Press Center
Learn about the Bay Program's latest progress in our science and restoration efforts.

Recent Releases
Chesapeake Bay Program funding helps four local communities in designing beneficial green infrastructure projects
February 14, 2023The Chesapeake Bay Program is pleased to announce that four communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been given tools to meet their environmental and community needs. Launched in 2021, the Targeted Outreach for Green Infrastructure pilot program, sought to work with underserved regions in using green infrastructure to manage stormwater, improve water quality, add habitat and provide community benefits such as open space, pedestrian safety, shade and beautification. The designs for these four pilot projects are now complete.
Read moreChesapeake Bay Watershed to Benefit from $33.8 Million in Conservation Grants
December 2, 2022The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced today $33.8 million in grant awards to support the restoration and conservation of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. NFWF and EPA representatives joined local leaders and community members at Truxtun Park in Annapolis, MD to announce the awards. The 104 grants will leverage more than $30 million in matching contributions to generate a total conservation impact of more than $64 million.
Read moreChesapeake Bay sees smaller than average dead zone in 2022
November 16, 2022Today, Chesapeake Bay Program partners released information on the state of the 2022 Chesapeake Bay dead zone. Experts from both the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Virginia Institute of Marine Science concurred that hypoxic conditions in the Chesapeake Bay were better than average in 2022.
Read moreChesapeake Executive Council begins to chart course to 2025
October 11, 2022Members of the Chesapeake Executive Council gathered for their annual meeting at the headquarters of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday. The Council, chaired by EPA Administrator Michael Regan, used their time to discuss the upcoming year of 2025—the target date for which many of the outcomes under the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement strive to be achieved.
Read moreWater quality throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed shows mixed results
September 14, 2022The Chesapeake Bay Program announced today that an estimated 29.6% of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries met clean water standards for clarity (measured by the abundance of ), dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a (a measure of algae growth) during the 2018-2020 assessment period. This is lower than the previous score of 33.1% received during 2017-2019. However, while the water quality of the Chesapeake and its tidal tributaries saw a decrease of 3.5% from the previous assessment period, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported mixed results in the trends of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution entering the Bay from the largest rivers in the watershed.
Read moreMedia Advisories
October 2022 Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting
September 28, 2022On Tuesday, October 11, 2022, the Chesapeake Executive Council will hold a public meeting and press event where they will discuss accelerating progress to meet the goals and outcomes of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement by 2025. Additionally, the council will hear a presentation from retiring Chesapeake Bay Commission Executive Director Ann Swanson, an update on the State of the Program from Chesapeake Bay Program Director Dr. Kandis Boyd and each member will provide remarks. More detailed information can be found on the October 2022 Executive Council meeting website.
View AdvisoryWater Quality Monitoring Field Day and Media Availability
September 19, 2022Leadership and scientists from the Chesapeake Bay Program will join the York County Planning Commission and the U.S. Geological Survey Pennsylvania Water Science Center on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 in celebration of the Watershed Alliance of York’s 20th annual Watershed Week.
View AdvisoryDecember 2021 Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting
December 8, 2021On Wednesday, December 15, 2021, the Chesapeake Executive Council will hold a public meeting and press event where they will hear an update on the activities that have taken place since the signing of the historic diversity, equity, inclusion and justice directive in 2020. Additionally, the council will review the partnership's progress toward achieving each outcome in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement by 2025, and each member or designee will provide remarks. More detailed information can be found on the December 2021 Executive Council meeting website.
View Advisory2021 Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting
September 17, 2021On Friday, October 1, 2021, the Chesapeake Executive Council will hold a public meeting and press event during which the council will announce the adoption of a climate change directive for the Chesapeake Bay Program. Additionally, members of the Executive Council will have the opportunity to give remarks about how climate change is impacting their region and what measures they are taking to address it. Prior to the meeting, council members will be joined by Pamela Northam, First Lady of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and subject matter experts from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia for an environmental education experience on the Lynnhaven River. More detailed information will be forthcoming on the 2021 Executive Council meeting's website.
View AdvisoryChesapeake Bay Program Overview: Who We Are, What We Do and How We Can Help You
February 17, 2021Members of the media and other interested parties are invited to join Chesapeake Bay Program staff on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST to learn more about this regional partnership. This virtual webinar is free and open to all.
View AdvisoryCitizens Advisory Committee to Host Environmental Quality and Public Health Webinar
September 9, 2020On Wednesday, September 16, 2020, the Chesapeake Bay Program's Citizens Advisory Committee will host "Bridging the Gaps Between Environmental Quality and Public Health", a live webinar that seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the connections between the two fields. This virtual session is free and open to all.
View Advisory2020 Executive Council Meeting
August 12, 2020On Tuesday, August 18, 2020, the Chesapeake Executive Council will hold a public meeting and press event during which they will set goals and provide guidance for the Chesapeake Bay Program. The council, established by the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983, meets on an annual basis.
View Advisory2019 Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting
August 26, 2019On Thursday, September 5, 2019, the Chesapeake Executive Council will hold a public meeting and press event during which they will set goals and provide guidance for the Chesapeake Bay Program. The council, established by the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983, meets on an annual basis.
View AdvisoryAnnual report continues to show improvements in Bay health
March 28, 2019The Chesapeake Bay Program will release its annual, science-based snapshot of the nation's largest estuary, the Bay Barometer: Health and Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (2017 - 2018) on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Subject matter experts will be on hand to answer questions regarding the most recent scientific data on the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including its rivers, fisheries and habitats.
View Advisory2018 Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting
July 30, 2018On Tuesday, August 7, 2018, the Chesapeake Executive Council will hold a public meeting and press event during which they will set goals and provide guidance for the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership. The council, established by the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983, meets on an annual basis.
View Advisory