2026 Virginia Legislative Session • Chesapeake Bay Foundation CBF works tirelessly with the Virginia General Assembly each year given the important impacts it can have on the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. The 2026 Virginia General Assembly session was no different. Throughout session, we urged legislators to accelerate efforts to reduce pollution and prioritize the restoration of Virginia’s rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay so that future generations can enjoy their beauty and bounty.

Helpful rundown on this legislative session in Virginia focusing on the Bay #SaveTheBay #VALeg #conservation #Flood #RGGI #CleanWater #TreeCanopy https://www.cbf.org/virginia-legislative-session/

Original post on cville.online

5. Greater tree canopy zoning powers, awaiting Governor's action. This was a major ask from the public in the local zoning rewrite but we were limited by state regs. Should this pass, we can increase protections in sensitive areas like flood plains and along rivers and streams. #VALeg […]

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Closing up the meeting, Charlie Onorati urged attendees to get involved! Get your hands dirty, gather community, and help care for the beautiful bay.

#getinvolved #community #california #savethebay 🌺🌿☀️

For more information, you can visit savebay.org?srsltid=AfmB...

“We expect to see the numbers go up. I am eagerly awaiting the results,” said Charlie.

#savethebay #restoration #wetlands

🌊🦗🦟💐🪲

Charlie Onorati shares one of Save the Bay’s most popular and well revered projects! 🌊🌊🌊

#savethebay #charlieonorati #nature

Original post on cville.online

www.wboc.com/news/md-officials-chesap... “Oysters harvested from the Chesapeake Bay and other tributaries have not been affected by the spill” #seafood #SaveTheBay […]

Original post on cville.online

"The event is also a kind of contest, complete with a WrestleMania-style gold belt for the elected official who eats the most oysters. Delegate Mike Webert made the belt after his first win four years ago and he’s carried with that honor the chance to announce the new winner even since" #oyster […]

www.npr.org/2026/02/20/nx-s1-5719779... “It is absolutely a climate problem that will continue to get worse” #CSO #PotomacRiver #climate #infrastructure #SaveTheBay #DMV

Sewage Spill in the Potomac River Drinking Water ♦ Shellfish Closures ♦ Recreation On January 19, a sewer line in Montgomery County, Maryland collapsed causing an overflow of more than 200 million gallons of wastewater into Potomac River. On January 24, DC Water completed a bypass to reroute wastewater around the collapsed section of pipe and back into the sewer system. This map shows the location of the sewage release along with five other sites along the Potomac River where bacteria samples were collected by DC Water. Map Courtesy of DC Water. DC Water is handling the repairs to the pipe. Updates on repairs can be found on theDC Water page Maryland has regulatory authority over the Potomac River on issuing shellfish closures and recreational advisories as well as water quality monitoring. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is working with Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) have a long-standing relationship navigating pollution events and water quality monitoring in the Potomac River and have been in constant communication since the event occurred. However, Virginia residents are urged to use caution on the Virginia shoreline of the Potomac River between Swainson Island (overflow site) and Fletcher's Boathouse. **Impacts to Virginia** The results of DC Water’s bacteria samples indicate bacteria concentrations about 5.25 miles down-river from the sewage release site, at Fletcher’s Boathouse location, do not pose an imminent public health risk. Results of samples collected further down-river at Georgetown (Wisconsin Avenue), Anacostia River (at South Cap Street) and National Harbor, also show a continual decrease in bacteria concentration with distance and time, since the sewage event occurred. ### Drinking Water DC Water has stated their drinking water is NOT affected by this incident. The nearest Virginia locality using the Potomac River as a primary source of water is Fairfax. Fairfax Water's Potomac River intake is located several miles upstream of where the sewage spill enters the Potomac and is therefore not impacted. ### Shellfish Closures MDE, in response to the spill, issued a shellfish closure of Maryland shellfish growing areas on January 25 from the spill location to the Harry W. Nice (Dahlgren) Bridge (Route 301). This closure includes the Potomac River from Charles County and bordering Virginia areas, extending from the Port Tobacco River region down to the Harry W. Nice (Dahlgren) Bridge (Route 301). At this time, MDE and VDH have no evidence that shellfish resources outside of the defined emergency closure area have been affected. This map shows location of the shellfish advisory. Map courtesy of MDE. Shellfish harvesting waters under Virginia’s jurisdiction begin at the Harry W. Nice (Dahlgren) Bridge (Route 301) and are limited to tributary creeks located on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. At this time, Virginia shellfish growing areas are **not impacted by the sewage spill.** As a result, no inspections or water quality testing have been conducted to date related to this incident. ### Recreation Because Maryland has regulatory authority over the Potomac River, VDH is deferring to MDE for management of response and monitoring activities related to this event. Swimming or other activities in any natural body of water always pose some health risk because the water is not disinfected To stay safe while recreating in natural waters the public should: * Never swallow untreated water and don’t swim if your skin has cuts or open wounds. * Wash hands frequently, including after swimming and before preparing and eating food. * Shower or bathe after swimming to wash off possible germs and contaminants. * Check the water and the area around it before swimming. Avoid going in water if there is a green film on the water or if the water is cloudier than usual. Avoid swimming near storm drains or livestock. * Avoid swimming if you are vomiting or have diarrhea. * Avoid contact swimming in natural waterways for three days following rain events. Heavy rain picks up anything it comes in contact with, including germs from overflowing sewage, polluted storm water, and runoff from land. * Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water. * Check with your healthcare provider before swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water if your body’s ability to fight germs is already affected by other health problems or medicines. ### Resources DC Water Updates on Repairs Maryland Department of the Environment ### Maryland Advisories Shellfish Closure Advisory Montgomery County Advisory Charlotte County Advisory **Last Updated:** February 12, 2026

