WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman John Sarbanes and Senator Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.), and 13 members of Congress representing the Chesapeake Bay watershed region, pressed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan to maintain the EPA's critical leadership on protecting the Bay. With the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement expiring next year, the lawmakers asked Administrator Regan to lay out his plans to engage with relevant parties to ensure continued planning towards new watershed goals as we reach this critical juncture.

In addition to Congressman Sarbanes and Senator Van Hollen, the bicameral letter was signed by Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), as well as Representatives Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.), Bobby Scott (D-Va.) and David Trone (D-Md.).

"Thank you for your ongoing commitment to lead federal agency efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed. With many of the time-bound goals and outcomes of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement (Bay Agreement) set to expire in 2025, Bay Agreement signatories must chart a path for the future of Chesapeake Bay watershed cleanup efforts. As the federal member of the Chesapeake Executive Council (EC) and a key partner in Chesapeake Bay Program efforts, we write to inquire about your plans to continue the EPA's history of strong leadership on Bay efforts during this critical time leading up to the next phase of the Bay Agreement," the lawmakers began.

"We are once again at a pivotal moment for Bay clean-up efforts, with the Chesapeake Executive Council planning to meet on December 10^th, 2024 in Annapolis, MD to discuss the future of the Bay Agreement. We are grateful to you for your commitment to reinstate the Federal Leadership Committee (FLC), and for your continued leadership as a member of the EC, providing support and direction for the Chesapeake Bay Program," they wrote. The lawmakers continued by asking Administrator Regan when and with whom he will convene the first principal-level meeting of the FLC, and whether he will personally attend the December 10^th meeting of the Chesapeake Executive Council.

The full text of the letter is available here(link is external)and below.

Dear Administrator Regan:

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to lead federal agency efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed. With many of the time-bound goals and outcomes of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement (Bay Agreement) set to expire in 2025, Bay Agreement signatories must chart a path for the future of Chesapeake Bay watershed cleanup efforts. As the federal member of the Chesapeake Executive Council (EC) and a key partner in Chesapeake Bay Program efforts, we write to inquire about your plans to continue the EPA's history of strong leadership on Bay efforts during this critical time leading up to the next phase of the Bay Agreement.

In May, during the fiscal year 2025 budget hearings, you committed to reinstating the EPA-led Federal Leadership Committee (FLC) in the fall of 2024. The FLC was originally established in 2009 by President Obama through Executive Order 13508 and included representation from all federal agencies that are part of the clean-up effort: EPA, as well as the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, Interior and Transportation. By convening senior representatives from across the federal government with decision-making power and immense expertise, the FLC served as a platform for establishing federal commitments as the next phase of the Bay Agreement was drafted. This high-level perspective from the FLC was critical in setting the federal government's commitments for implementing the 2014 Bay Agreement.

We are once again at a pivotal moment for Bay clean-up efforts, with the Chesapeake Executive Council planning to meet on December 10^th, 2024 in Annapolis, MD to discuss the future of the Bay Agreement. We are grateful to you for your commitment to reinstate the FLC, and for your continued leadership as a member of the EC, providing support and direction for the Chesapeake Bay Program. Recognizing that time is of the essence with 2025 fast approaching, we respectfully request that you please provide us with a written response to the following questions:

1. When will the FLC be holding its first principal-level meeting and who will be invited to attend?
2. Will you personally attend the EC meeting on December 10, 2024 in Annapolis?

EPA is a key partner in Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts, and as the representative of the federal government on the EC, we are always grateful for your leadership on Bay Agreement issues.

Sincerely,