a diverse set of stakeholders and provide a platform to host critical conversations on the future of the restoration effort," said Kristin Reilly, Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition. "While we have made great progress in protecting and restoring the rivers and streams that feed the Chesapeake Bay, much work remains. We are eager to continue these vital conversations and ensure future cleanup efforts focus on projects and practices that make the greatest impact towards cultivating healthy communities throughout the region."

The conference continued with Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz delivering a keynote address. The chair of the Bay Program's Principals' Staff Committee, Secretary Kurtz plays a significant role in shaping the direction of the Bay restoration effort. "In Maryland, we're already moving forward with policies and projects to usher in the next phase of the Chesapeake Bay cleanup," said Secretary Kurtz. "We're focused on building new habitat for wildlife, developing performance-based funding methods for pollution reduction projects, and connecting more people to the Chesapeake through outdoor education and increased public access. Now is the time to bring forward and evaluate new ideas to build on our past success as watershed states work together to develop plans to continue improving Chesapeake Bay water quality past 2025. I'm proud to be in a position to help coordinate this important work. Thanks to the Choose Clean Water Coalition for inviting me to address the conference."

This evening, the Choose Clean Water Coalition honored Angie Rosser and Lisa Alexander for their contributions to the Chesapeake Bay's waterways. Rosser received the 2024 Coalition's Clean Water Champion Award, which is presented annually to individuals who exemplify the values of the Coalition, are a true champion for clean water, and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. The former leader of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Rosser was a key partner and founding member of the Coalition as it celebrates its 15th anniversary. Now a Vice President at the National Wildlife Federation, Rosser played a central role in shaping the Coalition and provided crucial perspectives from the Bay's headwaters. Said Rosser, "The Coalition is an outstanding model that has taught me so much about working together to achieve positive results guided by vibrant vision, infallible integrity, and careful consideration for all. It's a special honor to receive an award among people in this movement that I deeply admire. I'm grateful to this Coalition for enriching my life, and continuing to lead the way for clean water and healthier communities across the watershed."

The Coalition also honored Lisa Alexander as the first recipient of the Dr. Beth McGee and Ridge Hall Clean Water Legacy Award, which is given to individuals who have dedicated their career to protecting and restoring the Bay's rivers and streams while advancing the need for partnership and collaboration to reach our clean water goals. The award is named in honor of two late Coalition members who made incredible contributions to clean water and the Choose Clean Water Coalition. Alexander is retiring in January 2025 after two decades as Executive Director of Nature Forward, formerly Audubon Naturalist Society. In her time at Nature Forward, Alexander has played a leading role in incorporating principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the environmental movement, built award-winning environmental education programs, co-created a water quality monitoring smartphone app, Creek Critters, and helped shepherd the launch of a new State of the Streams water report card for the DC region. Alexander said, "We all need clean water, and our streams, rivers, and the Bay need all of us to restore and protect this most precious natural resource. I am humbled to receive this award named in honor of two clean water icons and I look forward to passing the torch to clean water champions of the future."

"We're thrilled to recognize Angie and Lisa with these awards. As the Coalition celebrates its 15th anniversary, its only fitting that we recognize individuals who have made indelible impacts on our work for clean water," said Reilly. "It's also an honor to establish an enduring tribute to Dr. Beth McGee and Ridge Hall in the creation of our Clean Water Legacy Award. Beth and Ridge made incredible contributions to the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay's waterways and left a remarkable legacy."

The annual Choose Clean Water Conference provides a three-day forum for attendees to learn about the most important and up-to-date Chesapeake restoration issues, network with fellow Chesapeake Bay supporters and activists, develop strategies to advance federal, regional and local restoration goals, and learn from successes. Gathering in Maryland for the first time since 2019, the 14th annual Choose Clean Water Conference concludes today.

# # #

Media contact:
Drew Robinson
443-927-8049                                                            
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly with Lisa Alexander, the first recipient of the Dr. Beth McGee and Ridge Hall Clean Water Legacy Award, and Angie Rosser, the 2024 Choose Clean Water Champion

Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly with Lisa Alexander, the first recipient of the Dr. Beth McGee and Ridge Hall Clean Water Legacy Award, and Ann Wearmouth, the spouse of the late Dr. Beth McGee.

