Chesapeake Bay Foundation Blog

Visit With a Smith Island Crabber

Ever wonder what it's like to be a Chesapeake Bay crabber? Join WYPR's Joel McCord as he heads out on the water with Mark Kitching, a waterman from Smith Island.

It's Official! A New Presidential Candidate* Throws His Hat Into the Fray

And you thought he was dead! Yes,it's true, the man who explored and mapped the Chesapeake Bay 400 years ago has announced his candidacy for President*.

   

   

Here's his campaign video to prove it:

He is running on a platform to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and waterways nationwide. Smith made his announcement yesterday from his campaign headquarters at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Phillip Merrill Center in Annapolis.

"My vision is for a clean and restored Chesapeake Bay, with abundant fish, crabs, and oysters, a region with healthy farms and a vibrant seafood economy, just like in the old days," the red-bearded explorer said.

"But I stand not just for a clean Chesapeake Bay; I stand for clean rivers and streams all across America. For if we can clean up the Chesapeake Bay—and working together we bloody well can—we can clean up every stream, river, and bay in this country. We can make the Chesapeake a model for restoration success, for the rest of the nation and for the rest of the world."

You can find out more -- and sign a petition -- at www.votethebay.org

More videos coming soon!

Now, a word from our attorneys:
* The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is an independent, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to protecting the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. It does not endorse candidates. CBF is running a fictional candidate, Captain John Smith, to elevate the Bay and clean water in the presidential election.

Open Competition for Chesapeake Clean-Up Funds

One of the biggest questions surrounding Maryland's new 2010 Trust Fund, created this year to help restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay, is how the $25 million allotment will be distributed. Yesterday, Gov. O'Malley announced a new competitive process that lets local governments, community groups, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and private enterprises to apply for grants from the fund.

What do you think? Is the new process an improvement over business-as-usual?

Farm Bill Funds Could Help the Bay -- But Action is Needed

Chesapeake Bay-area farmers who need help to incorporate methods of reducing nutrient pollution from their farms could get that help from the Federal Farm Bill. But it's not a done deal. Watch this story from WJZ-TV to see what's at stake, then join us in contacting your representatives in Congress to urge them to support the farm bill.

It Will Take Efforts on Many Fronts to Save the Bay

by Ann Jennings, Virginia Executive Director, CBF
following is an excerpt from Jennings' recent OpEd article. Read the full article on dailypress.com.

The Chesapeake's treasured blue crabs, having declined by 70 percent over the past two decades, are poised dangerously below a level of abundance beyond which the population is seriously threatened. These are scary times for the blue crab.

The governors of Maryland and Virginia recently called for a one-third reduction in harvests of female crabs. Science indicates that reducing crab harvests will result in a greater abundance of blue crabs, and that the population will respond very quickly to such actions. Unfortunately, the men and women who make their living by bringing those delicious blue crabs to our dinner tables will see their incomes drop. It's a gross oversimplification, but consider what you would do if you were told by your boss that your annual income would drop by 34 percent effective immediately. These are scary times for the crabber.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation applauds the governors for taking this bold action and committing to partner, as perhaps never before, on the regulations necessary to reduce crab harvests. However, we are concerned about the impact of these regulations on watermen communities, particularly those on Tangier and Smith Islands, where crabbing has been part of the culture for centuries and whose watermen have limited options for alternative incomes.

CBF therefore has offered both states alternative approaches to harvest reductions that attempt to spread the burden equally among various sectors of the crab industry. Furthermore, we share the frustrations expressed by the Virginia Waterman's Association in numerous newspaper articles. While Virginia takes bold action to reduce crab harvests, the underlying problem facing crabs remains unsolved with no complete solutions even in sight. Ultimately, we must restore the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay if we are to sustain a robust crab population and robust crab fishery.  Read the full article on dailypress.com.

Update on WAMU Interview

You can catch Will Baker's interview with Kojo Nnamdi here. Note: The Chesapeake Bay segment is the last one of the hour, so when you open your audio player, advance to the 39:58 mark (click on image for larger view).

