Chesapeake Bay Foundation

In a huge win for clean water and the health of the Chesapeake Bay’s tributaries, a Dorchester County court has ruled that the Maryland Department of the Environment must revise its newly-issued, yet harmfully inadequate, wastewater discharge permit for Valley Proteins’ animal waste rendering plant in Linkwood on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. 👏 CBF challenged this permit last winter alongside partners Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth, Friends of the Nanticoke River, ShoreRivers, and Wicomico Environmental Trust (WET). Read more: https://lnkd.in/gphiPmJv

According to CBF's new analysis, over 500 acres of protected land, including vulnerable forests and high-quality watersheds, would be threatened by the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project. “If done thoughtlessly, this project would be a huge backslide on Maryland’s robust environmental investments,” said Gussie Maguire, CBF Maryland Staff Scientist. “But we are not powerless. Maryland can and must enforce strict regulations to minimize and mitigate the environmental losses from this project, and ensure support for affected communities.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e2bvJXwa

CBF grieves the passing of Vince Leggett, founder and president of Blacks of the Chesapeake and longtime advocate for the Bay’s history, culture, and communities. https://lnkd.in/evYe7n7m

🚨 Virginia, we need your help! 🚨 Join us in asking the Department of Environmental Quality to finalize the regulations for House Bill 206, which would create a regulatory framework to help solar developers do their work responsibly and mitigate impacts to the Commonwealth’s prime agricultural and forest lands. Submit your comments before the December 6 deadline! https://lnkd.in/ek5nFBWE

Calling all Bay savers! 📢 What burning questions do you have about the Bay? We want to hear them! Your questions will be given to our scientists and other experts to answer in detail in our upcoming spring magazine—a special "Your Questions Answered" edition! Please take a few minutes and send us your questions: https://lnkd.in/efsw5eky 📷: Edward Episcopo 📍: Caledon State Park, VA

Today is Lancaster ExtraGive! 🎉 And you don't have to live in Lancaster to support CBF's work to address pollution and improve water quality in Pennsylvania's rivers and streams. Donate or create your own fundraising page: https://lnkd.in/etTWykKq If you're local to Lancaster, you can also join us at two fun locations: 💧 Bloombox's Second Chance Plants (1201 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, corner of Dillersville Road) from 12:00–3:00 p.m. Meet and greet with CBF staff, learn from our rainfall simulator about how water runs off different land uses, participate in clean-water crafts and activities, and shop with Bloombox. During this time, clean water supporter David Bender will match all Lancaster ExtraGive donations up to $3,000! 💧 Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse (112 N Water Street, Lancaster) from 6:00–9:00 p.m. Celebrate with staff throughout the evening in honor of our rivers, streams, and the Bay! 📷: Larry Keller 📍: Lancaster County, PA

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today granted a preliminary permit for a 1,000-acre hydroelectric facility proposed for Cuffs Run, near the Susquehanna River. CBF remains committed to opposing the project, which would do irrevocable harm to Cuffs Run and the Susquehanna River and includes projected displacement of 40 families. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g6Eeqn-A

Great news for Virginia! 👏 A judge in Floyd County has ruled that Virginia unlawfully withdrew from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state carbon emission reduction program that also provided much needed funding for energy efficiency and resilience programs in the Commonwealth. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gHZpRhdp

The Chesapeake Bay’s dead zone, a low-oxygen area that can smother underwater life, was about average in size in 2024, according to data released today by the Chesapeake Bay Program. “At the Chesapeake Executive Council meeting this December we must see leadership, partnership, and accountability," noted CBF Vice President for Environmental Protection and Restoration Alison Prost. "That starts with the region’s governors and other leaders coming together in person on December 10, where they must recommit to the Bay restoration partnership and pledge to update the Chesapeake Bay Agreement’s goals by the end of 2025.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/eveGrYHf

Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources unanimously voted the Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act (CNRA) out of committee. 🎉 The CNRA would designate a collection of new and existing parks and protected lands along the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal waters in Maryland and Virginia as part of the National Park System. Check out CBF's joint statement alongside Chesapeake Conservancy, Choose Clean Water Coalition, and National Parks Conservation Association: https://lnkd.in/eW2zwMbT