Management Strategies and Work Plans
After the signing of the Watershed Agreement, our Goal Implementation Teams crafted strategies describing the steps necessary to achieve the Agreement’s Vision.
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.
- Visit our subscription page to sign up for the appropriate mailing list, emails from the mailing list will include information about relevant meetings and public input periods.
- 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.
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Black Ducks
Management Strategy: Black Duck Management Strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: 2021-2022 black duck logic and action plan - final (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Habitat Goal Implementation Team (GIT 2)
Contact: Benjamin Lewis
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Blue Crab Abundance and Management
Management Strategy: Iv.b blue crab abundance management strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Iv.a blue crab abundance logic and action plan (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team (GIT 1)
Contact: Bruce Vogt (410) 267-5655
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Brook Trout
Management Strategy: 2018-2019 brook trout management strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Iv.g brook trout logic and action plan (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Habitat Goal Implementation Team (GIT 2)
Contact: Stephen Faulkner
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Fish Habitat
Management Strategy: Fish Habitat Management Strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Fhat 2021 action plan.docx (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team (GIT 1)
Contact: Justin Shapiro
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Fish Passage
Management Strategy: Fish Passage Management Strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: 2021.10.28 - fpwg - 2022-2024 logic action plan final draft to srs (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Habitat Goal Implementation Team (GIT 2)
Contact: Mary Andrews (410) 267-5644
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Forage Fish
Management Strategy: Forage Fish Management Strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Iv.c. forage fish logic and action plan (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team (GIT 1)
Contact: Justin Shapiro
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Forest Buffers
Management Strategy: Forest Buffer Management Strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Rfb logic and action plan jan 2021 (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)
Contact: Sally Claggett (410) 267-5706
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Oysters
Management Strategy: Oyster Management Strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Iv.d oysters logic and action plan (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team (GIT 1)
Contact: Justin Shapiro
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Stream Health
Management Strategy: 2020-2021 stream health management strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: 2021.10.28 - shwg - 2022-2024 logic action plan final draft to srs (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Habitat Goal Implementation Team (GIT 2)
Contact: Alison Santoro
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Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV)
Management Strategy: Iv.f submerged aquatic vegetation management strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Iv.e submerged aquatic vegetation logic and action plan (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Habitat Goal Implementation Team (GIT 2)
Contact: Brooke Landry (410) 260-8629
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Tree Canopy
Management Strategy: Tree Canopy Management Strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Iii.d final srs documents for tree canopy (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)
Contact: Julie Mawhorter (570) 296-9626
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Wetlands
Management Strategy: 2020-2021 Wetlands Management Strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: 2021-2022 wetlands logic and action plan - final (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Habitat Goal Implementation Team (GIT 2)
Contact: Pam Mason (804) 684-7158

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.
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2017 and 2025 Watershed Implementation Plans
Management Strategy: Wq revised clean ms 2021-22 v1.6.2021 (pdf)
Work Plan: 2025 wip outcome srs logic and action plan v1.6.2021 (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)
Contact: Lucinda Power (410) 267-5722
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Healthy Watersheds
Management Strategy: Healthy watersheds ms v4 11 02 21 (pdf)
Work Plan: Srs logic and action plan healthywatersheds 2021 2023 (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Maintain Healthy Watersheds Goal Implementation Team (GIT 4)
Contact: Renee Thompson (410) 267-5749
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Toxic Contaminants Policy and Prevention
Management Strategy: Toxic contaminanats policy and prevention management strategy v3 (pdf)
Work Plan: Toxic contaminants policy and prevention v3 2020 logic and action plan (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)
Contact: Greg Allen (410) 267-5746
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Toxic Contaminants Research
Management Strategy: Toxics research ms 2020 (pdf)
Work Plan: 2021-22 toxic research logic and action plan (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)
Contact: Emily Majcher 443-498-5520
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Water Quality Standards Attainment and Monitoring
Management Strategy: Wq revised clean ms 2021-22 last revised nov 12 for srs review (pdf)
Work Plan: Wqsam post quarterly review logic action plan 2021.2022 (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (GIT 3)
Contact: Scott Phillips (443) 498-5552

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.
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Climate Adaptation
Management Strategy: CRWG Management Strategy 2021 (pdf)
Work Plan: CRWG Logic and Action Plan 2021 (pdf)
Contact: Breck Sullivan (410) 267-5788
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Climate Monitoring and Assessment
Management Strategy: 2021-2022 climate mgt strategy final draft submit 4-30-21 (pdf)
Work Plan: Crwg 2021-2022 logicaction plan final draft submit 4-30-21 (pdf)
Contact: Breck Sullivan (410) 267-5788

