HARRISBURG – State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), chairman of the tri-state Chesapeake Bay Commission, today issued the following statement upon the release of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science annual report card:

“The 2026 report card reflects real, measurable improvements in the health of the Chesapeake Bay, marking the highest score since 2006 and demonstrating that sustained investments in watershed restoration are producing meaningful results.

“Pennsylvania has made significant commitments to improving local waterways, and the continued upward trends highlighted in this year’s findings show those efforts are working. As communities, farms and partners throughout the commonwealth implement conservation and restoration practices, the benefits are increasingly evident across the broader Bay system.

“Continued support and investment will help ensure this progress is long-lasting and resilient in the face of evolving environmental challenges.”

CONTACT: Elizabeth Weitzel
717-787-3280