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October 1, 2007 - Senator Webb introduces Governor Tim Kaine at a Congressional hearing on Chesapeake Bay clean-up
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ShareCleaning Up the Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is a vital resource to the citizens and economy of Virginia. In order to succeed in our efforts to improve the health of the Bay, we must provide farmers and developers in the watershed with the resources necessary to plan and implement the best conservation practices.
In 2008, I led a successful bipartisan effort with the Virginia and Maryland Congressional delegations to urge the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to grant federal disaster assistance for Chesapeake Bay watermen. The declaration has helped alleviate the economic impact caused by regulations to address declining numbers of blue crabs. Funds were secured in the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009. The Department of Commerce approved $10 million specifically for the relief of Virginia blue crab watermen affected by the catch restrictions.
Along with a coalition of area Senators, I introduced the Chesapeake’s Healthy and Environmentally Sound Stewardship of Energy and Agriculture Act (CHESSEA) in 2007, which dedicated federal funding for agricultural conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The 2008 Farm Bill incorporated key provisions of CHESSEA, including a $188 million new program that is tailored specifically to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. In total, the recent Farm Bill includes $440 million in additional conservation funding through a variety of agriculture conservation programs to help farmers in the Chesapeake watershed place a renewed emphasis on environmental stewardship and conservation efforts.
In addition to the Farm Bill, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which became law on November 9, 2007, included numerous provisions to help improve water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay. The bill boosts authorized funding for the Chesapeake Bay Environmental and Restoration Program from $10 million to $40 million, authorizes bay oyster restoration efforts at $50 million, and authorizes $30 million for environmental infrastructure improvements for the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Facility. Blue Plains is the single largest point source of nitrogen and phosphorous pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
I am also an original cosponsor of many efforts to improve the Bay, including the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Continuing Authorization Act. The Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network is a partnership of entities dedicated to preserving the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. This legislation would provide continued funding for this important network to ensure continued conservation efforts and access to the region. To improve monitoring capabilities in the Bay and provide data to gauge improvements, I introduced the Chesapeake Bay Science, Education and Ecosystem Act, with Senator Mark Warner. This legislation also establishes training programs and resources for inhabitants of the Bay area.
In 2008, I led a successful bipartisan effort with the Virginia and Maryland Congressional delegations to urge the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to grant federal disaster assistance for Chesapeake Bay watermen. The declaration has helped alleviate the economic impact caused by regulations to address declining numbers of blue crabs. Funds were secured in the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009. The Department of Commerce approved $10 million specifically for the relief of Virginia blue crab watermen affected by the catch restrictions.
Along with a coalition of area Senators, I introduced the Chesapeake’s Healthy and Environmentally Sound Stewardship of Energy and Agriculture Act (CHESSEA) in 2007, which dedicated federal funding for agricultural conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The 2008 Farm Bill incorporated key provisions of CHESSEA, including a $188 million new program that is tailored specifically to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. In total, the recent Farm Bill includes $440 million in additional conservation funding through a variety of agriculture conservation programs to help farmers in the Chesapeake watershed place a renewed emphasis on environmental stewardship and conservation efforts.
In addition to the Farm Bill, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which became law on November 9, 2007, included numerous provisions to help improve water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay. The bill boosts authorized funding for the Chesapeake Bay Environmental and Restoration Program from $10 million to $40 million, authorizes bay oyster restoration efforts at $50 million, and authorizes $30 million for environmental infrastructure improvements for the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Facility. Blue Plains is the single largest point source of nitrogen and phosphorous pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
I am also an original cosponsor of many efforts to improve the Bay, including the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Continuing Authorization Act. The Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network is a partnership of entities dedicated to preserving the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. This legislation would provide continued funding for this important network to ensure continued conservation efforts and access to the region. To improve monitoring capabilities in the Bay and provide data to gauge improvements, I introduced the Chesapeake Bay Science, Education and Ecosystem Act, with Senator Mark Warner. This legislation also establishes training programs and resources for inhabitants of the Bay area.