Elfreth Reconvenes Environmental Roundtable with Local Leaders

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Yesterday, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Vice Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, hosted a roundtable discussion with environmental leaders in Maryland's Third District. This was the second convening for the group since the Congresswoman first took office.

"We're here today to talk about the good, the bad, and most importantly, what we're doing about it. We've played a lot of great defense against the attacks from this Administration, and it's time to start thinking about playing offense," said Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth. "I convened this roundtable again because I want everyone to start thinking about not only what are some big bold ideas to keep the ball moving forward in terms of Chesapeake Bay restoration and climate resilience, but also what are some implementable things we can achieve even in the short term."

At the roundtable, Elfreth delivered an update from Congress and her role on the House Natural Resources Committee, which included federal funding secured for environmental priorities in Maryland and progress on legislation she has introduced to protect the Chesapeake Bay. The discussion continued with input from groups on Chesapeake Bay restoration, wastewater and pollution management, climate resilience at service academies, and regulation of data centers.

Elfreth was joined by various environmental stakeholders across Maryland's Third District, including the Arundel Rivers Federation, the Severn River Association, the Magothy River Association/Magothy River Land Trust, the Chesapeake Bay Commission, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Anne Arundel Group - Sierra Club, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the Spa Creek Conservancy, the Choose Clean Water Coalition, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Sierra Club Anne Arundel Group, and Howard County Climate Action.

"Communities across Maryland's Third Congressional District face increasing threats from stormwater flooding and pollution. Arundel Rivers is proud to work with Congresswoman Elfreth and environmental partners from across the district to develop solutions for our communities, our rivers, and our Chesapeake Bay," said Matt Johnston, Executive Director of the Arundel Rivers Federation.

"The secret to a swimmable Spa Creek lies within each one of us. Plant a native tree in your yard or in your business parking lot and that tree will absorb multiple inches of rain each year. Every drop of rain absorbed into the earth is less stormwater taking our daily debris into the closest stream," said the Spa Creek Conservancy.

"Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay continue to face pressing challenges from climate change, increased development and stormwater pollution, and runoff from agricultural lands," said Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland Executive Director Allison Colden. "These tough topics need collaborative solutions, and must involve perspectives from community, state, and federal leaders. We appreciate Bay champions like Congresswoman Elfreth initiating these conversations and gathering multiple perspectives that can help push for cleaner water and air throughout the region."

"Clean water is at the heart of thriving and healthy communities. We are thrilled to partner with Congresswoman Elfreth and all the clean water champions in Congress working to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. Together, we will leave a legacy of clean water to future generations," said Sara Ramotnik, Policy Specialist, Choose Clean Water Coalition.

"With the Naval Academy and the EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program both situated in Annapolis, having a strong environmental partner at the federal level is key," said Jesse Iliff, Executive Director, Severn River Association."We at the Severn River Association appreciate Rep. Elfreth's focus on cleaning up the Bay and her sustained engagement with groups like ours doing the work on the ground (and in the water.)"

"We were honored to be able to participate in today's round table discussion and share ideas about how we can work together to reduce pollution impacting the Chesapeake Bay, protect our environment, and combat climate change," said Sierra Club Anne Arundel Group Chair Bernie Robinson."We thank Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth for her leadership."

As Vice Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee and Co-Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Taskforce, Elfreth has been laser-focused on advancing restoration and preservation efforts for the Bay and its surrounding watersheds during her time in Congress. Just last week, she joined Team Maryland in announcing over $35 million in federal funding from FEMA for flood mitigation and preservation of City Dockin Annapolis and also helped secure $93 million in federal funding for the EPA Bay Program.

Elfreth has led multiple bipartisan pieces of legislation to preserve the Bay, including the MAWS Actto combat the presence of invasive blue catfish in the Bay, which is scheduled to come to a vote on the House floor next week, and the Maryland Whole Watershed Program Federal Partnership Act, introduced earlier this month, to coordinate restoration projects across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

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