The Chesapeake Executive Council—consisting of the governors of the six watershed states, the mayor of the District of Columbia, the chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—establishes the policy direction for the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay.

Executive Council Meetings

Upcoming Meetings

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Scope and Purpose

The Chesapeake Executive Council was established by the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983. Under the 1987 Chesapeake Bay Agreement, membership changed from cabinet secretaries to the governors of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia; the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; the mayor of the District of Columbia; and the chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a legislative body serving Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Chesapeake 2000 marked the official inclusion of the Bay’s “headwater states”—Delaware, New York and West Virginia—in the Bay Program’s restoration efforts. The governors of New York and Delaware committed to the agreement's water quality goals through a memorandum of understanding signed in 2000. The governor of West Virginia added his signature in 2002.

The Executive Council:

  • Establishes the policy direction for the restoration and protection of the Bay and its living resources.
  • Exerts leadership to marshall public support for the Bay effort.
  • Signs directives, agreements and amendments that set goals and guide policy for Bay restoration.
  • Is accountable to the public for progress made under the Bay agreements.

The Executive Council meets annually. Its Principals' Staff Committee meets as needed to facilitate communication among the Implementation Committee, the advisory committees (Citizens Advisory Committee, Local Government Advisory Committee and the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee) and the Executive Council.

Publications

  • October 14, 2016

    Chesapeake Executive Council Resolution to Support Local Government Engagement

    At the 2016 Chesapeake Executive Council meeting, members of the council adopted a resolution to support and collaborate with local governments and noted the signs of resiliency that are beginning to be seen throughout the...

  • June 08, 2017

    Chesapeake Executive Council Resolution in Support of the Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership

    At the 2017 meeting of the Executive Council, representatives from the six Chesapeake Bay watershed states, the District of Columbia and the Chesapeake Bay Commission signed a resolution in support of the Chesapeake Bay...

  • October 22, 2006

    Memorandum of Understanding among Chesapeake Executive council, Headwater State Jurisdictions and members of the Lawn Care Product Manufacturing Industry

    Nutrient losses from all contributing activities on developed lands account for about one quarter of the excess phosphorus and one eighth of the excess nitrogen loads entering the Chesapeake. Members of the Lawn Care...

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