The Chesapeake Executive Council, which leads the federal-state Chesapeake Bay restoration partnership, elected Maryland Gov. Wes Moore as its chair at its annual meeting today in Washington, D.C. The Council is made up of representatives from of the six Bay watershed states, Washington, D.C., the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The meeting comes at a pivotal time. As the 2025 Chesapeake Bay restoration deadline approaches, leaders acknowledge efforts across the watershed will not meet goals to reduce pollution.
Leaders in Bay restoration are currently considering new approaches for the future. This year an EPA Chesapeake Bay Program scientific committee released a key report titled Comprehensive Evaluation of System Response, which details why Bay restoration has been slower than expected and identifies ways to accelerate efforts to reduce pollution.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation President Hilary Harp Falk issued this statement:
“The Bay restoration movement needs strong leadership more than ever as we enter the next chapter. Congratulations to Governor Moore, who is well poised to guide efforts toward a healthy Bay for future generations.”
“In the next phase of Bay restoration, we must confront climate change, focus on benefits to all people in the watershed, and build and strengthen the partnerships necessary for success. Scientists have made clear that to achieve a healthy Bay we need to welcome innovation and creative approaches, as well as invest in projects with verified benefits for the region’s waterways.”
“More than 90 percent of remaining pollution reductions needed to meet Bay restoration goals must come from agriculture. Working with the agricultural community is key to success, as well as investment in farm conservation practices in the Federal Farm Bill and state programs.”
