Bay Proponents: Va. Funding Proposal Falls Short
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Chesapeake Bay restoration advocates say Gov. Bob McDonnell's biennial budget proposal falls short of what's needed to fund the state's portion of the bay's cleanup.
A coalition of clean water advocates led by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation is proposing that the state issue a $300 million bond measure to help localities complete clean water projects. They say those projects were started with the promise of state assistance.
Besides the foundation, others advocating the bonding include the James River Association, the Virginia Municipal League, and the Virginia Manufacturers Association.
The Environmental Protection Agency is leading the cleanup effort after years of neglect by the states within the bay's
64,000-square-mile watershed. They include Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York State and the District of Columbia.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
