Subsection

Ref. No.

Commitment

Due Date

Complete

Living Resource Protection and Restoration

Oysters

1.1.1.1

By 2010, achieve, at a minimum, a tenfold increase in native oysters in the Chesapeake Bay, based upon a 1994 baseline.

2010

No

1.1.1.2

By 2002, develop and implement a strategy to achieve this increase by using sanctuaries sufficient in size and distribution, aquaculture, continued disease research and disease-resistant management strategies, and other management approaches.

2002

Yes

Exotic
Species

In 2000, establish a Chesapeake Bay Program Task Force to:

1.2.1.1

Work cooperatively with the U.S. Coast Guard, the ports, the shipping industry, environmental interests and others at the national level to help establish and implement a national program designed to substantially reduce and, where possible, eliminate the introduction of non-native species carried in ballast water.

2000

Yes

1.2.1.2

By 2002, develop and implement an interim voluntary ballast water management program for the waters of the Bay and its tributaries.

2002

Yes

1.2.2.1

By 2001, identify and rank non-native, invasive aquatic and terrestrial species, which are causing or have the potential to cause significant negative impacts to the Bay's aquatic ecosystem.

2001

Yes

1.2.2.2

By 2003, develop and implement management plans for those species deemed problematic to the restoration and integrity of the Bay's ecosystem.

2003

Yes

Fish
Passage and
Migratory and
Resident Fish

1.3.1

By June 2002, identify the final initiatives necessary to achieve our existing goal of restoring fish passage for migratory fish to more than 1,357 miles of currently blocked river habitat by 2003 and establish a monitoring program to assess outcomes.

2002

Yes

1.3.2

By 2002, set a new goal with implementation schedules for additional migratory and resident fish passages that addresses the removal of physical blockages. In addition, the goal will address the removal of chemical blockages caused by acid mine drainage. Projects should be selected for maximum habitat and stock benefit.

2002

Yes

1.3.3

By 2002, assess trends in populations for priority migratory fish species. Determine tributary-specific target population sizes based upon projected fish passage, and current and projected habitat available, and provide recommendations to achieve those targets.

2002

Yes

1.3.4

By 2003, revise fish management plans to include strategies to achieve target population sizes of tributary-specific migratory fish.

2003

No

Multi-species Management

1.4.1

By 2004, assess the effects of different population levels of filter feeders such as menhaden, oysters and clams on Bay water quality and habitat.

2004

Yes

1.4.2

By 2005, develop ecosystem-based multi-species management plans for targeted species.

2005

No

1.4.3

By 2007, revise and implement existing fisheries management plans to incorporate ecological, social and economic considerations, multi-species fisheries management and ecosystem approaches.

2007

No

Crabs

1.5.1

By 2001, establish harvest targets for the blue crab fishery and begin implementing complementary state fisheries management strategies Baywide. Manage the blue crab fishery to restore a healthy spawning biomass, size and age structure.

2001

Yes

Vital Habitat Protection and Restoration

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

2.2.1

Recommit to the existing goal of protecting and restoring 114,000 acres of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV).

Yes

2.1.2

By 2002, revise SAV restoration goals and strategies to reflect historic abundance, measured as acreage and density from the 1930s to the present. The revised goals will include specific levels of water clarity that are to be met in 2010. Strategies to achieve these goals will address water clarity, water quality, and bottom disturbance.

2002

Yes

2.1.3

By 2002, implement a strategy to accelerate protection and restoration of SAV beds in areas of critical importance to the Bay's living resources.

2002

Ongoing

Watersheds

2.2.1

By 2010, work with local governments, community groups and watershed organizations to develop and implement locally supported watershed management plans in two-thirds of the Bay watershed covered by this Agreement. These plans would address the protection, conservation and restoration of stream corridors, riparian forest buffers and wetlands for the purposes of improving habitat and water quality, with collateral benefits for optimizing stream flow and water supply.

2010

No

2.2.2

By 2001, each jurisdiction will develop guidelines to ensure the aquatic health of stream corridors. Guidelines should consider optimal surface and groundwater flows.

2001

Yes

2.2.3

By 2002, each jurisdiction will work with local governments and communities that have watershed management plans to select pilot projects that promote stream corridor protection and restoration.

2002

Ongoing

2.2.4

By 2003, include in the "State of the Bay Report," and make available to the public, local governments and others, information concerning the aquatic health of stream corridors based on adopted regional guidelines.

2003

Yes

2.2.5

By 2004, each jurisdiction, working with local governments, community groups and watershed organizations, will develop stream corridor restoration goals based on local watershed management planning.

2004

Ongoing

Wetlands

2.3.1

Achieve a no-net loss of existing wetlands acreage and function in the signatories' regulatory programs.

