Awardees to be recognized for work on Clean Water Act litigation and coal ash storage
(Chevy Chase, MD) Waterkeepers Chesapeake will host its 3rd annual In Defense of Water awards event one month from today, Thursday, September 5 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., at the Audubon Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase. Attendees will celebrate regional Waterkeepers, toast recent clean water successes, and raise funds to “keep up the fight for clean water for all.” U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), who is a second-term U.S. Representative and previously served three terms in the Maryland State Senate, will be the honored speaker.
“Protecting our beloved Chesapeake Bay – and all its tributaries – is essential to the long-term well-being of our eco-system and our natural resources,” Raskin says. “I am proud to join Waterkeepers Chesapeake in recognizing the invaluable work of local activists who protect our precious waters.”
The organization will honor Potomac Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks and James Riverkeeper Jamie Brunkow with the Waterkeeper Outstanding Win (WOW!) Award.
“Dean and Jamie worked for years in local communities and the courts, alongside other advocates, legislators, and citizens, to find a commonsense solution to the toxic legacy of coal ash stored on Virginia riverbanks,” said Nicholas. “Their work set a national precedent for how to safely remove toxic coal ash stored along waterways.”
That campaign resulted this year in the bipartisan Virginia Safe Disposal of Coal Ash bill (SB 1355), which mandates the safe disposal of the 28 million tons of toxic coal ash that Dominion Energy, an electric and power company, currently stores in leaking ponds on the banks of the Potomac, James, and Elizabeth Rivers.
The organization will also spotlight its new campaign: Clear Choices Clean Water – Chesapeake Bay, which is designed to increase awareness about everyday choices residents make and their effects on our rivers and streams – and ultimately the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays. The campaign inspires people to pledge to implement water-friendly practices to reduce polluted stormwater runoff and to volunteer with their local Waterkeepers.
Sponsors and guests will enjoy fresh, local food from La Prima Catering, mingle with Waterkeepers, and bid on silent auction items. For more information, visit https://waterkeeperschesapeake.org/indefenseofwater2019/.
Contact: Betsy Nicholas, 202-423-0504, betsy(at)waterkeeperschesapeake.org