Chesapeake Bay Program Announces 2007 Bay Partner Community Awards Program

Annapolis, Md. (February 2, 2007) - The Chesapeake Bay Program is now accepting applications from local governments for the 2007 Chesapeake Bay Partner Community Awards. The Awards recognize, encourage and support local governments in the Chesapeake Bay watershed whose actions demonstrate their commitment to the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, its rivers and streams. The application deadline for the 2007 Awards is May 31, 2007.

Local governments play a critical role in helping to restore the Chesapeake Bay and the many local streams and rivers that drain into the Bay. Counties, towns, boroughs, cities and townships throughout the watershed are taking action at the local level to protect water quality, use land wisely and provide for natural habitats. The Chesapeake Bay Program's Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) created the Bay Partner Community Awards program to recognize many of the more than 1,650 local governments that are doing their part to be good stewards of their land and water resources. Since the program's inception, 75 local governments have been selected by LGAC as Bay Partner Communities.

Chesapeake Bay Partner Communities are selected for their accomplishments in four themed areas based on goals set forth in Chesapeake 2000. Based on their level of achievement, communities may receive either a Gold, Silver and Bronze award. The themes are:

• Improving Water Quality through effective stormwater, wastewater and pest management.
• Promoting Sound Land Use through policies, regulations and programs that support environmentally sensitive development, protect farmlands and forest lands, and direct growth where water and sewer infrastructure exists.
• Protecting and Restoring Living Resources and Habitat through policies and programs that protect and restore habitat areas and encourage the migration of fish that spawn in fresh water upstream of the Bay.
• Engaging the Community through targeted educational programs and events.

Recipients of the Bay Partner Community Awards receive local and regional recognition through media exposure, recognition by the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, a framed Bay Partner Community citation, and a roadside sign identifying them as a Chesapeake Bay Partner Community.