Will Baker on NPR Today

Will Baker, president of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, will join host Kojo Nnamdi at noon today on "The Politics Hour with Kojo and Jonetta" on WAMU 88.5FM in Washington D.C.

From Kojo's website -- "Politicians love to talk about cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. But every political season, it seems that bold talk rarely translates into bold actions. (On today's show) we consider the politics of pollution in our region."

If you can't listen on the radio, the podcast should be available about an hour after the show ends.

President Proposes Almost $24 Million in Cuts for Bay Region

Once again, the Bush Administration is proposing to reduce federal funding for pollution reduction, species preservation, and habitat restoration in the Bay region. This year the proposed decrease is almost 24 million dollars.

With only three years to go to meet the 2010 goals for the Bay, this is a step backwards, just when the Bay states have been stepping forward with unprecedented programs and funding to reduce pollution. 

However, there is still opportunity to turn around the President’s proposed cuts. Congress frequently makes significant changes to the President’s proposal before it takes final action. This is where you can help. 

Right now and through the middle of this month, your locally elected U.S. Senators and Representative are developing their own list of priority requests for consideration by the all-important Appropriations Committees. These requests are often even more important than the President’s. 

You can encourage your elected officials to reverse the trend set by this President and fight for increasing, not decreasing, federal help for the restoration of the Bay and the streams that feed it. 

The Bay needs your help. Click here to write to your Senators and Representative to let them know you care.

Balancing the Climate Crisis Against Maryland's Need for Jobs

The following Letter to the Editor was published in the Baltimore Sun on February 29, 2008

It was disappointing to see The Sun encourage delay on fighting global climate change ("Striking a balance," editorial, Feb. 26).

One thing we've learned from Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts is that if we don't set specific, incremental goals, no one is held accountable and little progress is achieved.

The Chesapeake Bay region is at severe risk from pollution and climate change, and the time for action was yesterday. Today we are playing catch-up, and tomorrow will be too late.

The federal government has failed to produce meaningful climate change legislation, and just last week, Rep. Chris Van Hollen told a meeting of concerned citizens in Annapolis that the best way to hold federal feet to the fire was for the states to move forward with climate change legislation.

The Global Climate Change Solutions Act is just such a bill.

It is designed to make fundamental, incremental reductions in carbon dioxide levels that will help avert imminent damage to the state and to solidify Maryland's role as a national leader in carbon reduction.

The state's carbon reduction goals are not overly ambitious.

Six states have set goals in the 80 percent to 90 percent reduction range, and 26 states have adopted lesser limitations.

And there are economic upsides. "Green jobs" can provide an economic boost at the same time that pollution is reduced.

There is no doubt that climate change is here, affecting local rivers, streams and the bay.

There is no doubt that rising sea levels and increasingly severe storms threaten coastal populations.

There is no doubt that we need to reduce pollution, now.

We need the road map, specific goals and milestones provided by the Global Climate Change Solutions Act.

William C. Baker
President, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

March 5 - Fight for Clean Water and Clean Energy

Put a big red circle around the date March 5 on your calendar.

The Clean Water Network has declared March 5 as National Clean Water Phone Congress Day. The U.S. House of Representatives is poised to act this year on what could be the most important clean water legislation in 35 years: The Clean Water Restoration Act (H.R. 2421).

This bipartisian bill is needed now to ensure that all of the nation's streams, headwater tributaries, wetlands and other waters remain protected from pollution by the federal Clean Water Act. It will reaffirm that the Clean Water Act was intended to protect all of the waters of the United States, from big rivers to small streams, and from the Great Lakes to remote wetlands. 

So limber up those fingers and and call your U.S. Representative between 9am and 6pm EST. Tell him/herto support clean water by getting behind the Clean Water Restoration Act (H.R. 2421). For more information about the bill and how to contact your representative, download this message from CWN.

