Today area officials on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors passed a resolution in support of continued full funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) and other federal water quality programs for fiscal year 2018 and beyond.

The CBP—a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—coordinates the Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts of 20 federal agencies, six states, the District of Columbia, thousands of counties and towns, universities, and organizations. The program also provides essential technical resources such as modeling and monitoring to ensure accountability, effectiveness, and equity among the Bay states.

“The Chesapeake Bay watershed and its tributaries are fundamental to metropolitan Washington’s quality of life, environment, and economic competitiveness,” said Daniel Sze, COG Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee Chairman and City of Falls Church Council Member. “We are seeing measurable improvements in the health of the Bay and local governments, water utilities, and the federal government must continue to do their part to ensure this vital work is uninterrupted.”

The Chesapeake Bay, the nation’s largest estuary, and its watershed is home to approximately 18 million people. The Bay generates $130 billion dollars for the economy.

MORE: Resolution Supporting Continued Federal Funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program