River-friendly policies make a difference for our hometown river and community health 

Protecting the lands and waters of the Potomac River is not a one-person job. Potomac Conservancy works with supporters across the region – from locals who enjoy outdoor recreation to elected officials to you! Everyone has a role in making a real difference for our local waterways and community. 

Potomac Conservancy combines the power of local land conservation with clean water advocacy work — because strong water protection laws have broad impacts that positively benefit not just the Potomac River, but all five million of us who depend on it for the water we drink.   

We ramped up our policy efforts in Maryland and Virginia and are now seeing the critical clean water laws we helped pass take effect.   

Here are 4 bills Potomac Conservancy and our movement supported during this year’s legislative sessions, and why they matter for the Potomac River:

Maryland 

Whole Watershed Act 

1. What it is: This law will create a pilot program to select and improve five polluted watersheds across the state through coordinated, comprehensive investments and conservation efforts. 

2. Why it matters: It will invest $20 million into five watershed projects around the state to improve water quality, public access, habitat diversity, and more! This legislation couldn't come at a more critical time. Our waterways face significant challenges from pollution and the climate crisis. However, the Whole Watershed Act offers a path toward restoration and conservation. 

3. How we supported it: Potomac Conservancy advocated for this legislation when meeting with legislators and provided testimony to support it. We also mobilized over 200 river lovers to contact their elected representatives to support the Whole Watershed Act. 

4. Status: Signed into law! Read more here. 

Clean Water Justice Act 

1. What it is: The law will restore the Clean Water Act’s (CWA) public enforcement capabilities to the state – important rights that were lost under the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v EPA. 

2. Why it matters: The Sackett decision dramatically reduced the scope of federal CWA jurisdiction. Now, countless wetlands and streams that used to be subject to federal protections are left to the states to protect — or not. The public lost a critical environmental right to bring suit in federal court to enforce the CWA for harm to the wetlands and streams. This bill will restore judicial rights to the public at the state level in Maryland.

3. How we supported it: Potomac Conservancy led strategic partnership conversations, promoted the bill in meetings with legislators, and provided testimony supporting it. 

4. Status: Signed into law! Read more here. 

Virginia

Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act 

1. What it is: This bill would dedicate $200 million yearly to investments in public lands, state parks, trails, and conservation grants. 

2. Why it matters: This bill would guarantee that significant resources are allocated to protecting and expanding Virginia’s outdoor recreation offerings, creating new returns on investment that should benefit both the environment and the economy. 

3. How we supported it: Potomac Conservancy promoted the bill in meetings with legislators and provided several testimonies supporting it. 

4. Status: The bill did not pass, but all the organizations working on it laid important groundwork that will be used in the future. 

Tree Canopy  

1. What it is: This bill gives localities more authority to increase tree canopy or replanting during development. 

2. Why it matters: Trees are critical to improving the health of our environment and communities, and we need to protect them. 2023 was the hottest year on record, and Virginia, like many places, is predicted to become even hotter and wetter as we wade deeper into the climate crisis. Virginia’s trees act like sponges, helping to soak rain into the landscape readily. And tree canopy can help shrink urban heat islands.  

3. How we supported it: Potomac Conservancy promoted the bill in meetings with legislators and provided several testimonies supporting it.

4. Status: The bill made it to the governor’s desk, where it was vetoed.  

Strengthening and defending clean water protections is a never-ending commitment. Potomac Conservancy is proud to stand with our 30,000 supporters to speak up and stand up for the health of our communities and natural places. Let’s keep up the work! 

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