2017 ANNUAL REPORT

20 Ridgely Ave, Suite 203 Annapolis, MD 21401 www.choosecleanwater.org Dear Friends of the Coalition: STEERING COMMITTEE It is safe to say that at this time last year, no one National Wildlife Federation* knew what 2017 would hold for our watershed. At times, the threats seemed almost League of insurmountable, generating fear and uncertainty among Conservation Voters*+ the restoration community. However, I am proud to say West Virginia Rivers Coalition*+ that we did not resign ourselves to defeat, but instead rose above these challenges - together. Anacostia Watershed Society In 2017, the Choose Clean Water Coalition made Audubon Naturalist Society incredible strides toward achieving restoration and policy goals for our waterways. Through the dedication of our Chesapeake Bay Foundation 232 members, the Coalition played a significant role in generating bipartisan Conservation Voters support for clean water at the state and federal level. Thanks to the power of our of members, the Chesapeake Bay congressional delegation’s commitment to the PennFuture+ restoration effort is stronger than ever, with support for steady and increased + funding for the Chesapeake Bay clean-up emerging from both sides of the aisle. Delaware Nature Society While direct attacks on our restoration goals are alarming, they are an important James River Association reminder that we must keep advocating for clean water and healthy communities. National Aquarium ABOUT THE COALITION Our strength is demonstrated by the unified and collective voice of advocates across the region, and I have never felt the power of that voice stronger than I did National Parks The Choose Clean Water Coalition this year. Conservation Association harnesses the collective power of Natural Resources Defense Council Looking to 2018, we will have more battles to fight. The good news is the Choose more than 230 groups to advocate Clean Water Coalition is prepared to confront these threats directly. We continue Piedmont Environmental Council for clean rivers and streams in all to be a powerful, coordinated, watershed-wide movement that will push for clean Potomac Conservancy water and healthy communities. As we build new and stronger partnerships and communities in the Chesapeake Bay engage more activists around the Chesapeake Bay region, we will continue to Shenandoah Valley Network region. By mobilizing the advocacy work through our motto, #BayStrong. Virginia Conservation Network+ community and coordinating policy, Yours in collaboration, Waterkeepers Chesapeake messaging, action, and accountability, * Co-chair the Coalition is able to speak louder + State or Outreach Lead with one voice toward our collective goal – clean water.

Chanté Coleman Director SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR STATE AND OUTREACH LEADS Legend: The Coalition has Angela Hotaling (NY) National Regional Ben Alexandro (MD) 232 MEMBERS State that span the entire Chris Klarich (DE) Local David Lillard (WV) Pin size is based on Chesapeake Bay watershed, organizational membership Ezra Thrush (PA) with organizations in every state Kristin Reilly Mariah Davis Peter Marx Kim Snell-Zarcone To see full list of Coalition members, Senior Communications Field Manager Federal Affairs, Contractor Agriculture, Contractor visit: www.choosecleanwater.org/members and the District of Columbia. Manager Pat Calvert (VA)

MEMBERS IN ALL FOUNDED IN IN 2017... WATERSHED INFORMATIONAL 37 MEETINGS POLICY WEBINARS WITH CONGRESSIONAL SIX WIDE SIGN-ON POLICY SEVEN CONFERENCES CONDUCTED OFFICES ON LOBBY DAY PRIORITIES BAY JURISDICTIONS 747SIGNATURES LETTERS 8 2009 ON SIGN ON LETTERS 12 2 | Choose Clean Water Coalition 15 choosecleanwater.org | 3 OUR PRIORITIES

