Recent Releases

July 27, 2021

Underwater Grass Abundance Declines for Second Year in a Row

In 2020, the preliminary figure of 62,169 acres of underwater grasses was mapped in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, achieving 48% of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s 2025 restoration target of 130,000 acres and 34% of the ultimate restoration goal of 185,000 acres.

Although the 62,169 acres of underwater grasses observed in 2020 have increased from the 38,958 acres noted during the first survey in 1984, it is a 20% decrease from the current 10-year average of 78,168 acres. The preliminary acreage observed in 2020 is a 42% decline from 2018 when it was estimated that the Bay may have supported up to 108,078 acres of underwater grasses. While this is a staggering decrease, the loss from 2019 to 2020 was only 7%, suggesting that overall, underwater grass beds are beginning to stabilize after a difficult past few years.

In 2020, the largest decline in terms of total area—an estimated 5,684 acres—was again observed in moderately salty waters, particularly in the Tangier Sound, but also in the Eastern Bay, the mouth of the Choptank River and in the Little Choptank River. These losses are largely attributed to the continued decline in widgeon grass, which fluctuates from year-to-year as the species responds rapidly to impacts from extreme weather and changes in water quality.

Underwater grass abundance can vary from species to species and river to river. In 2020, local highlights included:

  • Upper Eastern Shore (Maryland): In 2020, the Sassafras River lost most of the new grasses that it had gained in 2019, decreasing from 406 acres to 169 acres. Similarly, the Chester River lost nearly 900 acres of grasses from 2019 to 2020, dropping from 1,616 acres to 734 acres.
  • Middle Chesapeake Bay: Although underwater grass acreage in Virginia’s portion of Tangier Sound decreased substantially from the previous year, the abundance of grass beds in Maryland’s portion of Tangier Sound actually increased from 4,315 acres in 2019 to 4,725 acres in 2020. In the nearby Manokin River, underwater grass acreage increased from 583 acres in 2019 to 696 acres in 2020. The Little Choptank River, also in the middle of the Bay, decreased from 1,503 acres in 2019 to 550 acres in 2020 due to the loss of most of its widgeon grass.
  • Northern Maryland: Underwater grass abundance in and around the Susquehanna Flats region increased from 8,497 acres in 2019 to 9,194 acres in 2020. Additionally, the Northeast River increased from 87 acres in 2019 to 109 acres in 2020.
  • Washington, D.C.: Underwater grass abundance in the Anacostia River continued its resurgence and increased from 48 acres in 2019 to 53 acres in 2020.
  • Mid-to-Lower Chesapeake Bay: In the Virginia portion of the mid-to-lower Bay, underwater grass abundance did particularly well in the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers, as well as in Mobjack Bay. The Potomac River increased from 6,631 acres in 2019 to 7,534 in 2020, while the Rappahannock, including the Corrotoman River, increased from 1,789 acres in 2019 to 2,204 acres in 2020. In Mobjack Bay, underwater grass acreage increased from 5,027 acres in 2019 to 7,080 in 2020

To learn more about our progress toward achieving and sustaining 185,000 acres of underwater grasses Bay-wide, visit ChesapeakeProgress.

Read more >>

June 30, 2021

2021 Blue Crab Advisory Report Released

The Chesapeake Bay Program is pleased to release the 2021 Blue Crab Advisory Report, which finds that the overall Chesapeake Bay blue crab population is not being overfished and is not depleted. Experts from the Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee reviewed the results from the annual Bay-wide Winter Dredge Survey (released in May 2021 by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science) and harvest figures from the previous seasons to provide an in-depth picture of the Chesapeake’s blue crab population and to make suggestions for any needed changes to regulations.

The Winter Dredge Survey found that the blue crab population (males and females alike of all ages) in the Bay—which varies naturally from year to year—decreased from 405 million in 2020 to 282 million in 2021.  Experts attribute this decline to be in large part due to the juvenile blue crab population—crabs that will grow to harvestable size next year—which is estimated to be 86 million, down from 185 million in 2020. Managers will monitor the status of these populations over the summer, adjusting regulations if needed.