For more than a decade, the six states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the District of Columbia have worked with the federal government on a historic restoration program to have all pollution reduction practices to restore the Bay and its tributaries in place by 2025. While we've made great progress, there is still a long way to go to restore swimmable and fishable waters in the Chesapeake Bay region. As plans are under development for the next stage of the Bay restoration effort, the Coalition is encouraged by the strong bipartisan support in Congress to secure strong investments in clean water programs. These programs improve communities and protect local waterways while also creating good jobs.

"Clean water is integral to healthy communities, local economies, and quality of life. But we won't protect and restore our rivers and streams throughout the Chesapeake Bay region without our elected officials supporting critical clean water investments and policies. We're so grateful for the leadership of Senator Cardin, Congressman Ruppersberger, and Congressman Sarbanes in the fight for clean water and were thrilled to honor them as ‘Chesapeake Champions' today," said Kristin Reilly, Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition. "At this critical stage in the Bay restoration effort, the dedicated advocates within the Coalition appreciated the opportunity to meet with members of Congress and share personal testimony of the many positive environmental and economic impacts clean water programs have in their community."

At the forefront of asks for legislators is maintaining critical funding for EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program. More than 70 percent of Bay Program funding supports on-the-ground projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed states and the District of Columbia. This support plants trees to improve wildlife habitat, reduces runoff from farmland, improves oyster and crab populations, and funds other activities that improve local water quality. Other asks include support for the Chesapeake Watershed Investments and Landscape Defense (WILD) Program, a grant program intended to assist local partners with on-the-ground habitat restoration and protection; increasing funding in the next iteration of the Farm Bill for voluntary conservation programs; and supporting the creation of a Chesapeake National Recreation Area, which would improve public access to the Bay and its rivers and streams.

Support for these programs is critical given the new and growing threats facing clean water from the impacts of climate change, deforestation, and agricultural runoff. Amidst these challenges, we need to accelerate restoration efforts and invest in critical programs that move us closer to clean water in our local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.

"The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure and an economic engine for the Commonwealth. Both realizing and capitalizing on the many benefits of clean water and heathy watersheds requires continued cooperation and commitment across all levels of government," said Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA). "I'm proud of our many successes and look forward to continuing advancement of Bay clean-up. I will always advocate for the health of our Chesapeake Bay, which is integral to our way of life in Virginia's First district."

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) added, "We must constantly strengthen our efforts to ensure we have a clean and healthy Chesapeake Bay, which is both a national treasure and a critical economic lifeline to so many of our communities. Historic federal investment in habitat restoration, conservation, and water infrastructure in recent years–and the support of key partners like the Choose Clean Water Coalition–have resulted in meaningful progress on improving Bay health, but we must continue building on this momentum. I will keep fighting to secure federal resources for these vital efforts so future generations can enjoy the Bay's beauty and bounty for years to come."

The thirteenth annual Choose Clean Water Coalition's Chesapeake Bay Day on Capitol Hill held 43 meetings with members of Congress. There were also 168 organizations signing letters endorsing the Coalition's appropriations asks. In addition to meeting with members of Congress, 10 members of Congress spoke at the aforementioned luncheon gathering of advocates.

EPA CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM GRANTS – BY STATE (FY2023–$92 million enacted level/$47.6 million Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act)

A Pennsylvania team in front of the Capitol.

Lobbying for New York.

Lobbying for New York.

Rep. Molinaro of New York.

Rep. Wittman of Virginia.

Rep. Wittman of Virginia.

Coalition Director Kristin Reilly and Rep. Sarbanes of Maryland.

Senator Cardin of Maryland.

Rep. Connolly of Virginia.

The Capitol.

Lobbying for Maryland.

Lobbying for Maryland.

Lobbying for Maryland.

Lobbying for Virginia.

Rep. McClellan of Virginia.

Lobbying for Pennsylvania.

WHO: Members of Congress Confirmed to Date-

• Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD)

• Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

• Congressman Gerald Connolly (D-VA)

• Congresswoman Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA)

• Congressman Marc Molinaro (R-NY)

• Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD)

• Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD)

• Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD)

• Congressman David Trone (D-MD)

• Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA)

Additional speakers include Kristin Reilly, Director, Choose Clean Water Coalition; Nikki Ghorpade, Government Affairs Manager, Ducks Unlimited; and Pam Goddard, Mid-Atlantic Region Senior Program Director, National Parks Conservation Association.

WHERE: 2044 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 12:00–1:30 p.m.

WHY: The Coalition is advocating for:

• $93 million in funding for the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program for FY25 and $100 million for FY26 and beyond.

