Since 1983, the Chesapeake Bay Program has used voluntary agreements to guide restoration of the nation’s largest estuary and its watershed.
The approval is the culmination of work that began more than three years ago, when the Executive Council charged the partnership with recommending a path forward that prioritized and outlined the next steps for meeting the goals and outcomes of the previous Watershed Agreement—many of which had suggested completion dates of 2025—and preparing recommendations that addressed advances in science and restoration while focusing on the future of the Chesapeake Bay Program beyond 2025.
At last year’s meeting, the Executive Council formally tasked the partnership with revising the Watershed Agreement over the next year.
The result is a refreshed agreement that builds on what has already been achieved—and the work still to come—while using the latest science, elevating conservation as a key focus, and ensuring, as much as possible, that its goals are clear, measurable and time-bound.
“Today we made a commitment to the Chesapeake Bay and a commitment to the people of Maryland and our neighboring states,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “The revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement will make our rivers and streams cleaner. It will bolster Maryland’s seafood, tourism and recreational businesses. Most importantly, it will ensure we protect the precious heirloom that is the Chesapeake Bay so we can pass it down to the next generations in a better condition than we received it.”
Revised Agreement
The revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement contains four goals—Thriving Habitats, Fisheries and Wildlife; Clean Water; Healthy Landscapes; and Engaged Communities—and 21 outcomes.
The partnership will now update or develop new Management Strategies for each outcome that outline how it will be achieved and include considerations such as monitoring, assessing and reporting progress, as well as where coordination with partners and stakeholders is needed.
"The Chesapeake Bay Program is a model for the nation of what is possible with state-led, federally backed and community-driven restoration,” said Maryland State Senator Sara Love, chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. “This refreshed Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement marks a new chapter in our enduring partnership, made possible through contributions from experts in every field and input from every corner of the watershed. Together, we remain grounded in sound science and dedicated to providing a healthy Bay and watershed for the people.”
Additionally, the Executive Council approved recommendations to streamline and simplify the partnership’s structure and governance.
The Chesapeake Bay Program will implement these revisions and regularly report progress to the Principals' Staff Committee for their final approval expected by July 1, 2026.
Native American Tribes
At the meeting, the Executive Council took another significant step for the future of the partnership by calling for recommendations to be developed over the next year, in collaboration with the federally recognized tribal nations of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, on how best to include tribes in the Chesapeake Bay Program moving forward.
Chief G. Anne Richardson of the Rappahannock Tribe, who chairs the Indigenous Conservation Council of the Chesapeake Bay, attended the meeting along with other board representatives.
Advisory Committee Reports
The Executive Council also heard from the partnership’s four advisory committees, which represent agricultural, local government, resident, and scientific and technical interests across the watershed.
Notably, this was the first time the Agricultural Advisory Committee participated in an Executive Council meeting, having been established in December 2024.
“The Agricultural Advisory Committee brings practical insight from working farms to help shape strategies that protect water quality and support viable agriculture,” said Bill Fink, chair of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Agricultural Advisory Committee. “With farming now fully recognized in the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, we see a real opportunity to move from restoration toward preserving a restored Bay watershed for future generations.”
Gov. Shapiro Elected Chair
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was unanimously elected to be chair of the Executive Council, succeeding Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who has served in the role for the past two years. Read more here.
This is the first time in more than two decades a Pennsylvania Governor has led the group.
“My Administration has accelerated Pennsylvania’s progress in restoring local waterways across the Commonwealth and reduced our share of pollution to the Bay, ensuring every Pennsylvanian has access to clean air and water while supporting our farmers and our agriculture industry,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. “I’m honored to be elected as the next chair of the Chesapeake Executive Council by my fellow governors and I’m looking forward to continuing this work to get stuff done together for the people we serve.”
The 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.
“The Chesapeake Bay is one of our country’s most important resources,” said U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi. “The efforts of the Chesapeake Bay Program over the past 42 years have shown the power of collaboration and cooperative federalism in restoring and protecting our nation’s waters. Partnerships such as the Chesapeake Bay Program help to carry out President Trump’s agenda to provide clean air, land and water for every American and support economic growth.”
Click Here for a copy of the revised Chesapeake Bay Agreement.
Click Here for the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council announcement.
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.
Reactions
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued this statement on the revised agreement--
After input from CBF and other advocates, the final Bay Agreement revision includes improvements over the July draft.
