State of the Bay briefing: agencies cite long-term gains, warn funding and stormwater pose new risks

Maryland officials and Bay partners told the House Environment and Transportation Committee on Jan. 27 that the Chesapeake Bay has shown measurable long-term improvement but faces immediate and growing risks from stormwater, shifting climate patterns and uncertain funding.

Lisonbee Colden, Maryland executive director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, recounted recent wins — including reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment, reopening more than 2,500 stream miles for migrating fish, and completion of large-scale oyster restoration in five tributaries — while stressing that 2025 was not a finish line. Colden said stormwater is the only major sector trending in the wrong direction and urged lawmakers to support the agencies and programs that implement restoration actions in the FY2027 budget.

Dave Namazi of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science presented the Bay report card, which shows a statistically significant improvement over 20 years despite a modest year‑to‑year decline. Namazi said the report card now incorporates new indicators and that the team is working to add human-health and fish indicators. He…