Press release by The Chesapeake Bay Program on 1 July 2025

Public invited to submit feedback between July 1–September 1

The Transquaking River feeds into Fishing Bay near Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Dorchester County, Md. (Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program)

The Chesapeake Bay Program is pleased to announce the public feedback period for the draft revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement will be available from Tuesday, July 1—Monday, September 1, 2025. Feedback can be submitted via email to comments@chesapeakebay.net.

The draft revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement updates the document that was signed in 2014 by the Chesapeake Executive Council–governors of the six watershed states, mayor of Washington, D.C., administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of the federal government and the chair of the tri-state, legislative Chesapeake Bay Commission.

At the 2022 annual Chesapeake Executive Council meeting, members directed the partnership’s Principals’ Staff Committee to recommend a path forward for meeting the 10 goals and 31 outcomes in the 2014 Watershed Agreement, as well as begin to consider what the future of Chesapeake Bay restoration might look like. The result was Charting a Course to 2025, which found that 18 of the 31 outcomes were on track to be met by 2025.

Leading up to the 2024 Chesapeake Executive Council meeting, a steering committee of representatives from state and federal agencies, advisory committees and non-profit organizations developed A Critical Path Forward for the Chesapeake Bay Program Beyond 2025 following several months of research to review, discuss and determine what recommendations would be sent forward.

“The Watershed Agreement is at the heart of our partnership, and it was clear that we needed to update it to account for the latest science, the progress we have made and the emerging challenges we are facing,” said Chesapeake Bay Commission Executive Director Anna Killius. “This is a refresh, not a restart. At its core, the Watershed Agreement maintains a holistic vision of what it means to achieve and sustain a healthy Chesapeake Bay with clean water and thriving living resources for all, now recharged for our next chapter in conservation.”

In December 2024, the Chesapeake Executive Council agreed with the recommendations presented in the report and further directed the Principals’ Staff Committee to revise the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and consider if each outcome should be consolidated, reduced, updated, removed or replaced, or should new ones be added by December 2025. The Chesapeake Executive Council also recommended the Principals’ Staff Committee work on a more simplified and streamlined structure and process for the Chesapeake Bay Program—which is currently in process.

The result is the draft revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, which has been updated based on the best-available science and considers the latest policy, emerging watershed threats and new opportunities. The original 10 goals have been simplified into four: Thriving Habitats and Wildlife, Clean Water, Healthy Landscapes and Engaged Communities. Thirty-one outcomes have been streamlined into 21 outcomes; each with relevant targets that will help advance watershed restoration.

“This partnership has worked diligently over the past several years to envision a future for the entire watershed that is not only grounded in science but considers targets that are realistic and achievable for everyone involved,” said Chesapeake Bay Program Office Acting Director Lee McDonnell with the Environmental Protection Agency. “These revisions are reflective of the years of dedicated work, efforts already in place, and they deepen our commitment as a partnership to a clean and restored Bay and its watershed.”

The feedback of all stakeholders is critical in informing this draft revised Watershed Agreement. All are welcome to submit feedback from July 1–September 1, 2025. It will only be accepted via email to comments@chesapeakebay.net. The public is encouraged to provide specific feedback that indicates the sections and pages of the Watershed Agreement that your comments apply to. Please visit our Planning for 2025 and Beyond website for a link to the draft revised Watershed Agreement, an FAQ with more information on submitting feedback and specifics on what has been updated with these revisions.

The Chesapeake Bay Program has prepared a series of webinars to familiarize the public with the draft revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and answer any questions you may have. They will be held at the following times, recorded and made available on the Chesapeake Bay Program’s YouTube channel.

“Two years ago, we were challenged by leading scientists who study the Chesapeake Bay to develop new ways to reduce pollution coming from diffuse sources such as stormwater and agricultural runoff, boost populations of living resources including fish and crabs, and encourage broader community involvement,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz. “To meet this challenge, the Principals’ Staff Committee has worked in partnership to develop revised goals and updated outcomes as part of an amended Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Now, we’re asking for the public’s input on the plan to make sure we’re addressing the most pressing issues in a balanced and effective way. Thank you to everyone who has helped us get to this point and we look forward to using the feedback to help us finalize the revised agreement.”

About the Chesapeake Bay Program

The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983. The content on this website does not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the federal government.