Chesapeake Bay Commission

04/15/2022

Photos from Senator Sarah Elfreth's post

03/12/2022

Yesterday the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 348 - the Conservation Finance Act! Meeting our Chesapeake Bay restoration goals will require an all-hands-on-deck approach. SB348 leverages the power of the private sector and nonprofit community to improve water quality, advance environmental justice and public health, expand initiatives around forest and agricultural soil carbon sequestration, and reward projects that deliver co-benefits like local jobs, flood risk reduction, and climate resilience. Thank you to the MANY stakeholders who helped move this bill forward, including: Chesapeake Conservancy, Hannon Armstrong, Chesapeake Bay Commission, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, & The Nature Conservancy! Proud as always to be working with my partner in realizing cleaner water, Delegate Sara Love!

03/02/2022

Since the 1980s, the Chesapeake Bay Commission has worked to advance policy, legislation and budgets at the state and federal level that address the issues facing the Chesapeake Bay and its 64,000 square-mile watershed. Among its defining features, the Commission is bi-partisan, consensus-based and goal-oriented.

We are proud to showcase the Commission’s 2021 Annual Report. In just 8 pages, the report provides a glimpse of the scale and scope of the Commission’s work, at both the state and Federal levels, as our members work to adopt the legislation and budgets needed to advance Bay restoration.

Click here to view the report: https://www.chesbay.us/annual-reports

01/10/2022

We are excited for Senator Sarah Elfreth to Chair the Chesapeake Bay Commission.

This afternoon my colleagues from Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania elected me Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. It's an absolute honor to take the reins (and gavel) of this phenomenal organization dedicated to bringing bipartisan, multi-state policy solutions to tackle the complex challenges facing our greatest natural treasure, the Chesapeake Bay.

This is a pivotal moment in time: we are just four short years and a tremendous amount of work away from reaching our Watershed Implementation Plan goals (you can read more here: https://www.chesapeakebay.net/what/programs/watershed_implementation). The Commission has a 40 year history of achieving real legislative and budget wins in all three states on behalf of the Bay, even in the face of pressures such as a threefold population increase, a changing climate, and more. Now is the time to target not just the WIP goals that are in greatest need of our help but the streams, rivers, and tributaries that are most impaired. We can and will use the best science, dedicated partners, and increased federal and state investments to make meaningful progress in protecting and restoring the Bay for generations to come.

I'm deeply humbled by the confidence my colleagues have in me and I'm excited to dig into the important work ahead!

11/16/2021

Enactment of Infrastructure Legislation is Major Victory for Chesapeake Bay

Enactment of Infrastructure Legislation is Major Victory for Chesapeake Bay

Today, President Biden signed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill contains an increase of $238 million over five years for the Chesapeake Bay Program through EPA and an additional $11.715 billion over five years for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

11/09/2021

Kaine, Warner bill adds to Chesapeake Bay protections

Kaine, Warner bill adds to Chesapeake Bay protections

Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced the EMBRACE Act.

10/05/2021

Photos from Delegate David Bulova's post

10/05/2021

On Friday, I hosted an informational meeting for House members and staff about federal and state funding to clean up Pennsylvania's streams and rivers. I'm the newest member of Pennsylvania's delegation to the Chesapeake Bay Commission and am working to ensure Pennsylvanians can safely enjoy fishing and swimming in the Commonwealth's water today and in the future.

07/21/2021

Photos from Delegate David Bulova's post

06/24/2021

Bay Watershed Report Card Improves Slightly to B- | Chesapeake Bay Magazine

BAY WATERSHED REPORT CARD IMPROVES SLIGHTLY TO B-

Words like "moderate" and even "good" are being used to describe the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed in the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's (UMCES) 2020 report…

05/21/2021

Bay Lawmakers Discuss Different State Strategies — And Challenges — On Restoration – Maryland Matters

Bay Lawmakers Discuss Different State Strategies — And Challenges — On Restoration

While 99% of Marylanders and 80% of Virginians live within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, only 30% of people living in Pennsylvania do. Because there are fewer state representatives in Pennsylvania within the watershed, it is more challenging for lawmakers in that state to advance policies to restore...

05/21/2021

chesbay.us

On Wednesday, May 19, the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the Chesapeake Legal Alliance co-hosted a webinar "Embracing Our Differences," this webinar, presented by CLA’s Molly Brown, with a welcome by CBC Chairman Virginia Delegate David Bulova and facilitation and reflections by Pennsylvania Senator Scott Martin and Maryland Senator Sarah Elfreth, offers a fascinating, behind the scenes comparison of the structures of government in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and how those differences influence policy making in each jurisdiction.

