Chesapeake Bay Update: The Chesapeake Bay Program Posts Abridged Watershed Agreement for Public Comments

On July 10, 2013, the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) released an abridged version of its Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. The agreement, which is in its draft stage, is available for public input until August 15, 2013.

The CBP states that the agreement “outlines new goals and outcomes that will guide partners in protection, restoration and stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay.” The first Chesapeake Bay Agreement was signed in 1983, and the most current agreement was signed in 2000. The CBP hopes to evolve the Chesapeake Bay restoration process and stewardship effort through the new agreement.

The draft agreement contains a number of goals and outcomes including the maintenance of fisheries and enhancement of water quality. The signatories of the agreement will indicate their level of involvement in the Management Strategies developed to execute the goals and outcomes “depending upon relevance, resources, priorities, or other factors enhancing or limiting participation.”

The CBP states that once a final draft is created, stakeholder input will be solicited again.

For more information or to provide input, please see the CBP website on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

Please visit our Chesapeake Bay Resource Area for more information on the history of Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreements.

Written by Sarah Doyle - Research Assistant

The Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center

@PSUAgLawCenter

July 15, 2013