NCBA rallies behind Chesapeake Bay legislation

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President J.D. Alexander issued letters of support to Congressmen Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Tim Holden (D-Pa.) for introducing the Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization and Improvement Act (H.R. 4153). According to Alexander, the bipartisan legislation will provide transparency and accountability for federal funds in the Chesapeake Bay Program. He said the bill also provides states with the authority to carry out water quality programs instead of being dictated down from Washington.

“Cattle producers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are committed to protecting water quality but are concerned the current path the administration is headed down is based on flawed assumptions and inaccurate information,” said Alexander. “NCBA is concerned the goals of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) December 2010 Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) will not be achieved based on this flawed science.”

Rep. Goodlatte said H.R. 4153 would put the watershed on a better path.

“Instead of overregulation and intrusion into the lives and livelihoods of those who choose to make the Bay Watershed their home, the bipartisan Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization and Improvement Act allows states and communities more flexibility in meeting water quality goals so that we can help restore and protect our natural resources while maintaining the economic livelihood of these communities,” said Congressman Goodlatte.

Rep. Holden said the legislation provides a more balanced approach to restoring the Bay.

“Agricultural producers who live and work in the Chesapeake Bay watershed care greatly for the Bay’s health and are actively working to improve water quality and wildlife habitat,” said Congressman Holden. “The Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization and Improvement Act provides more resources, certainty and flexibility to everyone involved in these efforts to ensure watershed restoration continues while minimizing burdens on producers.”

Alexander said this legislation is of national importance because EPA has indicated the Chesapeake Bay TMDL process will be a template for the rest of the country.

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