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/potomac-sewage-spill/ Planning some river fun on the Potomac? Maybe hold off. #CleanWater #PotomacRiver

I'm writing to ask that you support a $7M–$8M budget to sustain VCAP, a program that funds soil and water conservation efforts across Virginia. The state is experiencing increasing drought which has hit Loudoun county particularly hard, affecting both the area's farmland, wine and eco tourism, and the many residential wells still present in rural areas. Managing our water resources through voluntary efforts like tree planting, rainwater harvesting, replacement of hardscape etc is critical to addressing this issue. Thanks for your time and representation on this matter.

#Virginia, VCAP needs your help today! Please sign this petition to fully fund the program, which helps residents pay for tree planting, erosion control, rain water harvesting, etc. (Check alt-text for my comment.) #conservation #savethebay #loudoun #eco #green

vaswcd.org/help-support...

Kids looking at the oyster cage

Gross oyster cage

Save the bay!

We cleaned native baby oyster cages yesterday (needs to be done every two weeks to keep the oysters healthy). The oysters will stay in the cage for a year, and then be "planted" (oystered?) at sites around the bay. #savethebay #chesapeakebay #oyster #oystergarden

Public Portal • CivicClerk CivicClerk events and agendas for citizens

Tomorrow October 28th the #cville Planning Commission meets to discuss the "Environmental Regulations and Policy Review Project" charlottesvilleva.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2564/files/agenda/... #zoning #housing #CleanWater #SaveTheBay #conservation

American shad are still missing from the James River, and other species have declined, officials say The latest State of the James report reveals some good news, but also major challenges ahead.

www.whro.org/environment/2025-10-24/a... #Virginia #conservation #JamesRiver #shad #CleanWater #SaveTheBay

Send an email to help@savethebay.ca with your Gravenhurst address and last name for your Protect the Bay lawn sign. You can also sign the online petition and get more information at SaveTheBay.ca
#gravenhurst #muskoka #muskokabay #muskokawharf #savethebay #protectthebay

Blue Crab Decline Calls for Science-Backed Decisions VMRC maintains current blue crab regulations. A comprehensive study is expected next year.

🦀 Blue crab numbers in the Bay hit their 2nd lowest in decades. VMRC keeps current regs as scientists dig into the causes—climate change, habitat loss & invasive predators. A full stock assessment is due in 2026. #SaveTheBay #ChesapeakeBay

Osprey Population on Virginia’s Eastern Shore Collapses Amid Menhaden Concerns, New Research Suggests New research indicates a collapse of the osprey population along the seaside of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, a frequent area for industrial menhaden fishing by Omega Protein.