If you live near Annapolis, you'll want to limber up those legs and walk or ride to Lawyer's Mall (across from the State House) to Rally with O'Malley for green jobs and a clean energy future. Join Governor O'Mally, the Alliance for Global Warming Solutions, CBF, and others at 10am on March 5 to thank the Gov. for his support of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008 and to stand with him in asking the General Assembly to pass this bill!

Upcoming MPT Special Reveals Critical Area Flaws

As the Maryland General Assembly meets to debate new, stricter regulations on Chesapeake Bay waterfront development, Maryland Public Television (MPT) will air a new program that examines Maryland’s Critical Area Law.

"Weary Shoreline," a documentary about the failure to enforce Maryland's Critical Area law, airs at 9 p.m. Wednesday night. For a preview of the show, check out Tim Wheeler's post on the Baltimore Sun's News & Environment blog.

One prime example of the Critical Area law's "death by one thousand cuts" is back in the news. Just last week, David Clickner, owner of Dobbins Island, resurrected plans to build a 4,500-square-foot home, septic system, and road on the island--plans which violate Maryland's Critical Area law but which Clickner has received variance approvals for from the state.

Fervent discussion over HB 1253—set for General Assembly debate February 28 (the day after Weary Shoreline’s premiere)—is expected. Among several proposed changes to this controversial law, the bill mandates that new development (including houses, outbuildings, decks, patios, driveways, landscaping and swimming pools) be even farther away from the bay shoreline than the current 100 feet. Instead, the inner Critical Areas shoreline buffer would be expanded from 100 feet to 300 feet.

Mechanicsburg Panel Discussion Rescheduled

Due to icy conditions, the panel discussion I mentioned Tuesday has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 26. Same time, same place.

The debate is hot in PA

Pennsylvania newspapers are filled with articles about municipalities who are frustrated about the costs of cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. The cleanup is federally mandated--but unfunded, and if a 2010 deadline for meeting these mandatory water quality standards isn't met, the federal government could come down harder with even stricter standards. But local jurisdictions don't know how they're going to come up with the hundreds of millions of dollars it will take to comply. CBF has joined the call for the Rendell administration to provide funds to municipalities struggling to meet sewage treatment upgrade requirements.

If you live near Harrisburg, you might want to attend tonight's panel discussion on the Chesapeake Bay cleanup and its effects on sewage bills. The discussion will be held from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn West, 5401 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg. Panel participants include Kathleen McGinty, secretary of the Dept. of Environmental Protection; John Brosius, deputy director of the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association; and Scott Wyland, lawyer for the Capital Region Council of Governments.

This Guy Speaks for the Fish

Congratulations to CBF Director of Fisheries Bill Goldsborough. Bill, who has directed CBF's Fisheries Program for 24 years, has recently been appointed to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley.

The ASMFC was founded in 1942 in recognition that fish don't abide by manmade state lines, so a fishery in the Chesapeake Bay may be impacted—and need protection—from Maine to Florida. This strategy was critical to the recovery of Chesapeake rockfish. It's a daunting task, but I think the fish are darn lucky to have a guy like Bill standing up for them.

The Times, Are They A Changin'?

Maryland’s newly-formed Oyster Advisory Commission (OAC) yesterday released its first report with initial recommendations about how the state should be managing its oyster resources.

You might not guess it, but this is exciting stuff. I know, I know… another commission, another report… and where are the oysters? What’s going to be different this time??

Well, for starters, the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and his team did a great job of naming new—but knowledgeable—faces to the commission. I'm not just saying this because CBF Maryland Executive Director, Kim Coble, is a member of the team. Everyone seems to be very committed to seeing the issues through fresh eyes and seeking new solutions.

The report's findings, recommendations, and even the vision statement are only preliminary, because the oyster Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)* isn't due out until this spring. That will provide more comprehensive information for the commission.

But—preliminarily—the OAC is recognizing some key things. One, that there is a difference between restoring oysters for their ecological value (that is, planting them onto sanctuaries where they can provide filtration and habitat value), and restoring the oyster industry (that is, keeping our watermen working). Both are laudable goals, but they are two very different things. 

