December Riverkeeper Report

All I want for Christmas is less nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment entering our waterways that result in poor clarity, algal blooms, dead zones, and poor habitat. That's not asking too much right? 

While I may not receive everything on my Christmas list this year, we did receive a newly signed Chesapeake Bay Agreement. We applaud the Bay states for reaffirming their commitment to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. And while we did not see everything we wanted to see included in this new agreement, we do support many of the ambitious goals set within it that Arundel Rivers specifically works towards, including increased underwater grass restoration and improved water quality. 

Another gift I received this season was the opportunity to attend the North Atlantic Waterkeeper Summit in Pittsburgh, which left me feeling energized and refocused on my role as your Riverkeeper. I was able to attend sessions focused on addressing pollution for septic systems, mobilizing advocates on policy, the threats from PFA and PFOA pollution, and much more. With the legislative session right around the corner, many of these topics will be areas of focus for me in the new year. If you'd like to learn more about some of these legislative efforts and environmental community priorities for the upcoming session, you can attend two free events open to the public:   the 7th Annual Legislative Summit for Climate and the Environment, which will be held on Jan 10 and 11, and the 2026 Maryland Environmental Summit on Jan 28th.

I wish you all very happy holidays and I hope you receive everything on your wish list! 

See you on the river in the new year, 

Elle Bassett

South, West, and Rhode Riverkeeper