All should be concerned about recent congressional attacks on cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. Virginia Rep. Robert Goodlatte, R-Lynchburg, has proposed partially defunding the Environmental Protection Agency or disallowing federal money from being spent restoring the bay.

Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., and Rep. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., want to remove accountability from the states that impact the bay when they do not meet water quality standards under the Clean Water Act.

Whether you drink from rivers that feed the bay or swim or fish the waters, all should be concerned. This is not just an environmental issue. According to a 2004 Chesapeake Bay Blue Ribbon Finance Panel report, the bay is worth more than $1 trillion and supports a $2 billion commercial fishing industry, along with 41,000 jobs; $1.6 billion and 13,000 jobs in saltwater angling; $70 million in crabs; and $680 million in tourism.

Everyone should urge his or her congressional representative to sink these attacks on the Chesapeake Bay.

Thomas Savage

Goldvein