Two, the OAC found that to date, federal and state oyster funding has primarily been used to support industry restoration, with less than a quarter of the funding supporting ecological restoration. This is clearly out of balance since one of the reasons we want to bring back the oyster population is to improve the health of the Bay. 

Moving forward, the Commission advocates ramping up the scale of ecological restoration, while helping the oyster industry transition into farming native oysters (aquaculture). Throughout the world aquaculture has proven to be more profitable and self-sustaining than harvesting wild oysters. In fact, we only have to look as far as Virginia to see that some of their watermen have transitioned to aquaculture and are doing nicely. And while creating a profitable industry, those oyster farms are providing some water filtration benefits to the Bay.

Let’s get in on that!

*The state/federal environmental impact statement regarding native and non-native oysters in the Chesapeake has been a long time coming, but it is considered the most comprehensive analysis to date of the oyster situation in the Chesapeake Bay.

Stephanie Reynolds is CBF's Maryland oyster restoration scientist.

Saving the Bay from the Bench

Excerpt of a Baltimore Sun Op/ed written by Kim Coble, Executive Director of CBF's Maryland Office.

When citizens want to change how the government protects the environment, they generally work toward changing legislation, regulations or government leaders. Rarely do people think about judges.

But they should.

Maryland's judges are thoughtful people whose primary experience is with criminal and business law. But they are often unaware or insufficiently educated about the environment and the laws meant to protect it. Too often, these judges do not have a fundamental understanding of the complexity and importance of our natural resources...Lacking a larger understanding, they can be overly sympathetic to claims that protecting our water, air and land should be subordinate to an individual's property rights...As a result, in recent years, we have seen cases in which the legislature had to go back and rewrite legislation to repair damage done to environmental laws through misinterpretation by the court system.

...The courts and other judicial institutions (as well as many local planning offices) have chosen to ignore the cumulative impact of the next shopping center, apartment complex or industrial park. Each case is reviewed independently, and thus the courts look only at the impact of just this "one" case: One parking lot. One gazebo. One bed of underwater grasses destroyed. One wetland lost.

It's an argument developers routinely deliver, with amazing success. But the cumulative effects of these "ones" is death by a thousand cuts for our environment, our rivers and streams, and our bay.

...Sadly, the cost of mounting a legal challenge to each case is beyond the financial ability of most citizens. And special-interest organizations, willing to act on behalf of concerned individuals, are rarely even allowed to appear because of an overly narrow interpretation of who has "standing" - that is, who has the right to appear before the board or court.

...Judges who respect our natural resources and the common good, who have a demonstrated record of protecting the public interest, can help preserve and restore the land, air and water that belong to all citizens.

Maryland has good environmental laws. They could be stronger, but even the strongest and most well-crafted laws are only as good as those who enforce them.

Read the complete Op/Ed here...and recommend it when you're done.

House Passes Bay Funding; Next Stop--Senate

Yesterday, the Maryland House of Delegate passed the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund (House Bill 23), with a vote of 102-31. We're getting so close!

But hold on, more challenges are ahead. The Senate must also vote on the bill. So now is the time: If you haven't contacted your Senator, please call them now and urge them to support the Bay cleanup fund passed by the House (mention House Bill 23). If you have contacted your Senator—THANK YOU—and remember, it doesn't hurt to remind them of how important the Bay is to each and every one of us!

Green Fund Update

The Maryland House of Delegates heard testimony on the Green Fund Bill (HB 23) on Nov. 2 in the Environmental Matters Committee. The hearing went well with many proponents, including groups as diverse as the Maryland Homebuilders Association to other environmental groups. Governor O’Malley's  administration testified, saying it “strongly” supports the Green Fund.

The Maryland Farm Bureau and Delmarva Poultry Industry along with the Marine Trades Association of Maryland, Association of Soil Conservation Districts, Sportsmen Foundation, and the Partnership for Sustainable Forestry are also among those who showed support for the Green Fund bill, which would reduce pollution to Maryland's rivers, streams, and the Bay.

