Will Larry Hogan Stand Up to Donald Trump’s Attack on the Chesapeake Bay?

Annapolis, Md. – During his 2014 campaign, Governor Larry Hogan described Chesapeake Bay restoration and protection as the “most pressing environmental issue in Maryland” and even attacked the Obama administration’s efforts on the issue.

But as the Trump administration prepares to roll back environmental protections — which could reverse Chesapeake Bay restoration and open the doors to more pollution — will Hogan fight back?

The New York Times reported yesterday that the Trump administration plans to eliminate the Waters of the United States rule, which helps codify the Chesapeake Bay so that it is protected under the Clean Water Act. Elimination of this rule could damage or end federal efforts to clean up the Bay and curtail polluting.

Some of these anti-pollution rules are already on Trump’s chopping block. Axios Media reports that the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Chesapeake Bay rule, which directly affects many Bay tributaries and the accompanying runoff and pollution that flows into the Bay, is listed as an initiative that will be halted.

The following statement was released by Maryland Democratic Party spokesperson Bryan Lesswing:

“While running for Governor, Larry Hogan cited upstream polluters as one of the main problems impeding Chesapeake Bay restoration. Now Donald Trump wants to give free reign to those same upstream polluters that hurt the Bay. Marylanders deserve to know whether Governor Larry Hogan will fight back against Trump’s plan to open the doors to pollution once again in the Bay.”

“Larry Hogan’s continued refusal to stand up to Trump shows that not only is Hogan unwilling to stand up for Maryland — he’s even comfortable putting partisan support for Republicans in Washington ahead of his own campaign promises.”

Hogan’s record of putting politics ahead of Maryland isn’t new. The Maryland Democratic Party recently released a new web video featuring how Hogan won’t fight Trump, but previously vowed to make Barack Obama a “one-term president,” while calling Obama “unacceptable” and questioning his integrity.