Waterkeepers Chesapeake

This week, we joined Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Gunpowder Riverkeeper, Blue Water Baltimore, Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association and Chesapeake Legal Alliance in a letter to Maryland state agencies urging them to adhere to and fully utilize our federal laws requiring a thorough assessment and review of the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project to comply with NEPA. The power line will impact nearly 100 rivers and streams in the watershed, 30 riparian wetlands around those waterways and 70 other federally identified wetlands. https://lnkd.in/dBpUkyxe Read our letter here: https://lnkd.in/dy4WSPmd

Is sewage sludge laced with PFAS, the forever chemicals, contaminating farmland? Sewage sludge known as biosolids is a common source of fertilizer for farmland. However, it is now known that it can be a source of PFAS. Join our webinar on Nov 19th to learn more about the impact of PFAS-laced sewage sludge on farmers and their lands. Our speakers from Maine and Virginia will discuss this emerging issue and answer your questions. Register: https://lnkd.in/g5JBV_Sh #PFAS #foreverchemicals #farms #farmlands Potomac Riverkeeper Network Wild Virginia Virginia Conservation Network

The cloud may be invisible, its impact on the environment is not. Virginia, particularly Northern Virginia, hosts the largest data center market in the world with around 300 facilities and counting. Virginia’s data centers consumed at least 1.85 billion gallons of water in 2023, compared to 1.13 billion gallons in 2019. With the rise of generative AI, growth of data centers is exploding as is the demand for energy and water. We need to demand that lawmakers stop using our tax dollars to subsidize this multi-billion dollar global industry, ask the hard questions of where will the vast quantities of water and energy come from, and safeguard our local water resources. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gnFXwgGv #datacenters #watersupplies #climatechange

What is PFAS? If you have been asking that question, check out our simple fact sheet on the "forever chemicals." PFAS is a group of long-lasting chemicals that accumulates in our bodies and environments. Manufacturing of these chemicals began decades ago and they cause severe health problems, including cancer. This is why our Waterkeepers are working hard to stop them at their sources and remove them from our waterways. Check out the fact sheet: https://lnkd.in/g8_SgNki #PFAS #foreverchemicals

Sign the petition to demand that the Fish & Wildlife Service protects the Eastern Hellbender! Our nation's largest salamander is facing an alarming crisis. Its habitat and population are plummeting across much of its original range. Immediate action is crucial to prevent its further decline and possible extinction. Sign the petition today! https://lnkd.in/gyXZ-Gy5 #hellbenders #endangeredspeciesact #ESA #takeaction

Waterkeepers Chesapeake seeks an enthusiastic, energetic, outgoing self-starter to serve as Coordinator of a regional coalition of Waterkeepers. The Coalition Coordinator convenes the member Waterkeepers within the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays watershed to collaborate on shared priorities and to leverage their expertise and talents. We seek a candidate who values environmental protection, demonstrates and values collaboration, and brings the skills and enthusiasm needed to support our Waterkeepers and amplify their collective impact. The Coalition Coordinator reports to the WKC Board, and works with them and other member Waterkeepers to ensure effective implementation of coalition goals. Check out job notice & details on how to apply: https://lnkd.in/eAbp4tZf #nonprofitjobs #waterkeepers #riverkeepers

This month, a new Maryland law went into effect that High Street, our clients, and their coalition worked on during the 2024 MD General Assembly Legislative Session. The Clean Water Justice Act restores protections for waters and wetlands previously covered by the Federal Clean Water Act that were endangered by the Sackett vs EPA Supreme Court decision. Thanks to the legislative sponsors, House and Senate leadership and governor’s administration for recognizing the importance of this crucial protection and working hard for the people of Maryland. Pictured: May 9, 2024, Jarryd Hawkins and Rosa Hance of High Street Strategies proudly attended a bill signing for the Clean Water Justice Act alongside their clients Waterkeepers Chesapeake, legislative sponsors Delegate (now Senator) Sara Love, Senator Malcolm Augustine, Senate President Bill Ferguson, Speaker of the House of Delegates Adrienne Jones and Gov. Wes Moore.

Today is #NationalVoterRegistrationDay! Check your voter registration status or register to vote, and make your plan to vote! It's critical we elect leaders this November who will fight for clean water! www.vote411.org #VoteForCleanWater #VoteReady

We stand as one of the 1,000+ organizations who signed this letter asking Congress to pass a resilient, equitable, and sustainable farm bill in 2024 in support of communities, farmers, workers, clean water and our planet. Read our letter bit.ly/FB24SO #FarmBill2024 National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Learn all about microplastics in this infographic created by our summer interns from the Yale Conservation Scholars program, Helena Souffrant and Malvika Shrimali. Microplastics are plastics that are less than 5 millimeters in size—about the size of a pencil eraser! They are found in water, air and soil. In 2015, a survey of tidal tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay found microplastics in all 60 samples of various marine animals, with higher concentrations near cities and urbanized areas. Check out the infographic to read about what is being done to combat this dangerous pollution, and to learn about ways you can reduce your exposure to microplastics. https://lnkd.in/eyG8vewF #plasticpollution #microplastics