Chair Del. Maggie McIntosh convened a work group after the hearing to work on the legislation. The discussion revolved around the administration’s suggested amendment to have the state's BayStat group manage the resources; the bill's original proposal outlined how much of the funds would go to the three agencies primarily responsible for Bay cleanup. The administration said it prefers the flexibility of the BayStat approach to allow for spending flexibility from year to year, depending on the needs.

On Friday, Senate President Mike Miller dropped his own bill to create a Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund (SB 28). The bill does not provide a funding source for the Trust Fund, but President Miller has said he is looking for a  source to bring in $30 million to $50 million per year.

After the hearing, The Baltimore Sun reported that the Green Fund was "dead" in the Special Session because of Senate opposition to the Green Fund bill, but many pundits and people close to the process say this is not the case. What may be the case is that the Senate will not pass the House version of the Green Fund because it doesn’t like the funding mechanism, but will instead create its own funding source during the Special Session. If the House passes a bill that includes directives on where the money goes, the two bills would go to conference committee. In conference, the bills might be melded into one bill with a Senate funding source and House policy measures. Keep your fingers crossed.

Two weeks ago, we had no idea where we were headed on the Green Fund, but with the help of thousands of Marylanders and partner groups concerned about the Bay, we now have the Senate President dropping his own bill to create a dedicated fund to cleanup the Bay. And it is the only bill he is sponsoring. The debate has shifted from “should we do this?” to “how are we going to do this?”  Thanks to all of those who have contacted their legislators and asked them to support the Green Fund!

The session may run another 5 to 10 days with the Senate voting first on the revenue package. As much is still in flux especially slots, and new service taxes, anything could happen. But we are very hopeful we will eventually come away with a new funding source for the Chesapeake Bay.

If you want to help, call your State Senator today and ask them to support dedicated funding for Bay conservation programs. To learn who your Senators are and to get a phone number, visit http://mdelect.net/.

I'll Get You My Pretty, And Your Little Fish, Too!

Gary Brookins at the Richmond Times-Dispatch has another winner!

With the Green Fund coming up in the Maryland General Assembly special session next week it could just as easily be Maryland afloat.

Right now, legislators have an opportunity to support the Green Fund for clean streams and a healthy Bay. Not surprisingly, there’s a lot of support for it: from environmentalists and watermen to homebuilders, community leaders, and health-care professionals; in fact, 63 percent of Marylanders are willing to pay a $20 annual fee to fund Bay clean-up programs.

It’s a rare moment when opportunity, consensus, and a solution all align at the same time. And we must take advantage of this moment.

As for Virginia, the Commonwealth has made great strides in recent years in funding upgrades to sewage treatment plants. Now the big challenge is reducing runoff pollution, especially from farms. CBF and a coalition of agricultural and conservation groups are calling upon Governor Tim Kaine and the Virginia General Assembly to include $100 million annually for 10 years in the state budget to fund programs that help Virginia farmers reduce runoff. The funding would come from 1/10th of one cent of the current sales tax. If fully funded, the programs could cut 60% of the nitrogen runoff—nearly 12 million pounds a year—needed to meet Bay cleanup goals. This is a huge opportunity to fix one of the biggest pollution problems plaguing Virginia rivers and the Bay.

What do you think? Should cleaning up the Bay be a funding priority?

Worried About Growth in Your Area?

Smart Growth America has two new resources available for the regular citizen who cares about the direction his or her community or region is taking in regard to growth. The "Choosing Our Community's Future" guidebook, available for $10, teaches how to make compelling arguments against poorly conceived plans and how to paint your vision for others. Smart Growth Shareware will be added to your purchase at no additional charge. This great resource includes publications, presentations, websites, and more information about topics including public health, children and schools, land conservation, water, transportation and more.

Coalition Petitions VA Governor to Clean the Bay

CBF has joined a Virginia coalition of farm and conservation groups urging Virginia Governor Tim Kaine and state legislators to finish the job of restoring the health of Virginia rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

The Virginia coalition, including CBF, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and the Virginia Agribusiness Council among others, is calling on Gov. Kaine and the Virginia General Assembly to budget $100 million a year for 10 years to fully fund the cost-share programs. The coalition calls for an annual $100 million budget payment, to be financed by 1/10 of one cent of the state sales tax.

