Chesapeake Bay Foundation Blog

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.

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!

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.

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.

We're Going to Miss You, Jane

written by Kim Coble, CBF Maryland Executive Director

The environment and the Bay lost a good friend last week.

Delegate Jane Lawton (MD - District 18) died on Thursday, November 29.  Jane was a member of the Environmental Matters Committee, which is where I had the distinct pleasure of working with her on a number of important environmental bills. Jane was passionate about protecting the environment and truly made a difference.  She was the lead sponsor of the Stormwater Bill in 2006--a bill that will help reduce polluted stormwater runoff from new development. There is no doubt, Maryland's waters will be better because of Jane's efforts.

Jane was always someone we could count on to give us honest feedback and valuable input. She was the type of bill sponsor you dream of. She learned the issue, worked hard and was politically savvy.

It is difficult to think of Jane as gone. She was always full of energy and smiles.

I was very touched when I heard that Jane's family asked that contributions be made in her memory to CBF and to the Montgomery County Abused Persons Program. This is an honor that is hard to describe. Jane committed a lifetime to public service, working at various levels of government and on a variety of issues. The decision to support these two organizations is a tribute to her commitment to her constituents and their quality of life. All you need to do is read the condolences and memories that have been posted to her website and to the Maryland Politics Watch blog to understand what a wonderful woman we have lost. It's fitting that someone who cared so deeply during her life will continue to help those she served even after her death.

I will miss Jane personally and professionally. She was a friend to me and to the Bay. Her family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Contributions in memory of Jane can be made to:

Chesapeake Bay Foundation
To the Jane Lawton Memorial Fund
Online at www.cbf.org
or by mail to
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
6 Herndon Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21403

Montgomery County Abused Persons Program
(Emergency assistance for domestic violence victims)
1301 Piccard Drive
Suite 1400
Rockville, MD 20850
Write on memo line "Jane Lawton Memorial Fund"

General Assembly Approves $50 Million for Bay Cleanup

You deserve a Million Thank You's!!!
Click here for YOUR Thank You!

Last night in a marathon session, the Maryland General Assembly ended its three-week special session by earmarking $50 million per year to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. The funds will be used to reduce pollution and bring the State closer to meeting its 2010 Bay-restoration commitments.

The legislature adopted the House's plan, which will fund the cleanup efforts through the existing motor fuel tax and the car rental tax. No new taxes were created for this fund.

As anyone following the Green Fund issue can attest, it's been a tough road. We couldn't have done it without the thousands of concerned citizens who baked crab cookies, sent postcards, and made phone calls to their elected leaders to let them know clean water is a critical issue they want to see addressed.

Del. Maggie MacIntosh, who sponsored the House Bill, has been an incredible advocate for our Bay. CBF thanks her, the rest of the General Assembly, and Governor O'Malley and his administration for passing this legislation. We look forward to working with them in the upcoming session on the next step—legislation to ensure the funds are used effectively and efficiently to get the Bay off of the federal "dirty waters" list.

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?

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.

Free Range Studio Battles the Farm Bill

Today, Free Range Studios released its latest socially-conscious film in support of changes to the Federal Farm Bill—The Farm Bill Food Battle: The Fight for a Fair Farm Bill! I never cease to be amazed at how these folks can take difficult, convoluted, and sometimes downright dull issues most people think don't affect them, and have so much fun cutting to the chase (no pun intended) and waking us all up.

I'm not embedding the actual video here for a reason—I suggest you bypass YouTube and go straight to the source at http://www.foodbattle.org/. While the video gets you thinking, the website includes the additional facts that really make their arguments solid and make you want to take action.

Raise a glass of organic apple juice to the minds at Free Range!

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?

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

Bill seeks to protect watermen's livelihood

Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus, R-38-Somerset, testified Wednesday that the state should create a commission to examine ways to protect and preserve the commercial fishing industry's access to public water. Senate Bill 414 would authorize a Working Waterfront Commission to find ways to eliminate or minimize development pressures placed on the seafood industry in order to sustain the more than $1 billion in annual revenue these businesses infuse into local and state economies. (The Daily Times)

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.

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?

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)

From the mountains, to the oceans (and the bay)

Western Maryland lawmakers gathered in Annapolis today to push for a third commemorative license plate. The Mountain Maryland tag would join the current tags supporting the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland farming. This is the bill's third year -- and this year it has a twist: the current legislation dedicates the tag fee to the Chesapeake Bay Trust and a similar organization that promotes agricultural interests.

