{"id":164796,"date":"2026-01-16T09:40:57","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T14:40:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/waterkeeperschesapeake.org\/?p=164796"},"modified":"2026-03-04T09:45:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T14:45:05","slug":"january-2026-enews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/waterkeeperschesapeake.org\/es\/january-2026-enews\/","title":{"rendered":"ENews de enero de 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

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January 2026 Enews<\/h1>\n

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Happy New Year!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Our team at Waterkeepers Chesapeake wishes you a bright start to 2026! We’re grateful to continue working together for healthy waters and resilient communities. <\/span><\/span>New Year, Shared purpose. \u2728 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Waterkeepers Denounce EPA\u2019s Plan to Radically Weaken Water Protections<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Waterkeepers Chesapeake, our 16 Waterkeepers and Chesapeake Legal Alliance submitted comments strongly condemning EPA’s plan to redefine waters that are<\/span> protected under the Clean Water Act. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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EPA\u2019s plan to remove protections for most wetlands and seasonal streams will accelerate the destruction of wetlands, worsen water quality, and put the health of our communities \u2014 and the drinking water they depend on \u2014 at risk. All communities want certainty on clean water – certainty that their waters are clean and safe for clean drinking water, recreation, fisheries, and aquatic life. This rule does the opposite, and the EPA should withdraw it.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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We also thank the over 275 people who sent comments through our action alert. The EPA deliberately chose a short comment period over the holidays to make it difficult for people like you to comment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Read more<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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It’s Time to Advocate for Clean Water!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Yesterday, the General Assemblies in Maryland and Virginia opened and the environmental community was ready with several important bills to protect clean water and healthy environments.\u00a0It\u2019s early, so there will be additional bills, but here are some that we are working on and supporting along with our Waterkeepers. In both states, it\u2019s a challenging budget year. We will focus on protecting environmental funding, which bolsters our waterways and communities in the face of ongoing pollution challenges and growing impacts from climate change. There will be several bills in both states that address stopping the spread of sewage sludge contaminated with PFAS on farmlands, phasing out PFAS in consumer products, and treating PFAS at industrial sources. There are other priorities such as the Maryland Bottle Bill and water intake and data center bills in Virginia. Check out the lobby day opportunities below and stay tuned on how you can support legislation. Follow your local Waterkeepers<\/a>\u00a0to help them advocate for clean water legislation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Upcoming Events <\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Virginia Clean Water Lobby Day – Tues, January 27<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Virginia Clean Water Lobby Day is your chance to lobby with fellow advocates in your district for the environmental action that matters most to you. We need advocates like you, now more than ever, to help advance policies that benefit clean water. Register by January 20.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Maryland CCE Summit – Wednesday,\u00a0 January 28<\/h3>\n

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The Maryland Community Coalition for the Environment (CCE) is hosting the 2026 Maryland Environmental Legislative Summit! Come and learn about the 2026 Legislative priorities, learn from elected officials, and more!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0 \u00a0 Waterkeeper News!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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