CBF members can help by letting Gov. Kaine and Virginia elected officials know they support this funding by signing CBF’s online petition. Go to www.cbf.org/VApetition. For more information, contact Emily Francis at efrancis@cbf.org.

Who Has the Right to Protect the Magothy River

by Kim Coble, CBF Maryland Executive Director
(this column appeared in the Maryland Gazette)

The Dobbins Island case embodies more than just building a home, or a pier. It's about the quality of the Magothy River, the health of the crabs, fish and grasses within it, and about the Bay's future.

This week, Anne Arundel County's Board of Appeals decided that neither the Chesapeake Bay Foundation nor the Magothy River Association had the right to challenge its decision to allow construction of a pier, driveway, well and septic system on the Magothy River's Dobbins Island, one of the last vacant islands in Maryland.

The county said the organizations do not have the right to challenge because they do not own property on the river. It was not enough that 58 of our members own property on the river, or that the organizations have spent considerable efforts to restore the river. We still have no right to question the county's actions on the river.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Magothy River Association argued their right to protect investments in the river, including underwater bay grasses and oyster reefs the organizations built with their hands, sweat, and funds. The organizations' key point is that the county's decision to allow construction of a house, driveway, pier and septic system on an island with steep slopes will produce harmful runoff, damaging these oyster reefs and bay grasses.

Anne Arundel County said that, despite our extensive work and hundreds of thousands of dollars of investment, our interests were no different than the average citizen and called our efforts to protect those essential oyster reefs and bay grasses, "big brother at its worst."

If the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Magothy River Association don't have the right to appear in court and challenge decisions we believe will be harmful to the quality of the Magothy River, then who CAN protect the river and its natural resources?

Anne Arundel County's Board of Appeals believes no one has that right. Their decision to limit that right to anyone living within 175 feet of these islands results in no one being able to challenge the county's decisions.

This is a bad decision for not only the Magothy but for all of Anne Arundel's waters. Little Dobbins Island, right next to the bigger Dobbins, is another example of county decisions that will hurt the Magothy.

With Little Dobbins, we saw a "build first, seek variances later" approach. A developer built a home, lighthouse, pool, boat ramp, driveway, and gazebo, and removed acres of protective trees and shrubs that reduced pollution and erosion—all without the necessary permits and variances. The county allowed the structures to stand, and decided that the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Magothy River Association did not have the right to challenge this damaging development.

On Dobbins Island, the county allowed one pier to be built, extending from the island to a length that will kill about 1,600 square feet of flourishing bay grasses—a rare sight in the bay today.

Underwater grasses play a critical role in supporting water quality of rivers and the Bay. Essential bay grasses have dwindled from their abundant numbers, and the Bay and its rivers have less than 40 percent of the grasses they used to have. We should not allow actions that result in losing more underwater grasses.

Anne Arundel County's trend seems to be to issue one permit after another, allowing construction that is harmful to our rivers and bay, without any regard to the grasses, oysters, crabs, and the rest of the bay's bounty. At the same time, the county seeks to block all voices of opposition to such development, even from groups that are spending thousands of hours and millions of dollars to improve county waters.

Citizens and organizations are working tirelessly to restore our rivers and Bay in order to make the Chesapeake Bay a resource they can enjoy and leave to their children in better shape than they found it. Without the ability to protect their efforts, citizens and organizations will start to question whether their efforts are worth it.

The County Board of Appeals' decision to tell the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Magothy River Association that they cannot challenge the county's decision to allow harmful construction—to silence their desire to protect investments in the Bay and its rivers—has larger consequences.

If these organizations - and the tens of thousands of voices and Bay resources they represent - are not allowed to speak for the Bay and the rivers, who can?

REAP Has Passed!

