Annapolis, MD - “Today we learned that environmental policies put in place 15 years ago to protect the Chesapeake Bay were revoked by the Trump Administration. The environmental health of the Chesapeake Bay, and local tributaries that feed the Bay, is not open for debate; it is not a policy preference that can be dialed back by Executive Order.
“For Annapolis, protecting our waterways is a core duty to our residents, the local economy, and the future that we hand to the next generation.
“The progress cited in the federal order, including historic reductions in sediment and phosphorus and one of the smallest Bay dead zones recorded in decades, happened because of these rules. Their success should be a reason to continue the work, not dial back the progress.
“These gains were made because local communities, watermen, scientists, and residents stepped up to fund critical infrastructure projects, including upgrades to the shared City and County Water Treatment Plant, stormwater retrofits, and watershed restoration projects.
“Regardless of this order, the City of Annapolis will continue our work to meet Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL - aka the Bay “Pollution diet”) requirements and limit harmful runoff into the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries. Federal policy may evolve, but in Annapolis we will not let local stewardship falter. The health of the Bay depents on persistent action and Annapolis will continnue to lead the way.”
Mayor Jared Littmann
Ald. Rob Savidge, Chair, Environmental Matters Committee
City of Annapolis