The stock of male adult blue crabs (ages 1+) was estimated to be 39 million in 2021, a decline from the approximately 79 million in 2020. In 2021, the population estimate of adult females increased to 158 million from 141 million in 2020. This number is above 72.5 million, which is the minimum acceptable level for female blue crabs in the Bay, but lower than the target of 196 million. In the 2020 blue crab fishing season, 19% of all female crabs were harvested—safely below the science-based target (28%) and threshold (37%) levels for the 13th consecutive year. Resource managers focus on maintaining a healthy stock of female crabs to ensure continued resiliency of the population in this and future years. 

The 2021 Advisory Report recommends:

  • Researchers should explore the environmental factors that may contribute to the highly variable nature of the blue crab population.
  • The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Potomac River Fisheries Commission and Virginia Marine Resources Commission should implement programs to track commercial and recreational harvest more accurately, including the use of electronic reporting systems.

The Blue Crab Advisory Report is developed by the Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee, a group of experts from state and federal agencies and academic institutions. The blue crab fishery in the Chesapeake Bay is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Marine Resources Commission and Potomac River Fisheries Commission.

Read more >>

June 21, 2021

For the second year in a row, smaller Chesapeake Bay dead zone forecast for the summer

Researchers from the Chesapeake Bay Program, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, University of Michigan and U.S. Geological Survey announced today that they are forecasting, for the second year in a row, a smaller than average “dead zone” due to reduced river flows entering the Chesapeake Bay, as well as less nutrient and sediment pollution thanks to the management actions taken across the watershed to improve water quality.

Hypoxic and anoxic regions, which are areas of low and no oxygen, respectively, are caused by excess nutrient pollution flowing into the Bay. Compared to the last 35 years, this year’s Chesapeake Bay hypoxic volume, or “dead zone”, is predicted to be 14% lower than average, while the volume of water with no oxygen is predicted to be 18% lower than average. In 2020, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science reported the dead zone to be smaller than 80% of those monitored since 1985.  

The levels of pollution reaching the Chesapeake Bay each year varies due to the amount of spring rainfall that impacts river flows. Additionally, the many efforts of Chesapeake Bay Program partners—Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, academic institutions, local governments, federal agencies and non-governmental organizations—are making a difference in gradually reducing the amount of nutrient and sediment pollutants that are entering the Bay. 

Though different types of nutrients contribute to the annual dead zone, the amount of nitrogen that enters the Bay from January-May is a key driver in how hypoxic conditions can vary from year-to-year. In spring 2021, river flows entering the Bay were 13% below average, but still fell within the normal range. Nine river input monitoring stations located on major Bay tributaries showed that the Chesapeake received 19% less nitrogen pollution when compared to the long-term average. Overall, nitrogen loads entering the Bay included an estimated 98 million pounds recorded at the nine river input monitoring stations, as well as an additional 6.6 million pounds from treated wastewater discharge and non-point sources (e.g., agricultural, stormwater and urban runoff) located downstream of these stations.

A Bay-wide assessment of the 2021 dead zone will be available this fall.

Read more >>

June 02, 2021

Celebrate all of the recreational opportunities the Chesapeake Bay watershed offers

The sixth annual Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week will take place June 5-13, 2021. While this week has been officially designated in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, events will take place throughout the entire watershed to raise awareness about this valuable economic and environmental resource—a national treasure that directly connects over 18 million residents.

With park visitation and outdoor activities reaching an all-time high in 2020, Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week 2021 will celebrate all the ways in which people can recreate in and around the Chesapeake Bay, and how those activities depend on clean and healthy waterways. This year’s activities—which can be found on the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Attend an Events calendar—include educational webinars, socially-distanced events and volunteer opportunities that celebrate the nation’s largest estuary.  Check out some of the notable activities that will be held during the nine day celebration:

  • Clean the Bay Day: Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation from May 31 to June 5 for a virtual version of this Virginia tradition! This annual event encourages families, businesses, and civic and church groups to get out and give back to local waterways.
  • Lancaster Water Week: Celebrate the unique waterways of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania through volunteer events, online courses and various outdoor activities from June 4-12.
  • Bernie Fowler Wade-In: Join former Senator Bernie Fowler and other dignitaries on June 5 as they wade into Otter Point Creek. Mr. Fowler started the “white sneaker” test as a means of checking water clarity. With a $5 entrance fee, the event will include live music and family-friendly entertainment.
  • Virginia Free Fishing Days: Enjoy a day of fishing with friends and family without having to purchase a fishing license from June 4-6.
  • Maryland Free Fishing Days: Participate in Maryland’s Free Fishing Days on June 5 and 12.
  • National Trails Day: Lace up your boots for a day of service and advocacy for local hiking trails on June 5. Promote your favorite outdoor spaces and pledge to take action in 2021 to care for trails, and advocate for equitable, safe access to quality green spaces.
  • The Bay is for Play! Recreation in the Watershed: The Chesapeake Bay Program will hold a webinar at 12:00 p.m. on June 8 to discuss all the ways one can recreate throughout the watershed.

