Management Strategies and Work Plans | Chesapeake Bay Program

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.
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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.

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.

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
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
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
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
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.

Climate Adaptation

Management Strategy: CRWG Management Strategy 2021 (pdf)

Work Plan: CRWG Logic and Action Plan 2021 (pdf)

Contact: Breck Sullivan (410) 267-5788
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.

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
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
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.