July 09, 2024 - Harrisburg, PA
Governor Josh Shapiro joined Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley, Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn to celebrate significant improvements to the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's (UMCES) 17th annual Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card was issued today at the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) office in Harrisburg for the 2023/2024 period. The report measures the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, considering ecological, societal, and economic indicators. For the first time in the report's history, the Chesapeake Bay showed steady overall improvement, earning a C+ grade - the highest grade ever awarded to the overall health of the Bay since the report was created. The Upper Bay, which is fed by the Susquehanna River from Pennsylvania scored one of the highest grades among any area of the Bay - and posted a significant improvement from last year - showing how efforts in agency collaborations, strong partnerships, and sustained investments led to progress throughout the Susquehanna River watershed and beyond. "Our Commonwealth's Constitution states that every Pennsylvanian has a right to clean air and pure water. My Administration takes seriously our responsibility to protect that right, defend the freedom to breathe clean air and drink pure water, and create a better Commonwealth for our children and grandchildren," said Governor Josh Shapiro, "This year, the Chesapeake Bay got its highest grade in 22 years, and the portion of the bay that the Susquehanna River flows into got the second-best grade of the entire watershed. Pennsylvania's portion of the watershed is significantly improving because we've brought people together and invested in Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. My Administration is proud of this progress - and we're going to continue to work to restore the Chesapeake Bay for years to come." Speakers Include: Andrew Dehoff, Executive Director, Susquehanna River BasinDr. Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm, President, University of Maryland Center for Environmental ScienceSecretary Josh Kurtz, Maryland Department of Natural ResourcesAdam Ortiz, Mid-Atlantic Administrator, Environmental Protection AgencyGovernor Josh Shapiro
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