This year’s theme highlights the various ways people spend their free time enjoying the Bay watershed. Each day will focus on a different category of recreation, including on the water, parks and trails, in your neighborhood, in your home, connecting with food, community science, museums and historic locations, and volunteering and community engagement. During these days, organizations, businesses, community groups and individuals can promote their interests and offerings as well as how they rely on clean water. To make it easier for these audiences to join in on the fun, the Chesapeake Bay Program has developed a social media tool kit that includes graphics, photos and sample social media posts for each of the nine days.

Follow #BayAwarenessWeek on social media during June 5-13 to join us in celebrating the recreational value of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers.

Read more >>

April 06, 2021

Annual Bay Barometer Shows Mixed Recovery of Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem

Each year, the Chesapeake Bay Program takes the pulse on the health of the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort through its annual Bay Barometer: Health and Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed 2019 – 2020. This year’s report continues to show an ecosystem in recovery from short-term weather impacts and long-term water quality degradation occurring from excess nutrients and sediment.

The resiliency of the Chesapeake Bay watershed is revealed through the 31 outcomes of environmental health, restoration and stewardship found in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Of these 31 outcomes, 19 have indicators whose data and information are drawn from a range of trusted sources, including government agencies, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and direct demographic and behavior surveys. The 2019-2020 Bay Barometer contains updates for 12 outcomes:

Improvement from previous assessment period:

Blue Crab Management: An estimated 17% of female blue crabs were harvested in 2019. For the 12th consecutive year, this number is below the 25.5% target and 34% overfishing threshold. The blue crab stock in the Bay is not being depleted or overfished.

Diversity: In 2019, the most recent diversity survey indicated a slight increase (13.7% to 14.6%) in the percentage of Chesapeake Bay Program partners who self-identified as people of color. The survey results also showed an increase in the percentage of people of color in Chesapeake Bay Program leadership positions from 9.1% to 10.3%.

Environmental Literacy Planning: In 2019, 27% of the local education agencies that responded to a Chesapeake Bay Program survey self-identified as “well-prepared” to deliver high-quality environmental literacy programming to their students. Of the remaining respondents, 52% identified as somewhat prepared and 22% identified as not prepared. This marks an increase in environmental literacy preparedness since the pilot Environmental Literacy Indicator Tool (eLit) survey was distributed in 2015.

Oysters: Ten tributaries have been selected for large-scale oyster restoration and are in various stages of progress. As of 2019, Maryland has completed 788, and Virginia 539 acres of oyster reefs.

Protected Lands: Data collected between 2016 and 2018 show that nearly 1.36 million acres of land in the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been permanently protected since 2010. This marks an achievement of 68% of the outcome and brings the total amount of land protected in the watershed to 9.16 million acres.

Public Access: Between 2010 and 2019, 194 boat ramps, fishing piers and other public access sites were opened on and around the Chesapeake Bay. This marks a 65% achievement of the goal to add 300 new access sites to the watershed by 2025.

Student: In 2019, 32% of the 132 local education agencies that responded to a Chesapeake Bay Program survey reported providing Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) to at least some of their elementary school students. At the middle school level, this number rose to 38% and at the high school level, it rose to 43%. Data collected through the eLit in 2019 for elementary and middle school grades show the proportion of districts with system wide MWEEs has not increased, and that there has been only a slight increase in the high school level. However, the 2019 survey includes districts who had previously not responded, and the data suggests that these new districts are not as far along in their programming. When comparing the districts that responded in both 2017 and 2019, the number of districts with system wide MWEEs increased from 45% to 52% in elementary school, 51% to 55% in middle school and 33% to 48% in high school—indicating substantial improvement.

