Governor Wes Moore, who chaired the council for the past two years, called the update a long-term commitment to cleaner waterways and stronger coastal economies. Maryland’s seafood sector, responsible for 3,300 jobs and $600 million annually—is among the industries most directly linked to the health of the Bay.
The updated roadmap was finalized after two years of consultation with scientific advisors, watershed communities, and environmental groups. The final version includes adjustments prompted by public feedback, which strengthened expectations around habitat conservation and long-term water quality.
Key commitments include:
Representatives from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, New York, the EPA, Washington, D.C., and the Chesapeake Bay Commission reached consensus earlier this year.
Maryland has invested $15.9 billion in Bay restoration since 2000 and outperformed several goals set in the 2014 agreement. The state surpassed its 30% land conservation target in 2024 and—together with Virginia—completed the world’s largest oyster restoration effort across 11 tidal rivers. Adult oyster populations have tripled, contributing to five consecutive years of above-average harvests averaging 475,000 bushels valued at $18 million annually.
Maryland is now shifting restoration efforts toward shallow waterways, where direct community interaction and targeted interventions can yield larger ecological and economic gains. Five pilot watersheds under Maryland’s Whole Watershed Act will serve as test cases for this localized strategy.
The Executive Council also named Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as its next chair, marking a new phase of regional leadership as the partnership moves into a 15-year implementation period.
