Heron at Sunset by Mike Leonard | cbf.org
Maryland 2025 - In an important show of unity, the region’s governors and federal partners agreed to a Chesapeake Bay restoration plan for the next 15 years.
At a Chesapeake Executive Council meeting in Baltimore, a host of state and federal leaders committed to the latest version of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement—including Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi, Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission Maryland State Senator Sara Love, and others.
The Council also elected Shapiro as its next chair, marking the first time in more than two decades a Pennsylvania governor has led the group.
Since 1983, versions of this agreement have held together the Bay restoration partnership, a decades-long effort that has become a national model for different levels of government cooperating to meet common environmental goals.
Separately from the Bay Agreement, in 2010 states committed to meeting legally-binding commitments to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution. This requirement was enshrined alongside other goals in the 2014 Bay Agreement.
While states have made notable progress, from oyster restoration to upgrading sewage treatment plants, they did not meet the pollution-reduction targets by the 2025 deadline.
In late 2024, the federal and state restoration partners committed to revising the Bay Agreement by the end of this year to update goals and incorporate new science that promises to more efficiently restore the Bay.
Throughout the process, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) advocated for a strong agreement that:
- Affirms state commitments to meet legally-required pollution reductions;
- Provides accountability with a uniform deadline across goals and a midpoint assessment; and,
- Factors in growing challenges from climate change.
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 Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, 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.”
