Environmental Groups Urge Legislators to Discuss Potential Cuts
(EASTON, Md) – As the Maryland General Assembly continues in Annapolis, groups from across the state are coming together with a plea to legislators.
The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is one of more than 30 groups to sign on to this letter from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to reconsider cuts to environmental programs. With the ESLC already having a rough 2025 with cuts as is.
Conservancy Policy Manager, Carol Bean says, “Well, the main impact was to the farmland preservation funding. So it was the only multi-year cuts that were passed last year in the budget. And they impacted our Rural Legacy program.”
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation wrote the letter not only to legislators, but Governor Wes Moore as well. It’s to consider the economic impacts further budget cuts could have for groups across the state.
Especially considering these organizations play a part in the state’s $600 million seafood industry as well as the $9 billion outdoor recreation industry.
“We wanted to, really, make clear to the administration and to legislative leaders that we are, all working together, that all aspects of, protecting and preserving our environment are important,” says the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Staff Attorney, Matt Stegman.
With the 449th General Assembly only starting this week, there’s certainly still a lot that’s up in the air to discuss with legislators.
But the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, alongside the dozens of other groups from across the state, are hoping they can reach an agreement.
Stegman tells WMDT, “…We appreciate what they’ve done today. But we need them to really hold the line and make sure you know that as they are making some really tough decisions. That the environment remains top of mind because it really does just touch on so many other things that are important to Marylanders.”
Because the budget could have impacts beyond environmental projects.
“It’s food production, it’s habitat, but it’s also jobs. You know, it’s called Rural Legacy for a reason. You know, this is our agricultural is foundational to our identity, but also to our economics…” says Carol.
The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy also tells us this could impact the rate at which they are able to proceed with their Rails to Trails plan on the Mid-Shore.
