The Chesapeake Bay
Rising concern about pollution within the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries has led to many proposals to reverse the problem. Unless something is done to reduce pollution levels, the region's ecosystem will be significantly, if not irreparably, damaged. Although Pennsylvania does not directly border the Chesapeake Bay, much of our state is included in the larger Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Susquehanna River Basin provides half of the freshwater flow to the bay. By reversing pollution levels, the tributaries in Pennsylvania will experience many positive effects. For example, cleaner waterways will increase recreational use, encourage tourism, and provide cleaner drinking water to our communities.
In 2004, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection developed a plan to reduce water pollution and its negative impacts on the Bay. This plan, known as the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy, provides guidelines on how to meet nutrient and sediment reduction goals. The classification of the Chesapeake Bay along with its tidal portions as “impaired waters” provided the impetus for this plan. Representatives from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia signed the Chesapeake Bay Agreement, which aims to ensure the long term health of the Bay. The agreement sought to provide a road map on the best way to meet water quality standards that would work toward restoration.
To strengthen the restoration process, President Obama issued an Executive Order increasing the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Executive Order authorizes the EPA to set and enforce goals for reducing pollution levels in the Chesapeake Bay. The EPA is also responsible for coordinating the response of various federal agencies and for working together with state governments to curb the flow of pollutants into the Chesapeake Bay.
Pennsylvania benefits substantially from the health of the Chesapeake Bay’s tributaries. Accordingly, I believe reducing pollution levels is achievable and necessary. As Congress develops ways to restore the ecosystem, I will consider the effects such a plan may have on different sectors within Pennsylvania. We can all be a part of the solution, and I am committed to working with Pennsylvanians on developing a thoughtful strategy to achieve this important goal.