Strategic Plan and Workplan Development

In Progress

Partners are developing strategic planning documents that will guide the Chesapeake Bay Program’s work towards attaining the goals and outcomes of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

Description

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, as revised in 2025, defines the goals, outcomes and targets that the Chesapeake Bay Program has committed to implement to restore, conserve and protect the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. Management strategies for each goal, contained within a single strategic plan, will outline the means for accomplishing each outcome and its targets. The strategic plan and its management strategies will identify challenges that impact progress towards outcome and target attainment, as well as the management approaches partners will collaboratively undertake to address those challenges. The strategic plan and its management strategies will be implemented, evaluated and updated in a six-year cycle. A workplan will also be developed for each outcome to describe the major activities that partners will implement over the next three years in relation to each management approach. Goal team co-chairs are directing the drafting process, which is currently underway. The strategic plan will be approved by the Policy Steering Committee in June 2027. Goal teams will also approve the workplans for their respective outcomes in June 2027.

A public feedback period will be hosted to seek input on the strategic plan from January 5 – 31, 2027. Additional information will be provided to the public as these dates approach.

The resources below are provided to assist goal team co-chairs and delegated outcome authors in leading the drafting process. Please contact Sarah Brzezinski at Brzezinski.Sarah@epa.gov with any questions.

Resources

Background Information

Editable Templates

Imaginary Backyard Birds Examples

Additional Resources

Timeline

  • May – December 2026: Drafting
  • January 5 – 31, 2027: Strategic Plan Public Feedback Period
  • February – April 2027: Incorporate Feedback
  • May – June: Strategic Plan and Workplan Finalization and Approval