Today's Cumberland Times-News article puts it in perspective, "...by dedicating Mountain revenue to the Bay, the plate would promote the educational mission of the Bay Trust, reminding Western Marylanders that we all have a role to play in protecting this vital estuary."

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.

Matthew Ehrhart, Chespeake Bay Foundation, on REAP

Matthew Ehrhart, Pennsylvania Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, comments on proposed Resource Enhancement & Protection Tax Credit Program legislation pending in the Pennsylvania Senate and House. (From PA Environmental Digest) “I introduced House Bill 2878 because I firmly believe that this new and innovative approach to encouraging the implementation of best management practices merits serious discussion by all stakeholders,” said Rep. Stern. “As the Representative from a district where there is a large and viable agricultural sector dominated by family farms, I am very aware that the vast majority of these farmers put a high priority on managing their farm operations in an environmentally friendly manner.

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.

What have we been doing for 19 years?

An article in today's Washington Post includes the following quote from J. Charles Fox, a former head of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources about efforts over the past 19 years to clean up the Chesapeake Bay:

"We have done a truly tremendous job of defining the problem, and we have done a truly tremendous job of defining the solution. But we have not yet succeeded in actually implementing the solution."

National and local legislators throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed will be tackling tough questions during this session. Keep David Fahrenthold's article in mind when the time comes to decide what efforts need your support.

More from the Washington Post:

• A picture is worth a thousand words. What will you do to protect the beauty of the Bay?
• Staggering amounts of work and funding are still needed.

Farmers Can't Do It Alone

Did you know that Bay-state farmers receive only 4 cents per dollar of agricultural product produced, compared with a national average of 9 cents -- and farmers in North Dakota received a whopping 23 cents (average payments 2000-05)?

There's a lot more interesting information in CBF Federal Affairs Director Doug Siglin's column on reauthorization of the federal farm bill in the January 21, 2007 Richmond Times-Dispatch.

In his column, Siglin urges the feds to "do what's right for conservation, farmers:"

"The time to push for conservation funding for the region's farm families is now. If that funding is not included in the 2007 farm bill, it is highly unlikely that the agricultural conservation practices called for in the Tributary Strategies will be fully implemented, and the Bay and its rivers will continue to suffer from the politics of postponement."

Calling all Virginians!

In past years, Virginians have become familiar with the CBF blue scarf as a symbol of Lobby Day. This year, the scarf is a virtual one, and Chesapeake Bay advocates across Virginia can support the most important clean water legislation in years without leaving home. The legislation is for $250 million in bonds for clean water. CBF hopes it's "Virtual Blue Scarf Day" will fill legislators' in-boxes on January 30th with thousands of emails showing support among Virginians for this crucial legislation.

Busch, O'Malley Pledge to Revive the Bay

Maryland House Speaker Michael Busch said the restoration of native oysters would be a top environmental priority this year. Besides more money for oyster restoration, lawmakers pledged to join other states in requiring cleaner emissions from new cars, and would consider ways to encourage renewable sources of energy.

"With the Chesapeake Bay's very survival imperiled by poorly planned sprawl and a multitude of other manmade ills -- from stormwater runoff to broken sewer systems -- we have a possibility of rescuing this natural jewel," O'Malley said. O'Malley's choice to lead the state environmental agency, Shari T. Wilson, also reaffirmed that the administration would usher in a "BayStat" program to monitor water quality and instill accountability.

Lamonte Garber explains REAP

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CBF - Helping Farmers Help the Environment. A new, invovative proposal would give farmers tax credits for installing best management practices which reduce stormwater runoff, sediments going into streams and nutrients running off fields of up to $150,000 and to other landowners who install forested riparian buffers. (Video from the PA Environmental Digest Video Blog) Lamonte Garber, Senior Agriculture Consultant with CBF, talks about the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act at the Keystone Farm Show in York. The Resource Enhancement and Protection Act was introduced last year as Senate Bill 1286 by Sen. Wenger (R-Lancaster, now retired), Sen. Waugh (R-York), Sen. O'Pake (D-Berks) and others and as House Bill 2878 by Rep. Stern (R-Blair), Rep. Hershey (R-Chester) and Rep. Daley (D-Washington). It is expected to be reintroduced shortly in the new legislative session. Issue NoteBook: Resource Enhancement and Protection Act