Statement of Governor Kaine on Release of Draft Reports Required by President Obama's Chesapeake Bay Executive Order

Statement

Governor Timothy M. Kaine issued the following statement today on the release by federal agencies of the seven draft reports required by President Obama's Executive Order on the Chesapeake Bay:

"The Chesapeake Bay has always been important to Virginians - it is clear that President Obama recognizes the Bay is a national treasure. From the more than $80 million in Recovery Act funds recently dedicated to sewage treatment upgrades in Virginia to the comprehensive approach outlined in the President's Executive Order, I am pleased that the long-term health of the Chesapeake Bay is such a high priority of this administration.

"As Governor of Virginia and Chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, I have worked with farmers, environmentalists, developers, and government partners at the local and state levels to set aggressive pollution-reduction goals as well as new accountability measures. In the Commonwealth, we've made investments in improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay including $57 million in incentives for farmers to adopt best management practices to address agricultural and animal waste run-off into our waterways, more than $1 billion for sewage treatment upgrades, and new proposed storm water regulations and land use controls that will help curb runoff from developed areas.

"We've made progress over the years on behalf of the more than 17 million residents of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It is encouraging to know that we have an interested and committed federal partner in these important efforts.

"I look forward to reviewing the recommendations in the reports and working with our federal and state partners to implement new strategies to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay."

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