Decrease from previous assessment period:

2025 Watershed Implementation Plans: As of 2019, conservation practices to reduce pollution are in place to achieve 39% of nitrogen reductions, 49% of phosphorus reductions and 100% of sediment reductions needed to attain applicable water quality standards when compared to the 2009 baseline established in the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load.
Blue Crab Abundance: Between 2019 and 2020, the abundance of adult (age 1+) female blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay decreased 26% from 191 million to 141 million. Despite the decrease, this number remains above the 70 million threshold which is considered a sustainable level for female blue crabs in the Bay.

Forest Buffers: Between 2018 and 2019, 83 miles of buffers were planted, falling short of the annual target by 817 miles. Overall, 9,190 miles of buffers have been planted across the watershed since 2010.

Underwater Grasses: In 2019, 66,684 acres of underwater grasses were mapped in the Bay; achieving 52% of the target of 185,000 acres. This is a 38% decrease from 2018 when it was estimated that the Bay may have supported up to 108,078 acres of underwater grasses.

Water Quality Standards Monitoring and Attainment: Thirty-eight percent of the Bay and its tidal tributaries met water quality standards during the 2016-2018 assessment period. This is a 4% decrease from the previous assessment period of 2015-2017.

The annual Bay Barometer also provides highlights on work accomplished toward meeting the targets of the additional 19 outcomes over the past year.

Read more >>

Media Advisories

September 17, 2021

2021 Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting

On Friday, October 1, 2021, the Chesapeake Executive Council will hold a public meeting and press event during which the council will announce the adoption of a climate change directive for the Chesapeake Bay Program. Additionally, members of the Executive Council will have the opportunity to give remarks about how climate change is impacting their region and what measures they are taking to address it. Prior to the meeting, council members will be joined by Pamela Northam, First Lady of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and subject matter experts from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia for an environmental education experience on the Lynnhaven River. More detailed information will be forthcoming on the 2021 Executive Council meeting website.

The Chesapeake Executive Council was established by the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983 to set goals and provide guidance for the Chesapeake Bay Program. The council meets on at least an annual basis.

Who

The following individuals will participate in the Public Meeting and Press Conference:

  • The Honorable Ralph S. Northam, Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia (Executive Council Chair)
  • The Honorable Larry J. Hogan, Jr., Governor, State of Maryland
  • The Honorable David Bulova, Chair, Chesapeake Bay Commission
  • The Honorable Diana Esher, Acting Regional Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency

The following individuals will attend the Public Meeting and Press Conference on behalf of their council principals:

  • The Honorable Russell Redding, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  • The Honorable Tommy Wells, Director, Department of Energy and Environment, District of Columbia
  • The Honorable Scott Mandirola, Assistant Secretary of External Affairs and Chief Science Office, Department of Environmental Protection, State of West Virginia
  • Jim Tierney, Deputy Commissioner for Water Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, State of New York (invited)
  • Terry Deputy, Director, Division of Watershed Stewardship, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, State of Delaware

When   

Friday, October 1, 2021 from 12:30 p.m.--1:00 p.m. ET

Where

Media are invited to participate in-person or virtually. Please note that everyone attending the meeting in-person will need to wear a mask at all times and be fully vaccinated. You must register in advance if you plan on attending in-person. Please RSVP to Rachel Felver at rfelver@chesapeakebay.net by September 29.

Brock Environmental Center—meeting to be held on outside deck

  • 3663 Marlin Bay Drive
  • Virginia Beach, VA 23455

The public and media are encouraged to attend virtually—please register using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FlMk0PqgTYmnqUToIU0dlQ

  • Password: EC2021
  • (Meeting room will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting)

 

View advisory >>

February 17, 2021

Chesapeake Bay Program Overview: Who We Are, What We Do and How We Can Help You

Members of the media and other interested parties are invited to join Chesapeake Bay Program staff on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m. EST to learn more about this regional partnership. This virtual webinar is free and open to all.

Since 1983, the Chesapeake Bay Program has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Our many partners include federal, state and local governments, non-profit organizations and academic institutions. We are the premier source for data, information and expertise across the watershed.

This webinar will offer an overview of the partnership and how we work together, discuss what we can offer to you regarding data, access to experts and content (including photos and videos) and make sure you are aware of the other resources we maintain, such as websites to help restore wetlands and tree canopy, and plant forest buffers, among others. Please bring your questions for us and let us know what other resources would be helpful to you that we can consider providing!

