President Budget Request Would Thwart Chesapeake Bay Restoration Effort

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, the President released his discretionary budget request, which proposes severe reductions of programs critical to realizing clean water. These include programs at the National Parks Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and United States Geological Survey. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

"Federal funding is the cornerstone of the effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay and the rivers and streams that feed it. Federal investments support programs that plant trees, monitor local water quality, and get kids outside for meaningful education experiences. Proposing to cripple or eliminate programs that improve clean water and healthy communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay region is deeply concerning.

"We are grateful for the strong bipartisan support for the Bay. We look forward to working with all members of Congress to safeguard these critical federal investments and leaving a legacy of clean water to future generations."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 300 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

# # #

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