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.