Legislative & Legal Advocacy

Waterkeepers Chesapeake and our Waterkeeper members work on legislation at the local, state and federal level. We introduce and push for bills that will protect our communities and clean and restore our local waterways – making them swimmable, drinkable, and fishable in the Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Bays regions, once again.

Did you know that under the Clean Water Act citizens have the right to file lawsuits against polluters? That’s right. Our Waterkeepers represent the residents of their watersheds to bring lawsuits against polluters when government agencies fail to do their jobs. Waterkeepers also bring legal challenges against governmental agencies when they fail to enforce the law. This is one important reason why you should report polluters to your local Waterkeepers so they can take action on your behalf. Waterkeepers Chesapeake works on policy and legal issues that have regional or national impacts such as the relicensing of Conowingo Dam and construction of fracked gas pipelines.

Are you concerned about the quality of water in your community — the water you drink, the water you recreate in, the water from which you catch your dinner? You can take action. Learn how by visiting the Clean Water Act Playbook at https://cwaplaybook.org.


Clean Water Legislation Had Some Wins in Maryland & Virginia Despite Tough Budget Year

Clean Water Legislation Had Some Wins in Maryland & Virginia Despite Tough Budget Year

Waterkeepers across the region work tirelessly in their local communities to ensure the right to clean water is protected. Each ...
Press Statement: Forever Chemicals Legislation Passes in Maryland and Virginia, But More Needs to be Done

Press Statement: Forever Chemicals Legislation Passes in Maryland and Virginia, But More Needs to be Done

Bills regulating sewage sludge used as fertilizer on farmlands but often contaminated with PFAS await Governors’ signatures in Maryland and ...
Aging Sewer Infrastructure: The Menace Below Our Feet

Aging Sewer Infrastructure: The Menace Below Our Feet

Historic sewage spill on the Potomac River is a wake up call that not enough is being done.  The water ...
Maryland 2026 Legislative Priorities

Maryland 2026 Legislative Priorities

Maryland’s Waterkeepers span the Eastern Shore to the Baltimore region to upper reaches of the Potomac River. They work tirelessly ...

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