State, federal, and local leaders from around the Chesapeake Bay watershed met today and pledged to, by the end of 2025, update the key agreement to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.
This comes as states are expected to miss 2025 deadlines to reduce pollution to the Chesapeake, and new science shows that major changes are needed to meet Bay restoration goals. The Bay effort must also confront mounting challenges from climate change, population growth, and development.
The Chesapeake Executive Council joins together state and federal leaders to work toward a common goal of cleaner rivers and streams and a healthy Chesapeake Bay.
The meeting today in Annapolis, Md., was attended by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, as well as representatives from the EPA and other federal agencies, Washington, D.C., Delaware, New York, West Virginia, and the Chesapeake Bay Commission.
They approved a document titled Charting the Course Beyond 2025, which included a pledge to update the 2014 Chesapeake Bay watershed agreement by the end of 2025 with revisions that:
- Update goals and outcomes, ensuring that they are “measured and timebound,” and accomplished “as quickly as possible,” in particular for nutrient and sediment pollution;
- Incorporate the latest science;
- Engage all people living in the Bay watershed;
- Address reducing pollution as well as benefits to plants, animals, and habitats, known as “living resources.”
Starting in 2010 under the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, states in the Bay restoration partnership committed to a 2025 deadline for goals to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution to the Bay. The 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement included this commitment and additional Bay restoration goals.
While states have made notable progress on work to reduce pollution, particularly from wastewater treatment plants, efforts are lagging to curb polluted runoff from developed areas and farms. Despite missing the 2025 deadline, states are still required to meet the pollution-reduction goals.
The Executive Council today named Gov. Moore as chair of the Council for a second term at today’s meeting. Gov. Moore also announced plans for a package of new bills this upcoming state legislative session that would advance Bay restoration in Maryland.
Last week, Gov. Youngkin issued a directive that outlined proposed Virginia initiatives for the next phase of Chesapeake Bay restoration. CBF's statement on Youngkin's directive is linked here.
This week, Gov. Shapiro announced $24 million in investments to clean up Pennsylvania rivers and streams that flow to the Chesapeake Bay.
Working with farmers is one of the biggest remaining opportunities to reduce pollution to the Bay. Recognizing this, the Chesapeake Executive Council today also committed to establishing an Agricultural Advisory Committee.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) President and CEO Hilary Harp Falk issued the following statement:
“The Chesapeake Bay has always been our region’s greatest unifier, and we just saw that bipartisan support for the Bay is alive and well.
“It’s a really big deal when three governors and leaders from around the region meet to stack hands and reaffirm commitments to clean water. This kind of local and state leadership is more critical than ever.
“Now it’s time to put pen to paper on a revised Chesapeake Bay Agreement through a process that is clear, integrated, and inclusive.
“By this time next year, we expect to see an updated Agreement that follows the latest science with equal priority toward achieving water quality and living resource goals. Milestones that measure progress and provide accountability should also be updated to include a combination of scientific modeling and real-world monitoring. Demonstrating visible success in people’s local rivers and streams is critical to the longer-term goal of reduced pollution and improved oxygen in the Bay’s deepest waters.
“We have momentum. Water quality is improving. Crabs, grasses, and oysters are starting to recover. That recovery is fragile and facing new challenges like climate change. But as we saw in the Executive Council’s demonstration of leadership, partnership and commitment, the state of the Bay Partnership is stronger than ever.”
CBF Maryland Executive Director Allison Colden issued the following statement:
“The legislation announced by Governor Moore turns promises into progress for a healthier Chesapeake Bay and stronger Maryland. We look forward to working closely with the Moore Administration and Maryland legislators to advance Bay restoration this upcoming legislative session.”
“Governor Moore’s leadership has been critical during this key time for the Chesapeake Bay. We congratulate him on being chosen to lead the Chesapeake Executive Council for another term as chair.”
CBF Pennsylvania Executive Director Julia Krall issued the following statement:
“Governor Shapiro’s announcement of new investments demonstrates the Administration’s continued leadership and commitment to revitalizing the Commonwealths’ rivers and streams that flow to the Chesapeake Bay. These investments will not only deliver cleaner waterways but also empower farmers with more fertile soils, mitigate nuisance flooding in our communities, and stimulate local economies.”
