WASHINGTON – Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin has received a rating of 91% from the League of Conservation Voters for his environmental voting record in Congress during 2002. The League is a national organization of more than 40,000 members dedicated to improving our air, water and open spaces for future generations.

The League of Conservation Voters based its 2002 National Environmental Scorecard on eight key votes pertaining to environmental health and safety protection, resource conservation and spending for environmental programs. Votes included: storing nuclear waste in Yucca Mountain, military exemption from key environmental laws, effects of new trade agreements on the environment, farm conservation, and restricting the renewal of farm leases at six Klamath Basin National wildlife refuges.

"The environment is our greatest treasure and we must do all we can to improve it. I think anyone living in the Chesapeake Bay watershed recognizes that clean water, clean air and open spaces affect all of us, and that our environment needs to be nurtured and protected," said Rep. Cardin.