Last night, the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor Rendell passed the Resource Enhancement Protection Act (REAP), the innovative transferable tax credit program that will help farmers clean up our waters. What a proud moment for Pennsylvania!  What a victory in CBF's work to save the Bay!

Together we are making a difference!

New Farm Bill Funding Initiative Launched

Today at 12:15 pm, on the terrace of the Cannon House Building in Washington, D.C., a historic piece of legislation was announced.

Representatives Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), and Tom Davis (R-VA) introduced the Chesapeake’s Healthy and Environmentally Sound Stewardship of Energy and Agriculture Act of 2007 (CHESSEA).

Read more about CHESSEA

10 days left to pass the Green Fund

On Saturday, March 24, the House passed the Green Fund 96-41 - a very good margin of victory. The following Tuesday, CBF delivered 1,300 piggy banks to legislators showing tremendous statewide support for a dedicated fund for Bay clean-up. Now it's time for the Senate to act. The rhetoric is that they want to wait until next year to pass new revenue raising measures. But the Bay can not wait. Pollution does not stop. The 2010 Chesapeake 2000 agreement deadline to clean up the Bay looms large. We must act this year and put the resources in place to reach our clean-up goals.

Please take a minute to call your senator or send the embedded e-mail message and let them know you support a clean Bay and a dedicated fund to clean up the Bay. Eighty-four percent of Marylanders support a dedicated fund to clean up the Bay. Without such a funding source, it could be decades before the Bay and local rivers and streams are cleaned up.

Radio: Green Fund top priority

The Green Fund that is at the center of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s legislative efforts this year is to help pay for bay clean-up efforts. But questions about the money have one House of Delegates committee struggling. WYPR’s Joel McCord reports.

"Sooks" could be key to blue crab comeback

With the commercial blue crab season set to open on Monday, people who eat, catch, study and admire the iconic bottom-dweller of the Chesapeake Bay are worried about its future. But scientists who study the crab are worried that the population is not pulling out of a low point in its population cycle.So scientists, watermen and fishing industry regulators hope that crabs could quickly bounce back in the bay. But that hope is tempered by a decline in the number of females and the loss of underwater grasses that provide habitat -- factors that may limit a comeback.  (The Daily Press)

Senate OKs phosphorus bill

The Maryland Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill designed to help clean the Chesapeake Bay by requiring the use of low-phosphorus dishwashing detergent. The legislation has been amended to postpone the measure from going into effect until July 2009 and to exempt commercial dishwashing machines for now. (The Baltimore Sun)

Maryland Virtual Lobby Day tonight at 6pm

Please join CBF — from the comfort of your own home or office — tonight for Virtual Lobby Day to show your support for the Green Fund. We'll let you know during Virtual Lobby Day how to contact your legislators via e-mail or phone, and give tips on how to discuss the issue with them. We'll also answer any questions you have about the Green Fund so you can communicate with your legislators as effectively as possible.

Del. Maggie McIntosh clarifies Green Fund questions

"Worcester County Commissioners were incorrectly advised that the Chesapeake Bay Green Fund bill ignores the coastal bays due to its focus on the Chesapeake Bay, and also places rural counties at a disadvantage....

"More than 50 percent of Green Fund dollars will go back to local governments. In Worcester County these dollars can be used to assist the county and its cities -- including Snow Hill, Pocomoke City, Berlin and Ocean City -- with Smart Growth planning, incentives and grants for housing, and other pollution-reducing strategies, which will benefit communities as a whole and the coastal bays adjacent to Ocean City."

So says Del. Maggie McIntosh in her response to the Worcester County Commissioners vote to oppose the Chesapeake Bay Green Fund.  (The Daily Times)

Is your soap hurting the Bay?

Can we have a clean Bay and still have clean dishes? Maryland lawmakers want to limit the amount of phosphorus in dish soap to half a percent, down from the 7 percent currently allowed. Advocates say such a change could reduce the Bay's phosphorus load by 3 percent. (The Washington Post)    

Phosphorus is one of the Bay's two primary pollutants, contributing to algal blooms, "dead zones," and pfiesteria outbreaks throughout the Bay and its tributaries.

