We urge you to send comments to the Chesapeake Bay Program by August 30th on its recommendations on Chesapeake Bay restoration strategies and goals beyond 2025. As someone who cares deeply about the health of your waterways and community, the Bay Program needs to hear your story and concerns.

After four decades of tireless effort, our waterways and communities are still far from the Bay Agreement restoration goals. Today, 71.9% of Chesapeake's tidal waters remain impaired — an improvement of only 1.6% since 1985 when 73.5% of Bay waters were impaired. Agriculture, the largest remaining source of nutrient loads, and urban and suburban nonpoint sources, which are rapidly expanding, pose substantial obstacles.

Take action today! The Bay Program, and state and federal leaders must ensure a Beyond 2025 strategy that is accountable, addresses the impacts of climate change, and has real solutions for communities facing often catastrophic environmental threats. We’ve provided a letter you can send, but we ask that you add why clean, healthy, accessible local waterways are important to you. Deadline for comments is August 30.