Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Updated to Bolster Environmental Health and Economic Vitality

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, serving as chair of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Executive Council, has announced the approval of a revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. This updated accord aims to enhance the health of the Chesapeake Bay, expand public access to natural environments, and support the industries that rely on this significant natural resource. The agreement encompasses environmental and economic objectives for the region, which contributes substantially to the economies of its surrounding states, generating billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs annually through tourism and the seafood industry.

The revised agreement follows extensive collaboration involving representatives from the six watershed states—Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, and New York—along with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and the District of Columbia. This consensus was reached after more than two years of work with input from scientific experts, community leaders, and advocates for the Chesapeake Bay. A comprehensive public feedback period also contributed to shaping the final document, leading to strengthened environmental goals.

Key commitments within the revised agreement include a 2040 deadline for significant reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution entering the Bay. Beyond water quality, the pact outlines objectives for habitat restoration, thriving fisheries and wildlife, preserving healthy landscapes, and fostering engaged communities. Specific targets are set for oyster and freshwater mussel restoration, wetland preservation, protection of water birds, land conservation, increasing public access, and developing the environmental workforce. Most of these outcomes are also targeted for completion by 2040, with a mid-point review scheduled for 2033, coinciding with 50 years of restoration efforts.

Maryland has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Bay’s restoration, investing billions of dollars since 2000 and achieving many of the goals set in the previous 2014 agreement. The state successfully met its target of conserving 30% of its land, nearly 2 million acres, in 2024. In partnership with Virginia, Maryland completed a large-scale oyster restoration project across 11 tidal rivers. These efforts have coincided with a threefold increase in the state’s adult oyster population and consistently strong oyster harvests, averaging significant bushels and revenue annually over the past five years. Additionally, Maryland has played a role in restoring over 2,500 miles of rivers to support migrating fish. While regional nutrient pollution reduction goals for 2025 may not be fully met, Maryland is on track to achieve its individual nitrogen and phosphorus reduction targets by the end of this year.

With these accomplishments and ongoing planning, Maryland is well-positioned to meet the updated objectives of the revised agreement. The state is advancing plans for three additional large-scale oyster restoration projects and initiating mussel restoration efforts, leveraging lessons learned from oyster restoration and supported by funding from the Conowingo Dam settlement. The state’s updated strategy for Bay restoration emphasizes improvements in shallow waterways, such as streams and rivers, where public interaction is frequent and targeted actions can yield significant positive impacts. Five waterways in Maryland are designated for pilot projects under the Whole Watershed Act, intended to demonstrate how focused water quality improvements in specific areas can benefit ecosystems, communities, and local economies.

The Chesapeake Bay Executive Council convened in Baltimore to formally approve the revised agreement, establishing a framework for environmental action in the Bay region for the next 15 years. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has been selected to lead the Executive Council as the next chair, succeeding Governor Moore.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Governor Wes Moore

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