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.
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Land Use Methods and Metrics Development
Management Strategy: 2020-2021 land use methods and metrics management strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: 2020-2021 land use methods and metrics logic and action plan (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Maintain Healthy Watersheds Goal Implementation Team (GIT 4)
Contact: Renee Thompson (410) 267-5749Peter Claggett (410) 267-5771
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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
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Protected Lands
Management Strategy: Protect Lands Management Strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Protected lands logic and action plan 2022-23 final submitted 12.8.2021 (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Fostering Chesapeake Stewardship Goal Implementation Team (GIT 5)
Contact: Britt Slattery

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.
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Citizen Stewardship
Management Strategy: 2018-2019 citizen stewardship management strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Vii.a. stewardship logic and action plan (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Fostering Chesapeake Stewardship Goal Implementation Team (GIT 5)
Contact: Britt Slattery
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Diversity
Management Strategy: Diversity management strategy 2022-2023 final (pdf)
Work Plan: Vii.b. diversity logic and action plan (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Fostering Chesapeake Stewardship Goal Implementation Team (GIT 5)
Contact: Briana Yancy (410) 267-5704
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Environmental Literacy Planning
Management Strategy: Environmental Literacy Planning Management Strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Planning 2021-2022 logic and action plan 120920 (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Fostering Chesapeake Stewardship Goal Implementation Team (GIT 5)
Contact: Shannon Sprague (410) 267-5664
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Local Leadership
Management Strategy: Local Leadership Management Strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Iii.c final srs documents for local leadership (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Enhance Partnering, Leadership and Management Goal Implementation Team (GIT 6)
Contact: Laura Cattell Noll (443) 949-0575
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Public Access Site Development
Management Strategy: 2018-2019 public access management strategy 2 (pdf)
Work Plan: Vii.d. public access logic and action plan (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Fostering Chesapeake Stewardship Goal Implementation Team (GIT 5)
Contact: Garrett Stewart
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Students
Management Strategy: Students Management Strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Student outcome 2021-2022 logic and action plan (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Fostering Chesapeake Stewardship Goal Implementation Team (GIT 5)
Contact: Shannon Sprague (410) 267-5664
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Sustainable Schools
Management Strategy: Sustainable Schools Management Strategy (pdf)
Work Plan: Sustainable schools outcome 2020-2021 logic and action plan (pdf)
Lead Goal Team: Fostering Chesapeake Stewardship Goal Implementation Team (GIT 5)
Contact: Shannon Sprague (410) 267-5664
Letters:
Below are feedback letters received by the Chesapeake Bay Program Office during the input period for our draft work plans:
Letter from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (Education)
Letter from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (WIPs, Toxic Contaminants, Healthy Watersheds)
Letter from Derick Jordan, Watershed Resident
Letter from Dwayne Ford, Watershed Resident
Letter from Gift Oboite, Watershed Resident
Letter from Joseph Madison, Watershed Resident
Comments from the Maryland Blue Crab Design Team
Letter from Nataki K., Watershed Resident
Letter from Ruth Tyson, Watershed Resident
Letter from Sameshea Evans, Watershed Resident
Letter from Shannon Sprague, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office
Letter from the Sierra Club (Maryland Chapter)
Letter from (Maryland) State Water Quality Advisory Committee
Letter from Tom Devilbiss, Carroll County Land & Resource Management
Letter from Virginia No Child Left Inside Coalition
Below are feedback letters received by the Chesapeake Bay Program Office during the input period for our draft management strategies:
Letter from Board of Carroll County Commissioners
Letter from Carroll County Land Use, Planning & Development Department
Letter from Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Letters from the Choose Clean Water Coalition
Letter from Citizens Advisory Committee
Letter from Clean Chesapeake Coalition
Letter from Hampton Roads Sanitation District
Letters from Izaak Walton League of America
Letter from Local Governments Advisory Committee
Letter from Maryland Association of Municipal Wastewater Agencies, Inc.
Letter from Maryland Blue Crab Design Team
Comment cards from Maryland Blue Crab Design Team members and stakeholders
Letter from Maryland Oystermen Association
Letter from Maryland Sierra Club
Letter from Maryland stakeholders
Letter from Maryland State Water Quality Advisory Committee
Letter from Maryland Watermen's Association
Letter from Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protections
Letter from National Parks Conservation Association
Letter from Pennsylvania Campaign for Clean Water - Stormwater Workgroup
Letter from Sierra Club members
Letter from Victor Ukpolo, Maryland resident
Letter from Virginia Association of Municipal Wastewater Agencies, Inc.