(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, the President released his budget for Fiscal Year 2021, which recommends reducing the $85 million budget for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program to $7.3 million–a 91 percent cut to current funding. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:

"While it is not surprising that President Trump's proposed budget once again slashes funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program, it is still remarkably confounding. Despite this administration repeatedly stating their desire for clean water, they consistently kneecap investments to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay, a true national treasure. This is true to form for this administration, as they continue to rollback critical environmental regulations that safeguard our land, air, and water.



"The proposed 91 percent cut to the Chesapeake Bay Program would stop the clean up of Chesapeake Bay in its tracks and undo tremendous progress made to date. This funding supports on-the-ground projects that improve drinking water, restore oyster populations, reduce pollution from farmland, and create habitat for iconic species like striped bass and blue crabs.



"Fortunately, however, history is on the Bay's side, as a bipartisan effort has thwarted this administration's assault on clean water. Last year a similar cut to the Chesapeake Bay Program was proposed. Instead of reducing the investment in the Chesapeake Bay, Congress increased funding to $85 million.



"Members of the Choose Clean Water Coalition will continue to fight for full funding of the Chesapeake Bay Program. On March 4, more than 100 Coalition members will meet with members of Congress from throughout the watershed to discuss the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort and to request increased funding for the clean up rather than draconian cuts. We are confident that bipartisan support for clean water and the Chesapeake Bay will continue, and the President's proposed budget will remain irrelevant."

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 250 local, state, regional and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.

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Media Contact:

Drew Robinson

443-927-8049

RobinsonAQ@nwf.org