From the desk of...

 

Last month, Maryland kicked off the Reclaim the Bay public awareness campaign to reaffirm our commitment to a cleaner Chesapeake Bay. We hope to reinvigorate the many State, federal and non-profit efforts that are working together to restore the Bay to her former glory.

Your work in this important cause will not only benefit the Bay and our waterways, reservoirs and groundwater, but will improve our landscapes, our communities, and the overall quality of life and health of our people.

The first phase of Chesapeake Bay restoration began 30 years ago, when Governor Hughes introduced a legislative package of 38 "Bay Initiatives." These initiatives included strengthening existing sediment and erosion controls, and creating the Critical Area Program, which designated areas for development and conservation.

From these beginnings to our current Watershed Implementation Plan to meet the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act, Maryland has worked with our inter-state Bay Program partners and our county and municipal governments to take the necessary steps to reduce pollution and restore the Bay. We are making great strides through this ongoing collaboration, but there is still more hard work to do if we are to succeed.
 
We hope you'll join us in promoting the Reclaim the Bay campaign by getting the word out in your communities. Learn more at the Maryland Department of the Environment's website.

Many factors contribute to the degradation of our waterways. By making better choices we can continue to build upon the progress for a healthier Bay.

Thank you for being a part of our efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay.
 
Sincerely,