When: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m. EST

Where: Virtual—please register by 10:00 a.m. EST on February 24, 2021. To access the webinar, please visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81285573261 or call (301) 715-8592; code: 81285573261#

RSVP by February 24, 2021
Rachel Felver,
Chesapeake Bay Program Communications Director
(410) 387-1914
rfelver@chesapeakebay.net

View advisory >>

September 09, 2020

Citizens Advisory Committee to Host Environmental Quality and Public Health Webinar

On Wednesday, September 16, 2020, the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Citizens Advisory Committee will host “Bridging the Gaps Between Environmental Quality and Public Health”, a live webinar that seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the connections between the two fields. This virtual session is free and open to all.

This expert panel will aid professionals and stakeholders in both fields by helping them to discover the opportunities that exist to bridge gaps and inform efforts for positive change. The webinar will explore questions related to policy, health care, environmental justice, food security, climate change and climate justice.

The Citizens Advisory Committee is a group of residents throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, who are appointed by their respective governors and the mayor of Washington, D.C., to advise the Chesapeake Executive Council on all aspects of the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort.

Who

  • Julie Lawson, vice-chair, Citizens Advisory Committee and director, Mayor’s Office of the Clean City, District of Columbia. (moderator)
  • Surili Patel, director, Center for Climate Change, Health and Equity, American Public Health Association (moderator)
  • Doug Farquhar, director of government affairs, National Environmental Health Association
  • Adrienne Hollis, senior climate justice and health scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists
  • Liz Perera, climate policy director, Sierra Club
  • Dr. Sacoby Wilson, associate professor, University of Maryland
  • Nsedu Obott Witherspoon, executive director, Children’s Environmental Health Network

When   

Wednesday, September 16, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET

Where

Virtual—please register by 12:00 p.m. ET on September 16, 2020 at www.allianceforthebay.org/webinar. Once you register, you will be emailed instructions on how to access the webinar.

Media RSVP by September 14, 2020

View advisory >>

August 12, 2020

2020 Executive Council Meeting

On Tuesday, August 18, 2020, the Chesapeake Executive Council will hold a public meeting and press event during which they will set goals and provide guidance for the Chesapeake Bay Program. The council, established by the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983, meets on an annual basis.

During the meeting, the council will announce the adoption of a diversity, equity, inclusion and justice statement for the Chesapeake Bay Program and hear remarks from Dr. Janice Underwood, chief diversity, equity, inclusion and justice officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additionally, members of the Executive Council will have the opportunity to give remarks about how Bay restoration can be used to address challenges they are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. More detailed information can be found on the 2020 Executive Council meeting website.

Who

  • The Honorable Larry J. Hogan, Jr., Governor, State of Maryland (Executive Council Chair)
  • The Honorable Ralph S. Northam, Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia
  • The Honorable Gene Yaw, Chair, Chesapeake Bay Commission
  • The Honorable Douglas Benevento, Associate Deputy Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency
  • The Honorable Austin Caperton, Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection, State of West Virginia
  • The Honorable Shawn Garvin, Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, State of Delaware 
  • The Honorable Patrick McDonnell, Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  • The Honorable Basil Seggos, Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation, State of New York
  • The Honorable Tommy Wells, Director, Department of Energy and Environment, District of Columbia

When   

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 from 1:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. ET

Where

Virtual:

(meeting room will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting)

Media RSVP by August 14, 2020

View advisory >>

August 26, 2019

2019 Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting

On Thursday, September 5, 2019, the Chesapeake Executive Council will hold a public meeting and press event during which they will set goals and provide guidance for the Chesapeake Bay Program. The council, established by the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983, meets on an annual basis.

During the meeting, the council will acknowledge the recent completion of their Phase III Watershed Implementation Plans and recommit to meeting the goals set forth under the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay, as well as their local waterways. Each member of the Executive Council will have the opportunity to give remarks and hear updates from citizen, local government and scientific and technical representatives.

For more detailed information as it becomes available, visit the 2019 Executive Council meeting webpage.

