Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Co-Chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, today introduced legislation to dramatically boost federal funding for the Chesapeake Bay clean-up effort. The Chesapeake’s Healthy and Environmentally Sound Stewardship of Energy and Agriculture Act of 2007 (CHESSEA) will allocate funding in the Farm Bill for water quality improvement and farm viability in watersheds like the Chesapeake.
"Congress must demonstrate the political will – backed by funding-- to restore the Chesapeake Bay," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen. "This bill is designed to serve as a roadmap to accelerate the pace of the Bay’s cleanup and increase the conservation funding for farmers in the Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Bay is a natural resource critical to our economy, culture, and heritage. I am committed to protecting this national treasure."
Joining Van Hollen in introducing the legislation were the other Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force Co-Chairmen: Representatives Tom Davis (R-VA), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) and Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD).
Van Hollen’s bill would expand several Farm Bill programs up for reauthorization this year and provide additional funding for conservation and renewable energy practices.
Co-Sponsors of the CHESSEA Act include Rep. Albert Wynn (D-MD), Rep. John P. Sarbanes (D-MD), Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Rep. Jo Ann S. Davis (R-VA), Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) ), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Thelma Drake (R-VA), and Maurice Hinchey (D-NY).