Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed into law legislation designed to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay and simplify reporting for the state’s aquaculture sector.
“We have a responsibility to hand over the state to the next generation better than we found it. That’s not just a moral priority; that’s an economic imperative,” Moore said in a statement. “The Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act will uplift every sector of our bay economy, from agriculture to aquaculture. Together, we will protect and preserve our natural heirlooms and drive economic growth. Those missions aren’t in conflict; they’re in concert.”
According to conservation nonprofit Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), the Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act will take significant steps toward improving the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The state law will consolidate state water quality monitoring programs to improve data quality and increase coordination on cleaning up the watershed. It also establishes the Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program, which incentivizes improving agricultural conservation to reduce pollution into the Bay.
The Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act also simplifies reporting for oyster aquaculture companies in Maryland. The legislation streamlines the review process for aquaculture leases and allow them to continue operations while waiting for permit renewals. According to the state government, Mayland’s shellfish aquaculture sector provides an economic impact of more than USD 13 million (EUR 11.6 million) every year.
“Governor Moore’s Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act brings hope for a healthier and more resilient future. This legislation gives farmers, oyster growers, and restoration practitioners the ...
