Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, who is the new head of the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, is now even better positioned to reverse the disappointing trend of Chesapeake Bay clean-up over the past 26 years ("EPA chief to lead bay restoration effort," Jan. 7). This appointment is a historic opportunity for the voices of the public to prevail over special interests.

Ms. Jackson has already shown great courage in standing up to special interests in her decisions to limit greenhouse gases, curb smog and reduce tailpipe emissions from cars and trucks.

The public has spoken out overwhelmingly in favor of strong EPA action to restore the bay. In August of last year in Annapolis, over four hundred bay area residents passionately demanded real action from EPA representative Chuck Fox, point person for the bay. One month later, a coalition of Environment Maryland, Environment Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation presented Mr. Fox with over 19,000 comments calling for enforceable pollution limits. The support continued and intensified during the EPAs recent comment period, as over 43,000 residents of Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania urged the EPA to act immediately to curb the biggest bay pollution.

Ms. Jackson has the courage it takes to succeed, and we must succeed in this unprecedented opportunity to align political will with the will of the public to restore our uniquely precious Chesapeake Bay.

Brendan Tucker, Baltimore

The writer is an intern with Environment Maryland.

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