ShoreRivers’ advocacy work is led by its four Riverkeepers: Zack Kelleher, Sassafras Riverkeeper; Matt Pluta, Choptank Riverkeeper; Annie Richards, Chester Riverkeeper; and Ben Ford, Miles-Wye Riverkeeper (not pictured). Throughout this year’s legislative session, the organization will work to protect our local rivers against the major issues that impact water quality on the Eastern Shore.

Now that the Maryland General Assembly has reconvened for the 446th Legislative Session, ShoreRivers’ advocacy efforts are in full swing. The organization’s advocacy work, which is led by the Riverkeepers, is fundamental to creating system-wide change to protect local rivers against the major issues that impact water quality on the Eastern Shore.

This session, ShoreRivers is focused on supporting legislation that increases protection for our near shore habitat like the Critical Area, submerged aquatic vegetation, and eroded stream beds; and that accelerates nonpoint source pollution reduction efforts, including sustainable farming practices and septic system reform. As always, your Riverkeepers will be advocating for increased accountability for those who pollute our waterways.

Key efforts for this year include the following, though additional bills and legislation are likely to be added to this list as they are introduced and prove to be in line with ShoreRivers’ mission of protecting and restoring Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

The Clean Water Justice Act, which will give communities impacted by water pollution the ability to enforce state water quality protection laws against polluters.
Updates regulations that govern how the Maryland Department of Natural Resources currently maps and delineates Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Protection Zones.
A bill that will strengthen regulations in Maryland for transporting, storing, and the land application of industrial sludge or DAF (dissolved air floatation) residuals.
The Onsite Wastewater Improvement Program, which will more equitably and efficiently address pollution from septic systems by increasing funding for, and amending the scope of, the Bay Restoration Fund.
The State Budget Bill, which supports our state agencies as they advocate for funding to improve their environmental protection efforts, and non-profit partners like State Aided Institutions (SAI) who work to pass through funds that bolster smaller educational programs that provide Bay education and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

At the core of our priorities lie the findings of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s CESR Report (A Comprehensive Evaluation of System Response), which will shape the way we prioritize restoration and Bay health goals for years to come.

Just as ShoreRivers implements restoration projects throughout our communities, engages volunteers in tree plantings and oyster growing, and reaches thousands of students each year through environmental education programs in local schools, the organization’s advocacy at the local, state, and federal level ensures that all of those endeavors can continue in order to support water quality improvements. Maryland’s laws and regulations should protect and support these local investments, and ShoreRivers looks forward to a productive legislative session with members of the General Assembly and fellow environmental advocates. Visit shorerivers.org to learn more about this important work.