Chesapeake Bay Program Archives

Maryland Department of Environment announces $47 million in Clean Water Commerce Act funding for Chesapeake Bay health, economy

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Chris Montcalmo

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland has announced $47 million in funding for 15 projects aimed at reducing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) says the projects will use a “pay-for-success” model, incentivizing farmers and landowners to implement pollution-reducing practices. The projects will receive funding based on their ability to demonstrate cost-effective clean water solutions. These projects include shoreline […]

Chesapeake Bay restoration bill passes house

Posted on December 4, 2024 by Chris Montcalmo

BALTIMORE, MD—The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved bipartisan legislation yesterday that would reauthorize several key Chesapeake Bay restoration programs. The bill, known as the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act, passed with a vote of 366-21. The legislation would extend the ACE Act of 2020 for another five years, through fiscal year 2030. The bill designates $92 million annually for […]

Chesapeake Bay ‘dead zone’ remains average in size in 2024

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Chris Montcalmo

BALTIMORE, MD—The Chesapeake Bay’s dead zone, an area of hypoxia where low oxygen levels can’t sustain life, was about average in size in 2024, according to a release from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The annual report, released by the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program, comes as leaders in the region prepare to meet in December to discuss the Bay’s cleanup efforts […]

Chesapeake Bay underwater grass population remains stable

Posted on July 31, 2024 by Chris Montcalmo

BALTIMORE, MD—The Chesapeake Bay Program this week released new data that shows the underwater grass population in the bay remained steady in 2023. This is a key indicator of water quality and habitat health. According to the data, the total amount of underwater grass in the bay was 82,937 acres. This is a 7% increase from 2022. All or part […]

NOAA awards $10 million grant for Chesapeake Bay oyster sanctuary

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Chris Montcalmo

BALTIMORE, MD—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced that it will award a $10 million grant for the construction of a new oyster sanctuary in the Chesapeake Bay. The funding will help establish a sustainable future for the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population, which is critical to the health of the bay’s ecosystems and economy. The new reef will […]

Governor Moore named Chesapeake Executive Council chair

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Chris Montcalmo

ANNAPOLIS, MD—This week, Governor Wes Moore was unanimously elected to serve as chair of the bipartisan Chesapeake Executive Council during a meeting hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C.. The council, which serves as the primary policy and leadership body of the formal Chesapeake Bay Partnership’s effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, is comprised of the nine signatories […]

Chesapeake Bay Foundation encouraged by changes to protect declining Chesapeake blue crab population, issues statement on dead zone forecast

Posted on June 30, 2022 by Chris Montcalmo

BALTIMORE, MD—In response to the lowest abundance of crabs ever counted in the 33-year history of the Chesapeake Bay’s winter blue crab dredge survey, fishery managers at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Virginia Marine Resources Commission this week adopted new regulations designed to reduce the crab harvest. The regulations aim to help the overall Chesapeake crab population rebound. […]

House passes massive infrastructure bill with big boost for Chesapeake Bay Program, Governor Hogan issues statement

Posted on November 6, 2021 by Chris Montcalmo

ANNAPOLIS, MD—The Chesapeake Bay Foundation hailed Friday night’s passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. The bill boosts funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program by a historic $238 million over five years. The House approved the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by a vote of 228-206. The U.S. Senate passed the […]

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