The Coalition focuses on seven • Hosted a diversity, equity, and inclusion training • Led by Natural Resources Defense Council, programs, were fully funded in the final FY different priority areas that are critical to expand knowledge around culture and cultural the workgroup finalized a report on 2017 Omnibus Appropriations bill that was humility and identify opportunities and barriers utilities across the watershed called, “Paying for passed in May. In November, the Senate to the restoration of the Chesapeake within our work. Stormwater Management in Chesapeake Bay released language from their FY 2018 Bay. Each of these priorities have a Communities: Policy Recommendations.” appropriations bill that included the full $73 • The workgroup changed its name to the Equity million for the Program, plus specific language dedicated workgroup, which gives workgroup in order to include include both for the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship grants. Coalition members a space to engage, environmental justice and the broader work of the Coalition on diversity, equity, and inclusion. • The Coalition worked with members of strategize, and collaborate on a Congress to help write the Chesapeake Bay variety of issues. Here are some of SHALE Farm Bill Enhancements Act of 2017. The the highlights from these workgroups bill was introduced in November with nine Protect public health, communities and regional cosponsors in the Senate and 13 in the House. in 2017. water resources from the impacts of natural It is intended to increase funding for farmers gas development. in the Chesapeake Bay watershed through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. • Sent a letter to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and several Maryland state senators and delegates, urging them to support the ban on hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”. The ban was passed in April 2017.

• Endorsed the Safe Energy Future Plan federal legislation which would eliminate loopholes that ©Chesapeake Bay Program exempt oil and gas industry activities from our nation’s bedrock environmental laws. POLLUTION LIMITS

Ensure Chesapeake Bay pollution limits continue to make progress toward returning clean water to the region. ©Chesapeake Bay Program • Sent a letter to the Chesapeake Bay Program’s AGRICULTURE Principals’ Staff Committee urging them to adopt both numeric and programmatic proposals for Ensure the agricultural sector achieves pollution addressing climate change impacts during the reductions necessary to reach the 2017 and 2025 development and implementation of the Phase water quality goals. III Watershed Implementation Plans. COMMUNICATIONS

• Sent a letter in support of legislation aimed to • Sent a letter to the Maryland Department of Ensure strong communications strategies are reduce water pollution from the use of fertilizer the Environment in response to the agency’s developed and implemented to support and on lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and other ©Chesapeake Bay Program proposed regulations to establish a nutrient and promote the work of the Coalition and its members. sediment trading and offset program. uses of turf. • Created a communications toolkit in celebration • Worked to strategically help land trust partners STORMWATER FEDERAL of the 45th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. share information about their conservation Members used the materials to demonstrate efforts, including buffers, as a prerequisite for Strengthen policies and permits to stop polluted Promote and defend federal policies and the impact of the Act on the health of the taking an easement on a property. runoff in urbanized areas. investment that support Chesapeake Bay Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. watershed restoration and protection efforts. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE • Met with Environmental Protection Agency • Launched a new website, designed to better Region 3 officials at the beginning of the year to • Worked to ensure that federal funding for highlight the work of Coalition members, Promote environmental justice to ensure discuss specific requests regarding MS4 permits the Environmental Protection Agency’s important news, and upcoming trainings underserved and overburdened communities share in the region, enforcement, and related issues. Chesapeake Bay Program, and other federal and events. equitably in the benefits of clean water.

4 | Choose Clean Water Coalition choosecleanwater.org | 5 COALITION HIGHLIGHTS

FRACKING IS BANNED CHESAPEAKE BAY DAY ON IN MARYLAND! CAPITOL HILL

For years, Coalition members, especially those in Every year, the Coalition organizes Chesapeake Bay Western Maryland, have been working to pass a state- Day on Capitol Hill, an opportunity for environmental wide ban on hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”. The advocates to meet with members of Congress and staff Western Maryland counties of Washington, Allegany, to discuss the importance of fighting for clean water and and Garrett make up the majority of the areas where a healthy Chesapeake Bay. This year’s event was more fracking could occur, and are home to the headwaters of important than ever, after the president’s proposed fiscal the . The District of Columbia receives 100 year 2018 budget eliminated funding for the Environmen- percent of its drinking water from the Potomac, and if it tal Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program and was ever contaminated by fracking wastewater or other would have effectively halted the cleanup. sources, the nation’s capital would be limited to a two-day 107 Coalition groups signed this year’s letter, request- water supply. ing that Congress support $73 million in funding for the Coalition members worked tirelessly to attend hearings, Program, including $12 million for their Stewardship Grant gather signatures, and hold rallies in order to influence Programs. Then, on Hill Day, more than 90 members state legislators to support the ban. 37 members of the of the Coalition participated in a total of 37 visits to con- Coalition signed a letter to overnor Hogan and key state gressional offices, urging their legislators to support full funding for the Bay. At the lunch briefing, 12 members of legislators asking for support for the ban. In March, the Congress, from both sides of the aisle, spoke about their good news came: the state legislature passed the ban support for the Chesapeake Bay cleanup. The event drew and the governor switched his position and signed the 13 members of the press and generated over 30 news bill. This is a monumental success for our members in ©Carper Delaware Nature Society stories around the region. Maryland, and demonstrated the power of grassroots ©Dont Frack Maryland efforts to affect change. A RALLY ON THE RIVER

