April 2026 Riverkeeper Report

We did it. We've crossed the finish line of the legislative session, which is also the starting line of our water monitoring season. No rest for the Riverkeeper team!

Here's a deeper dive into which bills reached the end of the session and how our monitoring season began.

As usual, this session had some wins and losses. However, this year saw several shake-ups, given the new Speaker of the House, new committees, and the fact that it's an election year. After all 90 days were said and done, here is how some of our priorities fared: 

- HB146/SB165: Requirements for Inspections and Pumping Septic Systems: Despite making it all the way to Sine Die last year and just running out of time, this exact replica bill hit multiple hurdles and amendments this year. The Senate environmental committee passed the bill with an amendment that completely stripped out the inspection and pumping requirements. Ultimately, the House and Senate couldn't come to an agreement on which amendments to accept. Read more about this priority in particular HERE.

-State Budget: State Budget: Arundel Rivers joined many of our colleagues at other environmental organizations across the state to defend environmental funding priorities during this difficult budget year. The General Assembly heard your Arundel Rivers staff and the entire environmental community, and passed a budget that includes another year of strong funding for Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts.

- Housing: Arundel Rivers weighed in on multiple housing bills this session, ensuring that efforts to incentivize building affordable units does not inadvertently harm our sensitive natural resources nor contribute to environmentally damaging sprawl. We opposed HB239/SB36 Starter and Silver Homes Act (which did not pass) and HB11377/SB829 Bring Back Main Street Act (which was heavily amended to a study bill). It is clear that land use planning is an area of focus that we will prioritize for future session work. 

- Land Use: Arundel Rivers weighed in on multiple land use bills this session, ensuring that efforts to encourage revitalization of older urban areas and deliver more affordable housing units do not inadvertently harm our sensitive natural resources nor contribute to environmentally damaging sprawl. We opposed HB239/SB36 Starter and Silver Homes Act (which did not pass) and HB11377/SB829 Bring Back Main Street Act (which was heavily amended to a study bill). It is clear that land use planning is an area of focus that we will prioritize for future session work. 

Additional bills Arundel Rivers Supported that will go to the Governor: 

- HB247 Critical Area Variance Altercations

- HB254 Inclusive Community Adaptation Act

- HB200 Required Flood Risk Disclosure

-HB/925/SB719 Sewage Sludge Biosolids- Regulation & Farmer Notification

-SB523 Identification of Vernal Pools 

Despite the beautiful warm weather this week, our first day on the river last week was freezing. Water temperature was in the low 50s, which is typical for this time of year. Average clarity is about 2.5ft- a number that we will drastically decline as we begin to see algae grow more. Oxygen levels looked great, perhaps slightly higher than usual, which could suggest that algae is already growing in the river and producing excess oxygen. The water monitoring team is hard at work putting the finishing touches on the 2025 River Report Card, which I will present at Homestead Gardens on May 14th. Doors will open to the free event at 5:30 to beer, wine, and light fare. The presentation on our 2025 water quality data will begin around 6:00. Looking forward to seeing you there! 

See you on the river, 

Elle Bassett

South, West, and Rhode Riverkeeper