Davis Backs Legislation to Reduce Pollution in Chesapeake Bay

March 29, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., introduced legislation today that would bring significant federal technical and financial assistance to farmers and landowners to help them reduce pollutants and sediment runoff into the Chesapeake Bay.

The Cheseapeake's Healthy and Environmentally Sound Stewardship of Energy and Agriculture Act (CHESSEA) of 2007, also sponsored by Reps. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Bobby Scott, D-Va., and Wayne Gilchrest, D-Md., the four co-chairs of the Chesapeake Bay Task Force, could be tacked on to farm legislation now making its way through Congress.

It is an effort to help states meet the goals of the federal-state Chesapeake 2000 agreement, which set pollution-reduction targets for the Bay that must be met by 2010.

The legislation would help those who live along the Bay and its tributaries - especially the Potomac, Susquehanna and James rivers - reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution into one of the nation's most beautiful waterways.

"We want to provide opportunities to help make the Bay cleaner," Davis said. "This is one of the most stunning and valued resources we have. Measures such as these need to be part of the discussions moving forward."