It now has a uniform deadline of 2040, as well as a 2033 midpoint check in that offers a chance to adapt to the latest science.
It also reaffirms the legally-binding pollution reductions states must meet.
The Council today also approved a charge to develop by July 1 recommendations on including the region’s seven federally recognized Indigenous tribes in the restoration partnership.
While the agreement approved today is not as ambitious as what CBF called for, it remains critical.
The agreement sustains a historic partnership working to restore the Bay—including governors of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and New York, the mayor of the District of Columbia, state legislators with the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and leaders at the EPA and six other federal agencies.
CBF President Hilary Harp Falk issued the following statement:
“The revised Bay Agreement is what we need to keep progress alive. Even in a time of deep division and uncertainty, leaders from across the political spectrum still find common ground in restoring the Bay. But words alone won’t save the Bay. Now is the time for bold action and thinking big.
“We must use what we’ve learned over the last 40 years to deliver lasting solutions for polluted runoff from farms, cities, and new development. We should build on past successes like oyster restoration to exceed these goals. We’ll keep pushing for the policies and investments needed to make that happen. Because when the Bay thrives, so do we.
“We’re thankful for the leadership of Maryland Governor Wes Moore as chair of the Chesapeake Executive Council and congratulate Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as he steps into the role. Together, we can leave a healthy Chesapeake Bay for future generations.”
CBF Pennsylvania Executive Director Julia Krall issued the following statement:
“As chair of the Chesapeake Executive Council, Governor Josh Shapiro’s mantra to ‘get stuff done’ represents an important call to action for continued momentum on clean water efforts throughout the Bay region. We look forward to his vision and leadership at this key time for the partnership.
“Governor Shapiro pledged that Pennsylvania is ‘all in’ for doing its fair share to ensure cleaner local rivers and streams, which means a healthier Chesapeake Bay.
“Now is the time to turn vision into action and for the Bay community to live up to our commitments. Governor Shapiro’s leadership will help do just that.”
For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA webpage. Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left column). Click Here to support their work.
Also visit the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership to learn how you can help clean water grow on trees.
How Clean Is Your Stream
DEP’s draft 2026 Water Quality Assessment includes a mapping tool that allows you to check on the status of water quality near you.
Click Here to check how clean your stream is.
Related Articles This Week:
-- Chesapeake Bay Watershed Executive Council Approves Revised Restoration Agreement; Gov. Shapiro Elected Chair [PaEN]
-- DEP Signs Agreement To Resolve Water Pollution Violations At US Steel Irvin Plant In Allegheny County Following Citizen Complaints; $135,000 Penalty Assessed [PaEN]
-- DEP Awards $168,000 In Lake Erie Coastal Zone Grants, $580,000 In Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone Grants To Protect And Restore Coastal Resources [PaEN]
-- Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA: Emergency Watershed Protection Program Helps Northern PA Residents After Tropical Storm Debby [PaEN]
-- Water At Risk: Why Brodhead Watershed Association Exists In Monroe County And Deserves Your Support - By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association [PaEN]
-- Protecting Clean Water Together: Your Small Choices Matter - By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- PennLive: For First Time In 20 Years, A PA Governor Leads The Chesapeake Bay Executive Council
-- WITF: Gov. Shapiro To Lead Multi-State Chesapeake Bay Group, Amid Waterway’s Health Dip
-- The Center Square: Gov. Shapiro Assumes Leadership Of Chesapeake Bay Executive Council
-- PA Capital-Star: Chesapeake Bay Council Elects Shapiro To Oversee New Water Pollution Reduction Agreement
-- Tribune-Democrat: Shapiro Named Chair Of Chesapeake Bay Group
-- PA Capital-Star: Chesapeake Bay Executive Council Poised To Study Inclusion Of Recognized Native American Tribes
-- The Citizens Voice: Eastern PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation Receives Grant To Protect, Restore Local Watersheds [PDF of Article]
-- StateCollege.com: Centre Conservation District Presents Farm Conservation Awards
-- TribLive: Greensburg Signs Most Easements For Northmont Flood Control Project In Westmoreland
-- City & State PA: Private Acquisition Of Municipal Water/Wastewater Systems Is Under New Spotlight As America Water - Essential Utilities Water Company Giants Plan To Merge
[Posted: December 2, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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