• $15 million for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Chesapeake WILD (Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense) program, which provides grants to local partners to implement on-the-ground habitat restoration

• Full funding and implementation of the conservation programs under the new Farm Bill to ensure that well-run, responsible farms in the Chesapeake region remain economically viable.

• The creation of a Chesapeake National Recreation Area, which would establish a new unit of the National Park Service to increase public access to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 290 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

# # #

Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

(HARRISBURG, PA)—Today, a collection of nonprofit organizations released a comprehensive guide to protecting and restoring Pennsylvania's rivers and streams. The Pennsylvania Clean Water Legislative Briefing Book examines a wide array of issues plaguing the Keystone State's waterways and provides a variety of solutions and investments to leave a legacy of clean water to future generations. This resource is particularly relevant given that while Pennsylvania has the highest density of stream miles per acre of any state in the continental United States, one-third of stream miles are listed as impaired and unsafe for their intended use.

Now in its third edition, the Pennsylvania Clean Water Legislative Briefing Book is designed as a tool to educate state legislators, media, and the general public on the most urgent clean water needs in the Commonwealth. Whether focused on safe drinking water, supporting farmers, or addressing pollution from abandoned mines, each of the legislative requests in the book highlights a return on investment in one of our most precious resources—our rivers and streams.

With production made possible by the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, the briefing book was spearheaded by the Choose Clean Water Coalition, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, and PennFuture. In response to its release, their respective leaders issued the following statements:

Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly said:

"We are thrilled to join our many partners in releasing the Pennsylvania Clean Water Legislative Briefing Book. This critical resource will equip clean water advocates to effectively advocate for the protection and restoration of the Keystone State's rivers and streams.

"The Commonwealth's 86,000 miles of waterways provide critical resources to hundreds of communities and return billions of dollars in economic value to small businesses, agriculture, rereation, tourism industries, and tax revenues. While these waterways face several threats, there are pragmatic, tangible solutions at hand.

"We encourage state legislators to use this briefing book to enact policies and support investments that will provide Pennsylvanians with the gift that keeps on giving—clean water."

Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed Director Kelly Knutson said:

"The Delaware River Watershed stands as a vital lifeline, providing clean drinking water to more than 14.2 million individuals, with 5.7 million residents relying on its waters in Pennsylvania alone. This expansive basin not only sustains a renowned trout fishery but also serves as a habitat for diverse wildlife, including striped bass, the endangered Shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon, and bald eagles.

"The Pennsylvania Clean Water Legislative Briefing Book is an excellent tool and resource, effectively highlighting the urgency of clean water investments in PA. This includes advocating for the establishment of a dedicated fund for watershed restoration. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of enhancing funding for key programs like the Environmental Stewardship Fund and the Keystone Recreation, Parks & Conservation Fund, crucial for addressing challenges such as flooding and pollution."

PennFuture President and CEO Patrick McDonnell said:

"Pennsylvanians enjoy access to some of the nation's most diverse, rare, and beautiful aquatic ecosystems. As trustees of our public natural resources under Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, we expect our elected officials to carefully consider policies that will ensure clean water for both current and future generations. This third edition of the Pennsylvania Clean Water Legislative Briefing Book equips state legislators with comprehensive insights into the challenges surrounding clean water and provides policy solutions aimed at restoring and maintaining pristine water quality throughout Pennsylvania. For example, this book underscores the need for reliable and long-term funding for the Clean Streams Fund and Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), which both play a critical role in implementing a statewide clean water strategy that safeguards our waterways, farms, trails, parks, and green spaces."

# # #

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 290 local, state, regional, and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed protects and restores the land and waters in the Delaware River Basin. We amplify the collective power of 175+ member organizations and other stakeholders as we advocate for a healthy and protected watershed with an inclusive, unified voice. The Coalition convenes member and non-member organizations, builds capacity, coordinates communications, and advances policy at the federal and state levels.

PennFuture is the independent, nonpartisan voice leading the transition to a clean energy economy in Pennsylvania and beyond. We are protecting our air, water and land, and empowering citizens to build sustainable communities for future generations.

Media Contacts:

Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org

Meagan Schaefer
Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed
609-330-4883
meagan.schaefer@delriverwatershed.org

Leigh Martinez
PennFuture
267-888-7875
martinez@pennfuture.org

Below, find a webinar featuring writers from the Briefing Book introducing the resource.