HARRISBURG – In recent correspondence to U.S. Senate and House members and staff, Pennsylvania state Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), Chairman of the tri-state Chesapeake Bay Commission (CBC), urged support for $90.5 million in funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Chesapeake Bay Program. The proposal, if approved, would be a $5.5 million increase from the current fiscal year and consistent with a version passed by the House of Representatives. Leaders from the U.S. House and Senate are currently negotiating the federal appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021.
“Since the states and EPA agreed to the Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration goals in 2010, much progress has been made towards improving the health of the watershed,” Sen. Yaw said. “We are at a critical juncture in Chesapeake Bay restoration and we must not slow in our efforts.”
Specifically, Yaw highlighted the need for funding at three levels: the small watershed and innovative practices grant programs; local government technical assistance and implementation; and state-based targeted and cost-effective implementation.
“By increasing the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program funding level to $90.5 million, it would be possible to achieve significant measurable results in each of these areas, and each federal dollar leverages many more in state, local and private funding,” Yaw explained. “Furthermore, supporting this bill would ensure that additional dollars will come to Pennsylvania through a set-side for the most effective basins.”
Read a bipartisan letter from Members of Congress in the Bay Watershed, click here.
For more state-related news and information visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.
CONTACT:
Marel King, Pennsylvania Director
Chesapeake Bay Commission
717-772-3651