Delegation meets to discuss federal Chesapeake funding

One topic Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle can agree on is federal funding for the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay.

Maryland's Congressional delegation held a meeting Wednesday afternoon to review the state of the Chesapeake Bay and the role federal-state-local-private partnerships have played in restoring the health of the economic heart of the region.

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland tells 47ABC discussions centered on working across party lines to find solutions to continuing funding for restoration of the Bay.

Back in May, there were concerns over the proposed federal budget which slashed $2 million in funding for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Program.

However, Senator Van Hollen went on to say EPA Chair Scott Pruitt *"essentially" said he is willing to work with congress, if legislators want to move forward restoring the federal funding to the bay area.

"The Chesapeake Bay agreement has been a real success story.  We have succeeded in preventing the bay from going into a death spiral, but we have a lot of work to do," said Van Hollen.

The debate over federal funding for the Chesapeake Bay in fiscal year 2018 moves to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees.