PA Environment Digest Blog: Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, Including Gov. Shapiro Announce Plans To Revise Watershed Agreement, Form New Agricultural Advisory Committee

On December 10, the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council gathered in Annapolis, Maryland for what may be considered the most important meeting for the Chesapeake Bay Program since the signing of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement 10 years ago.

The Executive Council, which guides the policy agenda and sets conservation and restoration goals for the regional federal-state partnership, announced plans to revise the existing Watershed Agreement over the next year.

“Today we laid the foundation for a new future for Chesapeake Bay restoration and strengthened our commitment to partnership,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who was reelected as Chair of the Council. “We’re going to use the latest science to improve shallow water habitat, bolster wildlife populations and create new economic opportunities for all communities throughout the Bay watershed. We face a monumental task, but thanks to the leaders, scientists, workers and volunteers who worked to improve the Bay’s health for the previous four decades, we know what’s left to do and how to do it. So now we’ll refine the goals we must meet to ensure future generations can enjoy and benefit from this national treasure.”

“Today’s actions by the Chesapeake Executive Council show that we remain steadfast in our commitment to achieving a healthy watershed through partnership,” stated Virginia Delegate David Bulova, chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. “Refreshing the voluntary Watershed Agreement that guides our efforts will help make sure that we are science-led and people-driven as we re-dedicate ourselves to delivering clean water, conserved landscapes and thriving living resources for all.”

“Today, leaders from across the Chesapeake Bay joined together in the spirit of partnership, progress and potential to discuss the next phase of Bay restoration. EPA, under the Biden-Harris Administration, has worked tirelessly to build strong relationships up and down stream, award funding where it will be most impactful and bring new voices to the table that are driving real change through the watershed. We remain committed to these efforts as we look Beyond 2025," said Michael Regan, Administrator, US EPA.

The year 2025 is the target date for many of the 31 outcomes in the Watershed Agreement to have met their goals by.

Two years ago, the Executive Council directed the Bay Program’s Principals’ Staff Committee to recommend a path forward to the year 2025 that prioritized and outlined the next steps for meeting the goals and outcomes of the Watershed Agreement and prepare recommendations that continued to address new advances in science and restoration while focusing on the future of the Chesapeake Bay Program beyond 2025.

The result is A Critical Path Forward for the Chesapeake Bay Program Beyond 2025, a report developed over the past year-and-a-half by a steering committee consisting of representatives from multiple partnership stakeholders and presented for public feedback in summer 2024.

The report outlines two fundamental recommendations for the future of Chesapeake Bay restoration, as well as the partnership.

In response to this recommendations report, the Executive Council directed the Principals’ Staff Committee to revise the existing Watershed Agreement by the end of calendar year 2025 and work to streamline the existing partnership for it to be more inclusive of all communities, more manageable for Chesapeake Bay Program staff and supportive of all partners as they work to achieve their commitments.

“I was proud to join my fellow Governors and council members today to discuss the progress we’re making and renew our commitment to protecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. “Pennsylvania’s portion of the watershed is significantly improving because we’ve brought people together and invested in Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. This is a great example of what’s possible when we work together—not just across different levels of government here in Pennsylvania—but across state lines and with the federal government as well. My Administration is proud of this progress—and we’re going to continue to work to restore the Chesapeake Bay for years to come.”

“As we look beyond 2025, Virginia remains fully committed to our Chesapeake Bay efforts and the future of this partnership, but we must see a focus on policies and principles that embrace effective government, accountability and prioritization of funding, and voluntary, incentive-based approaches that work with our farmers, and not against them,” said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. ”My Administration has pressed for change and targeted investments, and it is crucial that the path forward takes into account the significant existing programs and work that Bay jurisdictions are already contributing to reach our goals.”

“We must continue our commitment to conserve a healthy, resilient Chesapeake Bay watershed. With the Chesapeake Bay Program moving into 2025, this Executive Council will be in a position to ensure the future of this critical and unique body of water that benefits many communities,” said John Carney, Governor, State of Delaware.

“New York State is committed to our ongoing partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Program to improve the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River Basin. Agriculture is a crucial contributor to New York's economy and natural resources stewardship, and with the creation of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, New York looks forward to continuing to support the agricultural community’s efforts to create a healthier watershed. A strong and sustained clean water partnership, carefully attuned to local community priorities and benefits, is essential to the success of Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts," said Kathy Hochul, Governor, State of New York.

