Senate Proposes Full Funding for Bay Program

Senate subcommittee votes for full funding for Chesapeake Bay Program

Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts got a tentative boost Monday when a Senate subcommittee recommended fully funding a regional partnership devoted to restoring the polluted estuary.

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies wants the Chesapeake Bay Program to get $73 million in the fiscal year 2018 federal budget, the same as in previous years.

This contrasts sharply with the House budget proposal, which would slash CBP funding to $60 million, and with the Trump administration, which wants to completely de-fund the program.

It will be interesting to see who wins, the House or Senate. As much as I want the Bay clean, I think a lot of the Bay Program money is shifted to friends and allies of the regulators, and that it could be better spent. A good scare might do them good.