Restore the Chesapeake Bay
Our members helped us convince President Obama to compose a tough new plan to restore the Chesapeake Bay. It's our best chance in years to restore the Bay — but polluters are working in Washington and Annapolis to weaken the rules.
A promising new plan to clean up the Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is a cherished part of Maryland’s natural heritage—but the volume of pollution entering its fragile ecosystem is staggering. The good news is that after dozens of false starts by previous administrations, the Obama administration is finally pushing states to cut excess pollution into its waters.
Unfortunately, some of the Bay’s worst polluters are digging in their heels and pushing leaders in Annapolis to resist the president’s cleanup plan.
At stake: Maryland’s natural gem
Stretching from Havre de Grace to Smith Island, the Bay’s waters provide recreation for thousands of Marylanders—it also supports a thriving fishing industry.
As our leaders in Annapolis begin to implement the cleanup plan, it’s critical they hear from you—and not just the Bay’s biggest polluters.
A delicate ecosystem at risk
The Chesapeake Bay’s ecosystem is intricate and delicate, providing critical habitat for blue crabs, oysters and rockfish. For years, pollution flowing from sewage plants, development and giant chicken companies has flowed into the Bay, smothering its wildlife.
With your help, we’ll keep pushing to make the Bay cleanup a success—and help to restore its once-thriving ecosystem.
With your activism and our advocacy, we can protect the Chesapeake Bay
Your action has already helped convince President Obama to reinvigorate Chesapeake Bay cleanup with a promising new plan to restore its waters and monitor annual progress. Today, our leaders in Annapolis are trying to set the plan in motion. As they work, your action will be essential in compelling them to make the most of this opportunity over the protests of polluters.
We're bringing together Marylanders from all walks of life to protect the Bay. All of us — fishers, swimmers, tourism businesses and Marylanders across the state — have something to fight for.
Our citizen outreach staff is knocking across the state to educate Marylanders about what's at stake. We're also testifying in Annapolis, educating lawmakers, and shining a splotlight in the media on the need to curb the flow of polluted runoff into the Bay from factory farms.
Click here to join our campaign.
We all need to do our part to clean up the Bay—especially polluting factory farms.
Key Facts
- Every summer, pollution creates a dead zone in up to one-third of the Bay, where almost nothing can survive.
- 300 million chickens are raised in Maryland every year, resulting in 600 million pounds of manure in the Bay every year.
- The Bay is the world's most productive estuary, home to bald eagles, blue crabs, and thousands of other species.
- Thanks in part to our advocacy, President Obama crafted a strong cleanup plan for the Bay in 2010.