Local Government Leadership Workgroup

Meetings

About

The Local Leadership Workgroup was established in 2014 after the signing of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. The Local Leadership Outcome recognized the importance that local governments play in Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration efforts. To learn more on the history of the workgroup and the previous local leadership outcome, view the 2023 Narrative Analysis and Logic and Action Plan. 

In 2025, the Watershed Agreement was revised and the Local Leadership Outcome was renamed the Local Government Leadership Outcome. In alignment with this change, the workgroup was re-titled the Local Government Leadership Workgroup. 

The primary role of the Local Government Leadership Workgroup remains to coordinate with other groups across the Partnership to effectively engage and increase the knowledge and capacity of local government leaders. 

Accomplishments

• The Wandering Waterways Tour Series provides hands-on opportunities for local leaders to learn about regional conservation efforts and empower them to take on environmental challenges within their own communities. Since 2019, the series has directly engaged over 320 local government leaders in all watershed jurisdictions.
• Protect Local Waterways is an online resource hub created to support decision-making by local officials. Launched in 2023, the site has received 7,100 unique visitors and over 850 resource downloads. 

Membership and Voting Procedures

Membership at the workgroup level consists of representatives from all participating jurisdictions, NGOs, and local government trusted sources (e.g. municipal leagues and county associations). 

Projects

Publications

Related Resources

• Reviewing the Revised Agreement: What Local Leaders Need to Know

  Local governments are invited to provide feedback on the draft revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement between July 1 and September 1, 2025. Before submitting your feedback, review this fact sheet designed specifically for local governments.