Congressman John Sarbanes Introduces Four Critical Chesapeake Bay Protection Bills

Washington, DC – Today Congressman John Sarbanes reintroduced four bills that would help restore the Chesapeake Bay by enhancing outdoor recreation, improving access to the Bay, expanding environmental education, rehabilitating vital wetlands and providing incentives for citizens to make their homes more “Bay friendly.”

“Marylanders have a strong tradition of environmental advocacy rooted in a passion for the Chesapeake Bay,” said Congressman John Sarbanes.  “The Bay is our Nation’s largest estuary and, in many ways, the soul of our state.  It is a national environmental treasure and an economic catalyst for Maryland’s tourism and seafood industries.” 

Congressman Sarbanes re-introduced the following bills:

Save the Bay Homeowner Act of 2011

This legislation would allow the 17 million citizens of the Chesapeake Bay watershed to become citizen stewards of the Bay by developing a “Save the Chesapeake Bay Home” designation program that identifies various steps homeowners could voluntarily take around their property to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff and improve water quality in local streams and rivers that feed into the Bay. If a participating home meets certain standards, such as installing rain barrels or reducing fertilizer on their lawns, that home could be designated a “Save the Chesapeake Bay Home.”  The legislation further directs the EPA to give credit to states and local jurisdictions for nutrient and sediment level reduction based upon the number of homeowners that achieve the “Save the Chesapeake Bay Home” designation.

The Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Network Continuing Authority Act of 2011

This legislation would reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, a program that connects those who live in the Bay watershed to the natural, cultural and historic resources of the Bay.  Since 2000, Gateways has grown to include more than 150 sites and over 1500 miles of established and developing water trails in six states and the District of Columbia. Through grants to parks, volunteer groups, wildlife refuges, historic sites, museums, and water trails, the Network ties these sites together to provide meaningful experiences and foster citizen stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay. 

The Chesapeake Bay Science, Education and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2011

This legislation would reauthorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office that provides much of the scientific expertise to support Bay restoration. This legislation also authorizes NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training program which provides environmental education grants in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.  The bill also enhances the Chesapeake Bay Interpretative Buoy System, which provides vital scientific and historical information to boaters, scientists and teachers about conditions in the Chesapeake Bay.

The Army Corps of Engineers’ Chesapeake Bay Environmental Restoration and Protection Program of 2011

This legislation would strengthen and expand the Army Corps of Engineers' role in Chesapeake Bay restoration and provide flexibility for the Corps to work with other federal agencies, state and local governments, and not-for-profit groups engaged in Bay cleanup.  This program authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to provide design and construction assistance to state and local authorities in the environmental restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. These projects range from shoreline buffers to oyster reef construction.

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