WHO:

  • The Honorable Larry J. Hogan, Jr., Governor, State of Maryland (Executive Council Chair)
  • The Honorable Ralph S. Northam, Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia
  • The Honorable Tawanna Gaines, Chair, Chesapeake Bay Commission
  • The Honorable Andrew Wheeler, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • The Honorable Austin Caperton, Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection, State of West Virginia
  • The Honorable Shawn M. Garvin, Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, State of Delaware
  • The Honorable Patrick McDonnell, Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  • The Honorable Jim Tierney, Deputy Commissioner for Water Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, State of New York
  • The Honorable Rashad Young, City Administrator, District of Columbia
  • The Honorable Richard Fordyce, Administrator, Farm Service Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture

WHERE:

  • Meeting & Press Event: Oxon Hill Manor
  • Address: 6901 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

WHEN:

  • Thursday, September 5, 2019
  • Public Poster and Video Session: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET
  • Public Meeting and Press Conference: 12:35 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET

DETAILS:

  • All are welcome to attend the public meeting.

PLEASE RSVP BY 8/30/19: Rachel Felver, rfelver@chesapeakebay.net or (410) 267-5740

View advisory >>

March 28, 2019

Annual report continues to show improvements in Bay health

The Chesapeake Bay Program will release its annual, science-based snapshot of the nation’s largest estuary, the Bay Barometer: Health and Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (2017 – 2018) on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. ET.  Subject matter experts will be on hand to answer questions regarding the most recent scientific data on the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including its rivers, fisheries and habitats.  

Press release will be available by 10:00 a.m. ET on April 2.
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/presscenter

WHO:

  • Dana Aunkst, Director, Chesapeake Bay Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Jennifer Dopkowski, Acting Coordinator, Climate Resiliency Workgroup, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association
  • Brooke Landry, Chair, SAV Workgroup, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • Peter Tango, Coordinator, Scientific, Technical Assessment and Reporting Workgroup, U.S. Geological Survey

WHEN:                

  • Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. ET

WHERE:              

  • Call (202) 991-0477; Code: 903-7008

MEDIA RSVP:    

Rachel Felver, Director of Communications, Chesapeake Bay Program

 Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

(410) 267-5740, rfelver@chesapeakebay.net

View advisory >>

July 30, 2018

2018 Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting

On Tuesday, August 7, 2018, the Chesapeake Executive Council will hold a public meeting and press event during which they will set goals and provide guidance for the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership. The council, established by the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983, meets on an annual basis.

During this meeting, the council is expected to sign a directive in support of agricultural technical assistance and conservation practice implementation. Each member of the Executive Council will have the opportunity to give remarks and hear about the importance of the partnership from citizen, local government and scientific and technical representatives.

For more detailed information as it becomes available, visit the 2018 Executive Council meeting webpage.


WHO:

The Honorable Larry J. Hogan, Jr., Governor, State of Maryland (Executive Council Chair)
The Honorable Ralph S. Northam, Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia
The Honorable John C. Carney, Jr., Governor, State of Delaware
The Honorable Frank Wagner, Chairman, Chesapeake Bay Commission
The Honorable Andrew Wheeler, Acting Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Honorable Kevin Donahue, Deputy Mayor, District of Columbia
The Honorable Patrick McDonnell, Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Honorable Austin Caperton, Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection, State of West Virginia
The Honorable Jamie Clover Adams, Chief of Staff, Farm Production and Conservation, U.S. Department of Agriculture

 

WHERE: Meeting & Press Event: Douglass – Myers Maritime Park
Address for GPS: 1417 Thames Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21231

 

WHEN: Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Public Poster Session: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET
Public Meeting and Press Conference: 12:35 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET

 

DETAILS: The Douglass – Myers Maritime Park is open to the public during this event. All are welcome to attend.

 

PLEASE RSVP BY 8/6/18: Rachel Felver, rfelver@chesapeakebay.net or (410) 267-5740

 

The Chesapeake Bay Program is a regional partnership that has coordinated and conducted the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay for 30 years, since its formation thirty years ago in 1983. Partners include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, representing the federal government; the states of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia; the District of Columbia; the Chesapeake Bay Commission,a tri-state legislative body; and advisory groups of citizens, scientists and local government officials.
 

