Clean Water Goal Team

The Clean Water Goal Team works to reduce pollutants entering the Bay and its rivers.

Meetings

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About

The Clean Water Goal Team works to evaluate, focus and accelerate the implementation of practices, policies and programs that will restore water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries to conditions that support living resources and protect human health. The Clean Water Goal Team reports to the Policy Steering Committee.

Researcher holds a device that he's about to lower into the water from a bridge.
David Brower from the U.S. Geological Survey conducts water sampling on a bridge over the Patuxent River near Bowie, Md. (Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program)

Functions

  • Provide a forum for discussion, exchange of information and evaluation among federal, state and local agencies, river basin commissions, industry groups, universities and other interested parties on water quality goals, data, modeling, authorities and restoration efforts.
  • Evaluate and promote strategies to reduce nutrient, sediment and chemical contaminant loads from municipal, industrial and onsite wastewater; agricultural lands and animal operations; urban and suburban stormwater; forested lands; tidal and in-stream sediment; and air emissions.
  • Promote consistent, uniform and transparent processes to model, track, report and verify water quality restoration efforts.
  • Identify, define, quantify and incorporate pollutant reduction and conservation practices into the Chesapeake Bay Program decision support system.
  • Provide technical expertise and leadership to support the development, implementation and tracking of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, Watershed Implementation Plans and two-year milestones that support long-term Bay restoration goals.

Governance Protocols

The WQGIT Governance Protocols, revised on June 23, 2021, articulate the decision-making procedures and cross-sector communication processes observed by the WQGIT and its Workgroups. The WQGIT Governance Protocols are consistent with the governance decisions made by the Chesapeake Bay Program's Policy Steering Committee.

Membership

The Clean Water Goal Team and its workgroups strive to maintain a membership that is representative of the signatories to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and those that take leadership roles in the Chesapeake Bay Program structure, while empowering advisory committees and non-signatories. The goal team's membership will be based on the following construct to the maximum extent possible: 

  • Members from each signatory (one each with an alternate identified)
  • At-large members (up to six with option to identify an alternate)
  • One advisor from each WQGIT Workgroup (invited)
  • One advisor from each CBP Advisory Committee (invited)

Orientation Materials

The WQGIT New Member Orientation Guide provides an overview of the Chesapeake Bay Program, the WQGIT, the Watershed Agreement and more. These are being updated to reflect changes from the revised Watershed Agreement adopted in December 2025. While Management Strategies to align with the revised Watershed Agreement are being developed, you can reference the Management Strategy for the previous 2025 WIP and WQSAM Outcomes here.

Projects

Phase 7 Model Development

In Progress

These updated modeling tools will be used by the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership to inform decisions related to the nutrient and sediment reduction goals outlined in the revised Watershed Agreement.

BMP Expert Panels Resources

Complete

A list of all BMP Expert Panel Reports and the protocols that guide the development, review and approval of loading and effectiveness estimates for nutrient and sediment controls in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model.

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Data Dashboard

Complete

This online tool provides accessibility and visualization of data and technical information that can help guide water quality and watershed planning efforts.

Multiple Benefits of Nutrient and Sediment BMPs

Complete

These resources are designed to help jurisdictions and planners consider the benefits of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that extend beyond nutrient and sediment load reductions.

Phase III WIP Expectations

Complete

This is intended to support the development and implementation of the jurisdictions’ Phase III WIPs and to assist the jurisdictions with stakeholder engagement during WIP development.

Publications

Related Resources

Our Watershed Agreement Goals & Outcomes

Clean Water Goal

Our Workgroups & Action Teams

Our Members