Yes

2.3.2.1

By 2010, achieve a net resource gain by restoring 25,000 acres of tidal and non-tidal wetlands.

2010

No

2.3.2.2

To do this we commit to achieve and maintain an average restoration rate of 2,500 acres per year basin wide by 2005 and beyond. We will evaluate our success in 2005.

2005

Yes

2.3.3.1

Provide information and assistance to local governments and community groups for the development and implementation of wetlands preservation plans as a component of a locally based integrated watershed management plan.

Ongoing

2.3.3.2

Establish a goal of implementing the wetlands plan component in 25% of the land area of each state's Bay watershed by 2010. The plans would preserve key wetlands while addressing surrounding land use so as to preserve wetland functions.

2010

No

2.3.4

Evaluate the potential impact of climate change on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, particularly with respect to its wetlands, and consider potential management options.

Yes

Forests

2.4.1.1

By 2002, ensure that measures are in place to meet our riparian forest buffer restoration goal of 2,010 miles by 2010.

2002

Yes

2.4.1.2

By 2003, establish a new goal to expand forest buffer mileage.

2003

Yes

2.4.2

Conserve existing forests along all streams and shorelines.

No

Water Quality Protection and Restoration

Nutrients and Sediments

3.1.1

Continue efforts to achieve and maintain the 40% nutrient reduction goal agreed to in 1987, as well as the goals being adopted for the tributaries south of the Potomac River.

No

3.1.2

By 2010, correct the nutrient - and sediment - related problems in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries sufficiently to remove the Bay and the tidal portions of its tributaries from the list of impaired waters under the Clean Water Act. In order to achieve this:

2010

No

3.1.2.1

By 2001, define the water quality conditions necessary to protect aquatic living resources and then assign load reductions for nitrogen and phosphorus to each major tributary.

2001

Yes

3.1.2.2

Using a process parallel to that established for nutrients, determine the sediment load reductions necessary to achieve the water quality conditions that protect aquatic living resources, and assign load reductions for sediment to each major tributary by 2001.

2001

Yes

3.1.2.3

By 2002, complete a public process to develop and begin implementation of revised Tributary Strategies to achieve and maintain the assigned loading goals.

2002

Yes

3.1.2.4

By 2003, the jurisdictions with tidal waters will use their best efforts to adopt new or revised water quality standards consistent with the defined water quality conditions. Once adopted by the jurisdictions, the Environmental Protection Agency will work expeditiously to review the new or revised standards, which will then be used as the basis for removing the Bay and its tidal rivers from the list of impaired waters.

2003

Yes

3.1.2.5

By 2003, work with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and others to adopt and begin implementing strategies that prevent the loss of the sediment retention capabilities of the lower Susquehanna River dams.

2003

Ongoing

Chemical Contaminants

3.2.1

We commit to fulfilling the 1994 goal of a Chesapeake Bay free of toxics by reducing or eliminating the input of chemical contaminants from all controllable sources to levels that result in no toxic or bioaccumulative impact on the living resources that inhabit the Bay or on human health.

No

3.2.2

By fall of 2000, reevaluate and revise, as necessary, the "Chesapeake Bay Basinwide Toxics Reduction and Prevention Strategy."

2000

Yes

3.2.2.1

Complementing state and federal regulatory programs to go beyond traditional point source controls, including nonpoint sources such as groundwater discharge and atmospheric deposition, by using a watershed-based approach; and

2000

Yes

3.2.2.2

Understanding the effects and impacts of chemical contaminants to increase the effectiveness of management actions.

2000

Yes

3.2.3.1

Through continual improvement of pollution prevention measures and other voluntary means, strive for zero release of chemical contaminants from point sources, including air sources.

Ongoing

3.2.3.2

Particular emphasis shall be placed on achieving, by 2010, elimination of mixing zones for persistent or bioaccumulative toxics.

2010

No

3.2.4

Reduce the potential risk of pesticides to the Bay by targeting education, outreach and implementation if Integrated Pest Management and specific Best Management Practices on those lands that have higher potential for contributing pesticide loads to the Bay.

Ongoing

Priority
Urban
Waters

3.3.1

Support the restoration of the Anacostia River, Baltimore Harbor, and Elizabeth River and their watersheds as models for urban river restoration in the Bay basin.

No

3.3.2

By 2010, the District of Columbia, working with its watershed partners, will reduce pollution loads to the Anacostia River in order to eliminate public health concerns and achieve the living resource, water quality and habitat goals of this and past Agreements.

2010

No

Air Pollution

3.4.1

By 2003, assess the effects of airborne nitrogen compounds and chemical contaminants on the Bay ecosystem and help establish reduction goals for these contaminants.

2003

Ongoing

Boat
Discharge

3.5.1.1

By 2003, establish appropriate areas within the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries as "no discharge zones" for human waste from boats.

