In December 2024, the Chesapeake Executive Council directed the Principals’ Staff Committee to revise the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and propose a simplified and streamlined structure and process for the Chesapeake Bay Program.
While the structure and process revisions are ongoing, the multi-jurisdictional partnership has evaluated the 2014 Watershed Agreement’s current goals and outcomes based on the latest policy, community needs, best available science, emerging threats and new opportunities. Working with the Principals’ Staff Committee, Management Board and subject matter experts, the 10 goals and 31 outcomes of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement were consolidated, reduced, updated, removed, replaced or revised to create the proposed 4 goals and 21 outcomes presented in the draft Revised 2025 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
Local governments are crucial partners in the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and now is a critical time to help shape the future of this work. From July 1 through September 1, the Partnership is accepting public feedback on proposed changes to the Watershed Agreement. Input from local governments ensure that the updated goals and strategies reflect real-world needs and on-the-ground priorities.
Want to learn more?
The Chesapeake Bay Program will be hosting a webinar series that will focus on each of the four proposed goals in the revised Agreement. Two have been completed with a recording of the meeting available and three are upcoming:
- (July 2, 2025) Beyond 2025: Reimagining the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement (Recording)
- (July 8, 2025) Thriving Habitats and Wildlife: A Deep Dive into the Revised Goal of the Watershed Agreement (Recording)
- (July 15, 2025) Clean Water for a Healthy Bay: Exploring the next revised Goal of the Watershed Agreement (Register)
- (July 24, 2025) Understanding another revised Goal of the Watershed Agreement: Healthy Landscapes (Register)
- (July 30, 2025) Engaged Communities: A Closer Look at Final Proposed Goal of the Watershed Agreement (Register)
Lastly, the Local Government Advisory Committee and Local Leadership Workgroup will be jointly hosting an informational webinar on Wednesday, August 13th at 12 – 1 pm.
When you are ready and if you would like to submit public comments, please email comments@chesapeakebay.net or jhutzler@vaco.org.
The Chesapeake Bay is vitally important to the Commonwealth of Virginia and plays a vital role in the economies and character of many of its counties. VACo is a longstanding and proud supporter of efforts that continue to restore and protect the Bay.
VACo Contact: James Hutzler