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Washington, DC -- In anticipation of the reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), Congressman John Sarbanes is introducing a bill to help the Army Corps of Engineers complete a mission they began in 1996 – cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay.
The Chesapeake Bay Environmental Restoration and Protection Program, which was established in WRDA 1996, authorizes the Corps to work with State and local authorities on various Bay cleanup projects including dredging, wetland restoration, establishing shoreline buffers and oyster reef construction.
The legislation introduced by Congressman Sarbanes will allow the Corps to continue and grow this work in all six states in the Bay watershed and the District of Columbia. It would also enable the Corps to better coordinate with other federal agencies. In addition, it would create new grants for grass roots restoration projects. The legislation is based on recommendations by the Chesapeake Bay Commission that seek to bolster the Army Corps of Engineers’ role as a strong partner in Chesapeake Bay cleanup.
“This is a watershed moment for the Chesapeake Bay,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “We established a framework in this year’s Farm bill by securing substantial resources to address runoff and other land-based causes of Bay pollution. Next year, the Congress will rewrite our Nation’s water resources policy. We must seize the opportunity to turn the tide on the ‘water-side’ of our cleanup effort.” Said Sarbanes. “This legislation will do just that by providing the funds and authority to restore the rivers and tributaries that feed the Chesapeake Bay and the Bay itself.”
Congressman Sarbanes introduced the legislation today. It is cosponsored by 20 Members of Congress, including the entire Maryland delegation.
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