Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, April 20, 2001

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : CONTACT : Henry Fawell Friday, April 20, 2001 202/225-3061 Congress and the President are Working Hard to Preserve the Chesapeake Bay WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (MD-2) today applauded President George W. Bush’s budget request for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program. Under the President’s budget proposal, the Chesapeake Bay Program would receive more than $19.5 million for its bay research, protection, and conservation efforts. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “President Bush believes in protecting the vital resources, waterways, and wildlife that thrive throughout the Chesapeake Bay. His budget request invests in the Bay Program’s most important initiatives and honors Maryland’s commitment to protect its shorelines.” The President’s budget request increases overall investment in the Environmental Protection Agency by $56 million, and equals the previous administration’s funding request for the Chesapeake Bay Program. Together with Maryland Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, Congressman Ehrlich will send a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations requesting a 4% increase over last year’s funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program. The President’s budget also provides $450 million for the Sewer Overflow Control Grant program. This program improves local sewer systems that are designed to discharge into waterways during heavy rains, and will help Maryland communities drastically reduce sewage nutrient runoff into the bay. Congressman Ehrlich continued, “The President’s budget increase demonstrates his commitment to the Chesapeake Bay. Most importantly, this funding will be spent on the local level by local folks, like those at the Chesapeake Bay program, who share my commitment to Maryland’s most important natural resource.” ###