View advisory >>

January 02, 2018

Chesapeake Bay Program releases Bay Barometer; resilience noted throughout watershed

The Chesapeake Bay Program will release its annual, science-based snapshot of the nation’s largest estuary, the Bay Barometer: Health and Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (2016 – 2017) on Thursday, January 4, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. ET.  Subject matter experts will be on hand to answer questions regarding the most recent scientific data on the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including its rivers, fisheries and habitats.  

Press release will be available by 9:00 a.m. ET on January 4
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/presscenter

 

WHO:                   Ben Grumbles, Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment (invited)

                             Jim Edward, Acting Director, Chesapeake Bay Program

                             Kate Fritz, Executive Director, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay 

                             Al Todd, former Chair, Chesapeake Bay Program Stewardship Workgroup

                 

WHEN:                 Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. ET

 

WHERE:               Annapolis Maritime Museum

                             723 2nd Street

                             Annapolis, MD 21403

 

MEDIA RSVP:     Rachel Felver, Chesapeake Bay Program Director of Communications

                            (410) 267-5740

                            rfelver@chesapeakebay.net

View advisory >>

January 30, 2017

Bay Barometer Media Call

The Chesapeake Bay Program will release its annual, science-based snapshot of the nation’s largest estuary, the Bay Barometer: Health and Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (2015 – 16) on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. ET. Subject matter experts will be on hand to answer any questions regarding the most recent scientific data on the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including its rivers, fisheries and habitats.

The leaders of the Chesapeake Bay Program, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science will provide statements on the progress toward restoring the Chesapeake Bay.

Press release will be available by 9:00 a.m. ET on February 1

http://www.chesapeakebay.net/presscenter

WHO: Nick DiPasquale, Director, Chesapeake Bay Program
William C. Baker, President, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Dr. Don Boesch, President, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

WHEN: Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. ET

WHERE: Conference call. Dial: 866-299-3188 Enter Code: 4102675731

MEDIA RSVP: Rachel Felver, Chesapeake Bay Program Director of Communications, (410) 267-5740, rfelver@chesapeakebay.net

View advisory >>

September 28, 2016

2016 Chesapeake Executive Council Annual Meeting

On Tuesday, October 4, 2016, the Chesapeake Executive Council will hold a public meeting and press event during which they will set goals and provide guidance for the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership. The council, established by the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983, meets on an annual basis.

During this meeting, the council is expected to adopt a resolution to support and collaborate with local governments and will note the signs of resiliency that are beginning to be seen throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Each member of the Executive Council will also publically speak to the challenges facing their jurisdictions in regard to Chesapeake Bay restoration.

For more detailed information as it becomes available, visit the 2016 Executive Council meeting webpage.

Who

The Honorable Terence R. McAuliffe, Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia (EC Chair)
The Honorable Thomas Wolf, Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Honorable Thomas McLain “Mac” Middleton, Chairman, Chesapeake Bay Commission
The Honorable Gina McCarthy, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Honorable Jeannie Haddaway Riccio, Deputy Chief of Staff, State of Maryland

The Honorable Kara Coats, Deputy Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, State of Delaware

The Honorable James Tierney, Deputy Commissioner for Water Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, State of New York
The Honorable Hamid Karimi, Deputy Director, Natural Resources Administration, Department of Energy and the Environment, District of Columbia

The Honorable Brigadier General William Graham, Commander and Division Engineer, North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The Honorable Robert Bonnie, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Where

Meeting & Press Event – Virginia State Arboretum
Address for GPS: 400 Blandy Farm Lane Boyce, VA 22620

When

Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Public Poster Session and Q&A with Subject Matter Experts: 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. ET
Public Meeting and Press Conference: 11:05 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ET

Details

The Virginia State Arboretum is open to the public during this event. All are welcome to attend.

RSVP

Please RSVP by 10/3/16: Rachel Felver, rfelver@chesapeakebay.net or (410) 267-5740

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Media Resources

Background Information: Overview of Chesapeake Bay Program | Chesapeake Bay Facts & Figures | Backgrounders and Fact Sheets | Glossary of Terms

Photos: Images from around the Bay watershed, including crabs, oysters, forest buffers, wetlands and more.

Videos

Logos: Bay Program Logo (.tif, .png, .eps, .svg)

RSS: Feed of recent press releases.

Media Contact

If you have any questions, need additional information or would like to arrange an interview, please contact:

Rachel Felver
Director of Communications
(410) 267-5740

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