THE COALITION BECOMES The Coalition, PennFuture, and National Parks #BAYSTRONG Conservation Association collaborated with the Growing Greener Coalition to host a rally on City Island In March, the Coalition was alerted that the in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania around the importance of president’s proposed fiscal year 2018 budget would investing in clean water at the state level. More than include eliminating funding for the Environmental 70 community members attended the inaugural event Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program. In where citizen advocates paddled in kayaks and canoes response, the Coalition worked quickly to develop on the river in front of the Capitol building. the tools necessary for members to respond in a swift and coordinated manner. This response Each attendee also filled out two postcards to deliver included the creation of a communications toolkit, to their state legislators at a critical time during which was developed to include an array of the state budget negotiations when environmental Chesapeake watershed images from each state, funding was in jeopardy. State Rep. Sue Helm, and suggested text, and encouraged all members representatives from the Chesapeake Bay Commission participating to use the hashtag #BayStrong in their and the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation communications materials. spoke on the importance of clean water and healthy communities. This event received considerable press The power of the Coalition was hard to miss the and media coverage; a great testament to the larger morning the budget was officially announced, with environmental and conservation community coming #BayStrong appearing throughout the day on social together at a critical time in Pennsylvania. media. This hashtag has since become the rallying

cry for our members related to federal attacks on the ©Nate Lotza/Pennsylvania Land Trust Association Chesapeake Bay.

6 | Choose Clean Water Coalition choosecleanwater.org | 7 2017 MEMBER SUCCESSES

©Anacostia Watershed Society ©Delaware Nature Society ©Penn Future

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DELAWARE PENNSYLVANIA In an effort to increase awareness about the connection On October 20, the Delaware Nature Society hosted U.S. 10 Coalition members partnered with the Coalition for the between runoff and the , the Anacostia Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester at Coverdale Farm Preserve in Delaware River Watershed to provide ideas to U.S. Sen. Watershed Society enlisted a group of local artists to design Greenville. Attendees spoke with the congresswoman about Bob Casey’s staff on ways to increase funding for forest vibrant and eye catching murals on stormdrains across the an array of issues in Delaware and the greater Chesapeake buffers and ensure the federal Conservation Reserve District of Columbia. Local students helped complete the Bay watershed, including the upcoming reauthorization of Enhancement Program is more efficient and effective in murals and more are planned in 2018. the Farm Bill. the 2018 Farm Bill.

©Chesapeake Bay Program

WEST VIRGINIA In an effort to make native plants more accessible to local watershed groups, Region 9 and the City of Charles Town are piloting a native plant nursery using wastewater from the city’s treatment facility. Once mature, the native stock will be available for tree plantings and riparian forest buffers. This project was supported by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funds, through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. ©Paula Combs ©Otsego Land Trust ©Freedom Images

