Federal agencies have released seven draft reports on protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay.
Read the overall executive summary.
Executive Summary Draft Reports EO 13508.pdf (356.15 kb)
These draft reports make recommendations on how to:
(a) define the next generation of tools and actions to restore water quality
in the Chesapeake Bay and describe the changes to be made to
regulations, programs, and policies to implement these actions (U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency)
(b) target resources to better protect the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary waters,
including resources under the Food Security Act of 1985 as amended, the
Clean Water Act, and other laws (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
(c) strengthen storm water management practices
at Federal facilities and on Federal lands within the Chesapeake Bay
watershed and develop storm water best practices guidance (U.S.
Department of Defense)
(d) assess the impacts of a changing climate
on the Chesapeake Bay and develop a strategy for adapting natural
resource programs and public infrastructure to the impacts of a
changing climate on water quality and living resources of the
Chesapeake Bay watershed (U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department
of Interior)
(e) expand public access to waters and open spaces
of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries from Federal lands and
conserve landscapes and ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay watershed
(U.S. Department of Interior)
(f) strengthen scientific support for decisionmaking
to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed, including expanded
environmental research and monitoring and observing systems (U.S.
Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Interior)
(g) develop focused and coordinated habitat and research activities
that protect and restore living resources and water quality of the
Chesapeake Bay and its watershed (U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S.
Department of Interior).
Input from the public is critically important to the federal agencies
that are creating new approaches for restoring and protecting the
Chesapeake Bay. When a draft strategy and revised reports are released
on November 9, the formal public comment period will begin. But until
then, feedback can be submitted by using the form below. Also available
is the option to share thoughts on any entry on this website simply by
clicking on the "feedback" link after the entry. The federal agencies
will receive and consider feedback posted on this website. However,
they will not respond individually to each person who offers comments.
The public will have the opportunity to submit formal written comments for the record beginning November 9.