Congressman Bob Goodlatte calls the Chesapeake Bay a cherished part of our American heritage, but he says a new effort to preserve it would hurt farmers and slow down economic growth.

Goodlatte says a measure in a House Agriculture Subcommittee to enhance water quality would create over-regulation of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

"The goal of all involved is the same, the continued health and vitality of the bay, but the map to that health and vitality is being strongly debated," says Goodlatte.

He says he supports a measure under the Farm Bill that gives farmers incentives for helping to improve water quality in the bay instead.