Urgent Request
We are in unprecedented times. Environmental and public health protections, and democratic institutions are being weakened and transformed. Local communities are reeling from the cuts in federal funding and the federal workforce.
The local advocacy power of our Waterkeepers is needed now more than ever. By uniting the expertise, leadership and influence of our members, we strengthen state water laws, take bold legal actions, and defend the health of our communities. Across hundreds of monitoring sites, our members protect thousands of miles of local waterways. The impact of local Waterkeepers ripples far beyond their communities.
We will continue to stand with communities hit hardest by pollution. We will show up, speak out, and help our Waterkeepers defend the places we live, work and play. Our Waterkeepers fuel us with their knowledge, passion, and dedication. Our promise is unwavering: champion clean water advocacy, honor commitments to our communities, and protect our waters with every tool at our disposal. Will you join us? Your donation will help us meet today’s challenges.
Clean Water Legislative Update
State legislative sessions in Maryland and Virginia have been dominated by state budget woes and the local impacts of cuts in federal funding and workforce. In Virginia, we had mixed results, with bills on plastic pollution and toxic PFAS either not passing or weakened with amendments. On the budget side of things, there is some good news with budget amendments passing that will fund the study of cumulative impacts of surface water intakes, and the monitoring of harmful freshwater algal blooms, along with funds for critical water infrastructure upgrades. Bills are now waiting for the Governor to sign, amend, or veto by March 24. Legislators will make a final vote on amended bills during Veto Session on April 2.
In Maryland, Monday was “crossover day” — the deadline for passing bills through one chamber or the other which allows them to crossover to the other chamber for a vote. Again, we had mixed results on our priority bills. The Coal Ash Cleanup and Accountability Act (SB245/HB902) was the very last bill to be voted on in the Senate and is on its way to a vote in the House. Bills that didn’t crossover can still move but it can be a challenging process. The bottle deposit bill almost made it through. The House Environment & Transportation Committee voted on it but it still needs a vote in the Economic Matters committee to then get a vote in the full House. The bill setting limits on PFAS in sewage sludge (biosolids used as fertilizer) has yet to get a vote in committees, but we haven’t given up yet — stay tuned. Unfortunately, the Nearshore Farming & Finance bill, the most cost effective approach to conservation efforts in nearshore riparian buffer areas, won’t move forward this year. But we’re already planning for next year!
Welcome & Thank Yous
We’re excited to have Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta and Ben Scheelk from The Ocean Foundation join our Board of Directors. This is a critical and unprecedented time for the protection of clean water for our communities, and we welcome Matt and Ben’s expertise and enthusiasm for clean water justice. We want to thank Board Member David Hunke. He is stepping down since he has been tapped to be Potomac Riverkeeper Network’s next board chair. We know he won’t be far and we will still benefit from his advice and support. We also want to thank our Grants & Program Manager Elizabeth Nellums for her years of dedication to WKC and our Waterkeeper members. She was offered an exciting new opportunity, and we wish her well and look forward to seeing her around the watershed. We will miss her rotating batches of foster kittens that participated in our staff meetings.
Job Notice: Program Associate
We are seeking an energetic self-starter with strong organizational skills to serve as our Program Associate to support administrative and communications responsibilities, and assist with convening and supporting the member Waterkeepers. Check out the job notice to learn more.
Around the Watershed
“Upstream, Downriver” – the hour version! – will be on national public television this April. The world premiere will be March 25 at the DC Environmental Film Festival (www.dceff.org), hosted by the Center For Environmental Filmmaking at American University. Check out the film’s website www.upstreamdownriver.org for more information and toolkits, including our CWAPlaybook.org.
Make the Bay Paddle part of your summer plans! On Saturday, July 26 at Kent Island, Maryland, you can paddle in the Chesapeake Bay for 3 miles, 10 miles or 35 miles! Your participation will support Waterkeepers Chesapeake, Oyster Recovery Partnership and Chesapeake Conservancy. Sign up today!
Hybank River Supply Company has created a series of limited-edition prints featuring locally known and loved landmarks throughout the Bay inspired by travel posters of the ’60s and ’70s. Proceeds from your purchase of these beautiful posters will support us! Shop today!
Waterkeepers Chesapeake fights for clean water and a healthy environment by supporting Waterkeepers throughout the Chesapeake and coastal regions as they protect their communities, rivers, and streams from pollution.
For info: www.WaterkeepersChesapeake.org or email info@waterkeeperschesapeake.org.
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