For Immediate Release

NEW CHESAPEAKE COALITION TO LAUNCH FEDERAL CAMPAIGN FOR CLEAN WATER
Piedmont Environmental Council Joins Push for Stronger Federal Action

Washington, DC - More than 60 organizations representing hundreds of thousands of members and activists from throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed will join together Wednesday on Capitol Hill to launch a new coordinated campaign, titled "Choose Clean Water," to push for stronger federal action on restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.

Participating organizations will launch this campaign at a press conference and briefing for the media, Members of Congress and the Administration in the Capitol on Wednesday, May 20th at 4 P.M.

Congressional leaders including US Senator Ben Cardin (MD), US Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD-08), US Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11), US Rep. Frank Kratovil (MD-01) and others will join with leaders of regional and national conservation organizations for the event.

The coalition has identified several opportunities to improve water quality at the federal level, including implementation of President Obama's recent Executive Order related to Chesapeake Bay restoration. "With President Obama's new executive order seeking a stronger federal response to Bay restoration efforts, we have a unique opportunity to shape the federal role and ensure everyone's right to clean water," said coalition director Hilary Harp Falk.

"The issues surrounding the clean up of the Chesapeake Bay are complex and touch on various land use, transportation, agriculture policy and land conservation efforts," said Christopher G. Miller, President of the Piedmont Environmental Council. "We are pleased to be able to have an active voice in this critical conversation."

Wednesday, May 20th
4 to 5 P.M.
North Congressional Meeting Room, US Capitol Visitors Center
Washington, DC

www.ChooseCleanWater.org

1000 Friends of Maryland
10000 Friends of Pennsylvania
Adkins Arboretum
American Rivers
Anacostia Riverkeeper
Anacostia Watershed Society
Audubon MD-DC
Audubon Naturalist Society
Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper
Bay Hundred Foundation
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage
Chester River Association
Choptank River Eastern Bay Conservancy
Coalition for Smarter Growth
Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future
Delaware Nature Society
Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth
Ducks Unlimited
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy
Environment Maryland
Environment Virginia
Environmental Working Group
Friends of Dyke Marsh
Friends of the Rappahannock
Herring Run Watershed Association
James River Association
Jones Falls Watershed Association
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
National Parks Conservation Association
National Wildlife Federation
Natural Resources Defense Council
PennEnvironment
Piedmont Environmental Council
Potomac Conservancy
Potomac Riverkeeper
Queen Annes Conservation Association
Sassafras River Association
Severn Riverkeeper
Shenandoah Valley Network
South River Federation
Southern Environmental Law Center
Talbot Rivers Protection Association
Virginia Conservation Network
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
Wetlands Watch
Wicomico Environmental Trust