January 3, 2020
Immediate Release
Press Contact: Dannielle Lipinski, dlipinski@mdlcv.org, 443-617-7257
Statement from Kim Coble, Executive Director, Maryland League of Conservation Voters in response to:
“This is a profoundly sad and disappointing moment in Bay history. After decades of leadership on Bay clean up efforts, we are watching the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) turn its back and walk away from the Chesapeake Bay. EPA is abdicating its role and responsibility by treating the Bay clean up plan as an ‘aspirational document’ and not as the effective model it has been recognized as and proved to be. Maryland LCV is calling on Governor Hogan, as the Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, to coordinate an immediate and robust response to EPA’s abdication of its responsibility.”
Under the current clean up plan, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania must develop and fully implement their pollution reduction plans by 2025. This would ensure the ultimate removal of the Chesapeake Bay from the list of dirty waters (the 303d list) https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/overview-listing-impaired-waters-under-cwa-section-303d. The state clean up plans, collectively known as the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load, have been touted as the most effective and successful environmental clean up effort in the country.
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Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) is a state-wide nonpartisan organization that uses political action and education to protect our air, land, public health, and water. Maryland LCV endorses and elects pro-conservation candidates and holds elected officials accountable through legislative scorecards. A leading legislative watchdog in Annapolis, we have advocated for smart environmental policies for 40 years, working to make Maryland a healthy and prosperous place for families and communities. Maryland LCV protects public health by fighting for restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and local waters, preserving green spaces, promoting smarter growth and increasing Maryland’s investment in clean energy.