Osprey chicks are starving in their nests. Scientists point to lack of menhaden—key food source—amid industrial fishing by Omega Protein. It’s time for action. #SaveTheBay #ChesapeakeBay

GREAT news for the Bay!

m.youtube.com/watch?v=nuRY...

@missionblue.bsky.social @sylviaearle.bsky.social #MissionBlue #HopeSpot #ChesapeakeBay #SaveTheBay

Get your YES to Wind yard sign! We want to flood the streets with our yard signs to show the support of Rhode Islanders for renewable offshore wind energy. Request your yard sign, and, if you're able, please consider donating to thi...

#savethebay #saveoursea 💙🌬️ actionnetwork.org/forms/get-yo...

Save The Bay Hamilton Family Aquarium Passes are now available at the Library Information Desk. The Library Pass allows 2 adults & 4 children half-price admission to the aquarium in Newport. The pass can be borrowed from the library for up to three days
#savethebay #hamiltonfamilyaquarium

The EPA's proposed 65% budget cut jeopardizes Chesapeake Bay restoration, harming water quality, marine life, & local economies. Without federal support, pollution control & ecosystem protection will falter, endangering a vital estuary. Policymakers must preserve the Bay. #SaveTheBay #SaveTheEPA

Summary of the David Wheeler Report for Premier Houston in Nova Scotia Environmental and health risks are not fully understood about fracking, and the regulatory framework to manage these risks is not yet sufficient.

Dr. David Wheeler's team wrote the report they used to ban fracking 10 years ago. He says it's still not economically feasible in 2025.

savethebayoffundy.ca/summary-of-t...
#nspoli #fracking #NoFrac #SaveTheBay

“Puff” -sold
2024 24”x24”
Oil and oil pastel on board.

#art #newart #sailing #originalart #chesapeake20 #chesapeakebay #hatgeyachtyard #galesvillemd #chesapeakebayfoundation #savethebay #regatta

Hellbenders are a living fossil and they are an amazing animal. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is working to save them. @chesapeakebayfdn.bsky.social #hellbenders #chesapeakebayfoundation #savethebay

@chesapeakebayfdn.bsky.social -- is there a "Chesapeake Bay" feed on here? If not, can you create one? Thanks!

#SaveTheBay

Today is #GivingTuesday. Options abound. Gratefulness paid forward is a law of attraction magnet.

The Chesapeake Bay #savethebay is one of my 🩵.

Donate any amount today. It is good for the soul.

Sharkey did a cleanup in 17 new Virginia counties this week, leaving only 3 counties until he's finished his goal of doing cleanups in all 206 counties of the Chesapeake watershed!
🦈 #SharkeyAttack #SharkRanger #BetterThanYouFoundIt #RappahannockRiver #JamesRiver #ChesapeakeBay #SaveTheBay

Here is the #deq report. It was a #sysco truck and we’re talking about up to 50 gallons of diesel https://portal.deq.virginia.gov/prep/prepReport/316443 #savethebay

Oyster shell recycling! #savethebay

Toxic Contamination Remains Widespread In the Chesapeake Bay - Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog (Beyond Pesticides, January 23, 2013) A new federal report finds toxic contamination remains widespread in the Chesapeake Bay, with severe impacts in some places, which health and environmental advocates say lends support to their push in Maryland for legislative action on pesticides and other hazardous chemicals. In spite of some cleanup, the health of the Bay has not significantly improved. The report, “Technical Report on Toxic Contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay and its Watershed: Extent and Severity of Occurrence and Potential Biological Effects” is based on a review of integrated water-quality assessment reports from the jurisdictions in the Bay watershed (Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.), Federal and State reports, and articles in scientific journals. It notes that nearly three-fourths of the Bay’s tidal waters are “fully or partially impaired” by toxic chemicals, with people warned to limit fish consumption from certain areas. Contamination is severe in a handful of “hot spots” around the Bay, including Baltimore’s harbor, largely a legacy of past industrial and shipping activity. Previous reports have called on federal, state and local government to accelerate research into what threats chemical contamination may pose to the Bay, and to step up efforts […]

#Toxic #Contamination Remains Widespread In the Chesapeake Bay#chesbay #chemicals #pesticides #savethebay

bit.ly/XxDolA