To watch the webinar recording and see the slide presentation, visit www.chesbay.us/webinar

Please join the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the Chesapeake Legal Alliance for a fascinating comparison of the structure of government in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Welcome by CBC Chairman Virginia Delegate David Bulova, with reflections and facilitation by Pennsylvania Senator Scott...

04/29/2021

chesbay.us

Mark your calendar! The Chesapeake Bay Commission and the Chesapeake Legal Alliance have teamed up to present a free webinar

“Embracing Our Differences - How the Structures of our State Governments Influence Policy Making” on Wednesday, May 19 at 1:00 P.M.

Join us for a fascinating comparison of the structure of government in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. This virtual presentation will highlight similarities and differences and explore the effects of government structure on law and policy at the state level. For more information or visit our website at www.chesbay.us/webinar.

Introductions by CBC Chairman, Delegate David Bulova of Virginia, and moderated by Senator Scott Martin of Pennsylvania.

Featuring Molly Brown, Senior Attorney and Director of Community Legal Education at Chesapeake Legal Alliance.

Please join the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the Chesapeake Legal Alliance for a fascinating comparison of the structure of government in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Introductions by CBC Chairman, Delegate David Bulova of Virginia and moderated by Senator Scott Martin of Pennsylvania. F...

04/20/2021

Md., Va. Pass Statewide Balloon Release Bans | Chesapeake Bay Magazine

MARYLAND & VIRGINIA PASS STATEWIDE BALLOON RELEASE BANS

The Chesapeake Bay and mid-Atlantic coast may see fewer wildlife-choking balloons, thanks to state legislation passed in both Maryland and Virginia this spring. The Maryland legislature just passed…

04/08/2021

Senate Committee Hearing: 'State of the Chesapeake Bay'

Senate Committee Hearing: 'State of the Chesapeake Bay'

02/24/2021

The Chesapeake Bay: Changing the Current

Check out this short documentary "The Chesapeake Bay: Changing the Current" that our Executive Director, Ann Swanson is in. This film was created by Clara Rayburn and Maggie Spire, both students at Montgomery Blair High School in their film class called Blair Network Communications (BNC). They both are in program within BNC called SilverLens. Great job Clara and Maggie!

FILMED, EDITED, and DIRECTED BY Clara Rayburn and Maggie SpireSILVERLENS PRODUCERCeleste BaskenADVISORGeorge Mayo #SilverLens​ is a student-produced document...

01/26/2021

The weather outside is frightful, but these winter facts are delightful

The weather outside is frightful, but these winter facts are delightful

It is something in the water… Winters are usually milder in the Southern Hemisphere than the Northern Hemisphere. The ocean absorbs and retains much of the sun’s radiation. Land absorbs

01/22/2021

Annapolis senator introduces bill updating data collection that guide stormwater regulations

Annapolis senator introduces bill updating data collection that guide stormwater regulations

Concerned about infrastructure standards not keeping up with the reality of climate change, Sen. Sarah Elfreth has introduced a bill that calls for updating the data used to inform regulations and updating it every five years.

01/21/2021

Bill banning intentional balloon releases gaining steam in Virginia General Assembly

Bill banning intentional balloon releases gaining steam in Virginia General Assembly

Current law in the Commonwealth states releasing up to 49 balloons per hour is legal, but more than 50 is illegal. But just one balloon can have devastating impacts on the environment.

01/15/2021

Chesapeake Bay Commission welcomes Virginia leadership

Chesapeake Bay Commission welcomes Virginia leadership

Del. David Bulova has been elected to chair the tri-state Chesapeake Bay Commission for 2021.

11/13/2020

Flexing Mussels to Restore Water Quality of the James River | Chesapeake Bay Magazine

FLEXING MUSSELS TO RESTORE WATER QUALITY OF THE JAMES RIVER

On October 23rd, three divers descended into the James River near downtown Richmond, Virginia, each carrying a small bag. These bags were full of freshwater mussels, and the divers were planting them…

11/05/2020

Chesapeake Bay Commission: 40 years of collaborative cleanup

Chesapeake Bay Commission: 40 years of collaborative cleanup

#40yearsstrong
#chesapeakeBay
#PolicyfortheBay

Rancor and partisan bickering may be de rigueur in politics these days, but the Chesapeake Bay Commission abides in a bubble of amicable collaboration.