The Soap and Detergent Association favors the legislation, but only if commercial dishwashing machines are exempt. They also want to delay the ban until 2010.

What do you think? Are you willing to give up some of the "convenience" and "power" of today's super-charged dish detergents for a healthier Bay? Are you already using a low-phosphorus dish detergent? If so, how's it working out for you?

Tax Time Reminder from Gov. O'Malley

A reminder from Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley about the Bay Fund 2007 Tax check-off.

Virginia residents -- don't forget you can support the Bay, too.

VA Legislature Makes Clean Water A Priority

CBF’s top legislative priority in the 2007 Virginia General Assembly session was approving up to $250 million in additional funding for cleaning up Virginia’s streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. On February 24th, the General Assembly authorized the funding. CBF congratulates the legislators for continuing to make clean water a priority.

Get the low-down on Maryland legislation

Join MD Executive Director Kim Coble and MD Manager of Advocacy Terry Cummings on Wednesday, February 28, for a discussion of the critical legislation CBF is working on to move the Bay off the EPA's "dirty waters" list. Discussion will cover the Chesapeake Bay Green Fund, oyster legislation, the Clean Cars Act and more.

The event, part of CBF's 2007 Lecture Series, will be held at the Phillip Merrill Center, 7 - 8 pm, on Wednesday, February 28.

It's free to all. Please RSVP to Heather Tuckfield at htuckfield@cbf.org

Here piggy, piggy

Marylanders -- if you want to show your support for the Green Fund, order a free piggy bank from CBF. Fill it up. Then send it to us (or we'll pick it up). Your contribution will show the State's elected officials that you support funding for Bay restoration and want them to do so too!

All money collected will be donated to the Chesapeake Bay Trust for restoration projects.

Our goal is to deliver at least 500 full piggy banks to Maryland legislators in March.

Is Maryland risking over reaching its groundwater resources?

The state’s Senate Education, Health and Environment Committee met in Annapolis on Tuesday to discuss Senate Bill 499, which allows developers to claim surrounding land as a groundwater recharge area, even if it is owned by another private party or government agency.

The bill concerns Jenn Aiosa, Maryland Senior Scientist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, who said that the bill introduced by Sen. David Brinkley (R-District 4), Sen. Donald Munson (R-District 2) and Sen. Larry Haines (R-District 5) is not a reasonable solution.  (The Daily Banner)

King William Reservoir: Latest decision is contrary to VA law

CBF has filed a lawsuit challenging a decision to allow Newport News to continue work on the King William Reservoir.

National budget cuts funds for the bay

The bay has been getting a lot of support from local lawmakers so far this year, but federal support has gone south. Today's Annapolis Capital reports that President Bush's proposed budget includes more than $75 million in cuts to Chesapeake Bay programs.

"If the president's budget were enacted, it would be devastating for the bay," said Senator Ben Cardin.

The proposed cuts reduce funding for sewage plant upgrades, education, oyster restoration, land preservation, as well as cutting $1.6 million from the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office in Eastport.

Global warming: "Strongest evidence yet"

NASA's Earth Observatory Friday issued two press releases revealing new evidence for sea level rise and climate change. On the same day, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) adopted a summary for policymakers entitled "Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis."

Experts say the Chesapeake Bay could rise up to three feet by the end of the century. (Granted, this isn't exactly new news; see the Bay Journal from Dec. 2004.)

What to do?

Last month, Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (MD-1) and Massachusetts Congressman John Olver, co-chairs of the House Climate Change Caucus, reintroduced the Climate Stewardship Act (HR 620). This is the third year Gilchrest and Olver have introduced the bill, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions to 70% below their 1990 levels by 2050.

What do you think its chances are this year?
 

Video: Why Save Oysters? (WBAL-TV)

Oysters are a top priority in Maryland this legislative session. Check out this video from WBAL-TV.

Wetlands' future depends on education

If you're looking for a good article about the importance of wetlands and the challenges they are facing in the Chesapeake Bay watershed this article from The Daily Times is a must-read.