Leaders of Chesapeake Bay Restoration Effort Meet at Critical Point

(BALTIMORE, MD)—The Chesapeake Executive Council met today to discuss the current state of the effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. The meeting, attended by Maryland's Governor Wes Moore, Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro, Virginia's Governor Glenn Youngkin, Delaware’s Governor Matthew Meyer, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, Chesapeake Bay Commission Chair Sara Love, and EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi, comes at a critical juncture in the Bay restoration effort.

In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

 “At the core of our work for clean water in the Chesapeake Bay region is the Chesapeake Bay Agreement. Since last year’s Chesapeake Executive Council meeting, many partners have worked long and hard to strengthen the Agreement to include bold, ambitious restoration goals. We must build on our momentum from past success and uphold our commitments to clean water.

“We are heartened to see so many Bay Agreement signatories attend today’s gathering. Their presence, including Governor Shapiro serving as the new Chair of the Chesapeake Executive Council, demonstrates the widespread commitment to clean water in the Bay region. As we face uncertainty for future federal funding, their participation is crucial.

“We won’t meet our goals without strong partnerships and collaboration, including the many federal agencies working on the Bay restoration effort. The Choose Clean Water Coalition and our more than 320 nonprofit member organizations will closely follow the developments on the next steps for the Bay cleanup and look for opportunities to assist by providing our expertise and experience working with communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.” 

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Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
Choose Clean Water Coalition
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org