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Congressman Sarbanes Votes to Advance Protections for the Chesapeake Bay

September 10, 2014

Fights House Republicans’ Attempt to Gut the Clean Water Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) voted against H.R. 5078 – a bill that would undermine the Clean Water Act and prevent the protection of wetlands and streams of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The bill would indefinitely extend current legal uncertainty leaving these water bodies, which provide important species habitats and help sustain water quality for the Bay and its tributaries, without federal protection under the Clean Water Act.

"For more than 40 years, the Clean Water Act has served as the primary federal law protecting the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, as well as other important bodies of water across the country," said Congressman Sarbanes. "The Chesapeake Bay is a national environmental treasure and a key economic driver for Maryland and the entire mid-Atlantic region, generating tens of billions of dollars from the fishing, shipping, real estate, recreation and tourism industries. I am fully committed to protecting the Chesapeake Bay, and will continue to fight legislation that would endanger the progress we have made under the Clean Water Act."

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Issues:Environment