"Washington, DC is proud to continue our participation in the Chesapeake Bay Program, focusing on improving water quality in our rivers and waterways while preserving vital environmental resources. Going into 2025, our commitment to protecting the watershed and ensuring the health, cultural value and resilience of our ecosystem for future generations remains strong," said Muriel Bowser, Mayor, District of Columbia.

Agricultural Advisory Committee

To help accelerate progress toward meeting the partnership’s water quality goals, the Executive Council formally signed a directive at the meeting, forming a new Agricultural Advisory Committee.

As the first new advisory committee created for the Chesapeake Bay Program since the late 1980s, the Agricultural Advisory Committee will advise the Executive Council on strategies and opportunities for the diversity of agricultural operations across the watershed, serving as a voice for producers and industry to the partnership on agricultural production and conservation.

Other Committee Reports

The Executive Council also heard from the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Local Government Advisory Committee, Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee and Stakeholders Advisory Committee, before unanimously voting Maryland Governor Wes Moore for a second term as Chair, to carry the partnership forward into 2025.

“The Local Government Advisory Committee thanks the Chesapeake Executive Council for their continued commitment to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. We value consistency and applaud the Watershed Agreement signatories for staying the course toward clean water and thriving living resources,” said Daniel Chao, Chair, Chesapeake Bay Program Local Government Advisory Committee. “Each and every resident of the Bay watershed must understand how a healthy Bay benefits them, and these critical leaders need to understand why proposed changes are necessary, so they may effectively relay this message to their residents. Local leaders are ready and willing to support watershed protection and restoration, with added technical and administrative assistance to be true partners in this work.”

"As the Executive Council contemplates what lies ahead, we invite them to envision a future that protects what we have, revitalizes more of what we've lost, and lays a foundation for a robust and sustainable Bay watershed that future generations will inherit,” Chuck Herrick, PhD., Chair, Chesapeake Bay Program Stakeholders Advisory Committee.

“We welcome the new Agricultural Advisory Committee and look forward to working together to advise the Chesapeake Bay Program as it progresses through its 2025 milestone year and into an even stronger, more effective future,” Larry Sanford, PhD., Chair, Chesapeake Bay Program Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee.

The Chesapeake Bay Executive Council was formed as part of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983 and consists of the governors of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, the mayor of the District of Columbia, the chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, who represents the federal government.

Click Here for a copy of the announcement.

Reaction To Announcement

Chesapeake Bay Foundation 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 Pennsylvania Executive Director Julia Krall issued this 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.”

Visit DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed webpage to learn more about cleaning up rivers and streams in Pennsylvania's portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Click Here to sign up for regular updates on Pennsylvania’s progress.

How Clean Is Your Stream?

The draft 2024 report has an interactive report viewer that allows you to zoom in to your own address to see if the streams near you are impaired and why.

Click Here to check out your streams. Click Here for a tutorial on using the viewer.

(Photo: Chesapeake Bay Executive Council meeting, Gov. Shapiro attended remotely.)

Related Articles This Week - Watersheds:

-- Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, Including Gov. Shapiro Announce Plans To Revise Watershed Agreement, Form New Agricultural Advisory Committee [PaEN]

-- DEP Awards $24 Million In Grants To Support County Clean Water Projects To Improve Water Quality In Chesapeake Bay Watershed [PaEN]

-- Coalition For The Delaware River Watershed, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Announce $17 Million In Grants To Enhance The Health Of The Delaware River Watershed [PaEN]

-- PA Sea Grant Now Accepting Research Proposals To Enhance Use, Conservation Of PA's Coastal, Watershed And Great Lakes Resources; Jan. 15 Webinar [PaEN]

-- USGS PA Water Science Center Fall Newsletter: Pesticide Sampling; Philadelphia Water Resources Tool; Sampling For PFAS Contamination; Addressing Microplastics Science Gaps [PaEN]

-- Vote Now For Pennsylvania's 2025 River Of The Year Among 3 Finalists-- Delaware River, Perkiomen Creek, Youghiogheny River [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- PA Capital-Star: Shapiro Joins Governors In Renewed Commitment To Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

-- LancasterOnline: Lancaster Conservation District Receives $5.9 Million For Chesapeake Bay Watershed Pollution Reduction