President’s proposed budget puts drinking water sources at-risk for 5 million local residents

UPDATE:

In March the Trump administration announced plans to eliminate the Chesapeake Bay Program in the 2018 budget.

In response more than 90 members of the Choose Clean Water Coalition, including Potomac Conservancy, traveled to Capitol Hill on April 5 to urge elected leaders to support funding for the Bay Program. More than 270 Potomac Conservancy supporters wrote in with comments for their elected leaders, which we hand delivered that day. It was the most well-attended Lobby Day the coalition has ever hosted!

Thank you to everyone who spoke up! 

March 20, 2017

By now, you've read about the Trump Administration's proposed budget. Buried in all the news reports is something especially troubling for the Potomac:

The proposed budget eliminates the federal Chesapeake Bay Program.

There's no way to sugarcoat this. It's reckless and irresponsible. In fact, it's downright dangerous.

Defunding the Chesapeake Bay Program would have disastrous consequences for our communities and threaten the Potomac and Bay rivers that provide drinking water for 13 million residents.

Everyone wants to make sure the water they drink is clean and healthy. Federal initiatives like the science-based Chesapeake Bay Program make that happen.

If enacted, this budget would put an end to the federal Bay cleanup efforts at a moment when our families and communities are experiencing real, meaningful benefits from this program. The Potomac is the healthiest it's been in decades. Pollution levels are decreasing, wildlife, like shad and bald eagles, are rebounding, and more people are getting outside to enjoy their local rivers and streams.

But we still have much work to do to make the Potomac swimmable and fishable.

Untreated sewage flows into the Nation's River near Alexandria during rainstorms. Polluted runoff in Prince George's county harms the Anacostia. And the swim portion of the Nation's Triathlon was canceled because of dangerous E. coli levels in the waters near the Lincoln Memorial.

While Potomac Conservancy and other groups continue to work with state and local governments to address pollution threats, these clean water initiatives require federal leadership and coordination.

The protection of your water is a national budget priority, not a disposable line item.

Your representatives need to hear from YOU! Submit your comments >

Team Potomac and our allies are headed up to Capitol Hill to speak with your representatives on Wednesday, April 5.

Tell us why you think Congress should act to protect local waters and save the Chesapeake Bay Program. Submit your comments today, and we'll personally hand them to your elected leaders.

Thank you for taking a stand for clean water, for your Potomac.