2003

Yes

3.5.1.2

By 2010, expand by 50% the number and availability of waste pump-out facilities.

2010

No

3.5.2

By 2006, reassess our progress in reducing the impact of boat waste on the Bay and its tributaries. This assessment will include evaluating the benefits of further expanding no discharge zones, as well as increasing the number of pump-out facilities.

2006

Ongoing

Sound Land Use

Land
Conservation

4.1.1

By 2001, complete an assessment of the Bay's resource lands including forests and farms, emphasizing their role in the protection of water quality and critical habitats, as well as cultural and economic viability.

2001

Yes

4.1.2

Provide financial assistance or new revenue sources to expand the use of voluntary and market-based mechanisms such as easements, purchase or transfer of development rights and other approaches to protect and preserve natural resource lands.

Ongoing

4.1.3.1

Strengthen programs for land acquisition and preservation within each state that are supported by funding.

Ongoing

4.1.3.2

Target the most valued lands for protection.

No

4.1.3.3

Permanently preserve from development 20% of the land area in the watershed by 2010.

2010

No

4.1.4

Provide technical and financial assistance to local governments to plan for or revise plans, ordinances and subdivision regulations to provide for the conservation and sustainable use of the forest and agricultural lands.

Ongoing

4.1.5

In cooperation with local governments, develop and maintain in each jurisdiction a strong GIS system to track the preservation of resource lands and support the implementation of sound land use practices.

Ongoing

Development,
Redevelopment, and Revitalization

4.2.1

By 2012, reduce the rate of harmful sprawl development of forest and agricultural land in the Chesapeake Bay watershed by 30% measured as an average over five years from the baseline of 1992-1997, with measures and progress reported regularly to the Chesapeake Executive Council.

2012

No

4.2.2

By 2005, in cooperation with local government, identify and remove state and local impediments to low impact development designs to encourage the use of such approaches and minimize water quality impacts.

2005

Ongoing

4.2.3

Work with communities and local governments to encourage sound land use planning and practices that address the impacts of growth, development and transportation on the watershed.

Ongoing

4.2.4

By 2002, review tax policies to identify elements which discourage sustainable development practices or encourage undesirable growth patterns. Promote the modification of such policies and the creation of tax incentives which promote the conservation of resource lands and encourage investments consistent with sound growth management principles.

2002

Yes

4.2.5

The jurisdictions will promote redevelopment and remove barriers to investment in underutilized urban, suburban and rural communities by working with localities and development interests.

Ongoing

4.2.6

By 2002, develop analytical tools that will allow local governments and communities to conduct watershed-based assessment of the impacts of growth, development and transportation decisions.

2002

Yes

4.2.7

By 2002, compile information and guidelines to assist local governments and communities to promote ecologically-based designs in order to limit impervious cover in undeveloped and moderately developed watershed and reduce the impact of impervious cover in highly developed watersheds.

2002

Yes

4.2.8

Provide information to the development community and others so they may champion the application of sound land use practices.

Ongoing

4.2.9

By 2003, work with local governments and communities to develop land-use management and water resource protection approaches that encourage the concentration of new residential development in areas supported by
adequate water resources and infrastructure to minimize impacts on water quality.

2003

Yes

4.2.10

By 2004, the jurisdictions will evaluate local implementation of stormwater, erosion control and other locally-implemented water quality protection programs that affect the Bay system and ensure that these programs are being coordinated and applied effectively in order to minimize the impacts of development.

2004

Yes

4.2.11

Working with local governments and others, develop and promote wastewater treatment options, such as nutrient reducing septic systems, which protect public health and minimize impacts to the Bay's resources.

Ongoing

4.2.12

Strengthen brownfield redevelopment. By 2010, rehabilitate and restore 1,050 brownfield sites to productive use.

2010

No

4.2.13

Working with local governments, encourage the development and implementation of emerging urban storm water retrofit practices to improve their water quantity and quality function.

Ongoing

Transportation

4.3.1

By 2002, the signatory jurisdictions will promote coordination of transportation and land use planning to encourage compact, mixed use development patterns, revitalization in existing communities and transportation strategies that minimize adverse effects on the Bay and its tributaries.

2002

Yes

4.3.2

By 2002, each state will coordinate its transportation policies and programs to reduce the dependence on automobiles by incorporating travel alternatives such as telework, pedestrian, bicycle and transit options, as appropriate, in the design of projects so as to increase the availability of alternative modes of travel as measure by increase use of those alternatives.

2002

Yes

4.3.3

Consider the provisions of the federal transportation statutes for opportunities to purchase easements to preserve resource lands adjacent to rights of way and special efforts for stormwater management on both new and rehabilitation projects.