VIRGINIA NEW YORK MARYLAND The Piedmont Environmental Council completed a Otsego Land Trust celebrated the re-opening of Coalition members Upper Potomac Riverkeeper, FOR MORE INFORMATION long term restoration project at Sprucepine Branch in Brookwood Point Conservation Area on Otsego Lake, Waterkeepers Chesapeake, Sierra Club – Maryland Rappahannock County, Virginia. The project reconnected the headwaters of the . The 22-acre Chapter, and Chesapeake Climate Action Network, ON OUR MEMBER’S PROJECTS two miles of stream habitat, by removing a set of culverts property is a starting point for the Captain John Smith organized an event called Hands Across the Potomac. AND SUCCESSES, VISIT from a private driveway and replacing them with a bridge. Chesapeake National Historic Trail, which extends Residents stood hand in hand in solidarity across the James It included natural channel design and construction, and from Otsego Lake to the Chesapeake Bay. Community Rumsey Bridge that connects Maryland and West Virginia WWW.CHOOSECLEANWATER.ORG was completed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and members, including the Akwesasne Women Singers, to show their opposition to a proposed pipeline under the Shenandoah Streamworks. joined in the celebration. Potomac River.

8 | Choose Clean Water Coalition choosecleanwater.org | 9 THANK YOU TO THE AMAZING WORK OF OUR COALITION MEMBERS!

