Environment
Growing up, I was taught that you should always try to leave a place better than the way you found it – and that's my philosophy when it comes to the environment. The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure that must be preserved for future generations to enjoy. My kids swim in it, our family catches crabs and rockfish out of it, and its economic impact on the Maryland's First Congressional District is immeasurable.
Watermen, oystermen, crabbers, farmers, hunters, restaurants, and the tourism industry depend on a healthy, clean Chesapeake Bay for their livelihood. I am committed to commonsense, multi-state solutions that protect the Bay and its precious waterways. In order to make meaningful progress, we need to make sure that all of the stakeholders have a seat at the table, and that everyone has a voice in repairing our beautiful estuary. If we don't receive "buy-in" from all active partners, we can never achieve the goal of a robust environment that our children will be able to appreciate. This does mean that other upstream states whose waters flow into the Bay must also do their part, and the federal government is a logical choice to make sure that happens.
More on Environment
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, John Sarbanes, Andy Harris MD, Kweisi Mfume and David Trone met Wednesday in the U.S. Capitol with the new president and CEO of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Hilary Harp Falk and the newly selected U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Chesapeake Bay Program Director Dr. Kandis Boyd.
WASHINGTON, DC: Acting Ranking member of USDA Appropriations Subcommittee Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), has issued the following statement on language included in the House USDA, Rural Development and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Bill. This language addresses the invasive blue catfish species in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) issued the following statement after the House passed the final Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus spending package late yesterday evening:
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has awarded $50,000 in federal funds for the initial engineering and design for dredging of Slaughter Creek in Dorchester County.
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) today announced the award of $2,767,897 in federal grants to Eastern Shore communities from the US. Department of Agriculture. Funds will be used to update, repair, and extend wastewater service in Worcester County and the Town of Oxford, as well as be used to extend rural broadband service to residents in Talbot County. Specific funding allocations and descriptions are below:
WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., issued the following statement after the Biden Administration, led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced formal plans to again redefine the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act:
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (all Md.) applauded $1,436,701 in federal funds to support coastal infrastructure projects in Talbot County. The County will provide $1,437,959 in matching funds, bringing the project total to $2,874,660.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., and U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (all Md.) today announced $13,398,000 in funding to construct a new wastewater treatment plant in the Town of Chesapeake City in Cecil County. This plant will replace two existing treatment sites, and meet new nutrient removal requirements.
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced the award of a $500,000 federal grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to the Chesapeake Alliance, which has offices throughout the Chesapeake Watershed and works to bring partners together for the preservation of the land and waters of the Bay.
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) successfully passed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill that would prioritize U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dredging projects that are in close proximity to ongoing island replenishment projects. This language would directly benefit Chesapeake Bay tributaries that are in desperate need of dredging, such as Slaughter Creek. The specific amendment language is below: