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.


Tell EPA to Do Its Job & Protect Our Water

Tell EPA to Do Its Job & Protect Our Water

TAKE ACTION Instead of protecting our environment and public health, the EPA is taking away our right to clean water ...
EPA’s Proposed New Rule Threatens Drinking Water

EPA’s Proposed New Rule Threatens Drinking Water

Waterkeepers Chesapeake’s statement on proposed rule stripping federal safeguards from tens of millions of acres of wetlands and countless streams ...
Waterkeepers Condemn EPA’s Decision to Halt Rulemaking to Reduce Water Pollution From Slaughterhouses

Waterkeepers Condemn EPA’s Decision to Halt Rulemaking to Reduce Water Pollution From Slaughterhouses

This Action Will Leave Tens of Millions of Americans at Risk from Unsafe Drinking Water and Other Contamination Photo Credit: ...
Plastic Free July: Why Tackling Plastic Pollution Matters More Than Ever

Plastic Free July: Why Tackling Plastic Pollution Matters More Than Ever

What is Plastic Free July?  Did you know that a small challenge among friends in 2011 sparked a global movement? ...

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