8TH ANNUAL COALITION CONFERENCE NATIONAL Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned American Canoe Association Citizen Shale Mine Reclamation American Rivers Citizens to Conserve and Restore Indian Creek Lackawanna River Conservation Association The Coalition hosted the 8th Annual Choose Clean More than 220 people attended the conference, which Center for Progressive Reform Clean Bread and Cheese Creek Lancaster County Conservancy Civil War Trust Conservation Montgomery Lancaster Farmland Trust Water Conference in Charlottesville, Virginia, on featured sessions on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Clean Water Action Conservancy Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association May 23-24. This annual event is designed to bring agriculture, communications, and more, with remarks Defenders of Wildlife Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania Ducks Unlimited Dundalk Renaissance Corporation Mehoopany Creek Watershed Association together our member organizations and encourage from Mustafa Ali of the Hip Hop Caucus, and Stephen Earth Force Earth Forum of Howard County Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper attendees to learn from, share, and network with one Nash of the University of Richmond. There were Earthworks Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Paxton Creek Watershed & Education Association Environment America EcoLatinos Peach Bottom Concerned Citizens Group another. This year’s theme was, “Think local. Act also eight field trips that highlighted local clean water Environmental Working Group Environment Maryland PennEnvironment Izaak Walton League of America Environmental Concern PennFuture together,” a slogan developed by our members as a projects, including a green infrastructure walking tour, Land Trust Alliance Envision Frederick County Penns Valley Conservation Association reminder of the importance of collaboration during a macroinvertebrate study, and a hike through the National Aquarium Friends of Pennsylvania Council of Churches National Parks Conservation Association Friends of Frederick County Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited these uncertain times. Rivanna River Basin. National Wildlife Federation Friends of Parks Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds Natural Resources Defense Council Friends of Lower Beaverdam Creek and Rivers NatureBridge Friends of Quincy Run Protecting Our Waters Nature Abounds Friends of Rivertown Coalition for Clean Air & Clean Water Pick Up America Friends of the Bohemia Sierra Club - Pennsylvania Chapter Rachel Carson Council Growth Action Network of Anne Arundel County Susquehanna Greenway Partnership Restore America’s Estuaries Gunpowder Riverkeeper Susquehanna Heritage River Network Little Falls Watershed Alliance The Environmental Justice Center of Chestnut Hill Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Lower Shore Land Trust United Church Trout Unlimited Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway, Inc. Maryland Academy of Science at Maryland VIRGINIA REGIONAL Science Center All From One Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Maryland Bass Federation Nation Appalachian Voices Anacostia Riverkeeper Maryland Conservation Council Audubon Society of Northern Virginia Anacostia Watershed Society Maryland Environmental Health Network Capital Region Land Conservancy Audubon Maryland/DC Maryland League of Conservation Voters Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore Audubon Naturalist Society Maryland Native Plant Society Citizens for a Fort Monroe National Park Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland Nonprofits Coastal Canoeists Chesapeake Foodshed Network Maryland Pesticide Education Network Elizabeth River Project ©Carolyn Millard Chesapeake Legal Alliance Maryland Saltwater Sportsfishing Association Environment Virginia Chesapeake Stormwater Network Maryland Stormwater Consortium Friends of Accotink Creek Coalition for Smarter Growth Mattawoman Watershed Society Friends of Dyke Marsh FracTracker Montgomery Countryside Alliance Friends of Shenandoah Mountain Green Muslims Alliance Friends of the Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake Neighbors of the Northwest Branch Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River Interfaith Power & Light (MD. DC. NoVA) NeighborSpace of County Friends of the Rappahannock Mid-Atlantic Council Trout Unlimited Parks and People Foundation Friends of the Rivers of Virginia Mid-Atlantic Youth Anglers & Outdoors Program Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust Friends of the Shenandoah River ©Carolyn Millard Potomac Conservancy Conservancy Goose Creek Association Potomac Riverkeeper Queen Anne’s Conservation Association James River Association Potomac Riverkeeper Network Watershed Association Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy Ridge and Valley Streamkeepers Save Western Maryland Lynnhaven River NOW Rock Creek Conservancy Association Partnership for Smarter Growth Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project Severn Riverkeeper Piedmont Environmental Council Southern Environmental Law Center ShoreRivers Prince William Conservation Alliance SouthWings Sierra Club - Maryland Chapter Richmond Audubon Society Upper Potomac Riverkeeper Federation Rivanna Conservation Alliance Upstream Alliance Southern Maryland Audubon Society Rockfish Valley Foundation ©Carolyn Millard Waterkeepers Chesapeake Sparks-Glencoe Community Planning Council Scenic Virginia St. Mary’s River Watershed Association Shenandoah Riverkeeper DELAWARE Talbot Preservation Alliance Shenandoah Valley Network Delaware Center for Horticulture Trash Free Maryland Alliance Sierra Club - Virginia Chapter Delaware Nature Society Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, Inc. Southeast CARE Coalition Friends of the West/Rhode Riverkeeper Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center Wicomico Environmental Trust Virginia Conservation Network THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper DC Environmental Network NEW YORK Virginia League of Conservation Voters Earth Conservation Corps Butternut Valley Alliance Virginia Organizing Groundwork Anacostia River DC Catskill Mountainkeeper Virginia Wilderness Committee Institute for Local Self Reliance Environment New York Wetlands Watch Surfrider Foundation – DC Chapter Environmental Advocates of New York Wild Virginia Friends of the Chemung River Watershed MARYLAND New York League of Conservation Voters WEST VIRGINIA 1000 Friends of Maryland New York State Council of Trout Unlimited Allegheny Highlands Alliance Adkins Arboretum Otsego County Conservation Association Blue Heron Environmental Network Alice Ferguson Foundation Otsego Land Trust Blue Ridge Watershed Coalition ©Carolyn Millard ©Carolyn Millard Alliance for Sustainable Communities Sidney Center Improvement Group Cacapon Institute American Chestnut Land Trust Upper Susquehanna Coalition Friends of Beautiful Pendleton County Annapolis Green Water Defense Friends of Cacapon Back Creek Conservancy Laurel Mountain Preservation Association Restoration Committee PENNSYLVANIA Sleepy Creek Watershed Association The Coalition is excited to announce that the 9th Annual Conference will Baltimore Green Works 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania The Mountain Institute Bethesda Green Action Together North Eastern Pennsylvania Warm Springs Watershed Association Blue Water Baltimore Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring (ALLARM) West Virginia Citizens Action Group be held on May 22-23 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Stay tuned for more Cecil Land Use Association Clean Air Council West Virginia Environmental Council Chapman Forest Foundation ClearWater Conservancy West Virginia Highlands Conservancy information. To learn more about this year’s conference, and to register, Chesapeake BaySavers Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association West Virginia Rivers Coalition Chesapeake Climate Action Network Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania visit www.choosecleanwater.org. Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council Countryside Conservancy 10 | Choose Clean Water Coalition 20 Ridgely Ave, Suite 203 Annapolis, MD 21401 www.choosecleanwater.org

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Cover Photo: ©Chesapeake Bay Program Report Design by Rosie Ettenheim