Independent Evaluator Action Team

Scope and Purpose

To increase the level of accountability and accelerate implementation in the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP), in November 2008, the Executive Council requested that the CBP be evaluated by a nationally recognized, independent science organization.

An Action Team was formed and held the first meeting in February, 2009. The purpose of the Action Team is to initiate the work of the Independent Evaluator by quickly defining the study charge, scope and desired outcome. The Scope of work developed by the Action Team should identify:

• the charge to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) expert panel and include the explicit study questions.
• evaluation metrics that could be used to address the specified study questions; note the expert panel will also be tasked to independently identify evaluation metrics.
• the review and coordination of evaluation metrics between the expert panel and STAC, the CBP goal teams, and other appropriate partners or advisory committees.
• expertise required for the IE expert panel.
• specific deliverables expected from the expert panel.
• the criteria for acceptance (by EPA for the partnership) of deliverables (from expert panel).
• the deadline/timeframe for deliverables.