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On November 20, 2008, Governor Martin O’Malley marked the 25th anniversary of the Chesapeake Executive Council, hosting the Council’s annual meeting at Union Station in Washington, DC. The Executive Council, which establishes the policy direction for the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay and its living resources, includes the Governors of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Mayor of the District of Columbia, and the Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission.
The meeting resulted in several significant actions, including regional agreements to advance the production and use of biofuels and to accelerate the pace of nutrient reductions.
“We are proud of the progress we have made through this partnership,” said Governor O’Malley, “Given the rate of decline of our Bay’s health, however, as well as the vulnerable status of iconic species like the blue crab and native oyster, we must continue to escalate our efforts to reduce nutrients as quickly as possible.”
Last year, the Council confirmed that the region would not meet the 2010 nutrient reduction goals set by the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement. This year the Council adopted a new strategy for establishing a deadline that involves moving the annual meeting to the spring, beginning in 2009, when the most current scientific information about pollution levels becomes available. To focus attention on needed progress and allow for better tracking, more adaptability and accountability, the Council further agreed to establish specific milestones for restoration in two-year intervals next spring.
To increase accountability and effectiveness, Maryland led the effort this year to reorganize and streamline the Bay Program. At the meeting in November the partners agreed to establish an independent evaluator—a team of world renowned scientists—to monitor performance, provide advice, and hold the partners accountable.
Governor O’Malley also announced a new agreement between the Maryland Departments of Environment, Natural Resources and Transportation to apply the BayStat approach to employ a better model for using mitigation funds to accelerate Bay restoration and improve cost effectiveness.
“Our most important days are rarely the easiest ones. Progress often comes in the form of two steps forward and one step back. But it is progress nonetheless,” said Governor O’Malley. “Coming together in partnership, we can find man-made solutions to the man-made problems of our Bay.”
Click here for more information about the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council.
Click here for more information about BayStat.
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