March Riverkeeper Report

Happy St. Patrick's Day! This is one of my favorite holidays for two reasons - 1. the ospreys always return by St. Patrick's Day, which means it's almost boating season and 2. it's crossover time in the legislative session, which means we have a much better idea of how our priorities are looking for the session.

With boating season around the corner, we are getting ready to launch our Riverkeeper boats and splash down for the upcoming water quality season, which will begin the first week of April. Curious to see how our waterways did in 2024? Be sure to join us for our annual Report Card presentation at Homestead Gardens on May 15. The evening will include a reception with light refreshments and a presentation of the outcome of our 2024 water quality season.

This legislative session has been a challenging one so far, mainly given the unknowns of the state budget. The good news is that two of our priority bills focusing on septic systems made the crossover deadline - HB131/SB117 Bay Restoration Funds Septic System Upgrades and HB747 Septic Requirements for Inspections and Pump Outs. If they make it to the finish line in April, these bills will result in climate vulnerable and nutrient impaired areas having more access to funding to upgrade and repair failing systems and better inspection and pump out requirements for new homeowners and tenants.

Our focus now remains on the state budget and continuing to advocate for minimal cuts to environmental funds including the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund. In addition to submitting testimony and working with coalition groups on these priorities, I joined two advocacy days in Annapolis this month with Waterkeepers Chesapeake and the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance.

Check out the below Advocacy Fact Sheet to learn more about our 2025 legislative priorities.

Elle Bassett

Your South, West, and Rhode RIVERKEEPER