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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Cleaning Up Farm Runoff Crucial to Chesapeake Bay

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Thursday, July 9, 2015   

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. – A federal court victory has cleared the way for what conservationists say needs to happen on farms within the Chesapeake Bay watershed to help meet the goals of a Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan.

A federal appeals court ruling this week reaffirmed the legality of the Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort, which spans six states and the District of Columbia.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation president Will Baker says the current bay blueprint plan offers "real hope" for a healthier bay, along with potential economic benefits of $22 billion per year.

While dealing with farm runoff will "take a lot of work," Baker says the result should end up helping farmers.

"While agriculture has the most to do, the good news here is getting a pound of pollution from the agricultural flow is the least expensive option," says Baker.

National farm and developer lobbying groups have sued to stop the federal and multi-state coordination, describing it as a pattern for over-regulation.

Baker says cleaning up farm runoff means reducing fertilizer and livestock waste – and federal and state assistance is available to make that happen. He says adding fences, trees and buffers to protect streams, and reducing fertilizer use, makes sense for farmers.

"If you're applying less fertilizer and getting the same return, that's going to be good for water quality, good for the quality of your well water, and it's going to be good for your bottom line," he says.

West Virginia is considered one of the bay's "headwater states," and is home to some of the 150 major rivers and streams that are part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.


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