Ongoing

4.3.4

Establish policies and incentives which encourage the use of clean vehicle and other transportation technologies that reduce emissions.

Ongoing

Public Access

4.4.1

By 2010, expand by 30% the system of public access point to the Bay, its tributaries and related resource sites in an environmentally sensitive manner by working with state and federal agencies, local governments and stakeholder organizations.

2010

No

4.4.2

By 2005, increase the number of designated water trails in the Chesapeake Bay region by 500 miles.

2005

Yes

4.4.3

Enhance interpretation materials that promote stewardship at natural, recreational, historical and cultural public access points within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Ongoing

4.4.4

By 2003, develop partnerships with at least 30 sites to enhance place-based interpretation of Bay-related resources and themes and stimulate volunteer involvement in resource restoration and conservation.

2003

Yes

Stewardship and Community Engagement

Education and Outreach

5.1.1

Make education and outreach a priority in order to achieve public awareness and personal involvement on behalf of the Bay and local watersheds.

Ongoing

5.1.2

Provide information to enhance the ability of citizen and community groups to participate in Bay restoration activities on their property and in their local watershed.

Ongoing

5.1.3.1

Expand the use of new communications technologies to provide a comprehensive and interactive source of information on the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed for use by public and technical audiences.

Ongoing

5.1.3.2

By 2001, develop and maintain a web-based clearing house of this information specifically for use by educators.

2001

Yes

5.1.4

Beginning with the class of 2005, provide a meaningful Bay or stream outdoor experience for every school student in the watershed before graduation from high school.

2005

No

5.1.5

Continue to forge partnerships with the Departments of Education and institutions of higher learning in each jurisdiction to integrate information about the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed into school curricula and university programs.

Yes

5.1.6

Provide students and teachers alike with opportunities to directly participate in local restoration and protection projects, and to support stewardship efforts in schools and on school property.

Yes

5.1.7

By 2002, expand citizen outreach efforts to more specifically include minority populations by, for example, highlighting cultural and historical ties to the Bay, and providing multi-cultural and multi-lingual educational materials on stewardship activities and Bay information.

2002

Yes

Community Engagement

5.2.1

Jurisdictions will work with local governments to identify small watersheds where community-based actions are essential to meeting Bay restoration goals—in particular wetlands, forested buffers, stream corridors and public access—and work with local governments and community organizations to bring an appropriate range of Bay program resources to these communities.

Ongoing

5.2.2

Enhance funding for locally-based programs that pursue restoration and protection projects that will assist in the achievement of the goals of this and past agreements.

Ongoing

5.2.3

By 2001, develop and maintain a clearing house for information on local watershed restoration efforts, including financial and technical assistance.

2001

Yes

5.2.4

By 2002, each signatory jurisdiction will offer easily-accessible information suitable for analyzing environmental conditions at a small watershed scale.

2002

Yes

5.2.5

Strengthen the Chesapeake Bay Program's ability to incorporate local governments into the policy decision making process. By 2001, complete a reevaluation of the Local Government Participation Action Plan and make necessary changes in Bay program and jurisdictional functions based upon the reevaluation.

2001

Ongoing

5.2.6

Improve methods of communication with and among local governments on Bay issues and provide adequate opportunities for discussion of key issues.

Yes

5.2.7

By 2001, identify community watershed organizations and partnerships. Assist in establishing new organizations and partnerships where interest exists. These partners will be important to successful watershed management efforts in distributing information to the public, and engaging the public in the Bay restoration and preservation effort.

2001

Ongoing

5.2.8

By 2005, identify specific actions to address the challenges of communities where historically poor water quality and environmental conditions have contributed to disproportional health, economic or social impacts.

2005

No

Government by Example

By 2002, each signatory will put in place processes to:

5.3.1.1

Ensure that all properties owned, managed or leased by the signatories are developed, redeveloped and used in a manner consistent with all relevant goals, commitments and guidance of this Agreement.

2002

Ongoing

5.3.1.2

Ensure that the design and construction of signatory-funded development and redevelopment projects are consistent with all relevant goals, commitments and guidance of this Agreement.

2002

Ongoing

5.3.2

Expand the use of clean vehicle technologies and fuels on the basis of emission reductions, so that a significantly greater percentage of each signatory government's fleet of vehicles use some form of clean technology.

Ongoing

5.3.3

By 2001, develop an Executive Council Directive to address stormwater management to control nutrient, sediment and chemical contaminant runoff from state, federal and District owned land.

2001

Yes

Partnerships

5.4.1

Strengthen partnerships with Delaware, New York and West Virginia by promoting communication and by seeking agreements on issues of mutual concern.

Ongoing

5.4.2

Work with non-signatory Bay states to establish links with community-based organizations throughout the Bay watershed.

Ongoing