10/07/2020

Dave Harp’s Chesapeake: ‘Where Land & Water Meet’

Dave Harp’s Chesapeake: ‘Where Land & Water Meet’

Photographer Dave Harp has spent decades living life on the edge — of the Chesapeake Bay. Now, in the first exhibition to provide a retrospective look at his work, Harp’s

07/24/2020

“Catch” Trash Along the Chesapeake with Fishing App | Chesapeake Bay Magazine

“CATCH” TRASH ALONG THE CHESAPEAKE WITH FISHING APP

Trash clean-up efforts are frequent along the Chesapeake Bay, and for good reason: litter continues to make its way into the water, hampering restoration. One conservation group is taking an inspired…

07/16/2020

PA reaches out to landowners about benefits of streamside buffers

http://www.tiogapublishing.com/the_wellsboro_mansfield_gazette/pa-reaches-out-to-landowners-about-benefits-of-streamside-buffers/article_a26fe18e-052f-5488-92b3-b3fc766a711e.html

07/15/2020

Mark Conway | Chesapeake Conservancy

Chesapeake Conservancy Hires Executive Vice President of Programs

Mark Conway | Chesapeake Conservancy By: Daily Record Staff July 13, 2020 Chesapeake Conservancy announced Mark Conway will be the organization’s executive vice president of programs. Conway brings a wealth of experience in public policy, state government and nonprofit management. As executive vic...

06/19/2020

A rockin' paddle at Conowingo Islands

A rockin' paddle at Conowingo Islands

Years ago, Roberta Strickler, a kayaker from Lancaster, PA, stood on the Norman Wood Bridge across the Susquehanna River, transfixed by an odd assortment of rounded rock islands just downriver.

06/12/2020

Anne Arundel to pay $3 million to restore half-mile of shoreline, adding habitat and fighting erosion

Anne Arundel to pay $3 million to restore half-mile of shoreline, adding habitat and fighting erosion

Anne Arundel County will pay $3 million to restore more than a half-mile of shoreline in Shady Side and near Annapolis, earning credit towards pollution reduction requirements outlined in federal permits.

06/06/2020

Join communities across the watershed in celebrating Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week - The Southern Maryland Chronicle

Join communities across the watershed in celebrating
Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week June 6-14, 2020

The fifth annual event will be held June 6-14, 2020 News Release The fifth annual Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week will

05/28/2020

PA Senate approves fertilizer legislation 49-1, moving it forward to PA House.

Happy to report my bill aimed at modernizing Pennsylvania’s 1956 Fertilizer Act passed the Pennsylvania Senate today (49-1).

Pennsylvania’s Fertilizer Act was first passed in 1956 and has not been substantially modernized since. The updates I am proposing, in consultation with industry and state agencies, will unquestionably reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer applied to lawn and turf areas, while ensuring that the land will be able to receive adequate nutrients. Homeowners investing in lawn care services have no way to know if the employees applying fertilizer to their yards are properly trained, and the Department of Agriculture has no authority to investigate irresponsible or illegal applications. This bill will change that.

Senate Bill 915 will establish best management practices for the use of fertilizer; creates a certification program for commercial and public applicators of fertilizer; promotes homeowner and private agricultural fertilizer education through public outreach; enhances required labeling of all fertilizer products; provides for the exemption of local laws and regulations; re-establishes enhanced reporting requirements and provides a broad-based increase of fees, while repealing the separate classification for small package fees for inspections.

https://legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2019&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0915

05/26/2020

Waterways don’t respect state lines and the laws vary in each Bay state. This chart demonstrates how differences in size, population, legislative process, and competing priorities, may cause challenges AND create opportunities that move us toward our common goals. #chesbay

05/19/2020

Family paves way for conserving farm, woods near Rappahannock

Family paves way for conserving farm, woods near Rappahannock

When the Goodloe family bought a bucolic, 216-acre property in Stafford County, VA, officials were planning to build a beltway around the bustling nearby city of Fredericksburg. That made the

04/28/2020

Susquehanna Seen from Space: New Image from Space Station Released | Chesapeake Bay Magazine

SUSQUEHANNA SEEN FROM SPACE: NEW IMAGE FROM SPACE STATION RELEASED

It’s a view of the Susquehanna River that most of us will never see. Astronauts on the International Space Station snapped this photo shared by NASA in honor of Earth Day. The Susquehanna is the…