Annual Report
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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 Chesapeake Bay watershed. At times, the threats seemed almost Maryland 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 Pennsylvania 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 stormwater 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 Potomac River. 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,