Management Strategies and Work Plans | Chesapeake Bay Program

These management strategies offer insight into the Bay Program partners’ proposals for reaching each outcome by 2025, as well as how we will monitor, assess and report progress toward abundant life, clean waters, engaged communities, conserved lands and climate change resilience.

The strategies provide broad, overarching direction and are further supported by two-year work plans summarizing the specific commitments, short-term actions and resources required for success.

To stay informed as management strategies and work plans progress:

Provide feedback on management strategies and work plans under review. Check below to see which ones are currently accepting feedback.
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View a table that shows each signatory partner's work plan commitments for 2016-2017.

Abundant Life

Poor water quality and harvest pressure challenge the health of species across the region, while our increasing need for land and resources has fragmented and degraded the habitats they depend on. Supporting sustainable fish and shellfish populations and restoring habitat for native and migratory species will support a strong economy and a balanced ecosystem.

Black Ducks

Management Strategy: Final Black Duck Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Final Black Duck Work Plan (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Habitat Goal Implementation Team (GIT 2)

Contact: Jennifer Greiner (410) 267-5783
Blue Crab Abundance and Management

Management Strategy: Final Blue Crab Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Draft 2018-2019 Blue Crab (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team (GIT 1)

Contact: Bruce Vogt (410) 267-5655
Brook Trout

Management Strategy: Final Brook Trout Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: 2018-2019 Brook Trout (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Habitat Goal Implementation Team (GIT 2)

Contact: Jennifer Greiner (410) 267-5783
Fish Habitat

Management Strategy: Final Fish Habitat Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: 2018-2019 Fish Habitat (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team (GIT 1)

Contact: Gina Hunt
Fish Passage

Management Strategy: Final Fish Passage Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Draft 2018-2019 Fish Passage (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Habitat Goal Implementation Team (GIT 2)

Contact: Jennifer Greiner (410) 267-5783
Forage Fish

Management Strategy: Final Forage Fish Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: 2018-2019 Forage (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team (GIT 1)

Contact: Bruce Vogt (410) 267-5655
Forest Buffers

Management Strategy: Final Forest Buffer Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Final Forest Buffer Work Plan (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)

Contact: Sally Claggett (410) 267-5706
Oysters

Management Strategy: Final Oyster Restoration Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: 2018-2019 Oyster Restoration (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team (GIT 1)

Contact: Bruce Vogt (410) 267-5655
Stream Health

Management Strategy: Final Stream Health Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Draft 2018-2019 Stream Health (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Habitat Goal Implementation Team (GIT 2)

Contact: Jennifer Greiner (410) 267-5783
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV)

Management Strategy: Final SAV Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Draft 2018-2019 Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Habitat Goal Implementation Team (GIT 2)

Contact: Jennifer Greiner (410) 267-5783
Tree Canopy

Management Strategy: Final Urban Tree Canopy Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Final Tree Canopy Work Plan with State Work Plans Appendix (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)

Contact: Julie Mawhorter (410) 267-5708
Wetlands

Management Strategy: Final Wetlands Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Final Wetlands Work Plan (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Habitat Goal Implementation Team (GIT 2)

Contact: Jennifer Greiner (410) 267-5783

Clean Water

Excess nutrients, sediment and toxic contaminants degrade our waterways, harm fish and wildlife and pose risks to human health. Reducing these pollutants is critical to creating safe, healthy waters for animals and people alike.

2017 and 2025 Watershed Implementation Plans

Management Strategy: Final Water Quality Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Final Water Quality Work Plan (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)

Contact: Lucinda Power (410) 267-5722
Healthy Watersheds

Management Strategy: Final Healthy Watersheds Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: 2018-2019 Healthy Watersheds (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Maintain Healthy Watersheds Goal Implementation Team (GIT 4)

Contact: Renee Thompson (410) 267-5749
Toxic Contaminants Policy and Prevention

Management Strategy: Final Toxics Policy and Prevention Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Final Toxics Policy and Prevention Work Plan (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)

Contact: Greg Allen (410) 267-5746
Toxic Contaminants Research

Management Strategy: Toxics Research Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Final Toxics Research Work Plan (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)

Contact: Greg Allen (410) 267-5746
Water Quality Standards Attainment and Monitoring

Management Strategy: Final Water Quality Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Final Water Quality Work Plan (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)

Contact: Lucinda Power (410) 267-5722

Climate Change

Storms, floods and sea level rise will have big impacts across the watershed. Monitoring, assessing and adapting to these changing environmental conditions will help our living resources, habitats, public infrastructure and communities withstand the adverse effects of climate change.

Climate Adaptation

Management Strategy: Final Climate Resiliency Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Final Climate Resiliency Work Plan (pdf)

Contact:
Climate Monitoring and Assessment

Management Strategy: Climate Resiliency Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Final Climate Resiliency Work Plan (pdf)

Contact:

Conserved Lands

Changes in land use and development can impair water quality, degrade habitats and alter culturally significant landscapes. Conserving lands with ecological, historical and community value is integral to maintaining a healthy ecosystem and vibrant culture.

Land Use Methods and Metrics Development

Management Strategy: Final Land Use Methods and Metrics Development Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Final Land Use Methods and Metrics Work Plan (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Maintain Healthy Watersheds Goal Implementation Team (GIT 4)

Contact: Renee Thompson (410) 267-5749Peter Claggett (410) 267-5771
Land Use Options Evaluation

Management Strategy: Final Land Use Options Evaluation Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Final Land Use Options Evaluation Work Plan (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Maintain Healthy Watersheds Goal Implementation Team (GIT 4)

Contact: Renee Thompson (410) 267-5749
Protected Lands

Management Strategy: Final Protected Lands Management Strategy (pdf)

Work Plan: Final Protected Lands Strategy (pdf)

Lead Goal Team: Fostering Chesapeake Stewardship Goal Implementation Team (GIT 5)

Contact: Amy Handen (410) 260-2493

Engaged Communities

The long-term success of the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort depends on the work of individuals and communities living throughout the watershed. Connecting with current environmental stewards and encouraging future local leaders helps build the network that will keep our work moving forward.