Chesapeake Executive Council Publications
Chesapeake Executive Council Charge to the Principals' Staff Committee: Tribes as a Formal and Enduring Partner in the Chesapeake Bay Program
Publication date:A charge from the Chesapeake Executive Council to the Principals' Staff Committee approved at their December 2, 2025 annual meeting to work with federally recognized tribal nations to develop recommendations by July 1, 2026, on how best to include tribes across the watershed in the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership.
In developing these recommendations, the Principals' Staff Committee will research relevant governance matters, including but not limited to partner responsibilities and expectations, pathways for designating and identifying partner representatives, and formal avenues for partnership, including signature on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
The Principals' Staff Committee will also explore opportunities to elevate and respect Indigenous guardianship and knowledge within watershed restoration planning and implementation.
Directive No. 24-1: Establishment of a Chesapeake Bay Program Agricultural Advisory Committee
Publication date:This directive establishes a new advisory committee to facilitate greater engagement of the agricultural sector in the Chesapeake Bay Program.
Charge to the Principals' Staff Committee: Charting a Course Beyond 2025
Publication date:This charge directs the Principals' Staff Committee to revise the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and recommend a simplified and streamlined structure and process for the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership.
Charge to the Principals' Staff Committee: Charting a Course to 2025 and Beyond
Publication date:This charge directs the Principals' Staff Committee to recommend a path for meeting the goals and outcomes of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement leading up to and beyond 2025.
Statement in Support of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
Publication date:This statement affirms the Chesapeake Bay Program's commitment to embrace diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.
View document [PDF, 444.3 KB] Statement in Support of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
Resolution in Support of the Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership
Publication date:This resolution calls upon the President and United States Congress to continue federal support for the Chesapeake Bay Program.
View document [PDF, 635.5 KB] Resolution in Support of the Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership
Resolution to Support Local Government Engagement
Publication date:This resolution commends local governments, commits the Chesapeake Executive Council to advocate for clean water and raise awareness about the benefits of investing in watershed protection and restoration efforts, and directs the Principals’ Staff Committee to seek increased funding and investment for local conservation and restoration activities.
View document [PDF, 150.3 KB] Resolution to Support Local Government Engagement
Directive 08-1: Leading the Nation in Development of a Sustainable Next-Generation Biofuels Industry
Publication date:This directive adopts the findings of the Next-Generation Biofuels report and commits the Chesapeake Bay Program to leading the nation in next-generation biofuels policy.
Protecting the Forests of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: A Response to Directive 06-1
Publication date:This response to Directive 06-1 identifies specific actions the Chesapeake Bay Program will take to conserve and restore forests in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Directive 06-1: Protecting the Forests of the Chesapeake Watershed
Publication date:This directive commits the Chesapeake Bay Program to developing a forest conservation goal, using the best available tools to identify critical conservation areas and identifying innovative strategies to ensure the protection of these important forest lands, slow forest loss and enhance needed stewardship.
View document [PDF, 98.5 KB] Directive 06-1: Protecting the Forests of the Chesapeake Watershed
Assisting Farmers: Accelerating Agricultural Implementation of the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategies
Publication date:This agreement urges enhanced support for agricultural conservation through increased state and federal funding, improved technical assistance and more efficient delivery of services.
Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Healthy Lawns and Clean Water Initiative
Publication date:This Memorandum of Understanding establishes a public-private partnership to reduce nutrient losses from lawns and educate consumers about best application and management practices for lawn care products.
Resolution to Enhance the Role of the United States Department of Agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay Partnership
Publication date:This resolution urges the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize the Chesapeake Bay watershed and utilize the Chesapeake Bay Program's experience as Farm Bill rules related to conservation, research, forestry and energy are developed.
Chesapeake Watershed Education Agreement: Fostering Chesapeake Stewardship
Publication date:This agreement commits the Chesapeake Executive Council to strengthening Chesapeake Bay education and outreach and providing students and citizens of all ages with unparalleled opportunities to experience the cultural, historic and environmental richness of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.
Directive 04-3: Building New Partnerships and New Markets for Agricultural Animal Manure and Poultry
Publication date:This directive commits the Chesapeake Bay Program to reduce nutrient pollution from animal manure and poultry litter.
Directive 04-2: Meeting the Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Goals: Next Steps
Publication date:This directive addresses next steps to advance Tributary Strategy implementation, and asks each Chesapeake Bay signatory and headwater state to review the full breadth of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Blue Ribbon Panel recommendations and determine those whose implementation would be beneficial in their jurisdictions.
Directive 04-1: Funding the Restoration of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Publication date:This directive urges the Principals’ Staff Committee to convene a committee of federal, state and regional finance and legal experts to provide a specific proposal for the establishment of a Chesapeake Bay Financing Authority.
Directive 03-2: Meeting the Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Goals
Publication date:This directive commits the Chesapeake Bay Program to convene a panel to consider funding sources to implement tributary strategies basin-wide.
View document [PDF, 96.2 KB] Directive 03-2: Meeting the Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Goals
Directive 03-1: Expanded Riparian Forest Buffer Goals
Publication date:This directive commits the Chesapeake Bay Program to expanding its riparian forest buffer and urban tree canopy goals.
View document [PDF, 53.9 KB] Directive 03-1: Expanded Riparian Forest Buffer Goals
Resolution to Enhance the Role and Voice of Agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay Partnership
Publication date:This resolution urges state Secretaries and Commissioners of Agriculture to address agricultural viability, conservation funding and innovative technologies, and to report their recommendations to advance the role and voice of agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership.