Legislation & Legal Action

Waterkeepers Chesapeake and our 17 Waterkeeper members work on legislation at the local, state and federal level. We introduce and push for bills that will 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 takes legal action on behalf of our members, especially on issues that have regional or national impacts such as the relicensing of Conowingo Dam, construction of fracked gas pipelines, and the Safe Drinking Water Act.


A Giant Step Backwards for Water Protections & Climate Goals

A Giant Step Backwards for Water Protections & Climate Goals

Our nation’s foundational laws that protect our clean water, public health and ecosystems have taken a significant step backwards with ...
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Waterkeepers Chesapeake Calls for Action After Supreme Court Abandons Clean Water Act Protections

Waterkeepers Chesapeake Calls for Action After Supreme Court Abandons Clean Water Act Protections

Waterkeepers Chesapeake’s statement on today’s U.S. Supreme Court opinion in the case of Sackett v. EPA that ruled in favor ...
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In Response to Lawsuit, EPA Announces Timeline for First Revisions to Slaughterhouse Water Pollution Standards in Nearly Twenty Years

In Response to Lawsuit, EPA Announces Timeline for First Revisions to Slaughterhouse Water Pollution Standards in Nearly Twenty Years

Victory: EPA agrees to strengthen standards for the nation’s largest industrial source of phosphorus pollution—and second-largest industrial source of nitrogen ...
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Reclaiming Maryland’s Clean Energy Future

Reclaiming Maryland’s Clean Energy Future

Maryland has entered into an exciting new chapter in its history. A new administration that values environmental justice gives us ...
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